TFW 1st upgrade

[Par]

We have an anytime return between Manchester Piccadilly (route via Hereford) and Bath Spa.

The itinerary we have for the return leg includes the 17.03 departure from Newport on October 30th, which should in theory be a 67 hauling MK4s with the full dining option in 1st.

I understand that it is possible to upgrade on the day on the train to 1st Class and then have the option to avail of the dining option (at extra cost for the dining of course).

Am I right in thinking that the upgrade cost per person (with a Two Together Railcard) would be the difference between the Anytime Day Single (SDS at £57.85) and the Anytime First Day Single (FDS at £86.75) between Newport and Manchester, ie £28.90?

If correct, can the upgrade also be booked in advance and with a seat reservation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Starmill]

I don't think you can excess part of the ticket in advance. You can upgrade the whole thing and book a seat, at a ticket office, in advance, or you can ask the guard for the on-board upgrade..

I wouldn't be too worried about seat availability in first class. I'm sure there'll be a space.

 

[Par]

I don't think you can excess part of the ticket in advance. You can upgrade the whole thing and book a seat, at a ticket office, in advance, or you can ask the guard for the on-board upgrade..

I wouldn't be too worried about seat availability in first class. I'm sure there'll be a space.

Thanks, are you able to confirm if my understanding of the cost of the on-board fee is correct?

 

[Starmill]

Thanks, are you able to confirm if my understanding of the cost of the on-board fee is correct?

I'm afraid not. In one case I'm aware of, a customer was charged a cheaper standard plus upgrade to sit in first. In another case the customer was excessed to the First Anytime at a few pounds higher price than the business class upgrade. In still others it's been the business class supplement. It seems quite variable.

The guard can at their discretion issue a cheaper upgrade if they wish to so you may find what you've asked about is indeed what's charged, but unfortunately I think it's a case of asking politely and seeing what they say. They'll probably just tell you to take a seat and they'll be with you later if you ask at Newport.

 

[30907]

The applicable fare appears to be the Business Zone upgrade PCU which is £27.20 so slightly lower than you quote (but not the Standard Plus PUG)

For some reason it doesn't seem to be discountsble with a 2TOG but (still) is with a 16-25 or Senior.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

On a recent Wrexham-Cardiff Mk4 trip (on the Holyhead service), I paid the upgrade from standard to the conductor on the train.
But my expectation of the upgrade costing £7.50 (with senior railcard) was dashed when he charged me £14.50.
It turns out the lower supplement is for the class 197 Standard Plus upgrade, and the higher is for the MK4 Business Zone.
It isn't obvious to me why there is a difference, as neither upgrade includes any food.

 

[30907]

On a recent Wrexham-Cardiff Mk4 trip (on the Holyhead service), I paid the upgrade from standard to the conductor on the train.
But my expectation of the upgrade costing £7.50 (with senior railcard) was dashed when he charged me £14.50.
It turns out the lower supplement is for the class 197 Standard Plus upgrade, and the higher is for the MK4 Business Zone.
It isn't obvious to me why there is a difference, as neither upgrade includes any food.

The S+ is an innovation, at exactly half the price of the long-standing Premier upgrade - presumably they are testing the market!