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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think Seat Frog has ruined First Class Rail travel

111 replies

Goldfsh · 07/10/2025 17:04

I've paid extra for First Class train tickets for the last few years for three reasons: my mobility has been very decreased and I'm unable to stand for long (but unable to qualify for a Disabled Railcard); my immune system is also shot so I appreciate that it's more spacious; and I can work on my laptop. Basically I pay because it's quieter and cleaner.

Over the last month or so, every time I've travelled the First Class carriages have been full with families, especially young babies and children and OMG ALWAYS listening to ipads and phones without headphones - and I suspect this is because of apps like Seat Frog that buy out the First Class fares and offer them cheap.

First Class travel is pointless IMO if it's as noisy and full of noisy families. Is there any point to it if this is the case? Has anyone else noticed this lately?

OP posts:
Redpeach · 07/10/2025 18:04

Bigoldmoneypit · 07/10/2025 18:01

There are less people using seatfrog to travel first class than you think.

I however travel first class for free, and will make sure to take my noisy toddler with me for free more often.

Why?

Bigoldmoneypit · 07/10/2025 18:01

There are less people using seatfrog to travel first class than you think.

I however travel first class for free, and will make sure to take my noisy toddler with me for free more often.

Unpaidviewer · 07/10/2025 18:00

Is this an advert?

PinkTonic · 07/10/2025 18:00

dullgreysky · 07/10/2025 17:54

I've never heard of seatfrog. I don't have young children. I am older and also have a disability. I'll be looking out for seatfrog when buying tickets in future, so this thread might have the opposite effect to what you want, in that first class will get even busier as a result of more people finding out about it.

It’s an app which lets you bid for an upgrade. TBH it used to deliver excellent savings but it’s now so ubiquitous that it’s often not worth the bother. I’ve given up and just buy first class tickets if I’m going to the office.

Original poster
Goldfsh · 07/10/2025 17:56

dullgreysky · 07/10/2025 17:54

I've never heard of seatfrog. I don't have young children. I am older and also have a disability. I'll be looking out for seatfrog when buying tickets in future, so this thread might have the opposite effect to what you want, in that first class will get even busier as a result of more people finding out about it.

The last couple of journeys I've done have been full in First Class!

Seat Frog can be good if you want to get First Class cheaper, but the standard tickets IME are more expensive than other platforms (even Trainline!) or going direct to the train company.

OP posts:
Original poster
Goldfsh · 07/10/2025 17:54

I would definitely use Standard Class if I could be guaranteed a seat in the Quiet Carriage but it's often 'no reservations' which is a nightmare if you've got a long journey and can't stand.

The influx of full First Class carriages and a noisier/children demographic is very recent, and coincides with a lot of people using Seat Frog. I can't believe it's a coincidence.

OP posts:
Redpeach · 07/10/2025 17:54

SkaneTos · 07/10/2025 17:40

On the train line where I usually travel, there is a quiet carriage available, and it's usually very calm and quiet.

Edited

The quiet carriage only has capacity for say, 10% of passengers, so 90% if travelleez have to put up with noise according to your reasoning

dullgreysky · 07/10/2025 17:54

I've never heard of seatfrog. I don't have young children. I am older and also have a disability. I'll be looking out for seatfrog when buying tickets in future, so this thread might have the opposite effect to what you want, in that first class will get even busier as a result of more people finding out about it.

Skybluepinky · 07/10/2025 17:53

Families probably have more money than you, stop moaning, if you do t like it don’t pay the extra.

Zigazigarrr · 07/10/2025 17:41

@Redpeach yes of course

Redpeach · 07/10/2025 17:40

Zigazigarrr · 07/10/2025 17:35

I always travel first class on train - whether on my own for work or with my family (3 kids). I also travel business class on planes on the same principle. Sorry. Not sorry.

Well if kids have headphones, nothing to apologise for

SkaneTos · 07/10/2025 17:40

On the train line where I usually travel, there is a quiet carriage available, and it's usually very calm and quiet.

ReceiveIt · 07/10/2025 17:38

Excellent Seatfrog advertisement 👍

Zigazigarrr · 07/10/2025 17:35

I always travel first class on train - whether on my own for work or with my family (3 kids). I also travel business class on planes on the same principle. Sorry. Not sorry.

LividArse · 07/10/2025 17:35

I often take my kid in FC.

I sometimes travel alone in FC.

Anyone who uses devices without headphones, whatever class, should be ejected from the train. It should be the equivalent of smoking in an enclosed space.

My kid thought for many years that sound didn’t work on trains. He’s now old enough for headphones.

MustyDooDah · 07/10/2025 17:31

I presented my Seatfrog for scanning recently and the ticket inspector called it a “scourge”. I don’t disagree.

Redpeach · 07/10/2025 17:21

BauhausOfEliott · 07/10/2025 17:18

Even if you pre-book seats, Standard Class carriages are often overbooked because of cancellations or missing carriages, so plenty of people these days (especially families with young kids who will obviously not want to risk standing up with a six-year-old for four hours or not being able to get seats next to each other) book First Class simply because it’s where they’re much more likely to get the seats they booked. Or they buy Standard Class tickets and then upgrade on board, not through Seat Frog, because there are no suitable seats left in Standard.

In any case - peace and quiet isn’t what First Class claims to offer. What it’s supposed to offer is refreshments and someone to serve them to you along with comfier seats and more leg-room, not silence and no children. If you want a quiet journey, you need to book a seat in the Quiet coach.

I agree that people shouldn’t be watching stuff without headphones; it’s annoying. But it’s got fuck-all to do with the price they paid for their ticket. People with a lot of money aren’t somehow nicer and quieter than people without it.

In general though, first class is usually more peaceful

ForCraftyWriter · 07/10/2025 17:20

Annoying I agree but you’d need to ask the ticket inspector to ask them to turn it off or use headphones

BauhausOfEliott · 07/10/2025 17:19

Goldfsh · 07/10/2025 17:14

I don't think for a moment that people don't have a 'right' to travel First Class for whatever reason, but it's generally quieter and used by business travellers (and quite a few physically disabled people) - the influx of a noisier demographic is very sudden over the last couple of months.

But why do you think ‘noisier’ equates to ‘less well-off’?

PinkTonic · 07/10/2025 17:18

I travel at commuter time so haven’t noticed this. What I have noticed which I do find annoying is that quite a lot of people sit in first class and ask for an upgrade if they get checked, which fairly often they don’t. This is actually not supposed to be allowed, you’re supposed to get the upgrade first at risk of being charged a penalty fare. Maybe if they managed that better the tickets wouldn’t need to be quite so extortionate. And don’t get me started on all the men standing in the vestibule so the doors keep opening and closing just so they can charge through the carriage on arrival, holding up the passengers who actually paid to sit there.

BauhausOfEliott · 07/10/2025 17:18

Even if you pre-book seats, Standard Class carriages are often overbooked because of cancellations or missing carriages, so plenty of people these days (especially families with young kids who will obviously not want to risk standing up with a six-year-old for four hours or not being able to get seats next to each other) book First Class simply because it’s where they’re much more likely to get the seats they booked. Or they buy Standard Class tickets and then upgrade on board, not through Seat Frog, because there are no suitable seats left in Standard.

In any case - peace and quiet isn’t what First Class claims to offer. What it’s supposed to offer is refreshments and someone to serve them to you along with comfier seats and more leg-room, not silence and no children. If you want a quiet journey, you need to book a seat in the Quiet coach.

I agree that people shouldn’t be watching stuff without headphones; it’s annoying. But it’s got fuck-all to do with the price they paid for their ticket. People with a lot of money aren’t somehow nicer and quieter than people without it.

Beekman · 07/10/2025 17:16

Maybe instead of travelling by train with all the oiks, you can hire a limousine or even a private jet

Original poster
Goldfsh · 07/10/2025 17:14

I don't think for a moment that people don't have a 'right' to travel First Class for whatever reason, but it's generally quieter and used by business travellers (and quite a few physically disabled people) - the influx of a noisier demographic is very sudden over the last couple of months.

OP posts:
Arlanymor · 07/10/2025 17:13

I really dislike people listening to iPads or their phones without headphones, it's hugely antisocial, not least because if you've booked your seat in advance you can't necessarily get away from them. This applies to all passengers anywhere on the train.

But anyone who has paid for the First Class ticket is entitled to sit in that carriage - their money is just as good as yours. Anti-social behaviour isn't dependent on how much has been spent on their journey.

Mulledjuice · 07/10/2025 17:10

If people are being antisocial then ask them to switch off the noise or complain to the train manager. Book quiet carriage.

I've travelled first class with a child because it's MUCH easier in less crowded carriages and with bigger seats. Not via Seatfrog, I wasnt organised enough. Just as much right to do so as anyone else.

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