How could Avanti West Coast Standard Premium work better?

[JaJaWa]

Would it be a better allocation of space if Standard Premium and First passengers shared the same carriages, with refreshments being provided on presentation of a First ticket?

 

[takno]

Would it be a better allocation of space if Standard Premium and First passengers shared the same carriages, with refreshments being provided on presentation of a First ticket?

No, because it would remove all exclusivity, triple the distance the staff have to go to provide the service, and turn the whole thing into a demeaning coupon-clipping exercise. Basically it would be perfect for the low-value seatfrog upgraders and unpleasant for the real first-classers.

What they might like to try doing is ramping up the number of upgrades to standard premium by making their staff actually talk about it, and possibly by giving away free upgrades. They won't have all the space they have in SP once they do the refurb, so they might as well make use of it while they do.

 

[Furrball]

Making Standard premium available as an upgrade on flexible tickets at time of purchase would be handy

Of it cannot be done via traditional ticketing platform then a hook in with seatfrog with a buy it now price (and ideally seat picker) could maybe work?

 

[takno]

Making Standard premium available as an upgrade on flexible tickets at time of purchase would be handy

Of it cannot be done via traditional ticketing platform then a hook in with seatfrog with a buy it now price (and ideally seat picker) could maybe work?

It's relatively easy to do on standard ticketing platforms, and is certainly available on various ticketing websites. By comparison it's quite hard to do by getting people to download a third party app they've never heard of and force them to make a separate card payment.

What is most missing is any sense that people are being encouraged to upgrade on the train or station, or even being told about the existence of the option. If all I knew about standard premium was the name in a list of fares, I'd probably assume it related to additional baggage allowances or ticket flexibility.

 

[Furrball]

It's relatively easy to do on standard ticketing platforms, and is certainly available on various ticketing websites. By comparison it's quite hard to do by getting people to download a third party app they've never heard of and force them to make a separate card payment.

What is most missing is any sense that people are being encouraged to upgrade on the train or station, or even being told about the existence of the option. If all I knew about standard premium was the name in a list of fares, I'd probably assume it related to additional baggage allowances or ticket flexibility.

What sites are currently offering off peak return plus standard premium upgrade?

Another issue is that advance pricing in aot of cases is not attractive at the moment

2 X advance standard premium tickets are more expensive than an off peak return plus on train upgrade

 

[Ianno87]

Just stick a free to vend coffee machine, plus a water dispenser in the carriage.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2021 ==

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What is most missing is any sense that people are being encouraged to upgrade on the train or station, or even being told about the existence of the option. If all I knew about standard premium was the name in a list of fares, I'd probably assume it related to additional baggage allowances or ticket flexibility.

Having travelled out of Euston a few times lately, you'd be forgiven for having no idea SP exists.

You might get an announcent on boarding - but who is going to bother moving once you've already secured a seat in standard?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would favour abolishing traditional First Class, and turning First Class into SP, with fares set at 1.5 times the relevant Standard fare, with all the same flexibility as the Standard fare. Those wishing to have a meal could pay for one and have it served on a proper plate. You could perhaps keep basic service like free tea, coffee and mineral water.

If you assume it's going to stay as is, though, more publicity is needed, as is the ability to book it in advance on all ticketing sites. Much as we advise not using Trainline, for example, vast numbers of people do and miss it entirely as a result.

 

[basfordlad]

Or just have it like the days of MML and GNER and charge for meals. I never objected to paying for brekky on MML in 1st

 

[py_megapixel]

mineral water

What exactly is the point of this? Filtered tap water would waste less plastic and ultimately work out cheaper, while serving the same purpose.

You could even advertise it as a feature, with a little "We Mean Green" section explaining it on the menu, or something.

 

[Nova1]

Or just have it like the days of MML and GNER and charge for meals. I never objected to paying for brekky on MML in 1st

If I wasn't being ripped off for my fare and if the meal was good quality I would not mind paying.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What exactly is the point of this? Filtered tap water would waste less plastic and ultimately work out cheaper, while serving the same purpose.

You could even advertise it as a feature, with a little "We Mean Green" section explaining it on the menu, or something.

That's a good idea. I was more thinking "drinking water" generally.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2021 ==

If I wasn't being ripped off for my fare and if the meal was good quality I would not mind paying.

I still think UK TOCs should look at the model used by Deutsche Bahn, PKP etc, and look at reasonably priced meals rather than "posh nosh". Served on proper crockery with proper cutlery in 1st (SP) and in a cardboard box with wooden cutlery in Std.

 

[Falcon1200]

Having travelled out of Euston a few times lately, you'd be forgiven for having no idea SP exists.

On my recent Pendolino journeys there has been no promotion, or announcement, of SP at all, and there is no indication on the vehicle exteriors either, they are still shown as First Class.

 

[wellhouse]

On Monday 29th November we were diverted from the ECML while it was clsoed, and joined an Avanti service from Carlisle to Edinburgh. Checking the carriage loadings on the Avanti App, there was no indication of Standard Premium. Looking at a few other random Avanti services, this seemned to apply to all services. Surely the App should indicate where Standard Premium is located?

We held Anytime First tickets, and had to move through Standard Premium to find First Class seats (and service!). Once on board, the Standard Premium seats had Standard Premium antimaccassars, so it was immediately clear we were not in First. Interstingly, Ticket Acceptance was in place, but it was intersting to note thet holders of Transpennine Express First Class tickets were advised that they were entitled to travel only in Standard Premium, not First.

 

[92002]

On Monday 29th November we were diverted from the ECML while it was clsoed, and joined an Avanti service from Carlisle to Edinburgh. Checking the carriage loadings on the Avanti App, there was no indication of Standard Premium. Looking at a few other random Avanti services, this seemned to apply to all services. Surely the App should indicate where eStandard Preium is located?

We held Anytime First tickets, and had to move through Standard Premium to find First Class seats (and service!). Once on board, the Standard Premium seats had Standard Premium antimaccassars, so it was immediately clear we were not in First. Interstingly, Ticket Acceptance was in place, but it was intersting to note thet holders of Transpennine Express First Class tickets were advised that they were entitled to travel only in Standard Premium, not First.

Basically Avanti are trying to copy the Eurostar 3 class offering.
Although in their offer there are better quality meals on the more expensive First Class and a lighter type usually cold offering meal in what Avanti call Standard Premium.

It's Also similar to what the parent Company FS in Italy offer on Eurostar Italia. With the Avanti slant on it.

Maybe a solution would be what is done in weekdays on all days. Where on an 11 car Pendolino there are 2 First Class coaches and 2 Standard Premium coaches. Perhaps with a higher supplement payment. On a weekend the 1 First Class coach and 3 Standard Premium coaches just plainly doesn't work. With some rather annoyed First Class high priced ticket holders more than a bit miffed with the small space offered for their high price ticket.

 

[mmh]

Once on board, the Standard Premium seats had Standard Premium antimaccassars, so it was immediately clear we were not in Firs

I trust you've made a complaint to Avanti West Coast about this.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Maybe a solution would be what is done in weekdays on all days. Where on an 11 car Pendolino there are 2 First Class coaches and 2 Standard Premium coaches. Perhaps with a higher supplement payment. On a weekend the 1 First Class coach and 3 Standard Premium coaches just plainly doesn't work. With some rather annoyed First Class high priced ticket holders more than a bit miffed with the small space offered for their high price ticket.

I would just abolish "full fat" 1st on a weekend entirely, and just have SP. This is essentially what went before anyway, as service on weekends was cheaper and the freebies much reduced.