Credit where it's due

In a world of terrible customer service and “computer says no”, it’s worth celebrating the occasional pockets of sense.

For example, imagine you couldn’t face the packed mass of humanity wedged into standard class on the inevitably-too-short CrossCountry train from Southampton to Oxford and decided to spring for a first class upgrade.

Now imagine the terminal is telling the staff that this costs about £130, also known as more than 3x the standard fare.

But to her credit, the person in question worked out that the upgrade from Bournemouth to Birmingham - same train, same route, over double the length - was only £30, so she sold me that.

Well done, and I’m glad I didn’t get separately checked by someone else who would have doubtless claimed this wasn’t valid with my original ticket.