RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[Peter Lanky]

Entitlement to use FC lounges confuses me. I was travelling from Inverness to Wigan NW, having just alighted from a Scotrail train and waiting for a TP Express, and was refused entry to the East Coast / Scotrail lounge at Edinburgh. As this was my first ever First Class journey, I wasn't in a position to argue, but was the person on the reception correct to do this?

 

[Butts]

Entitlement to use FC lounges confuses me. I was travelling from Inverness to Wigan NW, having just alighted from a Scotrail train and waiting for a TP Express, and was refused entry to the East Coast / Scotrail lounge at Edinburgh. As this was my first ever First Class journey, I wasn't in a position to argue, but was the person on the reception correct to do this?

What sort of ticket did you have ?

 

[IanXC]

Are you interested in maintaining the First Class Lounge Guide?

As a forum team we're looking for someone to maintain the First Class Lounge Guide.

We're open to ideas about how the volunteer will go about this, what the resource will look like and so on. You may wish to look at the work SprinterMan does on the Frequently Requested Diagrams Thread for ideas.

If you're interested please do drop me a PM for a no obligation discussion.

 

[Peter Lanky]

What sort of ticket did you have ?

First Class Advance Single.

 

[Butts]

First Class Advance Single.

Was it a Scotrail ticket rather than East Coast, if so that's why you wouldn't get into the EC Lounge at Edinburgh.

The Scotrail Lounges in both Inverness and Edinburgh are only for Sleeper Passengers.

 

[Peter Lanky]

Was it a Scotrail ticket rather than East Coast, if so that's why you wouldn't get into the EC Lounge at Edinburgh.

The Scotrail Lounges in both Inverness and Edinburgh are only for Sleeper Passengers.

It was Scotrail, but then the sign said 'Scotrail / East Coast' (or the other way round maybe). I wasn't even aware of a FC lounge in Inverness. We used the Hotel next to the station and was able to get coffee with our FC ticket with no problem.

It seems a strange policy to discriminate between different ticket holders, seeing as provision of lounges is supposed to endear the public to the railway, not antagonise many of them.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Entitlement to use FC lounges confuses me. I was travelling from Inverness to Wigan NW, having just alighted from a Scotrail train and waiting for a TP Express, and was refused entry to the East Coast / Scotrail lounge at Edinburgh

It used to be East Coast only, with Scotrail passengers having a separate lounge. That closed and Scotrail passengers were told to use the hotel over the road.

The ScotRail website now says it's a joint first class lounge, so it might be worth writing to them to complain about it. It depends what your ticket said. If it said "TPE & Connections" as the route then it might not be clear it is a ScotRail ticket. TPE and Virgin Trains tickets are not generally valid in the first class lounge at Edinburgh Waverley.

 

[Kite159]

The lounge at new street is very relaxing. I need to relax as the train to Euston is a double voyager.

 

[alex17595]

Can you use the STP first class lounge on a FC 1-6 Day travel card?

This page seems to suggest that you can use any tickets valid on that route in the St Pancras lounge.

All First Class ticket holders can also use the lounge at St Pancras International.

 

[Butts]

I had the misfortune to be in the Virgin Lounge at Euston last Thursday Night at around 1845.

It was absolutely rammed - I just grabbed a Coffee, some crisps and biscuits and exited as rapidly as possible !!!

They did have notices on the entrance about people only being admitted an hour before their Train was due at peak periods After experiencing the "crush" I can understand why.

I seriously believe they should not allow people on Advances in during the rush hour. If I had paid full whack the presence of a load of "freeloaders" on cheap tickets would have been most annoying. I include myself in that last category

 

[Crossover]

Just noticed that EC no longer charge a supplement when on Advance tickets at anywhere other than Kings Cross. This makes me somewhat happy as I have a trip to Edinburgh booked next month so I may drop in

Couple of questions
1. Is there a limit on what time you can go in the lounge an AP - i.e. a certain number of hours before/after or valid all day?
2. Is it worth it?

Also, the lounge at Glasgow (which appears to be a ScotRail Contract jobbie) - is that allowed on non SR tickets (not sure what routing mine are but it will take in TPE, EC and SR!)

 

[Peter Lanky]

I had the misfortune to be in the Virgin Lounge at Euston last Thursday Night at around 1845.

It was absolutely rammed - I just grabbed a Coffee, some crisps and biscuits and exited as rapidly as possible !!!

They did have notices on the entrance about people only being admitted an hour before their Train was due at peak periods After experiencing the "crush" I can understand why.

I seriously believe they should not allow people on Advances in during the rush hour. If I had paid full whack the presence of a load of "freeloaders" on cheap tickets would have been most annoying. I include myself in that last category

I would rather it be full of so called 'freeloaders' rather than full of people who are travelling first class by virtue of somebody else paying for their ticket, i.e on expenses.

 

[Deerfold]

I would rather it be full of so called 'freeloaders' rather than full of people who are travelling first class by virtue of somebody else paying for their ticket, i.e on expenses.

And which category do you fit in

 

[trainophile]

I wandered into Newcastle today, just to say I'd been, as my train was already on the platform.

No staff in evidence, nicely furnished and very quiet, although only hot and cold drinks and biscuits on offer. I spoke to another person who was at the drinks station and he said there's never anyone around to check tickets. Despite which, it didn't seem to be being abused!

 

[Peter Lanky]

And which category do you fit in

By definition I would be a 'freeloader', though I've never actually been in a lounge (other than the hotel next to the station at Inverness) as on the only occasion I attempted to enter one, Mr Pompous at the desk wouldn't let me in, seemingly having a ticket from the wrong rail operator. Travelling FC for me is a treat rather than routine, so if I've found a ticket at a price I can afford (paying for my own ticket) it would be nice to be able to use the benefits associated with it.

I would guess that there are not many people with both the means and the necessity to pay for their own first class ticket.

 

[Butts]

I wandered into Newcastle today, just to say I'd been, as my train was already on the platform.

No staff in evidence, nicely furnished and very quiet, although only hot and cold drinks and biscuits on offer. I spoke to another person who was at the drinks station and he said there's never anyone around to check tickets. Despite which, it didn't seem to be being abused!

Sounds like there's not much worth abusing

Do any East Coast Lounges extend further than "Tea and Biscuits" - Virgin ones seem to be far more generously endowed with freebies.

 

[Deerfold]

Sounds like there's not much worth abusing

Do any East Coast Lounges extend further than "Tea and Biscuits" - Virgin ones seem to be far more generously endowed with freebies.

Kings Cross has bottles of still and sparkling water and cans of plain and diet coke.

They also have relatively cheap alcohol for sale.

 

[ASharpe]

They also have relatively cheap alcohol for sale.

Didn't know that - I always just went in for the Diet Coke. Roughly how cheap, compared to on train and the Parcel Yard etc.?

 

[Minilad]

Are you allowed into FC lounges with a First class all line rover

 

[jon0844]

Didn't know that - I always just went in for the Diet Coke. Roughly how cheap, compared to on train and the Parcel Yard etc.?

Given you can pay about £5 a pint in the Parcel Yard, it wouldn't need to be heavily discounted to still be quite cheap!

 

[Seacook]

Are you allowed into FC lounges with a First class all line rover

Emphatically YES

 

[Deerfold]

Didn't know that - I always just went in for the Diet Coke. Roughly how cheap, compared to on train and the Parcel Yard etc.?

Significantly cheaper than the parcel yard, though I never partook and my lounge pass has now expired so I can't give you exact figures.

 

[Butts]

Why has York Station not got a 1st Class Lounge ?

This seems a bit of an anomaly considering the size and importance of the place.

 

[Marton]

I think because there aren't old offices to convert. They were all across the road.

York station is essentially walls roof and platforms linked by bridges. Being listed effective means no new build.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kite159]

Which of the London terminal FC lounges can you get in with a 1st class zones 1 to 6 travelcard?

 

[GodAtum]

Which of the London terminal FC lounges can you get in with a 1st class zones 1 to 6 travelcard?

You can use the FGW Paddington lounge on any "valid first class ticket for travel from that station". I use it when travelling to West Drayton.

 

[Starmill]

Liverpool Street to if there is anything actually there...

Also don't go to the VT Euston Lounge at 6pm on Saturday, or you'll have to stand up

Although I got myself a hot chocholate and stood in the corner using the free wifi, one guy was kicking off because they had run out of cakes and only one type of biscuits was left The coffee machine was also broken, and the whole place was filthy, as in strewn with litter.

 

[trainophile]

https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk...s/Ticket-Types/Business-tickets#headinglinks4

First Great Western has First Class lounges at Paddington and Cardiff. They give you a comfortable place to relax, and include complimentary refreshments. First Class lounges are available to anyone with a valid first class ticket for travel from that station.

Does this mean that if your First Class ticket is TO that station, you may not use the Lounge on arrival there, while waiting for your onward connection?

Hoping to use the Cardiff lounge tomorrow on return from Swansea, as we have a 45 minute wait.

...........................................................................................

Update: We were allowed to use the Cardiff Lounge both before and after our FGW (day) trip. Not sure if it is official policy, but I asked nicely on leaving the first time, and it was the same steward when we got back, who didn't even ask to see our tickets a second time.

Pleasant if smallish room, enough comfy seats for those who wanted to use them, work bar with a couple of laptop points. Hot drinks made for us, which is a first in my experience, usually have to make our own. Fridge of cold drinks, although all fizzy cans - might have been juice had I asked but I didn't bother. Help yourself to biscuits, crisps, packs of nuts and a couple of wrapped muffins. No complaints, very pleasant place to wait - and grateful for that, given the cold and wet evening.

 

[cjp]

Impressed this evening although not grand it has an excellent selection of teas and other hot drinks. Cold drinks in a fridge along with veggie wraps and ham & crushed pea sandwiches. Also instant porridge, selection of crisps biscuits and cakes. And as soon as I sat down I was given a palatable glass of wine

 

[Butts]

Impressed this evening although not grand it has an excellent selection of teas and other hot drinks. Cold drinks in a fridge along with veggie wraps and ham & crushed pea sandwiches. Also instant porridge, selection of crisps biscuits and cakes. And as soon as I sat down I was given a palatable glass of wine??????
Oh also dried banana chips or a selection of fresh fruit

Blimey, that sounds like The Savoy compared to EC's Edinburgh Lounge. Hopefully when Virgin take over the standards will be raised to a comparable level.