Thameslink as "& connections" - reservable or not?

[button_boxer]

Do Thameslink do (seat or counted-place) reservations? If I book an Advance from Gatwick Airport to Sheffield using Thameslink from Gatwick to St Pancras, I know I'm committed to the particular EMT service I reserve but do I have to stick to the specific Thameslink service on the itinerary?

I'll be flying into Gatwick at 19:30, which means I'll be on the 22:25 slow train from St Pancras. The booking engines are trying to put me on the 21:08 from Gatwick to STP, but could I get an earlier connection and stop for sushi at St Pancras rather than hanging around at Gatwick for an hour?
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I can get an itinerary with an earlier Thameslink for the same price from trainsplit.com, but then the question is reversed - if I booked, say, the 20:08 from Gatwick but the flight was late, would I still be covered to get the 21:08 (which still connects with the EMT service)?

 

[John @ home]

Try searching for journeys via City Thameslink.

 

[Romilly]

The Thameslink/Great Northern website (in the section on FAQs about tickets) confirms that they do not have a system for reserving seats on their trains. So you will have the flexibility you would like.

 

[button_boxer]

Try searching for journeys via City Thameslink.

I have no problem at all finding itineraries that suit me, I just wanted to double check that I'll have the flexibility to get an earlier or later connection if required (I know break of journey isn't allowed on an Advance but I don't intend to do that, I just want to be able to take the extended wait in St Pancras station rather than Gatwick).
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The Thameslink/Great Northern website (in the section on FAQs about tickets) confirms that they do not have a system for reserving seats on their trains. So you will have the flexibility you would like.

Perfect. I thought that was the case but it's good to have it confirmed. I've also tried looking at the official NR timetables and none of the Thameslink services have a diamond marker.

 

[Bungle]

Do the same journey regularly (to Chesterfield, not Sheffield). No problem taking an earlier Thameslink.

Only small problem you may encounter is that the Thameslink platform barriers at St Pancras will not recognise Sheffield (it neverr recognises Chesterfield) and will tell you to seek assistance, but the gateline staff will wave you through with little more than a quick glance.

As a small aside, you don't seem to be able to get first class through advances from Gatwick on an EMT+connections ticket - standard only - but if you split at St Pancras you can normally get some decent first advances for the EMT leg. Don't know what is provided in first at that time though.

 

[PermitToTravel]

That's the way to check. Even counted place reserveable services have the diamond.

 

[34D]

if I booked, say, the 20:08 from Gatwick but the flight was late, would I still be covered to get the 21:08 (which still connects with the EMT service)?

I didn't believe there was any such concession? At gatwick I mean

 

[PermitToTravel]

That doesn't need a concession; it's still an appropriate connecting train for the reserved service. This would be absolutely fine.

 

[jon0844]

Aren't there plans to introduce advance tickets on Great Northern and Thameslink in this franchise?

 

[Hadders]

Aren't there plans to introduce advance tickets on Great Northern and Thameslink in this franchise?

I believe there are but I really hope it doesn't happen as it'd be practically impossible to police, given the frequency of trains through the core and the lack of guards.

A better way, IMO, would be super off peak day returns.

 

[button_boxer]

Thanks all, I booked the ticket and collected it today. It printed in the new style saying "Valid only on the booked services below and required connecting services", with the only service listed below being the EMT one. No mention of any specific connection (Thameslink or otherwise) so that's all good for me.