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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2013/may/25/first-class-rail-travel
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| First class rail travel – without breaking the bank | First class rail travel – without breaking the bank |
| (4 months later) | |
| It is widely seen as an unaffordable luxury where – to the irritation of vexed commuters – supply still seems to outstrip demand. | It is widely seen as an unaffordable luxury where – to the irritation of vexed commuters – supply still seems to outstrip demand. |
| Canny regular travellers already know that at the first sign of major overcrowding on peak-time trains, perhaps due to the cancellation of other services, the train manager is likely to "declassify" one or two first class coaches to standard. | Canny regular travellers already know that at the first sign of major overcrowding on peak-time trains, perhaps due to the cancellation of other services, the train manager is likely to "declassify" one or two first class coaches to standard. |
| Now first class rail travel has hit a 10-year high in Britain, new figures have revealed. It is thanks to an increase in "leisure travellers" buying pricier seats – surprisingly led by students and revellers on stag and hen parties. | Now first class rail travel has hit a 10-year high in Britain, new figures have revealed. It is thanks to an increase in "leisure travellers" buying pricier seats – surprisingly led by students and revellers on stag and hen parties. |
| According to the Association of Train Operating Companies , more than 11m tickets for the upmarket train compartments were sold last year – up from 6.7m in 2003. | According to the Association of Train Operating Companies , more than 11m tickets for the upmarket train compartments were sold last year – up from 6.7m in 2003. |
| While first class travel has grown at a slower rate over the last five years than the same period previously, 2012 recorded the biggest jump since 2008 and the third largest annual increase in the past decade. | While first class travel has grown at a slower rate over the last five years than the same period previously, 2012 recorded the biggest jump since 2008 and the third largest annual increase in the past decade. |
| Since the only dip in first class journeys – in 2009, which followed recession-related cutbacks – train companies have offered airline-style discounts and improved services to attract more leisure travellers who may not previously have considered upgrading. | Since the only dip in first class journeys – in 2009, which followed recession-related cutbacks – train companies have offered airline-style discounts and improved services to attract more leisure travellers who may not previously have considered upgrading. |
| As well as bigger seats and extra leg room, quiet coaches and at-seat catering, perks can include free newspapers, Wi-Fi and refreshments plus access to the first class lounge at some stations. First class fares on InterCity trains run by Virgin, East Coast and East Midlands Trains now typically include meals, as well as drinks on weekdays. | As well as bigger seats and extra leg room, quiet coaches and at-seat catering, perks can include free newspapers, Wi-Fi and refreshments plus access to the first class lounge at some stations. First class fares on InterCity trains run by Virgin, East Coast and East Midlands Trains now typically include meals, as well as drinks on weekdays. |
| So how can passengers looking on from packed standard class get the first class treatment for less? Planning ahead really helps. Here are our tips: | So how can passengers looking on from packed standard class get the first class treatment for less? Planning ahead really helps. Here are our tips: |
| Book early | Book early |
| Buy a first class advance ticket. They are available on many routes and can be bought up to the day before travel, subject to availability. Sales have increased by 76% in the past four years and around 121,000 are, on average, sold each week. Typically, this advance fare is between a quarter and a third of the cost of a first class "anytime" ticket. As advance tickets generally go on sale around 12 weeks before the date of travel, some of the best deals are to be had by booking early. | Buy a first class advance ticket. They are available on many routes and can be bought up to the day before travel, subject to availability. Sales have increased by 76% in the past four years and around 121,000 are, on average, sold each week. Typically, this advance fare is between a quarter and a third of the cost of a first class "anytime" ticket. As advance tickets generally go on sale around 12 weeks before the date of travel, some of the best deals are to be had by booking early. |
| Check train companies' websites or nationalrail.co.uk and use the cheapest fare finder tool. | Check train companies' websites or nationalrail.co.uk and use the cheapest fare finder tool. |
| Use a Railcard | Use a Railcard |
| This is arguably one of the best-kept secrets in the transport world. Senior railcard and disabled persons railcard holders get a third off all first class fares, while those with a 16-25 railcard can get a third off advance first class fares. | This is arguably one of the best-kept secrets in the transport world. Senior railcard and disabled persons railcard holders get a third off all first class fares, while those with a 16-25 railcard can get a third off advance first class fares. |
| Just remember to take your railcard along with your ticket when you travel. First class journeys made by passengers using a railcard rose 52% between 2009 and 2012, from 1.3m to 2m last year. | Just remember to take your railcard along with your ticket when you travel. First class journeys made by passengers using a railcard rose 52% between 2009 and 2012, from 1.3m to 2m last year. |
| The biggest increases over the last three years have been among 16-25-year-olds (68%), those with a disabled persons railcard (66%) and the over-60s holding a senior railcard (48%). | The biggest increases over the last three years have been among 16-25-year-olds (68%), those with a disabled persons railcard (66%) and the over-60s holding a senior railcard (48%). |
| Pay less at weekends | Pay less at weekends |
| Many train companies offer you the chance to get a bigger seat and more leg room at weekends by paying a supplement – either in advance, or when you are on the train – to upgrade to first class. Check with the train company you'll be travelling with. On some journeys this can be for as little as £5. (Full details at nationalrail.co.uk). | Many train companies offer you the chance to get a bigger seat and more leg room at weekends by paying a supplement – either in advance, or when you are on the train – to upgrade to first class. Check with the train company you'll be travelling with. On some journeys this can be for as little as £5. (Full details at nationalrail.co.uk). |
| David Mapp, commercial director of the Association of Train Operating Companies said: "By offering discounted first class fares, train companies are making it possible for more and more people to travel in style. Despite tough economic times, operators have encouraged people travelling on a range of budgets to take advantage of the good value fares and deals that are on offer." | David Mapp, commercial director of the Association of Train Operating Companies said: "By offering discounted first class fares, train companies are making it possible for more and more people to travel in style. Despite tough economic times, operators have encouraged people travelling on a range of budgets to take advantage of the good value fares and deals that are on offer." |
| The passenger group Passenger Focus has previously expressed concern about some operators actually deterring upgrades by complicated pricing structures which, in the case of Great Western, led to the supplement being doubled. | The passenger group Passenger Focus has previously expressed concern about some operators actually deterring upgrades by complicated pricing structures which, in the case of Great Western, led to the supplement being doubled. |
| Anthony Smith, the group's chief executive, said: "We know that the fares system can be complicated and it's not always easy to understand how to get the best deals. We encourage the industry to explain to passengers, in an easy-to-understand fashion, what options are available ." | Anthony Smith, the group's chief executive, said: "We know that the fares system can be complicated and it's not always easy to understand how to get the best deals. We encourage the industry to explain to passengers, in an easy-to-understand fashion, what options are available ." |
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