First Class worth it?

[NSE]

Good evening all, just received my tickets in the post today for Bedford-St. Pancras-Euston-Stafford (Then back a few days later). I have worked the trainline website well, and got tickets for £49.80 rather than £254. I'm going EMT then Virgin, then LM and EMT on the way back all but the first EMT leg as first class. I was just wondering what experiences people have had regarding both Virgin and EMT First Class services? Are the Lounges worth it? What do I get on the train? and again are the on train services worth it? I know on the LM 350 its just a comfier seat in a quiet area, but are there any other perks?

Cheers in advance

 

[button_boxer]

You could have got it even cheaper if you'd used a TOC website rather than thetrainline. They all sell the same tickets for the same fares (or cheaper - sometimes a TOC will do extra discounts for their own advance fares) and unlike thetrainline the TOC sites don't charge booking fees. Personally I always use www.eastcoast.co.uk but any TOC can sell any ticket.

 

[rail-britain]

What ticket types are they?
EMT won't allow you to use their Lounges with Advance tickets, without paying an additional fee (about £5)

Depending on time and train, you may get refreshments from EMT, and on Virgin Trains breakfast, snack, or evening meal

 

[NSE]

I'll try that next time, but £49.80 for all those journey's including three first class with only £1 spent on booking fees was alright by my standards Oh and just standard advance fares, I know it is definatly valid for Virgin lounge. The EMT to STP is at 9:49am if that helps

 

[Intermodal]

What days and times are you travelling on? I'm actually in Virgin first class as we speak on my way to London so I feel I'm in a position to talk on this .

On weekdays and weekends it differs. On a weekend you'll usually get complimentary light snacks, teas and coffees from the trolley (2 or 3 times per journey depending on length) and that is about it besides the extra legroom, heat and reclining seats.

On a weekday though, if you are travelling before 1000 or between 1700 and 1900 you'll get a meal which I believe is complimentary from the class 390's onboard kitchen (not available on 220/221 services) as well as the complimentary light snacks, teas, coffees, etc,. Also included on all Virgin first class services is use of free onboard wifi (also free in standard until February).

As you said, I believe London Midland conveys no further benefit other than more comfortable seats and a nicer area to sit in, as well as power points on the 350s.

 

[rail-britain]

I believe London Midland conveys no further benefit other than more comfortable seats and a nicer area to sit in, as well as power points on the 350s

Not exactly comfier seats, they are just standard 2+2 as you would expect on a traditional intercity service
Perhaps the extra is for the curtains?

 

[MCR247]

And really awkward to recline seats that you get in standard on a 377?

 

[Sun Chariot]

if you are travelling before 1000 or between 1700 and 1900 you'll get a meal which I believe is complimentary from the class 390's onboard kitchen.

Indeed. I spent two years commuting weekly, between Euston and Manchester Piccadilly. Mostly 07:05 off Euston and 17:45 or 18:15 off Piccadilly. Breakfast was a light affair and dinner, though also moderate, was aided by copious glasses of relaxing red wine...

 

[amcluesent]

I've avoided paying top £££ for Virgin 1st class on the Pendolinos TBH. Last time I was sitting furthest away from the food prep. area and they'd all but run out, I recall getting a teaspoonful of rice.

1st class carriages in Pendolinos don't smell as badly as standard.

The Virgin lounge at Euston is nice enough, but always busy. More facilities than ECs at KGX, showers etc.

 

[voyagerdude220]

On a weekday though, if you are travelling before 1000 or between 1700 and 1900 you'll get a meal which I believe is complimentary from the class 390's onboard kitchen (not available on 220/221 services) as well as the complimentary light snacks, teas, coffees, etc,.

The Super Voyagers (Virgin don't run 220's anymore- no tilt on them :wink) do offer cooked food during the times you mention to/from London, although it's only a proportion/alot less substantial compared to the equivalent served on Pendos.

I've never had the cooked breakfast on a 221 before- does anyone know if it's any good?

I like the Super Voyager evening meals (Vegetable Danchak springs to mind), but it isn't as filling as a Pendo meal.

 

[bengolding]

I've never had the cooked breakfast on a 221 before- does anyone know if it's any good?

I like the Super Voyager evening meals (Vegetable Danchak springs to mind), but it isn't as filling as a Pendo meal.

The Meat Grill on the Euston Super Voyagers is a big improvement on the hideous breakfast rolls offered from Birmingham, but portion size is tiny and inferior to the Pendolino equivalent. Evening meals, e.g. Vegetable Curry, are quite nice though.

To the OP - you can now use your EMT First Advance at their First Lounges without paying an extra £5 but I think the only exception is if you attempt to use the St Pancras lounge between 4-7.

My view of EMT First is that it has gone downhill in recent years, ever since Midland Mainline did away with the excellent Premier Service/First Premier - remember that? You can expect complimentary hot drinks, waters, light snacks and wine between 4-7.