Economy Class & Beyond

Heathrow Express free upgrade for Star Alliance Gold holders

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If you hold Star Alliance Gold status and travel on Heathrow Express, there's a very good offer starting today - allowing you to upgrade from Heathrow Express Standard to First Class for nothing. To use this you must Use your Star Alliance Gold Card (which must be valid and a physical card) Have a vaild Heathrow Express Ticket Must be on a full fare ticket The offer is … [Read more...]

Gatwick Express begins to accept Oyster/Contactless Cards… but is it the best method of paying?

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Gatwick Express and Southern Railway has begun to accept Transport for London's Oyster Card and Contactless Payment Cards between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport. "Unit 442422 at Gatwick Airport - John Pease" by john pease - Unit 442422 at Gatwick Airport.. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons. Now, this in theory sounds brilliant - you rock up at the station, tap … [Read more...]

West Coast Main Line Closure between Carlisle and Glasgow

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One of the major arteries remains shut after the storms that battered the United Kingdom and Ireland over the Christmas period. The route - The West Coast Main Line - serving London Euston to Glasgow (via Birmingham, Stafford, Crewe, Manchester, Preston) is currently blocked between Carlisle and Glasgow Central due to a bridge needing urgent repair at Lamington - located … [Read more...]

REMINDER: Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express mostly closed over Christmas

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Just a reminder post for those of you coming to the UK for the festive period via Heathrow or Gatwick (or for those of you escaping... not much of a difference). So onto the reminder for... Heathrow Express  https://www.heathrowexpress.com/timetable-schedule/service-plans Heathrow Express train at Heathrow Central - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. 24th December - No … [Read more...]

Heathrow Express and Gatwick Express closures ahead for Christmas and New Year

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It's coming to that time of the year where we're meant to be festive and jolly. Alas, if you're planning to take the train over the Christmas holiday you could be out of luck as the railway lines will be suffering closures for engineering work. For the international audience who are coming or going to London's major airports - you will be affected by these closures. Heathrow … [Read more...]

Mastercard offers free Transport for London services with Apple Pay

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For those of you who are visiting London, or are living in London, here's a useful promotion for the next few Mondays. Mastercard is running a promotion that will allow you free access to Transport for London services for the following Mondays: 23rd November (passed) 30th November 7th December 14th December You'll need to have the following: An Apple iPhone 6/6s, … [Read more...]

Security to be tighten on Thalys services

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Thalys - the cross France/Belgium/Netherlands/Germany high speed rail service will be increasing security, with the introduction of security scans. Thalys PKBA trainset (right) and a Eurostar Class 373 (left) at Paris Gare du Nord - Image, Economy Class and Beyond. These will be initially rolled out at Paris Gare du Nord and Lille Europe by the 20th December in time for … [Read more...]

Virgin Trains introduce Automatic Delay Repay

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In the UK, sooner or later, you'll run into a delay on the railways - lets not beat about the bush (especially as we go into Autumn and the leaf fall season where leaves on the line becomes a problem). Many of the UK Train operators offer a "Delay-Repay" scheme, where you get refunded for delays on your travels. Virgin Trains is introducing a new version called Automatic … [Read more...]

Birmingham New Street completes its refurbishment

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Birmingham New Street has been a bit of a joke in the past. I've called it Mordor Haptbahnhof more than once due to how dark and dingy it was. Well, things have changed a bit. In 2013, the first half of New Street was refurbished. Now, they've finished the other half of the construction work. How does it look? Well lets take a look, as I approach the station from the … [Read more...]