Hi,
Have been looking at classes of tickets for the fast trains in Italy. Seems that maybe Premium might be ok--leather seats, etc but without all the other bells and whistles. Or does it matter? Just want to be sure ticket is flexible and can be changed if we need to.
thanks!
the higher the category, the slightly wider the seat, slightly more leg room, and maybe a snack. the Freccia trains are all quite comfortable even in the 'lower classes.'
To me It does not matter on fast trains. Just read the terms of each ticket avoiding non-refundable non-exchangeable tickets which always cost the least amount.
Here is some info on services
https://www.seat61.com/frecciarossa.htm
I believe that on the 4-class Frecciarosso trains, there is no difference in the seat width between Standard and Premium, but the Premium seats recline a bit more than Standard so they also may have greater pitch. You also get a welcome drink of your choice.
Here is the service descriptions for the various levels when you scroll down and click on the appropriate level.
http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-en/Frecce/Frecciarossa-1000
The ticket policy for changing and refunding ticket is the same across all three classes of tickets -- it is Super Economy (no change, no refund) Economy (limited one time change with fee, no refund) and Base (change within an hour of the train leaving the station or any time before). If you want a flexible ticket you buy a Base ticket on any class -- standard or premium. Makes on different. The exception is the Regionale trains which are never discounted, should be bought only at the station or a travel agency, and are good on any Regionale train going in the correct direction.
Premium seats are wider in a 2x1 configuration and standard is 2x2.
You are dealing with two completely different things. Seat "comfort" which is excellent all through the various amenity levels - think second class is equivalent to business class on a plane and anything north of that is just puffery - but some people like puffery. Italo trains have leather seating all the way down to second class by the way. They are all comfortable, regardless.
The other issue is the flexibility - the ability to change your mind. As said above there are three levels of flexibility and they are all available - initially anyway until they sell out, cheapest first of course - at all amenity levels.
Me? Cheapest, second class if I am paying. First Class fully flexible if somebody else is. YMMV
As you seem to be more concerned about flexibility versus price, I'd probably just buy the tickets when you get to the station. I'm with Nigel: 2nd class has been just fine for us.
