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Avanti West Coast: Standard Premium
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Journeyman
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I think you'd have to ask them, unless anyone has already tried it. Weekend First has always been available for staff travel, though, so I'd say it's likely.
Hopefully then, I wonder about the family and friends tickets?
Journeyman
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I've done weekend first on TPE with those, so fingers crossed.
OliverH68
Member
Excellent, I might be tempted then, but admittedly mainly because I'm not paying for the ticket itself
OliverH68
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You might even get lucky and have a really nice TM who won't take your moneyExcellent, I might be tempted then, but admittedly mainly because I'm not paying for the ticket itself
Journeyman
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Always great when that happens!You might even get lucky and have a really nice TM who won't take your money
You never knowYou might even get lucky and have a really nice TM who won't take your money
Edit:
I just double checked with Avanti's twitter team and they seem to think this is not the case
(being able to upgrade that is, not upgrading for free)
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Scotrail314209
Established Member
Their at-seat order system is good but very temperamental.
It’s giving me all manner of issues on this train.
It’s giving me all manner of issues on this train.
Not used it yet, Nor LNER. Though a fair few were using it on LNER. Its useful but I do like going to the buffet.
I've used LNER's and all was fine. Took maybe 6-7 minutes from ordering hot food to it appearing.
voyagerdude220
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1M06 05:33 Glasgow Central to London Euston is stated on Avanti's Journey Check page as being short formed- 9 car Pendolino instead of an 11 car one and Standard Premium is not being offered on this train today.
Given the rather limited First Class offer at the moment on Avanti, I can't help but think that First Class ticket holders are being ripped off, given the food they're offered at the moment isn't much more substantial than what can be bought from the shop onboard (or from many Restaurants/Cafes etc.) before boarding. Then just pay for Standard Premium. Massive saving.
I think Avanti should have waited until the First Class offer has been greatly improved before introducing Standard Premium.
Given the rather limited First Class offer at the moment on Avanti, I can't help but think that First Class ticket holders are being ripped off, given the food they're offered at the moment isn't much more substantial than what can be bought from the shop onboard (or from many Restaurants/Cafes etc.) before boarding. Then just pay for Standard Premium. Massive saving.
I think Avanti should have waited until the First Class offer has been greatly improved before introducing Standard Premium.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Yes, I think they should have done their research, designed and tested the new products, and had a big launch. But what happened is typical FirstGroup. They have decent ideas but not a first clue about marketing.
voyagerdude220
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Bletchleyite
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I'll excuse the unintentional pun about First not having the first clue.
Or a clue how to market First...oops
voyagerdude220
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Someone on Facebook has complained to Avanti about the only food offered in First Class today being crisps or poppadoms?
The excuse from Avanti being the old "reduced selection offered at weekends."
I'd be feeling thoroughly ripped off, considering the huge premiums people are having to pay for First Class on Avanti now, even at weekends.
The excuse from Avanti being the old "reduced selection offered at weekends."
I'd be feeling thoroughly ripped off, considering the huge premiums people are having to pay for First Class on Avanti now, even at weekends.
They really don't get to play the "first class is meant to be rubbish at weekends" game under their new setup. They've got standard plus to be rubbish, so first class needs to stay premium. I am starting to worry that they can't be bothered to do this properly at all
Not that easy in a pandemic with 2 different governments continually tinkering with lockdown rules & no clear idea how much the premium business travel market will eventually recover
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py_megapixel
Established Member
3 different governments - Avanti serve all three nations within the United Kingdom, being (I believe) the only TOC other than CrossCountry to do so.
While travelling passenger to London to work a train back, the Train Manager kindly allowed myself and my driver to sit in Standard Premium. He came and had a chat with us and we asked him about it, and apparently an official launch is planned some time in September.
Ok , thanks for the correction
All three nations within Great Britain. Unless Avanti have managed to find a solution to the whole "trains getting wet when travelling from Glasgow to Belfast" issue.
Journeyman
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py_megapixel
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Correct - thanks for pointing this out!
Butts
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Anyone with half a brain would fly to Ireland or any other far flung part of the UK from Scotland.
py_megapixel
Established Member
You're right. The discussion was more about semantics (i.e. the fact that I accidentally said United Kingdom rather than Great Britain) than the actual viability of a rail service between GB and Ireland!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Or why not simply only have Standard Premium and not even have First Class at all at weekends? (Obviously First Class tickets would be valid in it for those wanting to).
voyagerdude220
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(Apologies a little off topic)
I've seen a complaint from someone on Avanti's Facebook page complaining that they were "requested" to leave a very quiet coach K and alternatively sit in a very crowded coach J- mentioning that social distancing wasn't possible-
I'm assuming therefore coaches G and H were Standard Premium.
How to upset passengers paying substantial sums of money for First Class travel...
I've seen a complaint from someone on Avanti's Facebook page complaining that they were "requested" to leave a very quiet coach K and alternatively sit in a very crowded coach J- mentioning that social distancing wasn't possible-
I'm assuming therefore coaches G and H were Standard Premium.
How to upset passengers paying substantial sums of money for First Class travel...
roversfan2001
Established Member
The Coach K situation really needs to stop, it's been going on for years and no one seems to care.
First Class being significantly smaller than it used to be should sort it out when/if demand picks up again at least.
First Class being significantly smaller than it used to be should sort it out when/if demand picks up again at least.
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