Hi, I am travelling from Worcestershire Parkway (provided it's open!) to Manchester via Brum on 15th Feb (07:33 -> 10:00). I am interested in First Class upgrade on Brum -> Manchester leg @ £12.50. 2 questions really... is it worth it (what do you get?) and also as I'm split ticketing at Stafford, will the Weekend First Upgrade work split across two tickets (I'll be in the same seat on the same train). Thanks in advance!
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Is Weekend First Upgrade worth it on XC?
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Fawkes Cat
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Is it worth it? Not in terms of added goodies (I don’t think that XC weekend complementary food is anything more than a cup of tea and a biscuit) but almost certainly ‘yes’ in terms of space: standard class XC tends to be fully loaded while there are still seats in first.
Will the supplement carry over to the second ticket? Sorry, don’t know.
Will the supplement carry over to the second ticket? Sorry, don’t know.
Thanks Fawkes Cat. Now looking at doing a Sandwell -> Manchester run instead which is £40.70. Think I'll just drive up the M6 instead and use the park and ride. Oh well.
Mainline421
Member
This is incorrect for journeys of over 90 minutes, there are more complimentary items https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/3799/oct-firstclass_sandwich_menu_handout_a5-v3.pdf https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/3588/for-web.pdf I've used one Weekend First with 5+ tickets and never had any problems.
Do you have walk-up or Advance tickets?
As for whether it is worth it, a lot of it will depend on how busy the train is, which on Saturdays may depend on sporting fixtures etc.
From a personal point of view, £12.50 is the upper limit of what I’d consider value for money for Birmingham to Manchester, purely due to the extra space/comfort.
You can’t count on catering always being available, or making more than one visit.
Whenever I’ve had split tickets (BHM-STA and STA-MAN, showing both at the same time) the staff have offered only snacks, rather than sandwiches, yet they’ve offered these to adjacent passengers with through tickets. Make of that what you will.
I also agree with @yorkie - in my experience the first few departures on a Saturday aren’t too overcrowded but can certainly get cosy in Standard Class after Wolverhampton.
You can’t count on catering always being available, or making more than one visit.
Whenever I’ve had split tickets (BHM-STA and STA-MAN, showing both at the same time) the staff have offered only snacks, rather than sandwiches, yet they’ve offered these to adjacent passengers with through tickets. Make of that what you will.
I also agree with @yorkie - in my experience the first few departures on a Saturday aren’t too overcrowded but can certainly get cosy in Standard Class after Wolverhampton.
Hi - it will be Walk-up tickets and I intend to be in Manchester for 10am. Itinerary as follows:
SAD 08:24 arr WVH 08:37
WVH 08:48 arr MAN 10:00
As I am now on XC for less than 90 mins I don't think it'll be worth it (£12.50 is rather a lot for tea and a biscuit). I can't imagine the train will be too busy (neither Manc team are in action on the Saturday).
How much do XC charge for Weekend First upgrades, nowadays?
Their website does not give any specific details, just "Upgrade your rail ticket to First Class at the weekend from only £5 on CrossCountry trains".
Somewhat unhelpful.
Do XC operate 'zones', much like GWR?
Their website does not give any specific details, just "Upgrade your rail ticket to First Class at the weekend from only £5 on CrossCountry trains".
Somewhat unhelpful.
Do XC operate 'zones', much like GWR?
gazthomas
Established Member
Carry on driving, you'll be half way there (well almost!)
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