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RailUK First Class Lounge Guide
- Thread starter Ascot
- Start date
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RailUK Forums
Still there - I was in it yesterday.
The offering is similar to LNER lounges - tea/coffee/hot chocolate/water/orange juice and biscuits/cake/crisps.
I think little used - in all my visits I don't recall seeing another user.
railfan99
Established Member
I may use in the next couple of weeks as on a Eurailpass, I have a little time scheduled at what looks to be an architecturally pleasant station (at least to foreigners).
Merle Haggard
Established Member
Very late to comment, I know, and perhaps it deserves a new thread, But.
A few weeks ago, I couldn't find any First fares from Rugby or Milton Keynes to/from Euston either (the option to choose First was there, it just came up as 'no fare available for this train'). it's been suggested that LNwR set the fares from these stations, too. This is relevant to previous comments about booking a EUS-MKC First ticket to obtain access to Euston lounge.
It has wider implications outside this thread.
Yes worth a visit.
Swerve the box room. The King's Head pub is a much better place to pass some time.
It's part of the station - although you'll need to exit the ticket barriers to access it. It's on the left side as you exit.
Try one of the beers from the Magic Rock Brewery while you're in there.
railfan99
Established Member
Great: thanks. Provided it sells a Pale Ale, I will. Will search website. My taste doesn't run to stouts.
Apart from Ascot's great initial post, is there an updated c.2023 guide to each lounge on one of the 45 pages in the thread? I've searched back a couple of pages to no avail. The comments are useful but aren't a 'one stop shop'.
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Ascot used to keep them up to date, but suddenly stopped being a regular contributor, with his last post in this thread being 11 years ago and his last on the forum being nearly 10 years ago.
It'd need someone like a moderator with edit rights and a bit of time to keep keeping them up to date.
I would be interested in taking on a full update of the FC lounge guide. To enable full in-person mini reviews of each lounge, c/w photos etc, would the forum consider meeting me halfway on the cost of a 7 day FC ALR - upon satisfactory completion of a fully updated guide? (Bit of a long shot I know, but if you don't ask you don't get 
)
)
telstarbox
Established Member
Value.
JW4
Member
Butts
Veteran Member
Year's ago was it before or after Coventry ?
Blinkbonny
Member
- Joined
- 16 Mar 2018
- Messages
- 383
Virgin closed it at least five years ago. Definitely before Coventry.
station_road
Member
A post earlier in this thread from the week that the Wolverhampton lounge closed was in December 2017
Butts
Veteran Member
Currently at Edinburgh Airport awaiting a Flight down to Birmingham. Will then cross over to Birmingham International and get a 1st class Ticket to Sandwell & Dudley
Jesus doesn't time fly ....
Flew in from Edinburgh to Birmingham this morning and bought my "Breakfast Special" 1st Class Single from Birmingham International to Sandwell & Dudley which "includes" Eats in the Lounge all for £5.95 !!
Couple of Cappo's, Bottle orange Juice, Cereal plus some Lemon Shortbread and Marble Chocolate Bars to go.
Not quite as substantive fayre as on my last visit but still head and shoulders above any LNER Lounge on the Network.
Jesus doesn't time fly ....
Flew in from Edinburgh to Birmingham this morning and bought my "Breakfast Special" 1st Class Single from Birmingham International to Sandwell & Dudley which "includes" Eats in the Lounge all for £5.95 !!
Couple of Cappo's, Bottle orange Juice, Cereal plus some Lemon Shortbread and Marble Chocolate Bars to go.
Not quite as substantive fayre as on my last visit but still head and shoulders above any LNER Lounge on the Network.
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Anyone sampled the new CS lounge at Euston yet? https://www.sleeper.scot/euston-guest-lounge/
I assume this means sleeper passengers will no longer be able to access the Avanti lounge at Euston, where the complimentary refreshments (if not the furnishings!) are probably superior.
I assume this means sleeper passengers will no longer be able to access the Avanti lounge at Euston, where the complimentary refreshments (if not the furnishings!) are probably superior.
Y Ddraig Coch
Established Member
- Joined
- 1 Nov 2013
- Messages
- 1,433
The prices are crazy when you look a the bland pictures that dont do anything to make you want to purchase anything whilst in there.
Butts
Veteran Member
Or when you are at the CS Price Point for eligible passengers compares poorly with a BA Lounge where everything is free including Alcohol
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
You've made it very clear in this and the LNER First Class offerings thread that complimentary alcohol (scotch to be precise) is a primary priority for you when it comes to first class services though. For those that don't drink or don't drink much, this won't be a major issue.Or when you are at the CS Price Point for eligible passengers compares poorly with a BA Lounge where everything is free including Alcohol
Butts
Veteran Member
Whilst for me that's true, for others having a meal it's still going to take a fair wedge out of someone's pocket in comparison to using a BA Lounge ?
if the Lounge was for use by all passengers rather than just the elite ticketholders the pricing structure would make more sense.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
But surely one would expect the service of a train company's first class to be scaled down from British Airways' in proportion with the price, in that a ticket on LNER/CS/Avanti in First Class is naturally going to be cheaper than a first class flight with BA.
Butts
Veteran Member
When you get into £200 territory a Club Domestic Fare is achievable in that price bracket or you have status from accumulated travel.
Having said that at least they have a limited free offering for "A Magical Journey" (assuming you can get in as there have been capacity problems highlighted on the CS thread)
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Yes, but they BA also have to cater for those paying upwards of £10K, whereas CS do not have to strike that balance.
Mind you, I do agree at that price the least they could offer is a complimentary drink at Euston really, so I'm not going to argue the point that alcohol shouldn't be offered. I just dispute that it should be on the level of our airline flag carrier's first class lounges.
Butts
Veteran Member
No ones talking about First Class Lounges just the normal BA ones available at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and subby at Inverness plus of course Heathrow.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I see. That's where I was confused. Glorious.
To hear most of the general public out the cheapest rail fare is more expensive than a 1st Class return between Heathrow and JFK.
railfan99
Established Member
The vast majority of Westerners drink alcohol, as do a large majority of Asians, two major markets for 'CS' or British inbound tourism.
In moderation, it's an excellent social lubricant and enjoyable.
Nothing wrong with expecting a railway or airline lounge to offer complimentary alcohol.
Butts
Veteran Member
Flew down from Edinburgh to London Heathrow this morning and then got a National Express Coach from T5 to Birmingham Airport.
Paid my usual £6 for a 1st Class Single from there to Sandwell& Dudley which got me into the Lounge at BHI which was empty around 4ish - surprising.
Bargain of the Century filled up on drinks and snacks.
Added bonus on the 1638 Avanti Service to Glasgow which I alighted to travel to SAD - got a free Scotch !!
Just to give a bit of perspective to people who may frequent Rail 1st Class Lounges but not BA ones like I did on departure from Edinburgh....
In there I had a full breakfast (sausage, bacon , egg, hash browns, black pudding - all help yourself
Muffins, Orange Juice, Cappuccinos, and Tablet, plus a couple of Taliskers to wash it down.
As an added bonus I was upgraded on the flight to business class.
My lucky day !!
Paid my usual £6 for a 1st Class Single from there to Sandwell& Dudley which got me into the Lounge at BHI which was empty around 4ish - surprising.
Bargain of the Century filled up on drinks and snacks.
Added bonus on the 1638 Avanti Service to Glasgow which I alighted to travel to SAD - got a free Scotch !!
Just to give a bit of perspective to people who may frequent Rail 1st Class Lounges but not BA ones like I did on departure from Edinburgh....
In there I had a full breakfast (sausage, bacon , egg, hash browns, black pudding - all help yourself
Muffins, Orange Juice, Cappuccinos, and Tablet, plus a couple of Taliskers to wash it down.
As an added bonus I was upgraded on the flight to business class.
My lucky day !!
Butts
Veteran Member
Flight was an Avios Redemption so free - the days before I checked and it was £300 !!
Going back the same way coach to LHR in the early hours of Boxing Day and 1st Flight up to EDI.
Have to work Boxing Day no early service from BHX.
Can't include the Train this time as they are not running !!!