What is first class worth (GWR)?

[RailAirUser]

Hello!

This is a very subjective thing I know but I need a sense check!

Is GWR First class worth £40/£50pp over the standard class fare? Journey would be Penzance to Reading on a weekday just incase that makes a difference.

My husband says not worth it... I am tempted to do it anyway!!

 

[Merseysider]

Depends how much the standard class ticket (Advance?) is to begin with! For example I’d consider £100 fair value for the journey in First if Standard were £60 something, but it’s also worth checking on Seatfrog.

There is also a weekend upgrade available for £25, providing space allows.

 

[Watershed]

Given that it's a journey of the best part of 5 hours, I'd have said that sort of upgrade cost is worth it on balance, especially if you can get yourselves a table for 2 or pair of airline-style seats next to each other so that you're not sharing a table or legroom with anyone else. The catering you get is minimal (free tea/coffee/soft drinks and biscuits etc.) but it's better than nothing.

However you may well find it cheaper to upgrade via SeatFrog, although that does mean that you're not guaranteed the upgrade. If on a weekend or Bank Holiday the £25 onboard upgrade would be excellent value.

 

[RailAirUser]

Thanks everyone - this is the seat frog rate. My husbands arguement was that we could take a very nice picnic of our own for £120/£150 saving by going standard (there are three of us all together). Our standard class seats are only £25ish pp!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Always hard to say as value is such a personal thing. I find value in the larger seat and the quieter carriage even if the complimentary refreshments are somewhat limited. £50 is a tenner an hour, which is worth it for the extra comfort.

But I can see your husband's point too, for the three of you £150 would buy an awful lot of liquid comfort, and standard's not so bad if you're in a group.

 

[Tazi Hupefi]

These days you also have to consider the clientele you are sharing the carriage with, unfortunately. I'm not saying first class is guaranteed to keep anyone away that will disturb your journey, but I generally find most of the antisocial issues (music out loud, phone calls, kids running about) are, on the whole, in standard class.

For a journey of 5 hours, I'd happily hand over £50 for a better, reclining seat (probably an individual one with nobody sat next to me) and a few refreshments.

 

[John R]

The extra space, quieter ambience, reclining seats, potential for a table for 2, an at seat service and limited free refreshments would make that sort of cost worth it for a 5 hr journey.

 

[Hadders]

The refreshments in 1st class on GWR generally aren't worth it (other than Pullman Dining which you have to pay extra for anyway) but the main reason for 1st class is the ambience, extra space, clientelle etc.

 

[RailAirUser]

Thank you all. Decisions decisions!

 

[MrJeeves]

but the main reason for 1st class is the ambience

Minus the snobs who might look at you with a scowl if you don't yourself look like the average 1st clientele, at least in my GWR experiences...

 

[Wallsendmag]

Minus the snobs who might look at you with a scowl if you don't yourself look like the average 1st clientele, at least in my GWR experiences...

A few months back I was in first and there was a family with a young restless child sitting behind me, a gentleman opposite me asked the crew if he was sure everyone had a first class ticket. The family behind me was one of Newcastle's Brazilian midfielders I had a chuckle to myself.

 

[Mark J]

Given that it's a journey of the best part of 5 hours, I'd have said that sort of upgrade cost is worth it on balance, especially if you can get yourselves a table for 2 or pair of airline-style seats next to each other so that you're not sharing a table or legroom with anyone else. The catering you get is minimal (free tea/coffee/soft drinks and biscuits etc.) but it's better than nothing.

However you may well find it cheaper to upgrade via SeatFrog, although that does mean that you're not guaranteed the upgrade. If on a weekend or Bank Holiday the £25 onboard upgrade would be excellent value.

When I did a trip from Reading to Hereford earlier in the year, I decided to upgrade to first class as a one off treat.

What I will say, is that the catering is regular. I think I had about six cups of coffee, biscuits and a 'snack box'. The 1st class trolley was up and down the aisle around every 15-20 minutes.

When I did 1st from Reading to Birmingham on XC, I got one cup of Coffee and a packet of biscuits.

Do any operators still offer complimentary hot food in 1st class? Seems to be rather few who do.

Minus the snobs who might look at you with a scowl if you don't yourself look like the average 1st clientele, at least in my GWR experiences...

I was the 'scruffiest' in 1st class on my trip to Hereford, as I was geared up for a day of walking around the area.

Admittedly, there were people in 1st who clearly had money. I could tell by some of the shopping bags they had.

 

[hexagon789]

Do any operators still offer complimentary hot food in 1st class? Seems to be rather few who do.

Avanti, LNER, plus TPE on their WCML services only.

 

[MrJeeves]

Admittedly, there were people in 1st who clearly had money. I could tell by some of the shopping bags they had.

Or at least people who wanted to look like they had money...

 

[RJ]

I wouldn’t say quietness or ambience is a selling point. It is still public transport after all and in my experience it’s quite common to have groups of people engaging in animated/raucous conversation for 2 hours straight in GWR First. Especially if sat in the end carriage where off duty staff usually are. I wear noise cancelling headphones which helps to tune it out so I can get on with my work.

What is the selling point is the bigger, more comfortable reclining seats, more space, bigger tables and the refreshments, which are pretty consistent. I’m usually happy to pay the upgrade if it’s very busy in Standard, if it isn’t then I won’t.

 

[Sealink]

The seats are more comfortable than the ironing boards in standard, but don't expect LNER or Avanti style food. You'll get a hot drink and a biscuit!

 

[RT4038]

I wouldn’t say quietness or ambience is a selling point.

I would say it is. You are less likely to have raucous fellow passengers, but it is not guaranteed by any means. A trade off between the extra money and the likelihood. You can get a perfectly pleasant journey in the second class, but is less likely.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Do any operators still offer complimentary hot food in 1st class? Seems to be rather few who do.

Avanti, LNER, XC, and TPE, although with TPE the hot option is a microwaved panini.

Minus the snobs who might look at you with a scowl if you don't yourself look like the average 1st clientele, at least in my GWR experiences...

The absolute worst person I've ever seen in first class was on a GWR service to Penzance. She swearing at the crew for not giving her free booze, she was belching and farting, and then she fell asleep, snoring and dribbling all over herself. She's also a very famous politician, so it goes to show.

 

[RJ]

I would say it is. You are less likely to have raucous fellow passengers, but it is not guaranteed by any means. A trade off between the extra money and the likelihood. You can get a perfectly pleasant journey in the second class, but is less likely.

It’s not - there’s no rule that anyone has to be quiet so it can’t be a reasonable expectation that it will be quiet. If there was, it might put off groups who’d be prepared to all pay for a 1st ticket.

The selling points are what they can guarantee to deliver.

 

[Mark J]

Avanti, LNER, XC, and TPE, although with TPE the hot option is a microwaved panini.

XC do complimentary hot meals in First Class?

Certainly not seen this available on the Bournemouth to Manchester route!

 

[Jimini]

XC do complimentary hot meals in First Class?

Certainly not seen this available on the Bournemouth to Manchester route!

They'll rustle up a (microwaved) bacon roll if you ask them nicely. I normally grab one between Brum and Reading.

 

[Tetchytyke]

XC do complimentary hot meals in First Class?

Yes, it’s a microwaved panini as with TPE but they don’t seem to pro-actively offer it.

 

[MrJeeves]

They'll rustle up a (microwaved) bacon roll if you ask them nicely. I normally grab one between Brum and Reading.

A bacon roll? I've managed at least 3 on a longer journey