Split ticket : part 1st class, part not

[algytaylor]

I was booking a train up to Edinburgh from Crewe recently, and noticed that it was cheaper to split the [advance] ticket at Oxenholme - nothing new there. I also noticed that the price for a first class upgrade for the Crewe-Oxenholme section was low enough (a couple of quid) that it made sense to pay for that. There wasn't a 1st class option for Oxenholme to Edinburgh available.

Anyway, I was wondering: in this situation, I assume that I should move from 1st to standard class at Oxenholme. But, given that you apparently can't buy tickets for 1st class for the northern leg, would I be most likely alright continuing to sit in my original seat, assuming that the seat wasn't otherwise reserved & the coach wasn't busy? (i.e. unlikely to be denying someone with a walk-up ticket a place)

 

[AlterEgo]

You may not sit in first class for the portion of the journey you don’t hold a first class ticket for. You must - not should, must - move to standard at Oxenholme.

 

[mmh]

I was booking a train up to Edinburgh from Crewe recently, and noticed that it was cheaper to split the [advance] ticket at Oxenholme - nothing new there. I also noticed that the price for a first class upgrade for the Crewe-Oxenholme section was low enough (a couple of quid) that it made sense to pay for that. There wasn't a 1st class option for Oxenholme to Edinburgh available.

Anyway, I was wondering: in this situation, I assume that I should move from 1st to standard class at Oxenholme. But, given that you apparently can't buy tickets for 1st class for the northern leg, would I be most likely alright continuing to sit in my original seat, assuming that the seat wasn't otherwise reserved & the coach wasn't busy? (i.e. unlikely to be denying someone with a walk-up ticket a place)

You can buy a first class ticket from Oxenholme to Edinburgh - it's expensive at 115.40 though.

 

[Watershed]

I was booking a train up to Edinburgh from Crewe recently, and noticed that it was cheaper to split the [advance] ticket at Oxenholme - nothing new there. I also noticed that the price for a first class upgrade for the Crewe-Oxenholme section was low enough (a couple of quid) that it made sense to pay for that. There wasn't a 1st class option for Oxenholme to Edinburgh available.

Anyway, I was wondering: in this situation, I assume that I should move from 1st to standard class at Oxenholme. But, given that you apparently can't buy tickets for 1st class for the northern leg, would I be most likely alright continuing to sit in my original seat, assuming that the seat wasn't otherwise reserved & the coach wasn't busy? (i.e. unlikely to be denying someone with a walk-up ticket a place)

There's no "should" about it. You must hold a first class ticket to travel in first class - just as you must hold a ticket to travel at all. First class being empty, and/or standard class being busy, doesn't constitute an excuse for travelling there with a standard class ticket.

You could of course ask the second Train Manager (there will be a change of traincrew at Preston), before Oxenholme, how much the upgrade would be.

And it would then be up to them whether they only offered to upgrade you for the full difference, or suggested travelling in Standard Premium for the appropriate supplement, or let you upgrade for free (though the last option is very unlikely).