RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[Ascot]

I'll provide you with a picture of the King's Cross lounge drinks area later. Also to be expected is a picture of the Wakefield Westgate lounge.

Shame that Leeds closes so early.

Edit: Here they are. The Wakefield lounge picture was taken with my back against the opposite corner. It is that small.

I notice that the OP has mysteriously forgotten to put the pictures already supplied into the opening post. Maybe those were not aesthetically pleasing enough.

At last, you uploaded them.

 

[Bungle73]

I'm in the Newcastle Lounge ATM and some people came in and the member of staff kicked them out saying "Advance tickets aren't actually valid in the lounge". She mentioned nothing about the £5 supplement to them. They then all went outside, so I don't know if she said anything else, but they haven't come back.

 

[calc7]

I'm in the Newcastle Lounge ATM and some people came in and the member of staff kicked them out saying "Advance tickets aren't actually valid in the lounge". She mentioned nothing about the £5 supplement to them. They then all went outside, so I don't know if she said anything else, but they haven't come back.

I'm not condoning their being there by any means, but that's great customer service. :-x Sometimes I have to "stock up" in the lounge prior to departure in case the advertised and much-hooted "First Class" food offer does not materialise. (Like the time I was told it was biscuits or crisps on a 5-hour journey from EDB-KGX; thankfully I'd bagged a couple of the former in the lounge).

 

[Butts]

East Coast are offering 3 months Lounge Access for 700 points in the loyalty scheme at the moment.

 

[Bungle73]

I'm making great use of the One Day passes. I've used four so far, and one time I wasn't even travelling.
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Has the Lounge supplement gone up? I just read a notice as I left the lounge and that said the supplement was £10!

 

[All Line Rover]

I'm making great use of the One Day passes. I've used four so far, and one time I wasn't even travelling.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Has the Lounge supplement gone up? I just read a notice as I left the lounge and that said the supplement was £10!

It's £10 for non-EC ticket holders.

 

[Bungle73]

It's £10 for non-EC ticket holders.

Oh.
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I'm not condoning their being there by any means, but that's great customer service. :-x Sometimes I have to "stock up" in the lounge prior to departure in case the advertised and much-hooted "First Class" food offer does not materialise. (Like the time I was told it was biscuits or crisps on a 5-hour journey from EDB-KGX; thankfully I'd bagged a couple of the former in the lounge).

Condone who? The people? They'd only just walked through the door.

 

[Butts]

I'm making great use of the One Day passes. I've used four so far, and one time I wasn't even travelling.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Has the Lounge supplement gone up? I just read a notice as I left the lounge and that said the supplement was £10!

Is it really worth a fiver Bungle, do you spend a while in there ?

And what has happened to your "Cat Avatar"

 

[Bungle73]

Is it really worth a fiver Bungle, do you spend a while in there ?

And what has happened to your "Cat Avatar"

I haven't been paying recently, I've been using lounge passes. And yes I do spend a quite a while in there. Outbound, I'm coming from Kent and I catch an earlier train so I usually have quite a bit over an hour to wait for my train to York/Newcastle etc.

As for the cat, I removed it because I was considering leaving.

 

[OwlMan]

I noticed today that the refurbished Coventry First Class lounge opens officially on Tuesday 26 June after closing early on Monday.

Peter

 

[Ascot]

No real update but a few images have been added since the last update. I've managed to grab some photos of the Scottish lounges and these will need replacing due to the poor quality eventually.

Many thanks for all the contributions so far, keep them coming!

 

[bb21]

Which ones need replacing? I will keep an eye out for them.

 

[Ascot]

Which ones need replacing? I will keep an eye out for them.

The ScotRail ones could do with being replaced. I've just been playing around and the whole image has turned out blurry including the text so I may need to re-jig a few things around.

EDIT: I'm currently converting the guide to png format which will improve the quality drastically with minimal file size impact.

 

[WCMLaddict]

I've been to the new Paddington lounge the other day and I have to say it looks fantastic!

They could do with some signs telling people about the 'old style' part of it as the new area near the entrance was packed and the other one almost empty.

Maybe it's because it's new but it is the nicest FC lounge I've been to.

 

[Ascot]

Another little update this morning.

- East Coast entitlements has been revised and updated to give a clearer picture. I have also included a space for a generic East Coast image if anyone has something fitting (lounge pass, East Coast sign etc..).

- The ScotRail images have been fixed now and the contract lounges have been given a new makeover (with Carlisle to be done shortly after). Customers travelling on the sleeper can refer to the guide for access entitlements with Virgin.

- With some franchises up for renewal in the next few months it is inevitable that there will be changes. Any significant change/refurbishment will be reflected in the guide once information becomes available.

- The FAQ section has seen additions as well as the alternatives section.

- I have completely restarted the Eurostar section and playing with numerous designs so this should be restored soon.

Many thanks for all the images and contributions to the guide so far. Please keep sending them in via email, PM or thread post.

 

[WCMLaddict]

Got a picture of the Newcastle Lounge. The picture is taken in the smaller part with computer desks and you can see the bigger lounge area in the background.

I love the East Coast FC shortbreads!

 

[Ascot]

Got a picture of the Newcastle Lounge. The picture is taken in the smaller part with computer desks and you can see the bigger lounge area in the background.

I love the East Coast FC shortbreads!

Thank you very much!

 

[calc7]

I love the East Coast FC shortbreads!

So do I.
But then I am told "it's biscuits or crisps, sir" and so I am no longer paying to travel First Class with that operator.

 

[Bungle73]

So do I.
But then I am told "it's biscuits or crisps, sir" and so I am no longer paying to travel First Class with that operator.

They gave me a packet of crisps I didn't even ask for the other week; this was on top of the jacket potato, and cake that I'd already ordered.

 

[WCMLaddict]

Passengers on the Caledonian Sleeper may use the Euston lounge as long as they are travelling with a valid sleeper ticket AND EITHER have a valid signed "Advance" loyalty club card OR travelling 1ST. For shower usage ask the dragon on the front desk for a towel then help yourself to a cubicle.

What is this about the dragon?
I'm going to use the Sleeper in few weeks so just want to be prepared

So do I.
But then I am told "it's biscuits or crisps, sir" and so I am no longer paying to travel First Class with that operator.

Every time I'm in their lounges I eat few of them. Sooooooo good (not good for my waistline )

 

[Ascot]

What is this about the dragon?
I'm going to use the Sleeper in few weeks so just want to be prepared

The dragons keep awaits should you dare cross trails.


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[WCMLaddict]

Come on! Tell me more

 

[Ascot]

Come on! Tell me more

There's nothing to tell really. It's just a perception within the frequent flyer community of lounges across the world based on their layout and entry procedure. Old habits die hard.

Although legend has it a true dragon guards access to the Lufthansa lounge at IAD.


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[WCMLaddict]

Awwww. I'm a bit disappointed

Next time I visit Euston Lounge I will look at the Virgin people more suspiciously though You never know

 

[Ascot]

Update this afternoon includes the refreshed Greater Anglia guide and completion of Eurostar including the enhanced access entitlements.

Thanks to all the contributions so far, please do keep them coming!

 

[Brucey]

Quick question about Virgin's on-board service. How do you know which services have a trolley at the weekend and which require a visit to the buffet? The website is quite vague.

On most trains this will be served at your seat, but on some trains you may have to visit The Shop and show your First Class ticket to pick up your refreshments.

 

[calc7]

Quick question about Virgin's on-board service. How do you know which services have a trolley at the weekend and which require a visit to the buffet? The website is quite vague.

I think it's down to chance. I would guess most services up to mid-evening are booked to have a trolley for at least the main part of the journey, but it will be the first thing to be canned if a member of staff doesn't turn up or is otherwise deployed.

 

[All Line Rover]

Pendolinos have trollies. Voyagers don't, unless the Train Manager decides to do it.

 

[Butts]

Quick question about Virgin's on-board service. How do you know which services have a trolley at the weekend and which require a visit to the buffet? The website is quite vague.

From my experience they make an announcement as to the DIY or Silver Service options

 

[WCMLaddict]

I'm sitting currently at Glasgow Central wondering why the hell there is no First Class lounge here? It is a major station for both Virgin and ScotRail yet there isn't even a joint one.
Any known reasons for it?

Edinburgh has two for example.