It's just been brought to my attention that GWR have simplified their Weekday First Class upgrades as part of their September fares revision. Whereas there were previously five Weekday products (dependent on the ticket originally held and time of day) they've simplified it to just one.
Surprisingly, they seem to have priced them as the average of the previous Anytime to Anytime and Off-Peak to Off-Peak upgrades (though rounded to a multiple of £5), so in most cases it's actually cheaper than before. There are, of course, losers - and those are people holding an Off-Peak ticket wishing to upgrade at a time when First Class Off-Peak tickets are valid.
They've also increased some of their Weekend First upgrade prices for the first time since 2022.
For example:
Paddington - Penzance Weekend First was £25 and is now £30
Weekday upgrades were £55.60, £64.90, £78.90, £129.40 or £152.70 and are now £60
Paddington - Oxford Weekend First is unchanged at £15
Weekday upgrades were £28.70, £31.00 or £54.80 (there being no Super Off-Peak tickets between Paddington and Oxford) and are now £30
They're still only available to purchase on-board and are subject to availability. Advice being that if you want to guarantee First Class (subject to your train not being swapped for one that only has Standard accommodation), you need to buy a First Class ticket.
Surprisingly, they seem to have priced them as the average of the previous Anytime to Anytime and Off-Peak to Off-Peak upgrades (though rounded to a multiple of £5), so in most cases it's actually cheaper than before. There are, of course, losers - and those are people holding an Off-Peak ticket wishing to upgrade at a time when First Class Off-Peak tickets are valid.
They've also increased some of their Weekend First upgrade prices for the first time since 2022.
For example:
Paddington - Penzance Weekend First was £25 and is now £30
Weekday upgrades were £55.60, £64.90, £78.90, £129.40 or £152.70 and are now £60
Paddington - Oxford Weekend First is unchanged at £15
Weekday upgrades were £28.70, £31.00 or £54.80 (there being no Super Off-Peak tickets between Paddington and Oxford) and are now £30
They're still only available to purchase on-board and are subject to availability. Advice being that if you want to guarantee First Class (subject to your train not being swapped for one that only has Standard accommodation), you need to buy a First Class ticket.
