1st Class All Line Rover Query

[BJP21]

Hi all,

I’ve just purchased myself an All Line Rover ticket starting on the 1st of July for seven days.

Was initially planning on getting a first class rover, but it seems that this can’t be done with my 16-25 railcard. I’ve had to go ahead with standard, but was wondering if there’s any way to upgrade the ticket itself in advance. Or do I just have to ask the guard for an upgrade and pay the difference on each service I board?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Watershed]

The 16-25 Railcard doesn't offer any discount on first class walk-up fares, only on first class Advances. Rangers and rovers are deemed to be walk-up fares so you get no discount with a 16-25 Railcard on a first class All Line Rover.

You can still upgrade to first class, but you'll have to pay the difference (at a ticket office before boarding, for most trains) to the cheapest valid first class walk-up single for each journey you want to upgrade. I believe this would, unfortunately, be calculated using the 16-25 Railcard discounted standard class single - so the difference may be quite large.

For example, if travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on an Avanti service at a time when the Off-Peak fare for this journey isn't valid, you'd be looking at an excess of £145.60, based on the difference between the £267.50 Anytime First Single and the £121.90 Railcard-discounted Anytime Single.

In many cases you'll probably find it cheaper to pay for a Weekend First, Standard Premium or other kind of defined supplement or upgrade, as these tend to be more reasonably priced. Alternatively you could use SeatFrog to buy or bid for an upgrade.

 

[Haywain]

. I believe this would, unfortunately, be calculated using the 16-25 Railcard discounted standard class single - so the difference may be quite large.

That would be the appropriate calculation in my view. Knowledgebase doesn't mention the discount though, and says:

RANGERS, ROVERS, AND BRITRAIL – charge the difference between the appropriate Standard Class and the appropriate First Class fare for the journey being made. Holders of Railcards giving discounts on First Class travel are eligible for discounted fares, only if original tickets were discounted.

 

[Merseysider]

Seatfrog is your friend here.

 

[Haywain]

Seatfrog is your friend here.

Over a week it could get to be a very expensive friend!

 

[yorkie]

Unless you can get a cheap Seatfrog or Weekend 1st upgrade for any of the legs, I'd stick to Standard, as an excess fare isn't going to be worth it, in almost any case.

An alternative option would be to get a refund on the ALR, book 1st Advances between the various parts of the country you want to visit, and get local Day Ranger or Rover products for the local areas; could be far cheaper than an ALR, and more comfortable, but with the loss of flexibility.

(For future reference, it's cheaper and vastly more enjoyable to go to the Czech Republic; you could get there and back, and have hotels included, and get a 1st class Czech ALR (which is under £100), and still be spending less than a 1st class ALR for GB; you'd get to enjoy 1st class compartments and opening windows on some trains )

 

[Jan Mayen]

I'll bear that in mind if I ever renew my passport! Meanwhile LNER 'dine' trains will do me

 

[30907]

I'll bear that in mind if I ever renew my passport! Meanwhile LNER 'dine' trains will do me

I'd be surprised if opening windows and 1st class compartments last much longer - but at least the catering offer should still be there