Avanti West Coast: Standard Premium

[pnepaul]

Had my first taste of standard premium today from Carlisle to Crewe. No refreshments, I guess that's a Sunday thing. Also no ticket check, so I got a free upgrade lol.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Had my first taste of standard premium today from Carlisle to Crewe. No refreshments, I guess that's a Sunday thing. Also no ticket check, so I got a free upgrade lol.

The whole point of Standard Premium is that it is First Class without the refreshments.

 

[Merseysider]

No refreshments, I guess that's a Sunday thing.

That’s an every day of the week thing

 

[Trackman]

I've noticed this on the last couple of trips that the reservations were not working. All it gave was the seat number.
So has it been busted for a while and I've never noticed?

There's been tweet today from someone saying the seat reservation system isn't working and it's happened before.
This was a Picc- Euston Service.
So it wasn't a couple of one-offs for me.
Funnily enough they were booked via the Avanti app, I booked my recent four SPs and Firsts via the website. Something is up!

Hi - why is it that when I book my tickets on your app, always in advance, this always seems to happen? I’ve lost count of the number of times to be honest

https://twitter.com/Seani_D_/status/1447432039813296133?s=20

 

[Mag_seven]

Just a reminder that this thread is for the discussion of Avanti Standard Premium.

If anyone wants to discuss anything else about Avanti they are welcome to start a new thread.

Thanks

 

[philjo]

On the 0930 Euston to Lancaster. 4 passengers in standard premium Coach H and 2 in G.
I had tried the Seatfrog 1st upgrade -there was 1other bid but I was outbid at the starting price which then jumped to £39 so opted for standard premium coach H.

The at seat ordering for refreshments did not work - it timed out when I was selecting the basket then did not do anything after entering the card details. The option of using Applepay would be helpful as I was ordering on my iPad. It is accepted at the shop in coach C but not on the at seat app.
So ended up with a long walk to coach C to get a cup of tea.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Given the uncertainties about the arrival of the products, and them either costing next to nowt (tea/coffee) or being resellable to others (anything else in a packet, bottle or can), the best method of charging for this is for the person delivering them just to have a card machine. That way there isn't an issue with refunding stuff if for any reason it can't be delivered in time or at all. I half recall LNER does this and doesn't bother charging online at all.

This would also facilitate someone coming through to take orders and drum up custom if there was a spare member of staff to do it.

 

[gazzaa2]

Don't know if this is to be a regular thing from now on on match days, but the 10:16 Euston to Liverpool today has just Coach K for first class. Coaches G, H and J are all standard premium and about 80% full. Standard is also 80% full. (Last home game, there were still three first-class coaches on my trains.)

No wonder there were no first class Advance tickets or Seat Frog upgrades at any point for today's.

I haven't yet been on a 100% full match-day train this season, which is unprecedented. They are usually bursting. Anecdotal evidence from LFC fan sites is that, it's not just down to Covid: plenty who previously used the train still want to but have been priced off by Avanti.

The Avanti trains were packed out through August on the weekend.

Tonight I have just departed Lime St on the 1847 bound for Euston. It is a 9 car Pendo and coaches H & J have been designated Standard Premium. I'm in K, in a tiny seat, no elbow room paying a much higher price than the TWO people who are in H/J. I've been travelling the NWCML with Virgin then this mob for 20 years, have spent 10's of thousands on 1st class travel and now I feel like the least valued passenger on the train. I travel for business but have also enjoyed the space and tbh luxury of 1st class travel. The message I am getting is that 1st Class is no longer important and that a Ryanair style future awaits. I'm seriously considering going back to the roads as this is just putting business passengers in total contempt. As passengers we vote with our feet and Avanti's demonstratable attitude is the worst I have ever encountered.

The mentality is becoming "pay 25 pound for Standard Premium if you want a seat". Certainly during busy times.

The weekend upgrades under Virgin were certainly better value (and much cheaper). I'll still pay the 25 pound unless the train is quiet because it's a more comfortable journey.

 

[Tester]

Further to my post #1239, I duly submitted a complaint via the Avanti website feedback form.

Today (a mere five days later) I have received an email apologising for the delay in dealing with it, and inviting me to drop my complaint in return for two first class return tickets anywhere on Avanti, valid 12 months.

The cynical me thinks they realise there is a real problem here; the hard-nosed me thinks that's a pretty hefty bribe for something not desperately important.

Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation?

 

[telstarbox]

Are you a big fish in terms of spending on Avanti?

 

[Butts]

I travelled in Standard Premium on Monday Night from Birmingham International to Sandwell & Dudley using a £2.60 Special Evening Single. I would have upgraded if anyone had come around to check the tickets which they didn't.

Would there even be a fare in the system to account for that ?

When I got off at S&D I noticed all the Catering Staff ensconced around a table in (The Empty) front 1st Class Carriage

 

[Watershed]

I travelled in Standard Premium on Monday Night from Birmingham International to Sandwell & Dudley using a £2.60 Special Evening Single. I would have upgraded if anyone had come around to check the tickets which they didn't.

Would there even be a fare in the system to account for that ?

When I got off at S&D I noticed all the Catering Staff ensconced around a table in (The Empty) front 1st Class Carriage

Yes, would have been £10 to upgrade. You'd have been better off getting a First Class single for £8.30!

 

[Tester]

Are you a big fish in terms of spending on Avanti?

Absolutely not - I am entirely unknown to them!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, would have been £10 to upgrade. You'd have been better off getting a First Class single for £8.30!

That is one of the problems with it - for instance <place in the North> to MKC is the same as <place in the north> to Euston, so Euston passengers get better value as they get an extra half hour of the upgraded service. I don't think the fares are even in for MKC, they just issue it to Euston.

 

[paddy1]

Yes, would have been £10 to upgrade. You'd have been better off getting a First Class single for £8.30!

And enjoyed the complimentary refreshments in the first class lounge at New St prior to boarding!

 

[Butts]

And enjoyed the complimentary refreshments in the first class lounge at New St prior to boarding!

Wrong direction - it was BHI to SAD and the Lounge there was shut

 

[graysquire]

Tried SP for the first time last week between Glasgow and Euston, down Monday afternoon, back Friday afternoon. SP almost deserted both ways, which made for a very pleasant journey. Table for 4 to myself with no-one else around! Big difference in fare between SP and first (around £50 each way) - I'm fine with missing out on a few cans of IPA and meal for that price, particularly when I can buy using the at-seat service. However, that's where it failed - southbound it only became available around Crewe, and wasn't available throughout the entire northbound journey. After enquiring, apparently it's never available north of Preston due to limited staffing in the shop, and on the return wasn't available from Euston due to short staffing. Picked it up with AWC on Twitter and assured that they would pass on to address...

Would be interested to hear if the nothing north of Preston is definitely the norm. I don't particularly mind as I'd stock up before getting on, but when it's advertised as a service it's very frustrating when it's not available.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Tried SP for the first time last week between Glasgow and Euston, down Monday afternoon, back Friday afternoon. SP almost deserted both ways, which made for a very pleasant journey. Table for 4 to myself with no-one else around! Big difference in fare between SP and first (around £50 each way) - I'm fine with missing out on a few cans of IPA and meal for that price, particularly when I can buy using the at-seat service. However, that's where it failed - southbound it only became available around Crewe, and wasn't available throughout the entire northbound journey. After enquiring, apparently it's never available north of Preston due to limited staffing in the shop, and on the return wasn't available from Euston due to short staffing. Picked it up with AWC on Twitter and assured that they would pass on to address...

Would be interested to hear if the nothing north of Preston is definitely the norm. I don't particularly mind as I'd stock up before getting on, but when it's advertised as a service it's very frustrating when it's not available.

I’ve been able to use at seat order north of Preston fine on both northbound journeys.

 

[Furrball]

Further to my post #1239, I duly submitted a complaint via the Avanti website feedback form.

Today (a mere five days later) I have received an email apologising for the delay in dealing with it, and inviting me to drop my complaint in return for two first class return tickets anywhere on Avanti, valid 12 months.

The cynical me thinks they realise there is a real problem here; the hard-nosed me thinks that's a pretty hefty bribe for something not desperately important.

Has anyone found themselves in a similar situation?

I got the same!

My complaint was simply a request for SP upgrade cost to be refunded as was declassified North of Preston

 

[STINT47]

I'm planning on using a first class all kind rover for a week next month and was wondering what accommodation people believe this allows me to use?

I assumed it would be first class with food and drink but Avanti Twitter team and a train manager I spoke to whilst they were doing a ticket check on a recent journey say it's standard premium.

They're explibation is that a firat class all line rover is a specialist first class ticket offering a discount, so standard premium is appropriate. I don't agree with having had food and drinks under Virgin using this type of ticket.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It is a First Class ticket and thus is valid in First Class.

 

[voyagerdude220]

It is a First Class ticket and thus is valid in First Class.

I'd quite like to hear Avanti's explanation as to why they wouldn't accept a valid First Class ticket in First Class:

"I'm sorry Sir/Madam, your First Class Rover is not valid in First Class."

 

[Mag_seven]

I'm planning on using a first class all kind rover for a week next month and was wondering what accommodation people believe this allows me to use?

I assumed it would be first class with food and drink but Avanti Twitter team and a train manager I spoke to whilst they were doing a ticket check on a recent journey say it's standard premium.

They're explibation is that a firat class all line rover is a specialist first class ticket offering a discount, so standard premium is appropriate. I don't agree with having had food and drinks under Virgin using this type of ticket.

Sorry the train manager and the twitter team sound like they are talking twaddle to me. I hope this is not true.

 

[robbeech]

I'm planning on using a first class all kind rover for a week next month and was wondering what accommodation people believe this allows me to use?

I assumed it would be first class with food and drink but Avanti Twitter team and a train manager I spoke to whilst they were doing a ticket check on a recent journey say it's standard premium.

They're explibation is that a firat class all line rover is a specialist first class ticket offering a discount, so standard premium is appropriate. I don't agree with having had food and drinks under Virgin using this type of ticket.

This sort of absolute bilge needs nipping in the bud before they even start!

What a surprise that such a vile anti passenger operator would happily sit there and lie through their teeth in this way.

You are allowed in first class, of course, if they try to say otherwise (which of course they will, they want the commission from a new first class ticket which they don't have to repay to their employer even if the ticket is disputed) then this needs reporting to the non existent regulators of the railway.........

 

[Tester]

I'm planning on using a first class all kind rover for a week next month and was wondering what accommodation people believe this allows me to use?

I assumed it would be first class with food and drink but Avanti Twitter team and a train manager I spoke to whilst they were doing a ticket check on a recent journey say it's standard premium.

They're explibation is that a firat class all line rover is a specialist first class ticket offering a discount, so standard premium is appropriate. I don't agree with having had food and drinks under Virgin using this type of ticket.

I am at this moment travelling with a friend who is using a first class All Line Rover, and I can confirm that we are getting the full works with not the slightest suggestion of otherwise.

 

[STINT47]

When I

I am at this moment travelling with a friend who is using a first class All Line Rover, and I can confirm that we are getting the full works with not the slightest suggestion of otherwise.

Thank you for this info When I use the rover next month I will take a seat in first class and see what happens with refreshments etc. Hopefully there will be no issues.

Sometimes I feel that some railway employees make things up as they go along.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Sometimes I feel that some railway employees make things up as they go along.

Unfortunately this is not just confined to the railway, but is unfortunately true of many "professions", (including cabinet ministers).

 

[robbeech]

Sometimes I feel that some railway employees make things up as they go along.

Without wishing to stray off topic, this is exactly what does happen, and in some areas not only do they make it up as they go along, they're actually encouraged to make it up as they go along, providing of course what they make up swings in the railway's favour.

 

[61248]

I've had two 1st class rovers in the last month,4 trips with Avanti and no problems with the catering,and very good service as well
Pity about the food,it's a poor offering considering the fanfare before its introduction

 

[Butts]

I've had two 1st class rovers in the last month,4 trips with Avanti and no problems with the catering,and very good service as well
Pity about the food,it's a poor offering considering the fanfare before its introduction

How are they responding to criticism of it on twitter - anybody ?