First class upgrades on DB (Bahn) train
 

I may have my employer buy a train ticket from Germany to the Netherlands (rather than fly), and I would like to travel in ICE first. Corporate policies say "no first class", even if it's a long way and first class €20 more :(

I can find references online to buying a second class to first class upgrade, but I can't find out how to actually do it. I don't want to buy on the day, because then the price may be higher than the €20 difference when bought months ahead.

So is it possible to buy a second class ticket, then upgrade it ahead of time for the fare difference at the time of upgrade? Then I can buy the ticket, have it reimbursed, and then upgrade it at my own cost. I don't feel like paying the entire cost of the ticket, mainly on principle.

Is the general purpose exchange/refund page at http://www.bahn.de/p_en/view/booking...-tickets.shtml
the way to do it?

(I know I can try to claim the lesser ticket price while presenting the higher value ticket, but that gets... complicated... with the finance people).

I have never heard of "upgrading" a train ticket in the way you would upgrade an airline ticket, i.e. pay the fare difference at the time of changing from 2nd to 1st class. If you decide to travel 1st class when holding a 2nd class ticket, there are usually 3 ways:
1. Given that you have a standard, flexible 2nd class ticket, cancel and return it, get the refund, buy a new 1st class ticket. May not work with a saver ticket or corporate ticket.
2. Use a voucher, that is sometimes given away if you are enrolled to DB's loyalty scheme, sometimes sold on ebay or redeemed with your points
3. Take a seat in 1st class and wait what will happen. If you're lucky, they are too lazy to calculate the fare difference and let you sit there, but most likely will charge the fare difference between standard tickets.

Anyway, personally I find 1st class on ICE trains anything else than overwhelming, with no real benefit than some dry nuts and a bit more space. If you don't travel on a Friday afternoon or Sunday evening you are quite likely to have 2 seats for yourself in 2nd class, this is enough space to work, relax or whatever. So I wouldn't bother about upgrading.

Does not work for free with a saver ticket, indeed (€17.50 charge) I didn't find that page when looking earlier.

As an example, in the UK, it is possible to pay separately to upgrade a second class ticket to first, by buying an "excess fare" ticket for the difference.

The point about having 2 seats for the price of one outside busy periods in second class is well made.

Thanks for the suggestions.

You can buy the upgrade on the train.

Just sit down in the 1. class and wait for the conductor.

You have to pay the difference of the first and second class ticket.

Can become expensive too.
I observed this 2-3 times as passengers tried similar. Conductor gave them 2 options:
- pay difference between 1st class full fare and 2nd class discounted (which can be quite some money)
- or move on to a 2nd class coach.

Like a few other posters, I kinda question the value of purchasing first class on DB trains. I recommend preparing to be somewhat underwhelmed. Not sure the value is really there.

Regards

From a comfort perspective 2nd class is doing also quite well in my opinion. 1st class is typically less crowded which can make it easier to work.
On the other side I often took 2nd class and it wasn't too noisy either, unless you share the coach with a group of soccer fans. But this was fun too...

Or a school class or a group of pensioners (OK, had it in 1st too) etc. To be fair first class is more comfortable, they have a 2-1 configuration compared to 2-2. Also it´s indeed much more silent. I only travel first class, my parents are for example fine with 2nd class if the price is good. So it´s not that bad, also I agree it´s sad especially if the difference is only 20 €.

Most of the time 2nd is ok, but if it's packed it can be a real pain. 1st is nice on longer distances, but it depends on where in Germany you will be starting your trip to the Netherlands. If it is in the Cologne or Düsseldorf area, then the trip to Amsterdam is only 2-3 hours. If you're going to Schiphol airport then you will most likely change at Utrecht because it's quicker that way. Most tickets allow you to transit Amsterdam as well.

The DB 1st class is one of the best train products anywhere. Not that luxurious but adequate for civilized travel, quiet as you and others mention and mostly with travel experienced fellow passengers who value the at-table service and other small benefits.

Hi flatlander,

if the price differential for 1st and 2nd class is only 20 EUR than you probably have a Sparpreis/Sale ticket. These tickets are not easily upgradeable as the only way to do it is to buy a full price 1st class ticket less the cheap 2nd class Sparpreis-ticket plus a change fee of IMO 17,50.

e.g. if you have a Europe Special 2nd class ticket for e.g. 39 EUR oneway and want to travel FRA-AMS in 1st class, the full fare is 202 EUR and the upgrade would then be 202-39+17,50=180,50.

If you have a full fare 2nd class ticket for FRA-AMS this would be 120 EUR and the upgrade would just be 202-120=82 EUR.

To determine if you have a full fare or a sale ticket the difference usually is that the sale tickets are bound to a specific train and the regular one can be used on any train at that day.

The upgrade can be done onboard any long distance train (EC, IC, ICE trains) but not onboard most regional trains, where you would be deemed to be without a ticket if a ticket inspection is done and you sit in 1st class with a 2nd class ticket. It can be done with any kind of ticket that shows a fare in EUR, regardless of type of ticket.

If you want to cancel and buy a new ticket at a train station ticket office be aware that this is only possible if you hold a DB stock paper ticket (not an online ticket!) and it has been paid in cash. In the case of a Sparpreis / Sale ticket the refund would be less the 17,50 fee.

And one last bit of information: If you hold a BahnCard of Deutsche Bahn which e.g. gives you a 25% off of any fare (BahnCard 25) or a 50% rebate on full fare (BahnCard 50), upgrades are even more complicated if you hold the standard 2nd class BahnCard vs. the quite expensive BahnCard First (which is for 1st class tickets obviously).

Confused? Well, rumors are that to become a DB manager responsible for ticketing you need to have job experience in the airline business... ;-)