SWT Weekend First

[simonm]

Hi. Is the £5 Weekend First upgrade available on SWT on M-F between Xmas and New Year?

 

[1E05]

I would assume so but only over Xmas week, but keep an eye on their website.

 

[horizonflame]

Funnily enough I've just bought one for my journey home but I don't think I'm travelling with East Coast...

 

[bnm]

Weekend First is indeed valid on SWT between Xmas and New Year. From 'The Manual':

Weekend First - South West Trains

The Weekend First supplement is available to holders of all Standard Class tickets (except megatrain and megabusplus). Customers must purchase their supplement on the train, subject to available First Class accommodation. Weekend First accommodation is not labelled and seat reservations are not offered on any service.

Weekend First is available at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays. It is also available between Christmas and New Year for Off Peak and Super Off Peak ticket holders (normal time restrictions apply to the use of these tickets – please check the SWT website closer to Christmas).

Do note however, SWT do not lift peak travel restrictions between Xmas and New Year, unlike some other operators.

 

[simonm]

Thanks for your help. As I'm travelling a long distance (BSK to EXD) it seems worth it particularly as there's no seat reservations any more.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Funnily enough I've just bought one for my journey home but I don't think I'm travelling with East Coast...

Oops...Someone chose the wrong Supplement on their Avantix.

 

[Muzer]

Thanks for your help. As I'm travelling a long distance (BSK to EXD) it seems worth it particularly as there's no seat reservations any more.

Personally, I'd say the seats in standard class are much more comfortable on the 158s/159s that run on that route. They're a lot more soft than the ones in first class which are much firmer - but some people do prefer firmer seats. I myself would probably prefer to do a longer-distance journey on this route in standard for this reason.

Of course, you also get the power socket, light, pretty much guaranteed a seat with a table and generally likely to be quieter atmosphere, so even if (like me) you don't like the seat as much you might still decide to use first.

 

[Goatboy]

Personally, I'd say the seats in standard class are much more comfortable on the 158s/159s that run on that route. They're a lot more soft than the ones in first class which are much firmer - but some people do prefer firmer seats. I myself would probably prefer to do a longer-distance journey on this route in standard for this reason.

Of course, you also get the power socket, light, pretty much guaranteed a seat with a table and generally likely to be quieter atmosphere, so even if (like me) you don't like the seat as much you might still decide to use first.

I travelled First Class on a 159 during a diversion a few months ago - as it was Southampton Central to Exeter St Davids I felt First would be £5 well spent.

I echo the above sentiments. The seats in Standard are actually more comfortable than those in First - there is far more padding and they are honestly amongst some of the best Standard Class seats on the network. They put some operators First Class to shame!

As a result unless the service is going to be particularly busy I wouldn't sit in First if it was the same price as Standard, let alone pay extra to use it. The ONLY benefit is the fact it's quieter in my opinion.

Which is an odd scenario, I agree!

 

[simonm]

Meant to ask - can you upgrade an Advance Fare?

 

[John @ home]

can you upgrade an Advance Fare?

This varies by train company. For SWT, Weekend First supplement is available to holders of all Standard Class tickets except megatrain and megabusplus.

 

[island]

Oops...Someone chose the wrong Supplement on their Avantix.

Yup. That's a 1st class lounge entry ticket sold to people using Advances and other ineligible tickets.

 

[simonm]

This varies by train company. For SWT, Weekend First supplement is available to holders of all Standard Class tickets except megatrain and megabusplus.

That's good. When I bought my STD advance I could upgrade to 1ST for £7. Seemed to make more sense to do it on board for £5 and then have £2 spare for an onboard cuppa.

 

[island]

That's good. When I bought my STD advance I could upgrade to 1ST for £7. Seemed to make more sense to do it on board for £5 and then have £2 spare for an onboard cuppa.

As you possibly know, that's not an upgrade as such, just the difference between an advance and an advance 1st for that train at that point in time.