It's been 3 weeks and 1 day since I applied for my so called 'Season ticket Holder benefits' from GNER and they finally arrived yesterday.

Enclosed was a lovely letter on GNER headed paper to explain what these benefits I've register for are and how they work. Sadley, with the exception of the Vouchers, I fail to see how these benefits, benefit me.

Here's a run down of what you get to reward you for your £5000 loyalty and whay I feel so disgusted with GNER for calling these benefits: -

4 weekday upgrades to First class (one way only).
However the guard has the authority to refuse you entry to First class and it is at his discression whether to allow you in or not. Ok, I've never been refused enetry and don't expect that I will either but the posibility is always there. It's a shame they couldn't stretch themselves to give you the benefit of a return journey or give you 8 yearly upgrades. Afterall, what's the benefit of a first class seat over std anyway? It's a more comfortable seat with more leg room and a reclining back, you get free tea, coffee and buscuits and a free paper. Oh, and your at the the end of the train closest to the station exits. Im' unhappy with this because First class is hardly ever full so it's not like your taking a paying passengers seat, there's only so many cuppas you can fit into a 50 min journey and they get the papers free or vastly reduced so the actual cost to GNER is minimal.

Unlimited Season Duo Tickets.
This is an oppotunity for 2 people (1 has to be the season ticket holder) to make a 1st class Journey on GNER but they must include a saturday night stay and be booked at least 7 days in advance.
How many season ticket holders regularly go away for the weekend and travel by train? Not many I bet, so again the value of the benefit to the passenger is minimal as the oppotunity to use it is rare.

Unlimited 34% off Std Advance 4 single tickets.
This one speaks for itself. 34% off a single journey on GNER services. What good is that? I want to come home too fellas. so I've got to purchase another single with 34% off which from what I've seen can come to the same price as a full rate return ticket.

20 x £1 Go Eat vouchers.
Again speaks for itself really. £20 to spend in the buffet car, resturant or trolly. Defo worth having but consider this. I've been travelling with them for 2 years now and they've been giving £20 vouchers for at least that long. When I first started a cuppa was £1.10 and it's now £1.40. Prices have therefore risen by 27% yet the benefit has risen by 0% so each year we are actually getting less and less benefit.

Email new updates
Not so much as news updates, more glorified sales pitches.

Having said all that there's no reason for GNER to offer these benefits at all so good on ya for trying fellas but I wouldn't be crying if you took them away.