Yahoo Finance Virgin Trains reveals way for passengers to get first class upgrades from just £5
Rail passengers can bid for a first class upgrade on Virgin trains for as little as £5 through a new smartphone app.
The operator has struck a deal with Seatfrog to offer empty first class seats on selected East Coast mainline services up to 30 minutes ahead of departure.
Travellers will have the chance to move up from standard to an altogether plusher commute – with complimentary food and drink, free Wi-Fi, reclining leather seats and extra legroom.
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The auction on unsold seats opens about two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled departure time.
Passengers input their booking reference, the app notifies them as soon as a seat becomes available and customers start their bidding to win an upgrade. If available, there will be an “upgrade now” option, too.
The successful bidders will get the new seat issued to their phone, and then get to enjoy the benefits that come with first class.
Upgrades will initially be available on weekday services from King’s Cross to Edinburgh, Newcastle, York and Leeds.
“We have a strong record of innovating for the benefit of our customers and we are really excited to be partnering with Seatfrog to offer customers more opportunities to experience first class,” said Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director at Virgin Trains on the east coast.
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“Passengers can get last minute upgrades to first class seats from as little as £5 and there are real deals to be had.
“The live bidding element means you can decide at the last minute if you fancy treating yourself.”
Regular walk-up first-class fares for London to Edinburgh journeys, for example, can cost almost £90 more than standard class tickets.
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Iain Griffin, CEO and founder Seatfrog, said: “Modern travel is full of rules and regulations that can make getting to our final destination a frustrating experience.
“Everyone loves an upgrade, but the excitement of it and the ability to just change your mind at the last minute is suffering because of the many complicated processes that exist today.”
The upgrade auction option applies only to services running from Monday to Friday. And groups or families fancying first class will all have to register and bid individually for a seat.
