DaveNewcastle
Established Member
As a regular on East Coast between Newcastle and London, I often buy Advances when I can, as the cheapest return is £110.70 (SSR) whereas the cheapest First Return is £255.00 (BFR).
But as the SSR is only available on 2 trains too late for me, my only option for a Return in Standard would be £197.80 for a SVR.
[Those who know me realise that all this has annoyed me greatly since EC announced the removal of the Restaurant Car which has been available to STD Class pax, in favour of meals free for First pax after May.].
However, the erratic manner in which Advance tickets in each price band are sold and allocated often provides cheaper travel in First.
I've just bought some Advances at £90.50 (First class, with free 3 course meal and wine), this is in contrast with £104.00 to travel in Standard plus £10 for some re-heated goo and self-serve drink in Standard.
(With a Railcard, the benefits of EC's free meals are proportionally greater).
These First/Standard anomolies appear quite often as Advances are released, so my advice is to always remember to look at the First Class fares before choosing.
But as the SSR is only available on 2 trains too late for me, my only option for a Return in Standard would be £197.80 for a SVR.
[Those who know me realise that all this has annoyed me greatly since EC announced the removal of the Restaurant Car which has been available to STD Class pax, in favour of meals free for First pax after May.].
However, the erratic manner in which Advance tickets in each price band are sold and allocated often provides cheaper travel in First.
I've just bought some Advances at £90.50 (First class, with free 3 course meal and wine), this is in contrast with £104.00 to travel in Standard plus £10 for some re-heated goo and self-serve drink in Standard.
(With a Railcard, the benefits of EC's free meals are proportionally greater).
These First/Standard anomolies appear quite often as Advances are released, so my advice is to always remember to look at the First Class fares before choosing.
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