First Class Weekend Upgrade CrossCountry

[Pumperkin]

Hi,

I am planning on utilising the first class upgrade option with CrossCountry on Feb 26th from Wolverhampton to Manchester.

I have, however, noted that the t&c on food says Sandwiches are Complimentary for weekend journeys of 90 minutes or more. My journey is only 1h09mins - is it at all likely I will not be allowed the food (one of the major reasons for choosing first class)?

Thanks

 

[Watershed]

Hi,

I am planning on utilising the first class upgrade option with CrossCountry on Feb 26th from Wolverhampton to Manchester.

I have, however, noted that the t&c on food says Sandwiches are Complimentary for weekend journeys of 90 minutes or more. My journey is only 1h09mins - is it at all likely I will not be allowed the food (one of the major reasons for choosing first class)?

Thanks

There are no guarantees that food will be available at all, beyond biscuits and snacks. Best to ask the First Class Host when you board.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Being a Saturday - there are no dedicated First Class Hosts on XC services. You can avail of certain items when the Retail Service Manager comes through the train with the trolley and they can get you items, or if they are providing a static service you can generally go down and see them to collect specific items - just remember to take your ticket with you.

As to the sandwich question, it would be at the discretion of the staff member concerned (and how many spare sandwiches they had).

 

[yorkie]

Hi,

I am planning on utilising the first class upgrade option with CrossCountry on Feb 26th from Wolverhampton to Manchester.

I have, however, noted that the t&c on food says Sandwiches are Complimentary for weekend journeys of 90 minutes or more. My journey is only 1h09mins - is it at all likely I will not be allowed the food (one of the major reasons for choosing first class)?

Thanks

I got nothing for a journey just under 90 minutes, other than one coffee. I was told water was chargeable.

The member of staff simply spent the journey on his phone, other than dispensing two hot drinks (one each for the two passengers including myself).

I would take your own food & drink.

 

[ValentaFan1974]

Unusual as the water is complimentary as well as cans of Coke and Diet Coke, Orange Juice, crisps, biscuits and cake - plus Tea/Coffee/Hot Choc etc. The items on the retail trolley are chargeable but they should have offered you items from the 1st class galley end. Like I say the sandwich bits are down to the discretion of the staff member in this situation. If they have an abundance of them then usually it’s no issue but if they only had one or two left then you’d be out of luck due to the 90 minute rule. I’d always accommodate if I could. Also if you wish to have more refreshments you can always approach the staff member and ask. I can’t obviously vouch for the person Yorkie is describing but they are the exception…

 

[Merseysider]

Hit and miss at the best of times, even before Covid. But water and coffee/tea is pretty reliable. Sometimes I’ve found that sandwiches are only given to those who ask, and not proactively offered, regardless of journey length...

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hit and miss at the best of times, even before Covid. But water and coffee/tea is pretty reliable. Sometimes I’ve found that sandwiches are only given to those who ask, and not proactively offered, regardless of journey length...

I remember precisely that happening on a pre-Covid journey I made between Bristol and Birmingham on a Friday afternoon. The First Class Host happily offered drinks, but only upon me enquiring did they then pass me the sandwich menu.

It turned out they also had a separate menu of hot meals which a fellow passenger was offered shortly afterwards, but presumably only as they asked for hot food options which I wasn't aware of.

I've also had very positive experiences, whereby I'd only paid Priv rate for my ticket on a weekend (on the aforementioned journey between Bristol and Birmingham I'd bought First Advance tickets as I knew it was going to be very busy in Standard and it was) , been told not to worry about paying the Weekend First upgrade and still been offered complimentary food and drink, despite me letting the catering person know I'd not paid to upgrade.

 

[Nova1]

Maybe one for a seperate thread - but is it correct that it’s £15 to upgrade to first onboard between York and New Street if I’ve got a off peak single? Seems very cheap?

 

[Merseysider]

Maybe one for a seperate thread - but is it correct that it’s £15 to upgrade to first onboard between York and New Street if I’ve got a off peak single? Seems very cheap?

That’s correct!

 

[yorkie]

. I can’t obviously vouch for the person Yorkie is describing but they are the exception…

True; this experience wasn't on my usual route (York to Birmingham being the section I do most often) and I've not experienced anyone like that before or since.

However there have been staff shortages leading to not much being provided on other occasions and I don't think anyone has ever offered me a sandwich.

It's not a service you can rely on and anything provided should be considered a bonus.

Maybe one for a seperate thread - but is it correct that it’s £15 to upgrade to first onboard between York and New Street if I’ve got a off peak single? Seems very cheap?

It's reasonable value when the trains are busy. 1st class is often pretty much empty while standard can be very crowded.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Maybe one for a seperate thread - but is it correct that it’s £15 to upgrade to first onboard between York and New Street if I’ve got a off peak single? Seems very cheap?

Only on weekends and bank holidays though, not during the week (apart from at the moment between Christmas and New Year).

 

[Nova1]

Only on weekends and bank holidays though, not during the week (apart from at the moment between Christmas and New Year).

Still seems like a good deal even just for the nicer seat at the weekends. Do XC struggle to fill first class?

 

[185143]

Still seems like a good deal even just for the nicer seat at the weekends. Do XC struggle to fill first class?

I've just alighted an XC service at Leamington Spa. Not a soul in 1st.

 

[Merseysider]

Still seems like a good deal even just for the nicer seat at the weekends. Do XC struggle to fill first class?

Yes, at times, due to their ridiculous pricing (£266 return for Manchester to Coventry, anyone?).

 

[Nova1]

I've just alighted an XC service at Leamington Spa. Not a soul in 1st.

Was this a single set or a double set?

 

[185143]

Was this a single set or a double set?

Double. Only saw one 1st class coach admittedly, but the front unit was fairly well loaded in Standard.

 

[Jimini]

Double. Only saw one 1st class coach admittedly, but the front unit was fairly well loaded in Standard.

No Seatfrog at the moment for XC. That’s probably worth two seats on each journey?

 

[Merseysider]

No Seatfrog at the moment for XC. That’s probably worth two seats on each journey?

Yeah, I noticed that too. Anyone know if/when it’ll return?

 

[Nova1]

Yeah, I noticed that too. Anyone know if/when it’ll return?

It says on Seatfrogs site that it’ll be back 3rd Janurary.

 

[Jimini]

I’m on a XC service right now, parked up in coach B. Coach A is empty. Their loss..

 

[Nova1]

I’m on a XC service right now, parked up in coach B. Coach A is empty. Their loss..

Honestly, the prices for first class are pretty terrifying normally.

Off Peak Single from York -> Birmingham New Street - £70.90

First class? £185.20

Seems pricey.

 

[Merseysider]

Honestly, the prices for first class are pretty terrifying normally.

Off Peak Single from York -> Birmingham New Street - £70.90

First class? £185.20

Seems pricey.

You think that’s bad? You haven’t even seen the half of it

Crosscountry:
Birmingham to Bristol is about 1h20, how much should a First Anytime Return cost?

Random number generator:
How about £285

 

[greyman42]

I remember precisely that happening on a pre-Covid journey I made between Bristol and Birmingham on a Friday afternoon. The First Class Host happily offered drinks, but only upon me enquiring did they then pass me the sandwich menu.

It turned out they also had a separate menu of hot meals which a fellow passenger was offered shortly afterwards, but presumably only as they asked for hot food options which I wasn't aware of.

Why do they not just offer the passenger all the available menus. What is in it for them not to do so and so provide a poor service?

 

[Nova1]

Just boarded my train at York, train manager came to check my ticket, I asked to upgrade to first and she said her machine is broken so she can’t issue any tickets! Free first class for me

 

[yorkie]

Just boarded my train at York, train manager came to check my ticket, I asked to upgrade to first and she said her machine is broken so she can’t issue any tickets! Free first class for me

There's often (but not always) a crew change at Leeds; if so they may be able to issue it. Very occasionally a crew change at Derby.

Why do they not just offer the passenger all the available menus. What is in it for them not to do so and so provide a poor service?

I think XC are just stingy. It's about as far from LNER as you can get!

Do XC struggle to fill first class?

XC try to keep 1st as an exclusive, mostly empty, environment. There is absolutely no evidence they are trying to fill it.

I'd say they are succeeding, not struggling, in their aim.

 

[Nova1]

There's often (but not always) a crew change at Leeds; if so they may be able to issue it. Very occasionally a crew change at Derby.

Would be good if there was a change of crew, I’m a bit peckish and haven’t got the nerve to ask if there’s food from someone who’s let me in for free

 

[yorkie]

Good luck!

I am going to stick with the advice I said earlier:

I would take your own food & drink.

 

[Nova1]

Good luck!

I am going to stick with the advice I said earlier:

Someone has been round now and offered drinks and food, she apologised and said they'd ran out of sandwiches. I've got some sweets I bought with me and some crisps to tide me over though