Train passengers on London North Eastern Railway (LNER) can enjoy a cheap upgrade to first class costing just a fiver. LNER trains allow ticket holders to grab a first class seat via an auction on the Seatfrog app.
The auction will start a few hours before the departure time of your train. The LNER website reads: “We want to give you more opportunities to experience our luxurious First Class service when you travel on our trains.
"So we’re bringing a world-first to UK rail by teaming up with Seatfrog, an app for bidding on last-minute seat upgrades." Seatfrog is currently exclusive to customers who book directly through the LNER website.
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How the Seatdrog first class seat auction app works
To be eligible you must have booked a an LNER Standard Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak or Super-Off Peak ticket via LNER website.
- Once you have booked your ticket, download the Seatforg app available on iOS or Android and sign up.
- Enter your ticket booking reference.
- Once upgrade options available for your journey are displayed, name your price.
- If you've bid the highest then you will win the first class seat.
It is completely free to participate in auctions. You only pay if you win.
If you have a winning bid, your upgrade will be sent immediately to your phone, meaning you can enjoy first class travel as soon as you board. If travelling with family you can also bid on multiple upgrades.
For multiple upgrade bookings, check all passengers have eligible tickets then select the number of passengers in your party that wish to upgrade. Seatfrog will let you know if there aren’t enough seats available. Due to the last-minute availability of upgrades, passengers from the same party may not be seated together.
To be eligible you must have booked an LNER Standard Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak or Super-Off Peak ticket via LNER website (not via another other train website).
First class train travel benefits on LNER trains
First class carriages on LNER Azuma trains include spacious reclining seats with tables at every seat, free Wi-Fi, power sockets and new food menus offering complimentary food and drink, including alcoholic beverages.
Who are LNER trains?
LNER trains operates on the East Coast mainline after taking over Virgin Trains East Coast in June 2018. LNER destinations span the breadth of the country, from Inverness to London.
LNER has around 32 trains per day leaving from Newcastle Central Station, and serves 50 destinations from the station. The East Coast route includes Edinburgh and York which are popular with daytrippers from the North East. The Newcastle to Edinburgh route has recently been named as one of the best in the UK, thanks to the stunning views of the Northumberland and Scottish borders it travels through.
