Eurostar Plus is becoming worse

[lkoroes]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to start a quick discussion thread to see how others' experiences with Eurostar's standard premier / plus have evolved, or devolved, over the past year or so. Keep in mind this is going to be an incredibly petty post.

I used to always book Standard Prem, the meals were never too big but they were just about OK, and the diverse set of drinks, plus their unlimited nature, was a good value to me in combination with the 1+2 seat layout.

But I have just done a return between London and Brussels, and I was underwhelmed to say the least. Sure, on the outbound, the light meal was the same three slices of chicken with quinoa - or,with the alternative of falafels with the same. Bottled water is gone, instead replaced with paper cups. I see the sustainability angle, but there are better ways of doing this. The return on a morning service was a tiny half-sandwich, a small amount of yogurt with grilled pineapple pieces or a banana gateau in lieu of the sandwich and only orange juice or water - no apple juice or other alternative beverages. Tea/coffee is still unlimited, at least. It used to be pains aux raisins on offer and they at least had more to give the hungrier passengers.

For comparison, here's what it looked like back in July - not massively bigger but at least an extra pain au raisin and separated slices of fruit. Or, again, last December - the hummus was my addition, mind you.

This, in combination with the Paris/Brussels lounges being taken away, is really a worse service than it used to be. How have your experiences been?

 

[30907]

Unlimited drinks? Apart from refills of tea/coffee I haven't had that since my first trip in SP nearly 20 years ago.
Plastic bottles of water have annoyed me for years, though Tetrapaks would be an alternative, as used elsewhere - is the wine still in plastic?
Breakfast, I agree, sounds pathetic, but I've always avoided it.
And I don't recall lounges for SP customers, did I miss something?

 

[lkoroes]

Unlimited drinks? Apart from refills of tea/coffee I haven't had that since my first trip in SP nearly 20 years ago.
Plastic bottles of water have annoyed me for years, though Tetrapaks would be an alternative, as used elsewhere - is the wine still in plastic?
Breakfast, I agree, sounds pathetic, but I've always avoided it.
And I don't recall lounges for SP customers, did I miss something?

Paris and Brussels lounges were always available for SP - until they were closed this autumn.

 

[trei2k]

I thought that the lounges were only available for what was Business Premier (now called Eurostar Premier) or if you had Club Eurostar Carte Blanche/Étoile?

 

[lkoroes]

I thought that the lounges were only available for what was Business Premier (now called Eurostar Premier) or if you had Club Eurostar Carte Blanche/Étoile?

No, that was only ever the case for the London lounge.

 

[signed]

No, that was only ever the case for the London lounge.

How? It's pretty clear that all lounges after security were for BP/CB

From a snapshot of Eurostar help page done on 2023-11-30

Can I access the Eurostar lounges? - Eurostar Help Centre

Access to our lounges depends on your route, ticket and member status. Upon entry, you can enjoy serene spaces, ideal for working or relaxing.

web.archive.org

Travelling to and from London

Carte Blanche and Etoile members and those travelling in Business Premier have access to all our lounges.

Carte Blanche members may bring one guest during the week (Monday to Friday) and up to four guests at weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) into Business Premier Lounges.

Étoile members may bring two guests during the week (Monday to Friday) and up to four guests at weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) into Business Premier Lounges.

The same was true on 2022-11-21

Business Premier Lounges | Eurostar

Enjoy luxury and total flexibility as you treat yourself to an extra special trip with Eurostar Business Premier lounges available in London, Paris and Brussel

web.archive.org

You’ll find them in our departure areas in London, Paris, and Brussels and they’re open to Business Premier passengers and Carte Blanche holders.

 

[BahrainLad]

I’ve been doing Eurostar Plus since the days of Leisure Select and there’s never been lounge access available anywhere.

I did notice on my most recent trip they are now serving salad bowls (at least in the evenings). I had the vegetarian option (rare for me) which was OK but on reflection I should’ve gone for the fish / beetroot which I think was the alternative. I asked for, and received, a second mini bottle of red which was nice of the chap serving.

The food in EP/SP has never been a high point since they butchered the offering at the end of the LS days, I mainly buy it for the solo seat and less crowded carriage. With use of the lounge via Amex Platinum, it’s a nice combination.

 

[lkoroes]

OK, well, they may have just been kind to me very regularly, but I was always allowed into what used to be the Thalys lounge in Brussels. I must have used it 5-10 times since 2020 or so.

 

[30907]

OK, well, they may have just been kind to me very regularly, but I was always allowed into what used to be the Thalys lounge in Brussels. I must have used it 5-10 times since 2020 or so.

Stating the obvious, but Thalys had various different policies until the merger - perhaps this was one?

 

[skyhigh]

Paris and Brussels lounges were always available for SP - until they were closed this autumn.

The Brussels lounge has now reopened, no?

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I used Standard Premier in January to Brussels, and was very impressed.

I wasn't directed to the lounges, which seemed strictly for Business Premier. Anyway, I boarded the train and a steward with an iPad came up to me and asked my name, she led me to my seat and assured me "Your dinner will be with you shortly". Dinner was served somewhere in East London, sure it was light, but it was fresh and tasty. It wasnt too light as I recall, but I did eat a bit beforehand because I assumed it wouldn't be an LMS Dining Car blowout. Anyway, drinks were good, dessert was good. By the time it was all done we were already in Belgium.

Same level of service on the way back too. Attentive staff that seemed to actually give a damn about you, nice food and great ambiance. Can't wait to repeat the experience. I've been raving about SP ever since to my friends, who must think I've gone a little mad. Anyway, it was a great service.

Eurostar's departure lounge in Brussels though is a dreary experience.

 

[TFN]

I’ve travelled on Eurostar since the class rejigging on 4th Nov and I’ve much preferred the new menu in Plus.

Finally there’s a savoury or a sweet option for breakfast instead of just the sweet pain au raisin option.

For lunch their new offerings taste much better and feels fresh.

The only thing I miss is the bottled water but I used to just take it with me and use it throughout the day instead of drinking it on the train.

 

[mad_rich]

Unlimited drinks? Apart from refills of tea/coffee I haven't had that since my first trip in SP nearly 20 years ago.
Plastic bottles of water have annoyed me for years, though Tetrapaks would be an alternative, as used elsewhere - is the wine still in plastic?
Breakfast, I agree, sounds pathetic, but I've always avoided it.
And I don't recall lounges for SP customers, did I miss something?

Agreed. I've never thought of Standard Premier as 'unlimited drinks'. Never been proactively offered a second drink other than tea/ coffee, but I've never been refused when I ask.

Lounge access has never been offered with Standard Premier/ Plus on Eurostar Blue. I don't know what the situation was with Red. I think at one point Thalys had four classes?

 

[MattSGB]

I travelled London to Amsterdam and back in late 2022 and it was most certainly an unlimited drinks experience then. They were proactively offering fresh drinks, and the experience felt much better value. Travelling to Brussels and Paris though, I have never been offered a second drink, but they have always happily provided a second when asked.

 

[mad_rich]

I travelled London to Amsterdam and back in late 2022 and it was most certainly an unlimited drinks experience then. They were proactively offering fresh drinks, and the experience felt much better value. Travelling to Brussels and Paris though, I have never been offered a second drink, but they have always happily provided a second when asked.

Ah yes, Amsterdam and the other (former) longer routes have more on offer.

 

[Birkonian]

I travelled back from Brussels today in Eurostar Plus. It was the 12:56 train and food wasn't served until after the stop at Lille so it was 14:00 by then. I was quite peckish not having eaten since breakfast.
I'd checked the menu online and the choice was a garlic and rosemary chicken bowl or hummus with butternut squash. I'm not vegetarian and the hummus was very unappetising to me. I was asked if I wanted food and asked for chicken. I was told that there was only the hummus available. I asked why and was told that travellers in the coach who'd been served first had opted for the chicken. I expressed my displeasure that it was 'take it or leave it.' I left it. A man sitting opposite me was also angry. I'd paid £129 for my ticket and find it surprising that some customers get a reduced choice based on which coach they sit in. It didn't help that the staff member was unsympathetic. The Train Manager happened to pass through the carriage so I let him know that I wasn't happy. His advice was in future to book a seat in the carriage nearest to the bar, because they start serving from that end of the train! I wasn't going to give Eurostar any more money by going to the cafe so had to wait until I got to St. Pancras. BTW, the cake served as dessert was approximately the size of two sugar cubes so that didn't do much for my hunger. Thoughts?

 

[wellhouse]

I have never known Lounge access for Leisure Select/Standard Premium/Eurostar Plus.

The food offering has certainly declined over the years (think LNER!), but I can't recall any food or drink item having run out.

Regarding drinks, there is just one drinks service, but always (including in the past week) when I have asked for more wine, it has been provided without any problem.

 

[dutchflyer]

Yes, but not what you want to read now-be wiser. Using trains in EUR+rest of world since some 55+ yrs and also watching spending cents/pennies I never take the overpriced and often un-appealing food on sale on trains. Provide your own-yes, that takes some extra time, but far wider choice and also mostly cheaper. It is astounding how much about any medium/big sized train stopping place has been transformed into space with about any existing fastfood chain+ often some adventurous and playing on symphaty as small scale innovator local.
Also using those low-budget airlines-existing since some 20/25 yrs now and I think even once invented very EASY in the UK has shaped that way for food on planes.
Bit spoilt for now and 1 more week as staying in some hot (well, its cold season here too-drops under 20 early mornings) country where food is on sale @ every streetcorner, busstop and in between-hot meals for 1-1,50€/GBP-but may not meet standards of EU-strict hygiene. Chicken always the cheapest option. And its early morning here-passing through the notes hence this time for response

 

[nwales58]

Standard airline habit where meals provided, even in business class nowadays. Reduce waste by loading best guess pax choices plus a bit rather than pax times 2. When their guess is right noone notices.

Standard airline is: would you like chicken or pasta? After one runs out, Would you like a meal? Always give the customer a choice. Clever, eh?

Remember the days when West Coast was often down to only the sodding Gnocchi by the end of the day? Or did we only suffer that on the Holyheads?

 

[PupCuff]

I started my railway career in onboard catering and if Eurostar is anything like pretty much anywhere else, there will be quieter trains where someone somewhere has arranged for enough food to be delivered to feed a small village and others which will be full and you're apologising all day because the three sandwiches you've been graciously allocated for the afternoon went in the first ten minutes. It's frustrating for both the staff and the customers.

When I travel by Eurostar I work on the stock assumption that they will either have no food or it will be inedible and plan to just grab something in Brussels or St P. At least they haven't run out of alcohol on me yet

 

[ivanhoe]

Travelled twice in September to Lille Europe and from Brussels back to St Pancras. Both journeys served what I would call half decent and portion size and service was fine. On Standard Premier ,I'm more impressed with the space and I never have high expectations of the fayre. I would say, it was fine for me but I'm no gourmet.
As for the departure waiting areas, I actually found that they're all unpleasant but I'm normally there in STP for the 11.04 to Amsterdam which means if you're in the Departure Lounge before the 10.30 for Paris is called, or that train is running late, then not pleasant. However, as I was using my Interrail Pass, the 40 euro excess was not too unpalatable.
The free breakfast on EMR to London from Loughborough was appreciated though.

 

[Brooke]

As a weekly traveller on Eurostar Standard Plus (to Paris) and monthly on British Airways Business Class (to Switzerland), I would recommend Eurostar’s product over BA’s every single time!

Fresh, well prepared food, constant variety and innovation to the menu. Friendly staff and (if you ask) essentially no limit on drinks. All things BA’s long-suffering passengers can only dream of.

And that’s before you start adding more comfortable seats, less delays (vs Heathrow if not City), lots of flexibility to modify bookings, no charges for baggage or seats, etc etc.

Honestly, I struggle to think of a better product in short haul airlines or trains than Eurostar’s two upper classes, but perhaps that’s just me!

 

[Craig2601]

As a weekly traveller on Eurostar Standard Plus (to Paris) and monthly on British Airways Business Class (to Switzerland), I would recommend Eurostar’s product over BA’s every single time!

Fresh, well prepared food, constant variety and innovation to the menu. Friendly staff and (if you ask) essentially no limit on drinks. All things BA’s long-suffering passengers can only dream of.

And that’s before you start adding more comfortable seats, less delays (vs Heathrow if not City), lots of flexibility to modify bookings, no charges for baggage or seats, etc etc.

Honestly, I struggle to think of a better product in short haul airlines or trains than Eurostar’s two upper classes, but perhaps that’s just me!

I would rather take the train too, over flying as overall it provides a more comfortable (and sustainable) journey. However, I haven't found that they have been generous with drinks in Standard Premier the times I have used it (typically one drink to Brussels, maybe a second offered to Paris). Also, if flying BA business then the lounge access is a nice bonus over none in Eurostar Plus (even the Eurostar Premier Lounge at St P isn't, in my opinion, as good as BA lounge). To be fair, I have less experience on BA in business than the Eurostar, so maybe I have been lucky with generous service on the flights I have took.

 

[deltic]

I travel Standard Plus for the extra space and a quieter journey, food is just an added bonus.

 

[AlterEgo]

I travel Standard Plus for the extra space and a quieter journey, food is just an added bonus.

Same here - the food is a distraction and nice to have if it's lunch time, but would never replace a proper dinner.

 

[johncrossley]

I don't want to pay extra money for food I don't like and I would rather not be disturbed. The food from neighbouring passengers smells as well. Therefore, I won't travel Plus. It should be like DB first class where you pay for your meals and have a restaurant car.

 

[MarcVD]

I don't want to pay extra money for food I don't like and I would rather not be disturbed. The food from neighbouring passengers smells as well. Therefore, I won't travel Plus. It should be like DB first class where you pay for your meals and have a restaurant car.

But you would be disturbed there too because in ICE first class, they bring you your meal to your seat. Which is nice, because this way, you don't need to worry about your luggage while you are away in the restaurant car.

 

[30907]

But you would be disturbed there too because in ICE first class, they bring you your meal to your seat. Which is nice, because this way, you don't need to worry about your luggage while you are away in the restaurant car.

While in Standard your neighbour will bring stuff from the buffet (or Simply Food....).

 

[johncrossley]

While in Standard your neighbour will bring stuff from the buffet (or Simply Food....).

But not all passengers in Standard have food, and a lot of the time they just have snacks which don't smell. Whereas in Plus nearly everybody will have hot food, just because it is "free" (but isn't actually free because it costs money to provide it).

 

[TFN]

But not all passengers in Standard have food, and a lot of the time they just have snacks which don't smell. Whereas in Plus nearly everybody will have hot food, just because it is "free" (but isn't actually free because it costs money to provide it).

The food in Plus isn’t hot.