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So the genius team at Seat Frog have decided that presumably as of July 1 they will start gouging customers an extra £2 per transaction as a “savings fee”. I’m not sure they gave thought that through very well, either in terms of what they call it or in light of the CMA’s new agenda against hidden fees like this…
Anyway just be warned that the price offered in the opening bid is £2 lower than the absolute minimum you can expect to pay.
If you care, you can report this or other hidden price gouges here https://ripoff-tipoff.campaign.gov.uk
(For those not aware, Seat Frog runs an auction allowing you to bid for upgrades on train tickets to first class….)
Came in play a day or two before the end of June, the fee used to show but striked out, so guessed it was coming.
Came in play a day or two before the end of June, the fee used to show but striked out, so guessed it was coming.
There was no sign of it on June 28th when I last made a successful bid. Anyway, shitty behaviour. Just add it to the price and stop treating your customers (or ex-customers) like clowns.
I’ve never found it that valuable so deleted it to be honest. Although I’m disabled and *certain* operators only have a disabled space in first class and I always ask to go into a disabled space. It’s a hard ship I endure for the benefit of my guide dog 🦮
While I was aware of SeatFrog I have never used it, preferring always just to book First Advance tickets with various promotions. What are chances of success and scale of successful bids, particularly on LNER between Edinburgh and London in either direction? Most trains I have taken in the last two years have been almost full so I’m guessing SeatFrog is next to useless or is what’s filling the trains.
I noticed the fee on Friday for EUS-MAN. A bit irksome but I’m sure it was listed before pressing the actual “bid” button.
I stopped when the minimum bid went over £40. The winning bit was £61 (which is half the return fare in standard I paid for BTN-MAN). So I went and sat in standard premium for £25.
@BK – seat frog only has a limited numbers of seats so it’s not filling up the trains.
Only ever used it for Avanti and since the minimum prices went up along with Standard Premium never use it, often I find First is busier than SP and you are paying much more for frankly not a lot. I will say the service in F has defiantly improved over what it used to be, but really don’t see it as value, not to mention it pretty much always left me in a rear facing seat, which unfortunately I really struggle with!
Off topic but does anyone else find the new seats in F & SP to be really uncomfortable, I find the bottom of the headrest cuts across my shoulders and neck, actually leaving me with a bad neck after a trip! I actually now often choose Standard if its not to busy as the seats are better for me!
Doesn’t sound promising. I don’t know why I’m even bothered as I dislike First on Azuma trains anyway, I need to try standard to check if the Standard seats are more comfortable for me.
I used Seatfrog frequently with a very high success rate pre and immediately post COVID. At the time it was possible to snag, for example, an off-peak KGX to EDB LNER upgrade (note Lumo don’t offer First Class) for £29, often without any bidding competition. Now Seatfrog have hugely increased their advertising, including on the websites/apps of all the TOCs they are partnered with, I have found it far less likely to win/win at a price that makes is worth the uncertainty of not knowing you are travelling First until very shortly before travel, which on a 4hr+ train can make a big difference. I have taken to purchasing First Class Advance tickets now and only try Seatfrog if I’ve had to book a last minute trip where I can’t justify the cost for First. Always worth checking for cashback offers with LNER/Avanti on the BAPP/Curve.
I noticed the fee on Friday for EUS-MAN. A bit irksome but I’m sure it was listed before pressing the actual “bid” button.
That’s not the point. On the first page it shows you the current bid, but when you click through it jumps up by £2. This is the fee creep that the CMA is investigating, as it’s compulsory so should be shown from the outset.
I use it out of Paddington to Oxford as the trains can be rammed so guaranteeing a seat for £10 plus a quick nip into the first class lounge seems like reasonable value. Indeed I’d happily pay a headline price of £12 for that, but it’s the addition of an extra £2 as a “savings fee” that is rather galling, especially on cheaper upgrades where it’s a far bigger %. I mean they might as well say bids start from £2 and then add a £10 savings fee to each booking….
I’ve paid £15 from Kings Cross to Yorkshire on Grand Central before, on an LNER strike day. Was shocked as expected train to be a standing-room-only BA-boarding type zoo, but it wasn’t.
Off topic but does anyone else find the new seats in F & SP to be really uncomfortable, I find the bottom of the headrest cuts across my shoulders and neck, actually leaving me with a bad neck after a trip! I actually now often choose Standard if its not to busy as the seats are better for me!
Yes, I’m currently sitting in one as I type this and I find them very uncomfortable at the bottom of my back. If you want to sit upright rather than slouched it is painful.
While I was aware of SeatFrog I have never used it, preferring always just to book First Advance tickets with various promotions. What are chances of success and scale of successful bids, particularly on LNER between Edinburgh and London in either direction? Most trains I have taken in the last two years have been almost full so I’m guessing SeatFrog is next to useless or is what’s filling the trains.
I used to be quite lucky on seatfrog for Edinburgh to Kings Cross but since the pandemic I’ve never been able to get one or I’ve looked at the price and thought sod that.
Can be quite lucky on the short hop between Edinburgh and Newcastle though
One of the best parts for me about Seatfrog is the lower cost upgrades when travelling for work, though the £2 fee is fairly insignificant, it still rubs me up the wrong way.
I’ve regularly taken the train from Edinburgh or Glasgow down to Liverpool/Wigan/Newcastle for a fraction of the cost it would normally cost, and like others have said with the increase in cost of Avanti services for upgrades, I now tend to sit in Standard Premium instead. The TransPennine service can be a good cost, though the service is less than Avanti or LNER to be fair, but the outright purchase can be easier.
Thanks for highlighting the stealth fee.
I’ve used SeatFrog with Avanti a number of times so that work pay my standard priced ticket (within policy) and I can choose to upgrade at personal cost.
Usually I’ve been assigned a single seat, with the seat opposite spare and I’ve enjoyed the extra space and I always enjoy a bit of salmon for brekkie.
However, last time I upgraded the barista machine at EUS lounge was broken, then I was on a shared table with 3 others having a work meeting on the train itself.Last week, I decided I’d grab breakfast at Leon, then lucked out with a table to myself in standard class on the train – despite the info boards suggesting that the carriage was “full”. I think the novelty of First on Avanti has worn off.
How does SP work? Can you self-upgrade by paying an addition to the train manager if standard seems busy? Does anyone know what an upgrade to premium would cost for LON-BRUM?
Yes. Just sit in the SP carriage and pay the train manager but if you book direct via avanti it’s usually an option during the booking process if you click on the fare detains when the train times come up.
No idea about the cost for Brum but MAN/EUS SP is £25.
With SF I just move to an available seat that I prefer. Train maanger has never said anything about not being in the “correct” seat.
While I was aware of SeatFrog I have never used it, preferring always just to book First Advance tickets with various promotions. What are chances of success and scale of successful bids, particularly on LNER between Edinburgh and London in either direction? Most trains I have taken in the last two years have been almost full so I’m guessing SeatFrog is next to useless or is what’s filling the trains.
Oops! Didn’t mean to report – fat fingers; sorry.
No problrm @GillyDee.
Thamks to all for reporting experiences, and particularly for the EDB/LNER datapoints.
I’ve paid £15 from Kings Cross to Yorkshire on Grand Central before, on an LNER strike day. Was shocked as expected train to be a standing-room-only BA-boarding type zoo, but it wasn’t.
I did the same in reverse and agree. I think everyone assumed that the entire rail network was shut. Was very weird being in a deserted York station!
Doesn’t sound promising. I don’t know why I’m even bothered as I dislike First on Azuma trains anyway, I need to try standard to check if the Standard seats are more comfortable for me.
I have been on both numerous times and the seats in First are much better
Thanks @Alex1904, all things considered it’t probably safer I stick to current approach.
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