Weekend First on Virgin West Coast

[fowler9]

My sister is off to London to train to be cabin crew on Easyjet tomorrow. She has an open return with Virgin from Lime Street to Euston on the 16:18 tomorrow. How does she go about getting weekend first and how does she pay? I'm going to give her the money, also after the Grand National meet what are peoples thoughts on her getting a seat in first?

 

[ainsworth74]

Sit in an unreserved seat in first class and pay when the TM checks tickets. I will usually have my chosen payment method (card mostly) out on the table in front of me so it's totally clear I'm waiting and willing to pay but that's not a requirement.

 

[petemarconi]

If she has an anytime return then she can upgrade to weekend first for free assuming there are unoccupied seats, by asking the train manager, if she has an off peak return the cost is £15 per leg of the journey.

Depending on how many coaches the service has, G and K are usually unreserved, K is always there but G not always depending on whether or not it had been converted to standard class.

 

[fowler9]

Cheers folks. I just didn't want her to sit in first and then get a penalty.

 

[bb21]

Virgin Trains do not charge any penalty as long as she pays the correct upgrade in First Class when the TM comes around.

 

[fowler9]

Virgin Trains do not charge any penalty as long as she pays the correct upgrade in First Class when the TM comes around.

Cheers mate, so it is £15 then? My sister is now planning on trying to grab the TM before departure. She has a mate with an advance first ticket anyway.

 

[VauxhallandI]

I've done it twice today, once just two minutes ago. Sit back in First and let them come to you.

Oh and keep hold of the upgrade ticket as you can claim that too when it is late.

I'm currently at 32 mins late, fingers crossed...

 

[bb21]

Cheers mate, so it is £15 then? My sister is now planning on trying to grab the TM before departure. She has a mate with an advance first ticket anyway.

If she has the Off-Peak Return then yes. Just sit back and the TM will come along to collect it.

 

[LeylandLen]

Not really relevant , but I believe Virgin First Class upgrade is £10 from West Midlands to Euston and £15 for the WCML north of Wolverhampton to Euston , so anyone traveling Glasgow/Edinburgh to Euston First Class upgrade still only pays £15? Obviously better value for the longest journey !

 

[fowler9]

Thanks again folks. I will be seeing her off so will make sure she is alright.

 

[boyaloud]

Also, she can make use of first class lounges in Liverpool (explain to dragon that she'll be upgrading on-board) and London Euston when she arrives.

 

[All Line Rover]

Also, she can make use of first class lounges in Liverpool (explain to dragon that she'll be upgrading on-board) and London Euston when she arrives.

Off-peak tickets holders are, I believe, entitled to purchase a weekend upgrade from the ticket office before boarding ('Advance' ticket holders are not), thereby granting access to the first class lounge at the departing station.

 

[lyndhurst25]

Can passengers using the free weekend upgrade for standard Anytime tickets also use first class lounges?

 

[Envoy]

Not really relevant , but I believe Virgin First Class upgrade is £10 from West Midlands to Euston and £15 for the WCML north of Wolverhampton to Euston , so anyone traveling Glasgow/Edinburgh to Euston First Class upgrade still only pays £15? Obviously better value for the longest journey !

What is the weekend upgrade price for those getting on at Crewe and say travelling to Glasgow or Edinburgh?

 

[All Line Rover]

Can passengers using the free weekend upgrade for standard Anytime tickets also use first class lounges?

In theory yes, although gaining access to an unmanned lounge (such as Liverpool) can be a challenge, as ticket office staff may be unaware of the easement and it is difficult to speak to them over an intercom.

 

[fowler9]

Thanks for the additional info.