LM - The Great Escape

[wintonian]

Can the £20 1st class Great Escape ticket be used to gain entry to the 1st class lounges at Birmingham or Euston?

 

[323235]

taken from the Network Rail page about Euston station

Virgin first class lounge
This facility is available to all first-class ticket holders traveling on Virgin West Coast and ScotRail services.

So if that info is correct, you wouldn't be able to use the VT First Class Lounge at Euston.

Regarding New Street 1st Class Lounge the NRE site says the following :-

Tickets Accepted

Virgin Business, First Open or Advance First tickets. You can only enter the lounge on the travel date shown on your ticket.

 

[wintonian]

Ok thanks,

I assume not then

If I'm hungry maybe a 1st anytime day return to Duddeston for £1.90 then - only if I am hungry.

 

[323235]

Deleted, info not required

 

[MCR247]

Ok thanks,

I assume not then

If I'm hungry maybe a 1st anytime day return to Duddeston for £1.90 then - only if I am hungry.

I thought it would have been Virgin ticket holders only :?

 

[wintonian]

Sorry I just assumed all standard non advance ticket were accepted in all lounges i.e. all turn up and buy first singles and returns.

Guess thats not the case either.

 

[MCR247]

Sorry I just assumed all standard non advance ticket were accepted in all lounges i.e. all turn up and buy first singles and returns.

Guess thats not the case either.

I'm not sure, I just thought thats what it would be as its a Virgin lounge

 

[yorkie]

I don't think LM have any lounges! A ticket must be valid on Virgin to use their lounges, otherwise they're effectively subsidising LM cheap tickets and giving freebies to LM customers!

 

[Ivo]

Could you not just buy a First Class single from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International (£3.50)?

 

[wintonian]

There you go - I could do that.

Might not bother though unless I do need some food and have a while to wait for a train as I don't want to be too cheeky.

On the side I have been let into the lounge at Paddington a couple of times with a 1st off peak from Winchester to London whilst going via Reading.

Just looked and they seem to be fairly relaxed about which tickets they take.

 

[yorkie]

On the side I have been let into the lounge at Paddington a couple of times with a 1st off peak from Winchester to London whilst going via Reading.

That's valid on FGW, so I wouldn't expect a problem with that ticket in an FGW lounge.

I agree Birmingham Intl - Birmingham Stns is valid in the Virgin lounge. I doubt they'd be keen on someone on such a ticket consuming many complimentary items though!

 

[323235]

That's valid on FGW, so I wouldn't expect a problem with that ticket in an FGW lounge.

You beat me to it Yorkie

 

[wintonian]

Ah ok, so as long as the ticket is valid from/ to the station in question on a route/ part route operated by whoever runs the lounge then a normal walk on 1st would be valid.

Have I got that right?

Ooh and New Street to International is £2.30 with a railcard or £6.35 to Leamington Spa which wouldn't be as cheeky!

 

[MCR247]

Virgin don't stop at Leamington Spa!

 

[wintonian]

Oh yes they stopped calling there when the franchise went to Arriva - I forgot

 

[tony_mac]

you could change at Coventry, so it would be valid in the lounge, even though a bit pointless.
If you are likely to spend any time at either Coventry or Wolverhampton then a FDS from New St is pretty cheap and you can use the lounges at both ends.

Although I wouldn't bother just because you are hungry, better spending the money on food than trying to fill up on snacks. (I think it's just crisps and biscuits at Lime St)

Ooh and New Street to International is £2.30 with a railcard or £6.35 to Leamington Spa which wouldn't be as cheeky!

It's not a 16-25 railcard, is it? They aren't valid for First class tickets except Advance.

 

[2030720310]

One question from me....

I know that this great escape thing doesn't let you go anywhere (outside zones 1-5) before 0930. Therefore, as my parents are paying it!! (), if I get an earlier train from Worcester Shrub Hill (0659) that gets to Birmingham New Street at 0747, could I still use this offer to get to Euston for 1049 (on the 0833 from BHM) because this travel would be from the 'allowed' zone 1 (where you can use the offer to travel before 0930)?

 

[MCR247]

I don't see why not

 

[OwlMan]

One question from me....

I know that this great escape thing doesn't let you go anywhere (outside zones 1-5) before 0930. Therefore, as my parents are paying it!! (), if I get an earlier train from Worcester Shrub Hill (0659) that gets to Birmingham New Street at 0747, could I still use this offer to get to Euston for 1049 (on the 0833 from BHM) because this travel would be from the 'allowed' zone 1 (where you can use the offer to travel before 0930)?

No. It is not valid on the 0833 (Only valid on the 0753 & 0853 and after 0930) from Birmingham. (Full validity shown below)

2.Great Escape tickets can be used all day at the weekend or after 0930 on weekdays. In addition, on weekdays, tickets are valid on the 0753/ 0853 Birmingham to Euston and the 0733/ 0833 Crewe to Euston trains. There are no time restrictions on any day, within Network West Midlands zones 1-5.



Peter

 

[2030720310]

No. It is not valid on the 0833 (Only valid on the 0753 & 0853 and after 0930) from Birmingham. (Full validity shown below)

2.Great Escape tickets can be used all day at the weekend or after 0930 on weekdays. In addition, on weekdays, tickets are valid on the 0753/ 0853 Birmingham to Euston and the 0733/ 0833 Crewe to Euston trains. There are no time restrictions on any day, within Network West Midlands zones 1-5.



Peter

Ah I see, well thanks for the clarification anyway, it's avoided a potential problem at BHM anyway!!

 

[MCR247]

Deleted

 

[2030720310]

Hi Guys,
Is it possible to change these vouchers at Birmingham New Street?

 

[wintonian]

I would think you can do that -from the t&c's:

To obtain your ticket(s), you will need to hand in your Great Escape voucher (and pay the appropriate fare) at any ticket office on the London Midland network.

Though the Virgin ticket office at Euston wouldn't change it and I had to use the London Midland one.

 

[2030720310]

I would think you can do that -from the t&c's:



Though the Virgin ticket office at Euston wouldn't change it and I had to use the London Midland one.

Where is that on New Street?

 

[wintonian]

I'm affraid I rearly stop off at New St so wouldn't know if there is one, but if there isn't one then sould they not exchange the voucher at the main ticket office?

 

[2030720310]

I wouldn't know, that's why I'm asking!!

 

[wintonian]

Well the t&c's don't say that it has to be LM ticket office, only that the ticket office must be on their network.

To obtain your ticket(s), you will need to hand in your Great Escape voucher (and pay the appropriate fare) at any ticket office on the London Midland network.