XC First Class weekend upgrade ....

[Dood75]

Was told this morning when buying a return Off-Peak between Sheffield and Paignton that the option/availability to purchase an advance upgrade fare for the journey is no longer available and can only be done on the day. Having only just done exactly that not 3 weeks ago, I enquired when it came in and was told that they had an email this week to advise of this.

Anyone know if that is the case and if so, why XC have decided to take that decision to not allow pre-travel upgrading.

Dudz

 

[Wallsendmag]

I’ve just read two XC briefs from this week but there’s no mention of Weekend First

 

[Dood75]

I’ve just read two XC briefs from this week but there’s no mention of Weekend First

So maybe a case of being fobbed off??

 

[mmh]

I never knew that you could do weekend first other than on the train! Have any other TOCs offered it? How do they manage when first class is full, which buying on board allows them to (sort of) do?

 

[yorkie]

I've only ever got them on the train and if my memory serves me correctly I don't think I've ever been refused a sale, though occasionally there has been no (visible) staff in the portion of the train so you may get no charge and no service, but that's very much the exception rather than the norm.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I never knew that you could do weekend first other than on the train! Have any other TOCs offered it? How do they manage when first class is full, which buying on board allows them to (sort of) do?

Avanti/Virgin used to do it (now been replaced with Standard Premium Advances). It'd be sold with a reservation.

 

[Dood75]

I've just had a messenger conversation with 'XC' about this and have been advised that it is only on the day. I know for sure that in the past when booking on line, the option to Weekend First Upgrade has been available (but not since the pandemic started in 2020) so can only assume that a change has happened (as I say I booked them in advance of travel only 3 weeks ago) to now only allow on the day upgrades..have XC realised that they are losing out for potential first class ticket purchases with the sale of upgrades and that it is much cheaper for the public to do it that way and now want it to be done only on the day...any XC TM on Rail Forums, it will be interesting to hear from the horses mouth as they say....

Dudz

 

[banjo125]

My understanding is weekend first is only available on the train, as its subject to space being available.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Cross Country Weekend First Class upgrades had always previously been able to be bought in advance from ticket offices subject to availability- if bought in advance they must be issued with a seat reservation. The only issue is that I believe Cross Country don't allow Advance ticket holders to upgrade using Weekend First.

 

[Dood75]

Cross Country Weekend First Class upgrades had always previously been able to be bought in advance from ticket offices subject to availability- if bought in advance they must be issued with a seat reservation. The only issue is that I believe Cross Country don't allow Advance ticket holders to upgrade using Weekend First.

So when you say Advance Ticket Holders, are we meaning the ticket is an Advance,or, like in my case an Off-Peak for travel 'in advance'.....are they in reality now treating off peak not bought on the day but being used for future travel as the same as Advance Tickets.....as you say, I knew that you couldnt use an advance to upgrade, just appears now you cant use an off peak to upgrade until the actual day now, rather than 'in advance'.

Dudz

 

[Ash Bridge]

I’ve just made a mock booking on the XC website for a journey from Stockport to Birmingham New Street for travel on Saturday 2/7/22 and a weekend upgrade option on the off-peak ticket was available on both the 07:13 & 07:36 services I was looking at.

 

[Dood75]

I’ve just made a mock booking on the XC website for a journey from Stockport to Birmingham New Street for travel on Saturday 2/7/22 and a weekend upgrade option on the off-peak ticket was available on both the 07:13 & 07:36 services I was looking at.

And I have just checked myself on the journey I booked tickets for yesterday having been told at the station you can only do them on the day.....to find weekend upgrade availability on the XC website for the exact journey booked travelling out 3/7 and back 10/7....

 

[Kite159]

Was it refused at Sheffield ticket office, a place known to be awkward when it comes to more unusual requests?

 

[transportphoto]

Was it refused at Sheffield ticket office, a place known to be awkward when it comes to more unusual requests?

I have to say this was my thoughts too.

As XC do not operate any of their own ticket offices, it relies upon staff of other TOCs being provided with, reading, and fully understanding, any retail briefings and nuances of each offer.

 

[voyagerdude220]

So when you say Advance Ticket Holders, are we meaning the ticket is an Advance,or, like in my case an Off-Peak for travel 'in advance'.....are they in reality now treating off peak not bought on the day but being used for future travel as the same as Advance Tickets.....as you say, I knew that you couldnt use an advance to upgrade, just appears now you cant use an off peak to upgrade until the actual day now, rather than 'in advance'.

Dudz

I mean someone holding an Advance ticket, not Off Peak or Anytime.