Weekend First upgrade during the week, EC

[VauxhallandI]

I overheard catering staff bemoaning EC issuing upgrades to first class during the week on some trains.

I am travelling York to KX at 18:57 on Wednesday, does anyone one have any info in these upgrades?

Is it ad-hoc, ask the Guard on the day job?

As an aside, I really don't think spending 10 mins slagging off everything in ear shot of the customer is very professional

 

[cuccir]

I think guards can do it where they judge there to be a need - on a quiet train where there might be produce that would go to waste, or where standard is particularly full and first is particularly empty. I can't imagine anything in roughly evening commuter time to have this - at guess I'd have thought that this would be mainly on quiet mid-morning/early afternoon trains.

 

[Tetchytyke]

East Coast did trial the scheme during the summer, on an ad hoc basic, but I thought they'd stopped now.

 

[yorkie]

As an aside, I really don't think spending 10 mins slagging off everything in ear shot of the customer is very professional

If you sit in the loud coach (the 'country' end of Coach K) you come to expect it, indeed some people like the gossip

(Joking aside, there should be more partitions and the rear of that coach shouldn't be the quiet coach as half a coach would suffice).

I once heard the crew moaning that a member of platform staff had suggested to a customer that the train might be quiet and the upgrade might be available, and were questioning how the customer knew about the upgrade. The Guard made it very clear it was his decision alone and he would not be doing any such upgrades on any train he was working on. The catering team were relieved at this as it gave them less work to do.

The contra-peak trains with a 'hybrid' crew (ie, some from Newcastle and some from London, in order to get crew in place for peak workings) can be interesting too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

East Coast did trial the scheme during the summer, on an ad hoc basic, but I thought they'd stopped now.

I agree, I thought it had ended. But I am sure we'll find out soon...

 

[island]

Well, anyone with a valid Standard class ticket can pay the fare difference from Standard to the relevant 1st class walk-up fare. Strictly it ought to be done before boarding but I doubt most guards would refuse the fate and attendant commission.

 

[Flamingo]

Weekend upgrades usually apply during the week between Christmas and New Year on FGW. Although I haven't heard if that is going to apply this year as well.

 

[yorkie]

To avoid confusion here's some further info.

1. In the opening post, I know it's not at all obvious but Johngill100 is referring to a special upgrade price that East Coast are (or were) selling on quieter services, at the Guard's discretion. There was a thread about it, but I can't find it now. The price may have been the same as Weekend 1st, but I can't remember now! (EC are subject to FOI, you can always ask them for full details!)
   
   
2. Yes, an upgrade can be done from Std to 1st on any EC service, but apart from at weekends and unless the above offer is in operation, this would be the full difference between the cost of the fare paid and the 1st class fare, which isn't what Johngill100 was after, I'm sure! There is no penalty for 1st upgrades on EC, with the exception that Season ticket holders must approach the Guard first. This is a relaxation of the general rule, though EC are by no means the only operator to provide such a relaxation.
   
   
3. EC will be doing Festive First, as usual, for the festive period (Mon 22 Dec to Fri 2 Jan inclusive), at the same price and terms as Weekend First.

 

[DelayRepay]

In the opening post, I know it's not at all obvious but Johngill100 is referring to a special upgrade price that East Coast are (or were) selling on quieter services, at the Guard's discretion. There was a thread about it, but I can't find it now.

I think this is the thread.

 

[VauxhallandI]

Well I got on the buffet coach and there was a free table of four right next to the buffet in 2nd so I just stuck with that option as I could just get my tea with three steps!

 

[455driver]

Weekend upgrades usually apply during the week between Christmas and New Year on FGW. Although I haven't heard if that is going to apply this year as well.

With most sets only being 1.5 1st class coaches I doubt it!
I have noticed a few micro buffet sets with one 1st and 7 standard coaches., I dont think upgrades will be needed on those sets.

 

[Flamingo]

With most sets only being 1.5 1st class coaches I doubt it!
I have noticed a few micro buffet sets with one 1st and 7 standard coaches., I dont think upgrades will be needed on those sets.

I had that over the weekend. I didn't announce upgrades, but did the ones already in there. I think there were about six empty seats. (Coach A &B had about 20 people between them).