Avanti Standard Premium vs First

[Yankee01]

Just to follow up my own post, I went with standard premium and the carriage was nearly empty. Had the luggage rack to ourselves on a 10:07 service. A couple of people with standard tickets were booted during the ticket check

Picked up a sandwich and drink prior to departure so self catering was just fine with me.

The only annoying thing is the rattling coming from what seems like the window blinds. Though overall, I am happy with what I received from Avanti West Coast’s standard premium product

 

[Trackman]

The only annoying thing is the rattling coming from what seems like the window blinds. Though overall, I am happy with what I received from Avanti West Coast’s standard premium product

It will be.
Easy fix for this, just move it a little until it stops rattling.

 

[Yankee01]

It will be.
Easy fix for this, just move it a little until it stops rattling.

I did give that a shot, moving the blind a bit, though, alas, to no avail. Just started to buzz again along with plenty of other windows in the carriage.

The train did end up arriving 17 minutes late, 12:40 instead of 12:23. I assuming I can get delay repay compensation for this?

 

[Hadders]

The train did end up arriving 17 minutes late, 12:40 instead of 12:23. I assuming I can get delay repay compensation for this?

Avanti pay out for a 15 minute delay.

 

[bengolding]

Travelling on the Avanti Evero services at weekends in First Class, is there no at seat service on the Euston to Chester/North Wales route where complimentary items can be obtained from the Shop?

If so, does this lack of at seat First Class service also apply on weekends and all other Hitachi operated Avanti services such as Euston to West Midlands/Liverpool?

I’ve obtained conflicting answers from Avanti, some advising I will receive at service and others not an upcoming weekend First Class Evero journeys from Euston to Chester and Liverpool.

If no service at seat, what is the rationale behind this when Avanti charge considerable prices for First at weekends, especially on the 807s to Liverpool which also offer Premium?

 

[Birmingham]

Travelling on the Avanti Evero services at weekends in First Class, is there no at seat service on the Euston to Chester/North Wales route where complimentary items can be obtained from the Shop?

If so, does this lack of at seat First Class service also apply on weekends and all other Hitachi operated Avanti services such as Euston to West Midlands/Liverpool?

Believe there is no first class service on Chester/North Wales on weekends but should still be on West Midlands/Liverpool 80x.

 

[paul@skegby.org.]

On an Avanti service between Liverpool and Crewe, would complimentary service be served, or is it pot luck.
I was thinking of trying an Evero service in Oct or Nov.

 

[jfollows]

Last week I noted that Avanti SP was more expensive than open first Stafford-Wilmslow, probably because the flow is priced by WMT, and in the end I used XC anyway and got free, but non-alcoholic, drinks.

 

[yorkie]

On an Avanti service between Liverpool and Crewe, would complimentary service be served, or is it pot luck.
I was thinking of trying an Evero service in Oct or Nov.

Yes, however I would advise against ordering anything substantial as it may not arrive in time. But you will at least get a drink and something small such as a biscuit etc.

I did get the full service on a very quiet train on one occasion; on another I managed to get it in due to a delay, but if we had been on time into Crewe, I wouldn't have done!

 

[Flying Snail]

Yes, however I would advise against ordering anything substantial as it may not arrive in time. But you will at least get a drink and something small such as a biscuit etc.

I did get the full service on a very quiet train on one occasion; on another I managed to get it in due to a delay, but if we had been on time into Crewe, I wouldn't have done!

Or just tell the staff you are only going to Crewe? Unlike on the East Coast AFAIK there is no set journey time under which Avanti won't offer food so it would be down to the individual staff I guess.

Anyone know what would be the response to a 1st class ticket holder in SP? I would certainly choose a quiet SP coach to a crowded noisy 1st especially with limited/no catering.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

Or just tell the staff you are only going to Crewe? Unlike on the East Coast AFAIK there is no set journey time under which Avanti won't offer food so it would be down to the individual staff I guess.

Anyone know what would be the response to a 1st class ticket holder in SP? I would certainly choose a quiet SP coach to a crowded noisy 1st especially with limited/no catering.

The staff certainly are given instructions as to who can get more substantial food. Liverpool to Crewe is not a journey where it will be offered, beyond a biscuit and/or crisps etc. It is possible that on a busy service, a hot drink may not be possible either, although much more likely if it is requested in a takeaway cup, as Avanti would ordinarily serve in a teapot with china, which all adds a few minutes on!

On the Hitachi sets outside of peak times it is normally just one host, with everything prepared in the kitchen and brought out separately for each passenger rather than on a trolley.

 

[MrJeeves]

On the Hitachi sets outside of peak times it is normally just one host, with everything prepared in the kitchen and brought out separately for each passenger rather than on a trolley.

I will add that, if your staff are proactive, they can and will serve food and drink even prior to the departure from the origin. I've managed to get a full meal and two hot and cold drinks runs in between Birmingham New Street and International this way.

Always depends on the Crew(e) though.

 

[Tester]

I will add that, if your staff are proactive, they can and will serve food and drink even prior to the departure from the origin. I've managed to get a full meal and two hot and cold drinks runs in between Birmingham New Street and International this way.

Always depends on the Crew(e) though.

As indeed I once managed a full meal between Euston and Watford Junction

 

[Falcon1200]

Anyone know what would be the response to a 1st class ticket holder in SP?

I have on occasion used my First Class staff pass in Standard Premium and the only reaction has been not to charge the upgrade!
There was of course no catering offered, or expected, in SP.

 

[MrJeeves]

I have on occasion used my First Class staff pass in Standard Premium and the only reaction has been not to charge the upgrade!
There was of course no catering offered, or expected, in SP.

Similarly, I have used 1st class Interrail in SP without issue (and in Standard too).

I even went back to the first galley, showed my ticket, asked nicely, and got some snacks and drinks cans to take back to my seat.

 

[Haywain]

I have on occasion used my First Class staff pass in Standard Premium and the only reaction has been not to charge the upgrade!
There was of course no catering offered, or expected, in SP.

Why would you be charged an upgrade on a first class staff pass?

 

[Watershed]

Why would you be charged an upgrade on a first class staff pass?

Because technically some staff passes are not valid in SP, according to the staff travel restrictions document.

 

[Falcon1200]

Why would you be charged an upgrade on a first class staff pass?

I would not, but not everyone would perhaps know that, and in any case it was a simple reply to the question asked.