Great Western Coffee Shop

Free off-peak upgrade to first class for season ticket holders until 6 July 2008 (link below.)
http://firstlatewestern.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-class-here-i-come.html

yes, I spotted that too. The pack that came with the letter which is referred to (I received one in the post as well) included free weekend parking and teas and coffees - basically the same vouchers that First Class customers used to get under the "Forward" scheme (which incidentally us members are still waiting for the promised further news about!) - but did not include the off peak upgrades, which you had to go and look for on the website.

Totally out of the blue I've got that letter as well, with the same vouchers. I'm quite impressed as I've never actually complained to FGW.

Every little helps I suppose.

Did we all get the same vouchers or have some places done better?

If your a season ticket holder - remember they have personal details like your address on file.

Not necessarily - very little detail is held if you just have a 7 day season ticket/photocard.

A very comprehensive overview of the offers can be found in the I Work For FGW blog post links below.
http://www.iworkforfgw.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=72&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

http://www.iworkforfgw.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=73&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I got this through the post yesterday too.

In general its a very good PR move by FGW and I'm looking forward to my free food and beer next time I go on an HST!

......just a shame that there's no 1st class on the Exmouth branch for me to upgrade to.....

Suggestion to FGW: next time, allow the upgrade voucher to be used on any single FGW journey (rather than just the season ticket journey). I reckon they could even charge a nominal fee (fiver?) for upgrades on non-season-ticket routes and still have happy punters.

is it not valid for train journeys that commence before 0930 or for customers who join the train before 0930.

you could have say the 0830 from Bristol to Paddington. A STD class season ticket holder in STD until the train leaves Didcot who then as its past 0930 goes into 1st class for the remainder of the journey.....

OR

is it a case that if the train commences its journey before 0930 at its station of origin that the upgrade is not valid....

Please discuss

Whilst I am happy for those who benefit....

Do first class season ticket holders get anything

Other than more crowded off peak services?

You get the pride and knowledge that FGW don't really care about giving you additional extras to keep you on board! ;)

the standard class upgrade is only valid off peak and can only be used on a journey covered by the standard class season ticket.

1st class season ticket holders have a pass which allows them free weekend travel anywhere on the fgw network regardless of the journey covered by the 1st class season ticket they hold.

I did not realise this as it is never flagged on these parts

However as a monthly holder for 6/7 months out of 12 - and am currently a holder

I have not received anything

I suspect this is because  WOS where I renew my ticket is still paper based

How do I rectify this?

wait for the letter to arrive ?

If you view my site it links to the section of FGW Site for your weekend voucher, in terms of the vouchers for buffet items, talk to FGW Customer Services.

Maybe because WOS is not part of "FGW Land", so you've effectively bought your ticket via another operator, and are on their database (which may be a pile of paper database from what you say?)

Correct - you need to purchase your ticket from a First Great Western station, as it will not be on FGWs database otherwise.

EDIT - SWTs offer for this is 6 free day rangers for a gold card for anywhere on the SWT network. If it's a SC season then it's a SC ranger, FC season then FC ranger...  :D

So if I buy a 1 month First Class season ticket between Newbury and Newbury Racecourse, I can get unlimited travel on FGW at weekends for ^38.10! :o

That's a good price - can anyone get it cheaper?

Mike

If that ticket is valid for the offer I think I might buy that... similar to my Ryde to Ryde route Any Permitted gold card for the SWT offer.

Ah, I was wondering which the cheapest FC season was. For an annual, it would be excellent value if you intend travelling a lot at weekends.

Reading West to Reading maybe??

No that is ^42.10
So Newbury-Newbury Racecouse is cheapest so far.

Found a cheaper one.
Dorking Deepdene-Dorking West ^36.90

I was pretty impressed when the pack dropped through my door, I will be catching the 16:19 from St Davids tonight to check out first class as for too long have I gazed into those mystical carriages with nothing but wishful dreaming, unable to cross over....

Seriously though, a welcome move by FGW.