Avanti West Coast first class

[route101]

I found Avanti more expensive now even in Standard, advances going above the off peak single price.

 

[sh24]

Prices are for July 9th though.
Is this for Euston-Picc? Should be cheaper tickets, especially for SP.

Yes it was Euston-Picc. Slightly later in the day as we don't have much flexibility on schedule. Slightly horrified as my previous regular commute to Plymouth was never more than £120 one way in First.

 

[Haywain]

got one:
09/07/2016 (14:20) Euston-Picc £42.00
09/07/2026 (14:33) Euston-Picc £135.00

So its a 209.52% increase.

While the increase may be dramatic, there has been a huge reduction in the number of first class seats so much less need to sell at bargain prices.

 

[Starmill]

I found Avanti more expensive now even in Standard, advances going above the off peak single price.

That used to happen all the time anyway, especially for non-London journeys. Without some context I don't think it means much.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That used to happen all the time anyway, especially for non-London journeys. Without some context I don't think it means much.

We also need to remember that the Advance is no longer the most restrictive ticket. It is restrictive in some ways, but it is now the only fare that allows a change of travel date made on the day it was previously valid.

 

[Toby268]

Standard prem is rising again in July. Believe the second increase this year. Euston to Carlisle/ Glasgow will now be £48.

 

[WestAnglian]

So there is no way to get cheaper first class tickets?

Well, First Advance. I've used it this year for Euston - Chester and Euston - Preston at very much lower prices that the flexible rate.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Standard prem is rising again in July. Believe the second increase this year. Euston to Carlisle/ Glasgow will now be £48.

That's crazy..

Ironically I noticed yesterday that TPE Weekend First Class upgrade from Preston to Edinburgh is £25 (and you'll usually be offered their full hot food and drink offer)

Meanwhile Avanti Standard Premium (at the moment..) is £37.50 and does not include any food or drink.

I know it's subjective, but I thought the First Class seat on my TPE 397 was much more comfortable than the Standard Premium seat I'd used on a similar length journey earlier in the week.

 

[Toby268]

That's crazy..

Ironically I noticed yesterday that TPE Weekend First Class upgrade from Preston to Edinburgh is £25 (and you'll usually be offered their full hot food and drink offer)

Meanwhile Avanti Standard Premium (at the moment..) is £37.50 and does not include any food or drink.

I know it's subjective, but I thought the First Class seat on my TPE 397 was much more comfortable than the Standard Premium seat I'd used on a similar length journey earlier in the week.

If they provided something like a voucher for a tea/coffee and cake from shop it might be a bit more worth it. I reckon it’s more than a 50% increase now since prem was launched. The products not any better, plug sockets frequently don’t work. Not good enough.

 

[sh24]

It is still worth it for the space, relative peace and quiet and a solo seat if travelling alone. However they are starting to push the limits on pricing IMO.

I tried Standard to/from Chester and it wasn't that bad. Seat is OK, bit limited on working space but more chance of an "interesting" journey depending on who else boards.

 

[voyagerdude220]

If they provided something like a voucher for a tea/coffee and cake from shop it might be a bit more worth it. I reckon it’s more than a 50% increase now since prem was launched. The products not any better, plug sockets frequently don’t work. Not good enough.

That's a good idea.

Yes I noticed that the plug sockets on my table weren't working. Also a fault with the air con in that one carriage which the Train Manager apologised for during announcements.

I found it a little irritating that the mini fridge was happily humming away whilst of course being completely empty because of complimentary drinks not being offered in SP. (Although I'm aware that a very small number of Pendolinos don't offer SP on Fridays.)

I guess my main question for Avanti is whether SP is making them more money compared with the old system of offering cheaper First Class upgrades at Weekends and only offering a much reduced food menu at Weekends.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I think someone on here mentioned about the possibility of Avanti increasing the price of their Standard Premium upgrades..

Preston to London used to be £37.50. Now £40.

Correction: Prices seem to be going up this Sunday. Today and tomorrow showing "old" prices.

 

[sh24]

Again!! Is that the third increase in 12 months?

 

[voyagerdude220]

Again!! Is that the third increase in 12 months?

Indeed!
Coincidentally I've just come across a video on YouTube about upgrading to First Class at Weekends (was uploaded in March 2019) and it states the cost of upgrading to First Class at Weekends back then was:

Preston/Liverpool/Manchester/Crewe to London- £20
London to Glasgow- £25.
Manchester to Edinburgh- £15 (strange as Virgin/Avanti never served this route after Cross Country was scrapped but I guess say Preston to Edinburgh/Glasgow would be the same cost)
Preston to Birmingham- £10 [I often did this on Sundays getting one of the 221 formed services and frequently got offered drinks and sandwiches. I remember upgrading onboard the train being very popular at the time]

 

[Iskra]

I must report a very pleasant couple of journeys in First on Avanti. Travelling on a Friday, I was in Coach J and still found service to be excellent.

I joined at Warrington for Glasgow. As soon as I boarded I was welcomed and my breakfast order taken, which was served quickly and piping hot. I'd polished it off by Preston where there was a crew change. As the clock had struck 11am and I'd come off a night shift, I asked if the bar was open and ordered a whisky. I was immediately doubled up with a pair of miniatures; so that's a quadruple! I could probably have ordered more food too and got it due to the crew change, but I just had a couple of those nice little chocolate bars. At Carlisle, I ordered another Whisky and yeah, doubled-up again! You don't mind the cost so much when the service is that good. Needless to say, I had a very nice time in Glasgow.

On the way South, service was again prompt and friendly. I had the Salmon en croute, which was a little plainly presented, but tasted nice and again was piping hot. The bar service was once more excellent, I think I had a couple of wines, a whisky and a couple of those little chocolate bars again. I alighted at Preston heading South due to the more favourable connection time.

Overall, a very enjoyable trip and a fine way to travel when combining the onboard service and fantastic scenery North of Preston.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I must report a very pleasant couple of journeys in First on Avanti. Travelling on a Friday, I was in Coach J and still found service to be excellent.

I joined at Warrington for Glasgow. As soon as I boarded I was welcomed and my breakfast order taken, which was served quickly and piping hot. I'd polished it off by Preston where there was a crew change. As the clock had struck 11am and I'd come off a night shift, I asked if the bar was open and ordered a whisky. I was immediately doubled up with a pair of miniatures; so that's a quadruple! I could probably have ordered more food too and got it due to the crew change, but I just had a couple of those nice little chocolate bars. At Carlisle, I ordered another Whisky and yeah, doubled-up again! You don't mind the cost so much when the service is that good. Needless to say, I had a very nice time in Glasgow.

On the way South, service was again prompt and friendly. I had the Salmon en croute, which was a little plainly presented, but tasted nice and again was piping hot. The bar service was once more excellent, I think I had a couple of wines, a whisky and a couple of those little chocolate bars again. I alighted at Preston heading South due to the more favourable connection time.

Overall, a very enjoyable trip and a fine way to travel when combining the onboard service and fantastic scenery North of Preston.

Sounds really good. I did a Rugby to Carlisle on the morning train back in February and managed two breakfasts (not the full one the second time though!)