Seatfrog

[NER1621]

Perhaps some forum members do not appreciate how busy LNER first class is these days. Weekend First is subject to availability.

Indeed. In fact the LNER app is now showing only one first class seat available for the 11:00 DAR-PBO journey, and that at the full anytime price of £141.50

The pricing is not granular like rail tickets, its the same bid whether you do London to Inverness or Peterborough to Grantham (although there can be a bit of configuration, but the concept is broad geographic areas).

But as above, it’s not revenue maximising. LNER claim there’s only one first seat left at £141.50 but the Seatfrog auction is still live at a £61 upgrade. As the standard advance is now at £40 that’s a total of £101, when the journey is almost sold out at £141.

And Seatfrog’s inability to price upgrades for other-than end to end journeys is also not revenue maximising.

There are also various Seatfrog vouchers, prizes and promos which people are able to obtain, so they aren't necessarily paying the full bid price.

Unfortunately as I’m no longer 14 years of age I am completely uninterested in “vouchers, prizes and promos” - I’m interested in an upgrade to first class and a glass of wine or two.

 

[Spaceship323]

Here's an interesting one, if I miss a train that I have a seatfrog upgrade on can I just get the next service in first or do I need to travel in standard and pursue seatfrog for a refund? (genuine question as my train was cancelled this morning). Anyone know?

 

[_toommm_]

Here's an interesting one, if I miss a train that I have a seatfrog upgrade on can I just get the next service in first or do I need to travel in standard and pursue seatfrog for a refund? (genuine question as my train was cancelled this morning). Anyone know?

If you win a Seatfrog upgrade and the train is delayed or cancelled you may still be able to use the upgrade. If your train has been delayed over 60 mins, or cancelled, special arrangements will be made to accommodate you on the rail operators next available service (although a seat can't be guaranteed). Please speak to a member of staff when you travel to see if they can accommodate your upgrade.

Can I claim Delay Repay?​

Seatfrog upgrades are eligible for Delay Repay. If you've purchased an upgrade and the service was delayed you may be able to claim some or all of the upgrade fee back. To apply, you'll need to fill out the Delay Repay form on your Train Operators website and ensure that you attach both your original travel ticket and Seatfrog upgrade.

My train was cancelled, I'm not going to travel, can I get a refund?​

If the train service you are travelling on is cancelled by the rail operator and you've decided not to travel please contact help@seatfrog.com for a refund on your unused upgrade.

 

[Spaceship323]

Thanks @_toommm_ the info's there if you look for it

 

[Mainline421]

Hence my suspicion that it's not a real auction but a revenue maximising exercise. i given up on it as it now feels like a scam.

The bids are definitely real as I normally see next to no bids even on crowded trains and the most I've paid outside Avanti is £22. It definitely feels scammy with the platform fee, second chances, varying party sizes, etc. But it does deliver value for money by ignoring the pressure sales tactics and bidding the minimum.

But as above, it’s not revenue maximising. LNER claim there’s only one first seat left at £141.50 but the Seatfrog auction is still live at a £61 upgrade. As the standard advance is now at £40 that’s a total of £101, when the journey is almost sold out at £141.

That's an off-peak single, there's no advances left in the screenshot. But there are unreserved seats so you're effectively valuing a seat reservation at £61 there Not worth it.

Unfortunately as I’m no longer 14 years of age I am completely uninterested in “vouchers, prizes and promos” - I’m interested in an upgrade to first class and a glass of wine or two.

Then buy a 1st Class ticket, that's their whole target market

The pricing is not granular like rail tickets, its the same bid whether you do London to Inverness or Peterborough to Grantham (although there can be a bit of configuration, but the concept is broad geographic areas).

They do vary the price by journey, I'm not sure if they're actually capable of reselling the same seat for different legs though

 

[Leisurefirst]

That sounds like "drip pricing" to me!!1

I recently had to cancel multiple trips and accommodation due to very sudden immediate family hospitalization.
I got full refunds from everybody even non-refundable tickets and hotels after explaining the dreadful situation.
Except Seatfrog that is who refunded me the two £5 upgrades (nobody else had bid and I did try to cancel the bids ASAP unsuccessfully) but kept the two £3 "platform fees" as "this covers the costs associated with running the app, which functioned as expected during your bidding process."
Ahem.
I couldn't be bothered to argue, better things to worry about but they might like to reflect one day on the cost of refunding £6 Vs the bad will generated that makes me wonder if I ever want to spend a penny with them again.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

A couple of years ago, I got Liverpool to Newcastle and back upgrades on a Saturday for £5 each way. But when I tried for the same journey this year on a Monday, I ended up in an auction and gave up at £11 or £12 as I didn't want the other bidder to be ripped off.

 

[Howardh]

Just out of interest I put in Bolton - Brighton, one-way leaving now, into Avanti's ticket option, and surprisingly (with railcard) found it to be a very affordable appx £65 standard, any train. Quite contrary to some of those eye-watering x-country prices sometimes quoted for walk-ons. So if I did that, and used seatfrog, could I get a cheaper upgrade to standard + or is that not possible as it isn't first class??

Thinking I may do that as an option when I travel to Brighton for real, and I'm not stuck with specific trains.

 

[Merseysider]

Just out of interest I put in Bolton - Brighton, one-way leaving now, into Avanti's ticket option, and surprisingly (with railcard) found it to be a very affordable appx £65 standard, any train. Quite contrary to some of those eye-watering x-country prices sometimes quoted for walk-ons. So if I did that, and used seatfrog, could I get a cheaper upgrade to standard + or is that not possible as it isn't first class??

Thinking I may do that as an option when I travel to Brighton for real, and I'm not stuck with specific trains.

I don’t believe Seatfrog deals with Standard Premium - that can only be bought while booking, or onboard. Seatfrog wants £35+ for Avanti’s first class.

 

[Howardh]

I don’t believe Seatfrog deals with Standard Premium - that can only be bought while booking, or onboard. Seatfrog wants £35+ for Avanti’s first class.

Thanks, thought that might be the case. Probably book in advance anyway and get the best deal that way!

 

[MrJeeves]

I don’t believe Seatfrog deals with Standard Premium - that can only be bought while booking, or onboard. Seatfrog wants £35+ for Avanti’s first class.

They do. When you search for trains, scroll up after the train times appear and there's a hidden toggle!

 

[island]

I don’t believe Seatfrog deals with Standard Premium

It does.

 

[Skiddaw]

I don’t believe Seatfrog deals with Standard Premium - that can only be bought while booking, or onboard. Seatfrog wants £35+ for Avanti’s first class.

As has been said, it does.

It's true about the £35+ as an opening bid for Avanti first class however. It didn't used to be the case.

 

[Merseysider]

Appreciate the corrections. Always happy to learn something new