virgin first class over xmas period

[knight2004]

Hi all
i have read that the first class offerings will be a weekend service offerings (ta, coffee water, snacks) over the xmas period. Nown do they still provide a service of tea coffee etc in first class on trains after 9pm at night?
I am thinking of travlleling on the 9 or 10pm train birmingham to eustion on the 27th and was wondering is it worth 1st or just to pay for a standad ticket? i am splitting my ticket as i am coming from manchester and the price is cheaper than a single direct
thanks and Merry xmas

 

[lookingforit35]

Not sure what time the drink service ends, but the fact that it's a Saturday service does mean that any added cost to enjoy 1st has to be at best marginal. Last year I did a Euston Liverpool return between Christmas and New Year (1st out, Standard retrun) and there was little benefit of 1st other than a table.

If you buy your coffee at Birmingham, my advice would be to save your pennies and travel Standard.

 

[furryfeet]

Remember that weekend 1st will be available over Christmas.
IF you feel that the extra comfort is worth it, then just pay the 15 pound supplement each way. Do not buy a 1st class ticket, unless the 1st advance is cheaper than the 2nd class advance.

It is very unlikely that there will be a service of tea and biscuits at 10pm anyway.

 

[knight2004]

thanks for that i might just travel next day or maybe just do mcr direct at 25 quid

 

[wintonian]

Think I'm going to pay the extra 2 quid for an advance ticket and go in first to Manchester, I wouldn't pay the £15 due to the lack of first class service not being worth it.

 

[krisk]

Remember that weekend 1st will be available over Christmas.
IF you feel that the extra comfort is worth it, then just pay the 15 pound supplement each way. Do not buy a 1st class ticket, unless the 1st advance is cheaper than the 2nd class advance.

It is very unlikely that there will be a service of tea and biscuits at 10pm anyway.

There WILL be refreshments provided in 1st and this is the same from the first to the last train and this is tea or coffee, still and sparkling water, Pepsi/diet, biscuits and crisps.

If they are not offered at seat then the shop should hold them for collection although ideally every train should be double staffed with spares available to cover.

 

[telstarbox]

Do VT open the shop on every single service, even the very early/late ones?

 

[krisk]

Yes unless there is a reason not to. You can not advertise we offer refreshments and then not do.

So refreshments offered to everyone with a first class ticket
A shop is available on every train for most of the journey

IGNORE other posters as info is given out incorrectly

 

[All Line Rover]

To summarize (the information I am giving here is definitely correct!).

The Xmas period lasts from Tuesday 27th December to Monday 2nd January (inclusive).

During the period:

• A First Class upgrade can be purchase for £15 (£10 on the Euston-Birmingham-Wolverhampton route)
• On Pendolinos, there is an at-seat food service consisting of hot drinks, water, biscuits and crisps
• On Super Voyagers, customers can collect hot drinks, water, biscuits and crisps from "The Shop"
• "The Shop" is open on all services, for at least part of the journey.

 

[wintonian]

To summarize (the information I am giving here is definitely correct!).

The Xmas period lasts from Tuesday 27th December to Monday 2nd January (inclusive).

During the period:

• A First Class upgrade can be purchase for £15 (£10 on the Euston-Birmingham-Wolverhampton route)
• On Pendolinos, there is an at-seat food service consisting of hot drinks, water, biscuits and crisps
• On Super Voyagers, customers can collect hot drinks, water, biscuits and crisps from "The Shop"
• "The Shop" is open on all services, for at least part of the journey.

However there is no first class service on the 24th and only light bites after breakfast on the 23rd.

 

[bengolding]

Can anyone confirm if there is an Evening Meal service tomorrow on Virgin? I know that breakfast is offered in the morning but recall that last year no Evening Meal was available as £15 upgrades were offered at the time (on a weekday).

 

[wintonian]

However there is no first class service on the 24th and only light bites after breakfast on the 23rd.

/\ /\ /\

Can anyone confirm if there is an Evening Meal service tomorrow on Virgin? I know that breakfast is offered in the morning but recall that last year no Evening Meal was available as £15 upgrades were offered at the time (on a weekday).

If you don't believe me

 

[telstarbox]

On behalf of the missus - can you get Diet Coke on VT Weekend/Christmas First?

 

[All Line Rover]

On behalf of the missus - can you get Diet Coke on VT Weekend/Christmas First?

In a word, no. Virgin only serve Pepsi (including Diet). XC and East Coast serve Coke (again, including Diet).

 

[telstarbox]

Sorry I meant can you get it complimentary (Pepsi or Diet)?

 

[All Line Rover]

Sorry I meant can you get it complimentary (Pepsi or Diet)?

Yes.

 

[AlterEgo]

Can anyone confirm if there is an Evening Meal service tomorrow on Virgin? I know that breakfast is offered in the morning but recall that last year no Evening Meal was available as £15 upgrades were offered at the time (on a weekday).

No, there isn't an evening meal tomorrow. "Normal" weekday service ceases at noon tomorrow to be replaced with the reduced weekend/Christmas offer.

 

[wintonian]

No, there isn't an evening meal tomorrow. "Normal" weekday service ceases at noon tomorrow to be replaced with the reduced weekend/Christmas offer.

Have I read the Virgin website correctly and there will be nothing at all on the 24th?

 

[telstarbox]

According to VT's Media Room page:

"Catering in First Class

Although the full First Class catering offer will be withdrawn between Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January inclusive, First Class customers travelling on Pendolino trains will receive at their seats a selection of hot drinks, water, crisps, biscuits and fresh fruit. First Class customers travelling on Super Voyagers can collect refreshments from The Shop between Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January."

24 Dec is normal Weekend First.

 

[wintonian]

Yes but this bit;

On Friday 23 December we will run breakfast as normal then Light Bites for the rest of the day removing the Evening meal.

When the service resumes again on Tuesday 27 December we will serve the weekend offering where you can enjoy complimentary light refreshments. Normal food service resumes on Tuesday 3 January 2012.

Suggests to me that there will be nothing on the 24th as to me the weekend offer forms part of the service.

 

[krisk]

Right....

Today. Breakfast/light breakfast as normal then Light Bites all day with no hot meal.
£15 upgrades NOT available.

Tomorrow. Usual weekend offer. Upgrades available.

Simples.

 

[LondonJohn]

Yes unless there is a reason not to. You can not advertise we offer refreshments and then not do.

So refreshments offered to everyone with a first class ticket
A shop is available on every train for most of the journey

IGNORE other posters as info is given out incorrectly

LOL you can where for operational difficulties you are unable to provide this facility but you don't announce it either..