First Class Off Peak Day Return

[trainophile]

Thinking of treating myself to an away day to meet some friends off another forum. Trouble is, these things always get chopped and changed, or even cancelled altogether.

If I was to buy a First Class Off Peak Day Return (TOCs LM & GW) would I be able to get a refund if I had to cancel? First Class isn't that much dearer than standard so I thought why not, just this once.

Also is this fare available right up to day of travel, or is it similar to Advance Singles, i.e. limited availability so need to book early?

 

[ainsworth74]

Off Peak and Anytime tickets don't change price the closer you get to the day of travel, so you could walk into the station and buy the ticket 5 minutes before leaving and it will be the same price as if you bought it on line 3 months previously.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks for the quick reply. I was surprised as there's only one First Class service each way at under £100 return, and others go up to £309 (why would anyone even think about paying that much???), so I was wondering what the catch is. The times are pretty good too, 8.40 departure outwards and 15.44 departure for the return leg, so ideal for meeting for lunch.

That's good then, if I can be assured of this ticket being available right up to the day I want to travel.

It's Hereford to Guildford btw in case anyone is wondering, provisional date Saturday 12th March. Hope I haven't mis-read it or something.

 

[TEW]

As you are travelling at a weekend it will be cheaper for you to buy a Standard Class return and two Weekend First upgrades. A Standard Class Off-Peak Day Return is £38.50 and a Weekend First upgrade is £15 each way. Total cost is £68.50, rather than £96.40 for a First Class return.

 

[trainophile]

Ooh that's even better . Do all TOCs allow upgrades to be bought ad hoc then? They are missing a trick there aren't they?

Edit to add: How do you go about that then? Can you buy the standard tickets and the upgrades in one transaction, or do you have to find someone official on the train, having initially sat in a standard coach?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . . is it similar to Advance Singles, i.e. limited availability so need to book early?

No, there is no quota on Anytime, Off-peak or Super Off-peak tickets.

Do all TOCs allow upgrades to be bought ad hoc then?
. . . .
Can you buy the standard tickets and the upgrades in one transaction, or do you have to find someone official on the train, having initially sat in a standard coach?

No, not all TOCs operate the same policy. You will have to read the ticket offers available on the website for the TOC(s) you are considering.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks again. Wish there was a "Thanks" button on this forum!

 

[TEW]

LM don't have First Class on the routes from Hereford as far as I am aware so just use your standard class ticket in Standard Class on those services. On FGW just sit in First Class and you can buy your upgrade when the Train Manager comes to check your ticket. It has to be a weekend to be able to upgrade for £15 though.

 

[John @ home]

I was surprised as there's only one First Class service each way at under £100 return, and others go up to £309 ... The times are pretty good too, 8.40 departure outwards and 15.44 departure for the return leg, so ideal for meeting for lunch.

The Hereford - Guildford Off-Peak Day Return at £38.50 Standard or £96.40 First Class is valid only on trains which go via Evesham. These are seldom the fastest option. That is why few are shown on the journey planners - it is assumed you prefer to travel by the fastest train. To reveal many more journey opportunities with these tickets, search for Hereford - Guildford via Evesham.

If I was to buy a First Class Off Peak Day Return (TOCs LM & GW) would I be able to get a refund if I had to cancel?

As ainsworth74 says, Off Peak Day Returns can be bought on the day. If you do buy the ticket in advance but then decide not to travel, there is a £10 admin fee but you get refunded the rest of the cost.

Here are details of the FGW Weekend First upgrade.

I would normally recommend buying on the day, but there is a complication in this case. You planned trains are:

0840 Hereford - Great Malvern 0909 LM
0943 Great Malvern - Reading 1154 FGW
1204 Reading - Guildford 1247 FGW

1544 Guildford - Reading 1620 FGW
1654 Reading - Hereford 1945 FGW

There is no First Class accommodation on the LM train. You should have no difficulty buying a £15 Weekend First upgrade from Great Malvern to Guildford on the 0943 train shortly after it leaves Great Malvern. But note the sentence on the Weekend First upgrade page:

You can buy in advance at ticket offices and on board High Speed services.

It has been reported in the weekend first fgw thread that the Guildford - Reading service, which is not High Speed, does not sell Weekend First upgrade on board. So you may wish to book your ticket and upgrades a few days before travel, once you are certain the journey will take place.

Finally, one other thing may help you if you miss a train.

When issued in advance, Weekend First must include a free reserved seat. However, if the customer misses their reserved train, the supplement may be transferred to other services for the same journey on the same date at no extra charge, subject to accommodation being available.

 

[trainophile]

That all sounds very promising, thanks once again.

Not bothered about no First Class on the Hereford to Great Malvern bit of the journey as it is only a comparatively short leg. Over two hours on Great Malvern to Reading, which would be cool as I've never been that way so all new scenery too!

 

[Daimler]

You should have no difficulty buying a £15 Weekend First upgrade from Great Malvern to Guildford on the 0943 train shortly after it leaves Great Malvern. But note the sentence on the Weekend First upgrade page:

...

It has been reported in the weekend first fgw thread that the Guildford - Reading service, which is not High Speed, does not sell Weekend First upgrade on board. So you may wish to book your ticket and upgrades a few days before travel, once you are certain the journey will take place..

It's perhaps worth pointing out that on Saturdays the 09:43 from Great Malvern is not operated by a HST, and therefore probably doesn't count as a 'High Speed Service' (the return train from Reading is) - will the OP still be able to buy a Weekend First upgrade on the train (and perhaps equally relevant, would the OP still consider it worthwhile? Do first class passengers still get free refreshments from the trolley on Turbo-operated services, for instance?)?

 

[trainophile]

So many questions. It's no wonder they say rail pricing is complicated!