I've had this on a train recently, I was heading out of Reading in Club on a Voyager and the Guard/Ticket Inspector/Train Manager (take your pick) said that he wouldn't let a bloke upgrade to 1st because the buffet was closed and he wouldn't get the full service. As the guy actually wanted to sit down (train was fairly full outside of 1st) and couldn't have given a toss about the other benefits, I thought this was a bit harsh.

I was told by a bloke in BOS that I couldn't be offered the cash for upgrade deal after having had the agent offer me this (just before the NCW introduction). The reason given was, I am a lacto Vege and my Y meal would have to go to another passenger, who might have wanted meat/fish, despite the fact that there would have been a meal in J for me. The lady checking me in did however say (once the other bloke had naffed off) I could have access to the lounge, as it was fairly empty, wrote that on my BP and entered it into the computer.

Was quite suprised as this was not something I'd come across before (the cash upgrade bit, not the refusal) and it hasn't happend since .