Product: Seatfrog Upgrade
Applies to: First Class, & Standard Premium upgrade auctions purchased through the Seatfrog app
Does not apply to: Superfare, Secret Fare, Rail Tickets or TrainSwap
When you see savings displayed alongside a Seatfrog upgrade, here’s how we work them out.
1. How are the savings calculated?
We compare the walk-up price of a First Class ticket for your train with what it costs to travel Standard Class and upgrade with Seatfrog. The walk-up price is the price you'll pay at the station, on the day for your train.
In short, the savings are the difference between:
- the walk-up First Class fare, and
- the walk-up Standard Class fare plus the current upgrade price (including our small booking fee).
For Standard Premium upgrades, we compare against the walk-up Standard Class fare plus the onboard Standard Premium supplement.
The upgrade price can change during the auction, so the savings shown are based on the current price. They might update as the auction continues.
Here’s an example with fictional prices, let’s assume:
Walk-up First Class ticket: £150
Walk-up Standard Class ticket: £90
Current upgrade price + fee: £28
Savings: £150 − (£90 + £28) = £32 or 21%
2. Why do you use walk-up fares instead of my actual ticket price?
We don't always know exactly what you paid for your original ticket. Instead we use the walk-up fares for your train, on your day of travel, between your stations. This gives everyone the same clear benchmark: what upgrading on that train would cost if you bought a ticket on the day.
3. Are these real or estimated savings?
They're estimated savings based on real, published fares for your train. They aren't exact to your individual booking. They're designed to give you a realistic idea of the value you're getting by upgrading with Seatfrog compared with paying for it on the day.
4. Why do you round the savings?
We round savings down to the nearest pound or percentage so the number stays clear and simple and is never exaggerated. Our goal is to give you an honest sense of value, not the biggest possible number.
5. Why might savings not be shown for some auctions?
We only show savings when we're confident in the fare data. We might not show them if:
- we don't have walk-up fares for your train or journey, or
- our fare data for that train isn't up to date.
6. How often do you update the savings data?
We refresh our walk-up fare data every day, so savings may shift slightly when fares change or as the auction progresses.
7. Does the calculation include all fees?
Yes. Your Seatfrog booking fee is included in the total cost we compare against the walk-up fare, so the saving you see already reflects the full current upgrade price.
About the strike-through price
1. What does the strike-through price mean?
The strike-through price is the difference between the walk-up Standard and First Class fares for your train. It shows the extra cost of going First Class instead of Standard if you bought your ticket on the day.
For Standard Premium upgrades, the strike-through price is the onboard Standard Premium supplement.
2. How is it calculated?
We take the walk-up First Class fare and subtract the walk-up Standard Class fare for your train and journey. The difference is the strike-through price.
Here’s an example with fictional prices, let’s assume:
Walk-up First Class ticket: £150
Walk-up Standard Class ticket: £90
Current upgrade price + fee: £28
Extra cost to go First Class (strike-through price):
£150 − £90 = £60 vs current Seatfrog upgrade £28
3. Why is this different from the savings shown?
Both use the same walk-up fares. The strike-through price is the extra cost of upgrading if you bought on the day. The savings compare that with the current upgrade price, and also show it as a percentage of the walk-up fare.
In short:
- The strike-through price shows the usual walk-up gap.
- The savings show your potential deal at the current price.
4. Why might the strike-through price change?
Because it's based on our latest fare data, it may change if train companies change their walk-up fares.
5. Does it mean that’s exactly what I’d pay for First Class?
Not necessarily. It's based on the cheapest walk-up fares for your train, and the price can vary depending on the ticket you already hold. It's designed to show how the Seatfrog upgrade compares with upgrading on the day.