Eurostar classes

[Citybreak1]

I notice on some trains the upgrade to Standard Premier is cheap does this still let you sit in the premium coaches? Is business only advantage having access to the lounges? I personally prefer the interior on the standard coaches but fancy access to the lounge?

 

[Watershed]

Standard Premier seating is the same as Business. SP does receive catering, but only a 'light meal', whereas Business receives a 3-course meal. In practice I'm not sure the difference is that big.

The main difference is the flexibility of the tickets (Business ones can be refunded or changed without fee up until departure, or even afterwards) and the fact that Eurostar guarantee being able to board any train with a Business ticket, even if "sold out". Plus you get Fast Track security/border control and lounge access, and the deadline for turning up is 15 minutes before departure, vs 30 minutes for Standard/SP.

 

[hexagon789]

When I lasted travelled on Eurostar the upgrades were (per single journey) - £56 per person SP vs £72 for Business Prem.

The catering offers were better then though.

 

[BahrainLad]

Standard Premier is always a cold meal. In Business you’ll get something hot.

I miss Leisure Select…

 

[jon81uk]

Standard premier doesn't get you lounge access, just the bigger seats onboard and a light meal with wine (except for breakfast).
If the upgrade is cheap around £20 its worth doing, the seats are better and feel more spacious and the meal is worth having.

 

[mike57]

We recently (2weeks ago) travelled out on Standard Premier as the upgrade was less than £20 each and back Standard as the upgrade was around £40 each. As with everything it depends on cost. I think the salient point is on the return journey we wished we had sucked up the extra cost of standard premier. Seats are wider and you get more space on SP, and you can also pick your seats, so we always go for a bay of 2 with a table facing each other that way you play footsie with you wife or SO rather than a stranger.... The food is a bonus but isnt really the reason for upgrading on its own. I am a big lad, 6ft, 20st and no one would describe my wife as petite and the table of 4 we were sat at on the way back had us two sat with two other bigger people, and it was cramped.

Recent experience with Eurostar is that the trains are full, both standard and SP were full going both ways, so you are not going to be able to spread out in standard, every seat will probably be taken. I get the feeling that the airport problems have been a bonus for Eurostar

 

[Citybreak1]

I got an upgrade Standard Premier for £10 each including my partners ticket so £20 upgrade one way. Just to see what it’s like as I have never tried it before. Hopefully will be a good experience.

 

[Trainbike46]

We recently (2weeks ago) travelled out on Standard Premier as the upgrade was less than £20 each and back Standard as the upgrade was around £40 each. As with everything it depends on cost. I think the salient point is on the return journey we wished we had sucked up the extra cost of standard premier. Seats are wider and you get more space on SP, and you can also pick your seats, so we always go for a bay of 2 with a table facing each other that way you play footsie with you wife or SO rather than a stranger.... The food is a bonus but isnt really the reason for upgrading on its own. I am a big lad, 6ft, 20st and no one would describe my wife as petite and the table of 4 we were sat at on the way back had us two sat with two other bigger people, and it was cramped.

Recent experience with Eurostar is that the trains are full, both standard and SP were full going both ways, so you are not going to be able to spread out in standard, every seat will probably be taken. I get the feeling that the airport problems have been a bonus for Eurostar

you can still select seats if buying a ticket for standard, and you can change your seat after buying your ticket, though you will obviously be limited by what other seats have been reserved

 

[mike57]

you can still select seats if buying a ticket for standard, and you can change your seat after buying your ticket

Interesting, I couldn't see how to do it with Standard, but the option was clear with SP, and I booked both at the same time. Next time we go if we end up Standard I will dig a bit further. We usually book about 8-10 weeks ahead and certainly for SP there were plenty of empty seats at the point of booking, but by the time we travelled carriage was full.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I got an upgrade Standard Premier for £10 each including my partners ticket so £20 upgrade one way. Just to see what it’s like as I have never tried it before. Hopefully will be a good experience.

That's very good value.

 

[alex17595]

I went in Standard premier the other week, the meal they gave me was mouldy but the staff did apologise and give me another meal.

A little trick I used is to change seats at the last minute, rather than being in the busy coach I had half the end coach to myself. Works well with long haul flights as well.


I had a first class interail pass, so I paid about 10 euros more than a standard class reservation.

 

[Citybreak1]

I went in Standard premier the other week, the meal they gave me was mouldy but the staff did apologise and give me another meal.

A little trick I used is to change seats at the last minute, rather than being in the busy coach I had half the end coach to myself. Works well with long haul flights as well.


I had a first class interail pass, so I paid about 10 euros more than a standard class reservation.

Do they come and ask you if you want the food or can you refuse? I don’t mind it being busy as the standard coaches seem quite busy.

 

[TFN]

Do they come and ask you if you want the food or can you refuse? I don’t mind it being busy as the standard coaches seem quite busy.

You can refuse if you wish. You could always just have a beverage or nothing at all.

 

[30907]

Do they come and ask you if you want the food or can you refuse?

From random experiences I have always been asked - as there are two to choose from (unless you have ordered a special diet) this is to be expected.

I have never noticed people refuse, unlike in NR First.

 

[StephenHunter]

From random experiences I have always been asked - as there are two to choose from (unless you have ordered a special diet) this is to be expected.

I have never noticed people refuse, unlike in NR First.

Might happen during Ramadan, I suppose.