save 20 % at Mainline Food Outlets

[jon0844]

And yes, the 20% discount does apply to alcoholic beverages as well! Although that doesn't quite bring the prices down to 'Spoons levels - but every little helps!

When you see how much the likes of Burger King or any station pub charges Joe Public, you begin to see why the 20% discount card isn't so good after all.

That said, it's essential to simply bring prices back down to earth - but not some clever card to make you save loads of money. To do that, you probably need to venture outside the station you are at!!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

When you see how much the likes of Burger King or any station pub charges Joe Public, you begin to see why the 20% discount card isn't so good after all.

That said, it's essential to simply bring prices back down to earth - but not some clever card to make you save loads of money. To do that, you probably need to venture outside the station you are at!!

Very true, but then again, its to be expected in railway stations, and indeed motorway service stations, that food and drink will cost you more, but I wouldn't go as far at 20% more, so in theory you are getting some, not much, but some money off.

 

[jon0844]

In the case of BK, I think that even with the 20% off you're still paying more than anywhere else.

I seem to recall that Welcome Break kicked McDonald's out of its service stations many years ago because McDonald's wouldn't sell at inflated prices. Therefore, while it's perhaps understandable why you might up charges or a captive market, it isn't always down to the actual retailer.

I can see why the services now seem to be after the likes of M&S and Waitrose (run no doubt by Welcome Break, Moto etc) as people accept, almost expect, a high price.

 

[Scotty]

I always forget I can use it at Burger King, usually Manchester Picadilly..

 

[jon0844]

Wow, you could have bought a small island somewhere for the money you've probably wasted forgetting that!!!

 

[badger1badger]

In the case of BK, I think that even with the 20% off you're still paying more than anywhere else.

I seem to recall that Welcome Break kicked McDonald's out of its service stations many years ago because McDonald's wouldn't sell at inflated prices. Therefore, while it's perhaps understandable why you might up charges or a captive market, it isn't always down to the actual retailer.

I can see why the services now seem to be after the likes of M&S and Waitrose (run no doubt by Welcome Break, Moto etc) as people accept, almost expect, a high price.

Yes in lots of cases it may be true - BK in Leeds station is the same price as the high street so yes 20 % is a good deal

paul

 

[yorksrob]

Well, it's certainly true that station outlets have a tendancy to be more expensive than otherwise, but at least the bite card brings things down to a more reasonable price, eg at Pumpkin a cup of tea is £1.11 which isn't bad at all, even compared to the high street in many cases (and their breakfast role deal beats the high street anyway).

As for Burger King, I tend to avoid it at stations mainly because they all seem to have done away with places to sit and eat. Unless you know you'll be getting in to an inter-city style train (or even a CIG or a CEP in the good ol' days) there's no guarantee you'll be able to dip your chips in the ketchup (no double-entendre).

 

[bnm]

Just a shame they don't have real ale at the places where you can use your Bite card.

Err, I've sampled London Pride amongst others at some of the London termini SSP pubs. Had a variety of different ales last time I was in the V&A at Marylebone, think they had at least 4 ales on. The V&A also has/had a Cask Marque.

 

[yorksrob]

Err, I've sampled London Pride amongst others at some of the London termini SSP pubs. Had a variety of different ales last time I was in the V&A at Marylebone, think they had at least 4 ales on. The V&A also has/had a Cask Marque.

Yes, that's true, the one at London Vic does a good pint of Pride. Unfortunately, once you get further North it goes a bit pear shaped. I can remember recently the station bars at both Leeds and York having run out of cask ale for the whole weekend! If you're going to run out of cask, don't do it at the weekend. I suspect this is something to do with the management company's centralised purchasing structure - in which case they ought to decentralise it to the regions - eg Timothy Taylor to Yorkshire, Shepherd Neame to Kent etc. True, it would drive a coach and horses through the purchasing regime - but then again, cask ale is simply more important than any other commodity. Any bar needs good cask ale to be taken seriously.

 

[MrC]

I tend to use the Bagel bar now - coffee for £1 and a free refill if you bring your receipt and cup back.

It's a good deal but I'd rather pay a bit more and get better coffee

I still think AMT were the best at Waterloo. I suppose they weren't prepared to pay the ground rent or didn't meet NR's conditions somehow so got turfed out - anyone remember the campaign to keep AMT? Caffe Nero, who took over their patch, aren't anywhere near as good and the lack of queues at peak times makes me wonder if I'm not alone in thinking that.

 

[142094]

The Nor' Loch at Edinburgh seems to always have Deuchars IPA. However I tend not to drink it that much since Caledonian Brewery is owned by Heineken. Much rather support the proper independent brewers than faceless big name coporations. That's why I'll never drink Newcastle Brown Ale again (even more so since they moved it to Tadcaster).

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

I always forget I can use it at Burger King, usually Manchester Picadilly..

You eat that crap? hock:

 

[STKKK46]

I've had a BiTE card for a long long time now. It is brilliant considering how much I travel. You do have to dig deep sometimes for a good deal...e.g at the moment it is 1.49 for a bottle of coke from most ssp outlets. But, on a morning, i can visit pumpkin, and get a sausage bap for 50p! also, it is 2 pound for 2 without card. So with a bite you can get an extra bottle for 11p more than standard price. As for scratchcards, was at Upper Crust Temple Meads yesterday, and got given 15! with my previous collection, i had 9 pairs. So far have used 5 and saved £12.15 from those cokes!

 

[jon0844]

It's annoying that AMT has just put up the prices of most coffees to £2.05 or £2.10 (a PITA when you're hunting for that 5p) and the one at Finsbury Park doesn't take Bite cards. Are some not run by SSP?

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

AMT most certainly does the best coffees, I had two at Reading the other evening whilst waiting an eternity for a turbo to Redhill, it would nearly (if not) quicker to go via Padd!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Err, I've sampled London Pride amongst others at some of the London termini SSP pubs. Had a variety of different ales last time I was in the V&A at Marylebone, think they had at least 4 ales on. The V&A also has/had a Cask Marque.

Ill look out for the Marylebone one when I'm down there next month, hoping there will be more than the run of the mill real ales on, something a little more independent would be lovely.....

 

[142094]

It's annoying that AMT has just put up the prices of most coffees to £2.05 or £2.10 (a PITA when you're hunting for that 5p) and the one at Finsbury Park doesn't take Bite cards. Are some not run by SSP?

Don't think any of them are, different company/franchise to SSP AFAIK, along with Costa and Starbucks.

 

[ashworth]

I've been using a bite card just about since they first came out. I agree you can usually get refreshments cheaper away from station premises, but if you are changing trains at station with only a short time to spare they are very useful at somewhere like Pumpkin.

Check before you leave the premises that they have actually taken your discount off. I've had a very small number of occasions when I have shown my bite card only to find later on when I have boarded my train and looked at my receipt that the discount has not been applied. One such incident I remember last summer was Upper Crust at Derby after I had been served by a young guy who seemed totally disinterested in his job and found it very difficult to even speak!

 

[transportphoto]

I've been using a bite card just about since they first came out. I agree you can usually get refreshments cheaper away from station premises, but if you are changing trains at station with only a short time to spare they are very useful at somewhere like Pumpkin.

Check before you leave the premises that they have actually taken your discount off. I've had a very small number of occasions when I have shown my bite card only to find later on when I have boarded my train and looked at my receipt that the discount has not been applied. One such incident I remember last summer was Upper Crust at Derby after I had been served by a young guy who seemed totally disinterested in his job and found it very difficult to even speak!

In addition to this - at all SSP Outlets staff must hand you / offer you a receipt with your change - if they don't you order becomes free!!!

Thats if you say something straight away!

 

[wintonian]

In addition to this - at all SSP Outlets staff must hand you / offer you a receipt with your change - if they don't you order becomes free!!!

Thats if you say something straight away!

The scowl you receive afterwards is also free I believe

Also I don't really think it's that environmentally friendly when they hand out receipts to people who couldn't care less and customers who only ask for one to get a free coffee and stick it in the bin or decorate the floor with it.

 

[jon0844]

They should have a screen (like Co-Op) on their tills that shows an itemised bill, and then allow you to opt out of having a receipt. I don't need one for expenses purposes and if I can see on a display (to know that I'm being charged the right amount), why do I need the paper receipt? Especially given the fact that there are rarely bins at mainline stations.

If you bought something you might possibly need to return, I could understand, but I only buy things to eat/drink at stations - or things that aren't likely to be 'faulty'.