to think Seat Frog has ruined First Class Rail travel

[Goldfsh]

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?

Well if kids have headphones, nothing to apologise for

@Redpeach yes of course

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Is this an advert?

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?

Ooo thanks I’d never heard of Seat Frog. I’ll check it out 😁

As if anyone pays attention to that rule.

It was just an idea/advice for OP.
There are usually many seats available too, in the quiet carriage on the train line where I travel, but I understand that that might not be case everywhere.

I would really like it if the whole train was calmer and more quiet, but many people like to socialize on the train, or talk on the phone. Sometimes when I am in company of a friend or when I know I'm expecting a call, I will sit elsewhere on the train.

Why what. Why are there less people using it than you think?

Or why will I take my toddler with me?

first one - my job to know the answer
second one - she likes trains and it reminded me that first class is for everyone

Honestly it IS good if you want cheaper first class travel. But more expensive for standard tickets.

Train employees get free First Class travel - probably that.

Why will you make sure to take your noisy toddler with you

I remember the days when owners of a noisy toddler thought perhaps a train journey would be a good idea to teach them proper quiet behaviour.

Perhaps you'd like to borrow my ipad so she can watch Baby Shark without headphones?

It's not just families.

Work put me in first class once so I could have a hot meal on the way, rather than eat late when I arrived at the hotel. They booked me one of the single seats on it's own. I was looking forward to some peace and quiet and chilling out with a book.

On the table opposite was a very important man, who made very loud, very important phone calls all the way there. He was doing my head in!

On the trains I use, first class is usually full of teenage boys drinking, scrolling, eating fast food and putting their feet on the seats.

The days of 1st being only business travellers lurking behind the Financial Times are long gone.

Dont believe all the nonsense about all families being broke, plenty aren't and are more than capable of buying seats in 1st, discounted or otherwise, for a variety of reasons. Those families are no different from any others in allowing their kids to use iPads etc at top volume.

Your chances of getting the train manager (!) to do anything are slim, as is parents parenting, so all you can do is get an early/late train if you can, or a good pair of headphones for yourself.

This just reads like an advert for seatfrog...

Oh god, we had one of those all the way from Edinburgh to London.

Give me toddlers any day. At least they’re not old enough to know better.

This is a super weird way of viewing things. I pay extra for first class when travelling with my young baby because you actually get a seat instead of trying to balance in the aisle and I have space to manoeuvre and have a more comfortable journey. It's definitely not cheap.