VIRGIN TRAINS - 1st Class upgrade??

laughing_cow

It's occasionally worth upgrading if the train is going to be busy - especially on routes where there might be large groups of people, eg going to footie matches or concerts. You can often get a whole table to yourself in 1st class when 2nd class is rammed full, and the peace to read or work.

I think someone mentioned that you couldn't use lounges on these tickets, but I've used the one at Euston where they've got free drinks, fruit, biscuits, newspapers etc.

pennylane99

laughing_cow wrote:

It's occasionally worth upgrading if the train is going to be busy - especially on routes where there might be large groups of people, eg going to footie matches or concerts. You can often get a whole table to yourself in 1st class when 2nd class is rammed full, and the peace to read or work.

I think someone mentioned that you couldn't use lounges on these tickets, but I've used the one at Euston where they've got free drinks, fruit, biscuits, newspapers etc.

they wouldnt let me in the Euston lounge with the weekend upgrade, I was told I had to have a full first class ticket to get in....

ictmad

I Havent Used Virgin,but My Sister In Law Works For Them In Edinburgh And Says There Miles Better Than British Snail

jamesbrownontheroad

Virgin Trains only offer their upgrades to First Class at the weekends. You will still receive an at-seat service, but there are no hot meals. In terms of freebies you'll be paying £15 - £?? for a couple of hot drinks and some biscuits or snacks. In that sense you might as well just buy whatever you fancy at the station before you leave. Additionally a weekend upgrade does not let you use any station lounge. However if you have a full fare 'Anytime' standard class ticket you may (subject to space) be able to upgrade to first class at the weekends for nothing by speaking to the train manager.

In terms of comfort, first class on Virgin's Pendolinos (most services on the west coast mainline *except* Scotland <-> Birmingham New Street and most Holyhead <-> London trains) have 2+1 seating instead of 2+2 in standard class, and (importantly) all the seats line up with the windows. Because of their relatively titchy windows, Virgin Pendolinos are some of the worst trains in the UK for window / seat alignment... that might not sound important but if you go to the trouble of reserving a window seat you'll probably be a bit p*ssed off to find yourself spending up to four and a half hours sat in an airline style seat with a blank panel next to you.

This page shows the Pendolino seat layout; blue seats have no window or only a limited slice of a window lining up with them:

v-flyer.com/pendolino.asp

In all other respects first class is a bit more comfortable. Many may disagree with me, but I think both the Pendolino and the Voyager trains are grotty little things with much less space and comfort than the twenty to thirty year old carriages they replaced. Whether or not you feel like paying for the above benefits will be up to you.

Livingthedream

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

Virgin Pendolinos are some of the worst trains in the UK for window / seat alignment... that might not sound important but if you go to the trouble of reserving a window seat you'll probably be a bit p*ssed off to find yourself spending up to four and a half hours sat in an airline style seat with a blank panel next to you.

Lol, those are the seats I always get when I buy my advance tickets :rotfl:

chuckley

read virgin trains website for info. all qtns answered there.