GWR reservations (Priv rate)

[IKB]

My knowledge of ticketing is not the best, so hopefully those in the 'know' can help me out with a few queries!

1) I'm aware priv rate cannot be booked online, but does the booking office I attend need to be a GWR one?

2) If my local Southeastern station can sell me a priv ticket (in advance) for use on GWR, can they reserve me a seat? Do they have access to the same reservation systems? (I have no idea what IT is used, excuse the ignorance).

3) When booking a priv ticket, is it possible to specify what seat I would like to reserve? (I've used the Virgin east coast site before I joined the railway and was impressed with the seat reservation system that allows the passenger to select what seat they want). Can a booking office (GWR or other company) do this for me?

4) Does anyone have a copy (or able to point in the direction) of the latest GWR 1st class seating plan? Since the 1st Class refurb, I cannot find any copies of the new seating plan online. Seat numbers in first class have changed dramatically with the removal of most of the two seater tables. There is one two seater table remaining (Coach L, I think) and would like to book that for one of the Pullman dining trains.

5) What rule(s) are enforced with regards to vacating first class seats (on a priv rate ticket) if the service is busy? If paying for a meal on a 'pullman dining' train does this negate any need to move? (I'm aware of the busy services to 'avoid' in the latest ATOC agreement, so won't be booking those).

6) When booking Night Riveria tickets at the booking office, is it possible to specify what cabin you would prefer (i.e. in the middle of the carriage, not over the wheels)? The Caledonian Sleeper website allows this, I wondered if GWR offered this at the booking office?

Any info gratefully received.

 

[Elecman]

You can do seat reservations at any booking office as long as you have your pass to hand. Yes kid First is busy and there arecstanding paying passengers you will have to vacate

 

[Crossover]

I also believe any booking office can sell any PRIV rate ticket - it's the same range of tickets but with a discount attached at the end of the day

 

[RPI]

I take it you have a 1st class Priv card also?

 

[Ralph Ayres]

You can't book a seat if you're using Priv.

 

[TEW]

You can't book a seat if you're using Priv.

You can, but I've never really understood the point of it. The rules state that you must let fare paying passengers have their choice of seats first, and must give up your seat if there are standees. So you can reserve the seat, but if it's busy you still have to give it up anyway.

 

[reb0118]

You can't book a seat if you're using Priv.

You can, but I've never really understood the point of it.

I suppose the point is that you can reserve a specific type of seat (i.e a window ) or more probably if there is a small group of you it makes it possible to sit together esp. if you boarding further on down the line.

 

[TEW]

The rules still state that fare paying passengers must be allowed their choice of seats first though. Based on that I think it would be hard for you to eject a fare paying passenger from your reserved seat.