Virgin West Coast weekend first upgrade

[lyndhurst25]

Is the free upgrade to First Class offer for Standard Class Anytime ticket holders still available? I can't find any mention of it from Virgin but it is still mentioned on the National Rail Enquiries website as being available "by approaching the Train Manager". On the last VWC train I travelled on at a weekend there was an announcement saying that all passengers in First Class who were holding Standard Class tickets would be charged a £15 supplement. If it is still available, then where would I find the Train Manager on an 11 coach Pendolino? Or is it OK just to sit in First Class and ask if it is OK to stay when he/she comes round to check tickets? Thanks.

 

[Mojo]

I don't remember ever seeing it explicitly stated on the Virgin Trains website, but it is on the National Rail website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46557.aspx

''On weekends and Bank Holidays, upgrades to First Class on Virgin Trains is free of charge if holding a Standard Class Anytime ticket by approaching the Train Manager.''

The last time I tried to invoke this was back in 2011, or maybe early 2012. The Train Manager had no knowledge of this and refused to even accept existence of it, until I showed the National Rail page on my Mobile phone. This was even me asking him before the train had even departed!

You can usually find the Train Manager in the Train Manager's Office in Coach C, but in reality he could be anywhere on the train.

 

[Mag_seven]

I don't remember ever seeing it explicitly stated on the Virgin Trains website, but it is on the National Rail website: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46557.aspx

''On weekends and Bank Holidays, upgrades to First Class on Virgin Trains is free of charge if holding a Standard Class Anytime ticket by approaching the Train Manager.''

The last time I tried to invoke this was back in 2011, or maybe early 2012. The Train Manager had no knowledge of this and refused to even accept existence of it, until I showed the National Rail page on my Mobile phone. This was even me asking him before the train had even departed!

You can usually find the Train Manager in the Train Manager's Office in Coach C, but in reality he could be anywhere on the train.

You need look no further than this website for the answer.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1185804&postcount=10

 

[lyndhurst25]

I will take the printout from the National Rail Enquiries website with me but was wondering how knowledgable/willing Virgin staff are in practice? I don't think that telling a stubborn TM that "it says so on RailUK Forums" will cut much ice. I'm sure that Virigin Trains would love me to pay £15 extra, but for the relatively short journey on the WCML I'm taking it wouldn't be worth it for me. 30 minutes (Wigan to Lancaster) sat in First Class seems adequate compensation for the hours of Pacer hell on the connecting services before (Southport to Wigan) and after (Lancaster to Skipton)! I think I'll email Virgin to try and get a definitive answer.

 

[ScotTrains]

Can you use the First class lounges with a weekend First or is the upgrade only available onboard the train?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Can you use the First class lounges with a weekend First or is the upgrade only available onboard the train?

VT are one of the few TOCs who will I think issue WF in advance, but I don't know if it gives lounge access when they do.

 

[ScouserGirl]

Can you use the First class lounges with a weekend First or is the upgrade only available onboard the train?

I've got the upgrade at the station and been able to use the lounge before

 

[ScotTrains]

I've got the upgrade at the station and been able to use the lounge before

I have a 65p Neilston to Tweedbank Anytime Day Single ticket.
Purely out of interest, would it be possible, in theory, to get the free upgrade at the station and use the Glasgow lounge (saying you are using Virgin trains to get to Motherwell) and the Edinburgh lounge (saying you are using Virgin Trains between Haymarket and Waverley) or is there a minimum fare before you can upgrade?

 

[najaB]

...or is there a minimum fare before you can upgrade?

There isn't a minimum fare, but VT take the view that you're entitled to use the lounge if the majority of your travel is with VT.

There was a very long thread about this.

 

[ScouserGirl]

I have a 65p Neilston to Tweedbank Anytime Day Single ticket.
Purely out of interest, would it be possible, in theory, to get the free upgrade at the station and use the Glasgow lounge (saying you are using Virgin trains to get to Motherwell) and the Edinburgh lounge (saying you are using Virgin Trains between Haymarket and Waverley) or is there a minimum fare before you can upgrade?

I have no idea as I used to used Virgin from Liverpool to London and I paid the £15 :/ I don't know how the free upgrade thing works :/ sorry

 

[Haywain]

I have a 65p Neilston to Tweedbank Anytime Day Single ticket.
Purely out of interest, would it be possible, in theory, to get the free upgrade at the station and use the Glasgow lounge (saying you are using Virgin trains to get to Motherwell) and the Edinburgh lounge (saying you are using Virgin Trains between Haymarket and Waverley) or is there a minimum fare before you can upgrade?

No, the free upgrade is for holder of Anytime Single or Anytime Return tickets, whereas your ticket is an Anytime Day Single. The capitalization used by Virgin makes the distinction clear.

 

[ScotTrains]

No, the free upgrade is for holder of Anytime Single or Anytime Return tickets, whereas your ticket is an Anytime Day Single. The capitalization used by Virgin makes the distinction clear.

Thanks, didn't notice there was a difference. I've just checked with National Rail Enquiries who state: 'upgrades to First Class on Virgin Trains is free of charge if holding a Standard Class Anytime ticket'. When you click on the word 'Anytime' it takes you to a page describing how there are three types of 'Anytime' tickets: Day, Single and Return. It therefore implies that a Standard Class Anytime Day ticket is incuded in the offer. NRE may be wrong though.