Caledonian sleeper fares

[cjp]

Am I missing something but why would anyone buy a Solo Berth ticket when first class is cheaper?

As it is I might leave the bicycle at home and simply fly up - if only Inverness flights still went from Heathrow. then it would be a definite no brainer for me - plane rather than train

 

[Bletchleyite]

Am I missing something but why would anyone buy a Solo Berth ticket when first class is cheaper?

People (I'm thinking MPs here!) for whom First Class is absolutely prohibited, even where it is cheaper than Standard? Those organisations do exist.

 

[cjp]

I forgot abut such.

Could Solo Ticket holders then get a zero excess to first class on the train?

 

[causton]

I forgot abut such.

Could Solo Ticket holders then get a zero excess to first class on the train?

As these are Advances in effect, you could get an upgrade for £10! If you want to go that route you might as well buy the shared then upgrade it for the difference (~£30 it seems) + £10 :P

 

[najaB]

People (I'm thinking MPs here!) for whom First Class is absolutely prohibited, even where it is cheaper than Standard? Those organisations do exist.

It's not an absolute prohibition where I work but you do get a 'please explain' if you book First Class. Not really worth the hassle to save a few pounds.

 

[NicholasNCE]

Worth noting, BA is resuming the LHR-INV service from May of next year: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34719798

 

[paul1609]

People (I'm thinking MPs here!) for whom First Class is absolutely prohibited, even where it is cheaper than Standard? Those organisations do exist.

I only really use the Fort William or Glasgow sleepers but I don't really get the impression that there is very much business or politician use of these sleepers these days.
I have to book manually through the government booking service and the operators always have to look up how to make the booking so I doubt they are making them very often.

 

[IanXC]

I book from time to time on the Sleeper, and my observation of the pricing is that the "shared standard", "solo standard" and "first" effectively exist as 3 separate "classes" of tickets and quotas - with a fixed number of each berth type available on each train.

This presumably means in the example shown that the "solo standard" have sold to the extent that the more expensive of those fares is all that is available, and that this fare now exceeds the available first class fares. Not unlike day train First Advances being cheaper than Standard as occurs from time to time.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Staff with Standard only travel ?

 

[najaB]

I only really use the Fort William or Glasgow sleepers but I don't really get the impression that there is very much business or politician use of these sleepers these days.

I can't speak for government, but they are still used fairly frequently for business.

 

[TUC]

It's not an absolute prohibition where I work but you do get a 'please explain' if you book First Class. Not really worth the hassle to save a few pounds.

For the government arms-length body I work for, First Class is an absolute no-no, even where it is cheaper. It has been removed as an option within the retailer booking site we use.

 

[Bletchleyite]

For the government arms-length body I work for, First Class is an absolute no-no, even where it is cheaper. It has been removed as an option within the retailer booking site we use.

Out of interest are you also banned from upgrading yourself, e.g. Weekend First? There are a few reasons for such policies, some of which might also mean not being seen to travel in First regardless of who pays?

 

[Elecman]

Out of interest are you also banned from upgrading yourself, e.g. Weekend First? There are a few reasons for such policies, some of which might also mean not being seen to travel in First regardless of who pays?

Reputation all damage is often touted for the reason for the ban on First Class, but unless you travel with your company identity obviously displayed I find that reason dubious.

As a tax payer I would want all publicly funded travel to be at the cheapest fare possible

 

[Bletchleyite]

Reputation all damage is often touted for the reason for the ban on First Class, but unless you travel with your company identity obviously displayed I find that reason dubious.

FWIW I have heard of companies, particularly in Germany, where employees *must* travel First Class, travelling second is considered to damage their reputation. Another world

 

[Hadders]

As a tax payer I would want all publicly funded travel to be at the cheapest fare possible

Tax payer funded travel should be appropriate. For example, a flexible 'walk on' fare might be a bit more expensive than two Advance singles but would come into its own if a meeting finished early or over-ran.

As for 1st class travel if it's a long journey or there's an expectation of working while on the train then it may be appropriate.

 

[najaB]

Tax payer funded travel should be appropriate. For example, a flexible 'walk on' fare might be a bit more expensive than two Advance singles but would come into its own if a meeting finished early or over-ran.

As for 1st class travel if it's a long journey or there's an expectation of working while on the train then it may be appropriate.

'Sensible' and 'corporate travel policy' are rarely used in the same sentence! It's not *too* bad where I work as you're only asked to explain why you've booked first class, but sometimes it is easier to just book standard (even if more expensive) for an easier life.