First Hull Trains First Class

[Bungle73]

What's it like? Is it worth it?

Me and my mum are off to my brother's wedding in Hull in April and we were thinking of going FC as I also have a railcard that covers us both.

My only experience of FC rail travel is with East Coast and Virgin. We would be going on a Friday, and coming back on a Sunday over Easter.

Also, a secondary question, I was going to use my EC points to get a couple of FC Lounge passes for KGX. I assume I can get one and my mum can use it?
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No one knows then?

Oh and hi, Victor.

 

[Urban Gateline]

http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/on-board/

According to the Hull Trains site, there is complimentary food available, it presumably depends on what time of the day you're travelling as to what you'll get.

It doesn't say what drinks are complimentary on the menu for First Class ticketholders though, my guess is Tea/Coffee and Soft drinks only.

I've never used HT in 1st Class so I can't comment more unfortunately.

With regards to the lounge passes, Yes you can transfer them to whoever you like, they do not require you to show ID with the lounge pass when going into the lounges.

 

[IanXC]

According to the Hull Trains site, there is complimentary food available, it presumably depends on what time of the day you're travelling as to what you'll get.

It doesn't say what drinks are complimentary on the menu for First Class ticketholders though, my guess is Tea/Coffee and Soft drinks only.

Yes thats correct - weekday service is the menu shown, weekends is now snackboxes (although much better than I've seen elsewhere).

Drinks is indeed Tea/Coffee/range of soft drinks (which you may need to ask for).

I'll generally travel first where the premium is sensible, and as an indication I'd pay the same premium for HT as I would for East Coast first class. You don't get the alcohol but the service is much better, and much more consistent!

 

[Bungle73]

Thanks.

With regards to the lounge passes, Yes you can transfer them to whoever you like, they do not require you to show ID with the lounge pass when going into the lounges.

Just seen this in the T&Cs:

15.5.4 The 3, 6 and 12 month First Class Lounge pass Rewards can be used by the named holder for unlimited use at any East Coast First Class Lounge until the date on the front of the pass. No changes can be made after redemption.
15.5.5 East Coast First Class Lounge Rewards cannot be transferred, exchanged for cash or re-sold.
15.5.6 Access will not be permitted into the East Coast First Class Lounge if a valid pass is not presented upon arrival. You may be asked by a member of staff to present photographic identification. East Coast is not responsible if your pass is lost, stolen or damaged and replacement passes will not be issued.

"Named holder"? I guess that means the person with the Rewards account and no one else? I'm pretty sure you aren't asked to give a name when you order a pass, but I haven't done it for a while so I can't be sure.

It also says that they cannot be transferred.

Oh and "photographic id"? I don't have any photographic ID, apart from my passport, and I'm not carrying that around when I'm just catching a train. I'm not sure if that bit is new as I've never been asked for ID.

 

[sng7]

Thanks.



Just seen this in the T&Cs:


"Named holder"? I guess that means the person with the Rewards account and no one else? I'm pretty sure you aren't asked to give a name when you order a pass, but I haven't done it for a while so I can't be sure.

It also says that they cannot be transferred.

Oh and "photographic id"? I don't have any photographic ID, apart from my passport, and I'm not carrying that around when I'm just catching a train. I'm not sure if that bit is new as I've never been asked for ID.

Though the terms and condition seem to make no mention of the named holder for a one day pass.

The full terms are here: http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/east-coa...ges/first-class-lounges-terms-and-conditions/

 

[Tetchytyke]

One day passes don't have a name on them, you just print off the email and rock up.

The longer term passes are different, they do have a name on them and they are not transferable. I believe the longer term passes are posted rather than simply a case of printing an email, but I'm not certain.

You do not have to be travelling to use the first class lounge pass.

 

[jon0844]

Is the first class lounge at King's Cross just for East Coast passengers? Or could I use it if I had a first class ticket from Hatfield to King's Cross?

And if I could, do they chuck you out if you stay in there too long? I'm thinking I might be able to use it as a place to do some work for a bit before travelling home.

(Sorry this is off topic)

 

[Tetchytyke]

I've stayed in there a couple of hours before without anyone batting an eyelid, the staff tend to be very pleasant at Kings Cross.

It is only for East Coast passengers though (or, to be more exact, tickets valid for use on an East Coast service). You could probably make an argument for Hatfield (EC to Stevenage), assuming it is over the £10 minimum fare.

Our First Class Lounges are open to customers who hold one of the following ticket types:
•Fully inter-available First Class Season Ticket (i.e. tickets not specific to one train company)
•Any First Class Anytime ticket valid for travel on the East Coast route

•Any East Coast First Class packages
•Holders of First Class reader offer
•Holders of East Coast Rewards One Day First Class Lounge Pass (no ticket required)

 

[jon0844]

I was thinking of getting a regular return to London Terminals (£7.80 off-peak, with Gold Card discount) and then getting a FC supplement for £5 (although I can't travel in the evening peak in first class, so it's not great value for money unless I am coming home earlier/later!).

 

[Searle]

I've been accepted into the King's Cross First Class Lounge with reward points in my mum's name before, and was accepted both times I tried without any hassle at all

 

[All Line Rover]

I've stayed in there a couple of hours before without anyone batting an eyelid, the staff tend to be very pleasant at Kings Cross.

I concur. It's a good place to work. It has a steady flow of customers but isn't excessively busy (unlike the Euston lounge). The only thing it lacks is a quiet zone (which the Euston lounge has, although that is/was the only good thing about it!).
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Is the first class lounge at King's Cross just for East Coast passengers? Or could I use it if I had a first class ticket from Hatfield to King's Cross?

And if I could, do they chuck you out if you stay in there too long? I'm thinking I might be able to use it as a place to do some work for a bit before travelling home.

(Sorry this is off topic)

In my experience they check tickets the majority of the time. I suspect you may encounter problems using your proposed tickets.
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The longer term passes are different, they do have a name on them and they are not transferable. I believe the longer term passes are posted rather than simply a case of printing an email, but I'm not certain.

They are posted. They are also non-replaceable, which is harsh!

 

[Tetchytyke]

I was thinking of getting a regular return to London Terminals (£7.80 off-peak, with Gold Card discount) and then getting a FC supplement for £5 (although I can't travel in the evening peak in first class, so it's not great value for money unless I am coming home earlier/later!).

Gold Card first class supplements are not valid for use on East Coast, therefore I highly doubt you will be able to enter the First Class lounge with one.

You could make an argument with a first class return to Hatfield (as you could use East Coast to Stevenage and change there). But the staff do check tickets.

 

[OLJR]

I have seen the inside of First Hull Trains' carriages through the windows at King's Cross.

The seats look quite decent, quite similar to First Great Western's longhaul seats and are in 1-2 config. I would consider 1ST well worth it for the bigger seat alone.

On the lounge access, I don't think that it is worth burning East Coast rewards points for lounge access unless you have too many to use or will never get enough for travel.

Lounge access saves GBP 5.00 per person in exchange for 50 points, or 10p per point. A one way first class ticket to Newcastle on the other hand costs 450 points and although value per point is similar if you would otherwise buy the cheapest fare available (GBP 44.50) these fares are hard to find and value per point is probably more like 13-16p in practice.

 

[Bungle73]

I have seen the inside of First Hull Trains' carriages through the windows at King's Cross.

The seats look quite decent, quite similar to First Great Western's longhaul seats and are in 1-2 config. I would consider 1ST well worth it for the bigger seat alone.

On the lounge access, I don't think that it is worth burning East Coast rewards points for lounge access unless you have too many to use or will never get enough for travel.

Lounge access saves GBP 5.00 per person in exchange for 50 points, or 10p per point. A one way first class ticket to Newcastle on the other hand costs 450 points and although value per point is similar if you would otherwise buy the cheapest fare available (GBP 44.50) these fares are hard to find and value per point is probably more like 13-16p in practice.

But I wouldn't have access the lounge at all if I'm travelling with FHT.

I worked it out a little while ago, and came to the conclusion that the lounge pass is worth more to me then using the points for train tickets. I only travel with EC a few times a year do don't accrue points very often.

 

[jon0844]

You could make an argument with a first class return to Hatfield (as you could use East Coast to Stevenage and change there). But the staff do check tickets.

Hatfield is long before Stevenage so I surely couldn't go there with any ticket?

I don't intend to use EC trains (and know the supplements aren't valid), so I'll give up on this idea.

I've got 500+ points, so I'll just get some day passes instead - although there are actually some pretty good places around there to work from, at least in the day when things are quieter.

 

[Bungle73]

Just got this response from EC:

Dear Mr West



Thank you for your email received 12 January 2014 regarding your East Coast Rewards.



In response to your question, you will be permitted to bring your mother into the 1st Class Lounge using your East Coast rewards points.



Thank you for contacting us.



Yours sincerely





Alysia de Brauw

Customer Relations Advisor

East Coast

 

[Tetchytyke]

Hatfield is long before Stevenage so I surely couldn't go there with any ticket?

Haha, I'm getting confused with Hitchin.

IF you have lots of points, and you're in London a lot, then a longer period lounge pass might be useful.