I travelled First Class from Edinburgh for the first time even though I'm stingy

Travelling first class is not an option that ever presented itself to me. While I travel around the UK and Ireland regularly, I'm stingy and always looking for the cheapest seat - until now.

I've always booked seats in standard or 'economy' but on Wednesday, when I was travelling from Edinburgh to Newcastle, the chance came up to travel in first-class with LNER, and my ears pricked up.

A first-class ticket can be upgraded from standard for £20 and there are chances to bid for seats at a lower price too on the Seatfrog app. I'm known for being the 'frugal' friend, and wanted to know if it's worth the extra cash.

READ NEXT: Fed-up Edinburgh residents warn 'we are living on an estate of rats'

READ NEXT: Edinburgh prisoners lift the lid on their struggles of 'life behind bars'

With the upgraded ticket, you are invited to relax in the first-class lounge before your trip. In Edinburgh Waverley, this was my first challenge. Unfortunately, there aren't any signs directing to the lounge. 'Maybe it's because it's so exclusive. It's a secret club', I thought as I walked around the station.

I wandered past Cafe Nero, behind M&S, before coming across a small sign above a door that displayed a 'first class lounge'. Suddenly, I forgot I was in Waverley because I was greeted by a bright traditional staircase that led right up to the room.

I never have any hesitation in getting a train anywhere, but one thing I hate is how cold it can be when you have to wait. However, the first-class lounge was toasty with comfy seats, free coffee and snacks. Apart from the massive stack of luggage in the corner, it felt more like a cafe than a train station. I could see why people would want to pay a little extra, especially if it's miserable outside.

It wasn't long until the LNER train pulled up and off I went.

An hour and a half's journey is a good time to catch up on some boring admin. Everyone else in the carriage looked like they were doing some sort of business as the carriage was filled with the sound of people tapping on keyboards.

For first class ticket holders, the luxury was in the seats. With soft headrests, reclining chairs, and larger tables, I could make myself comfortable for the trip ahead.

The WIFI struggled to connect to my laptop and while I anxiously waited for the hotspot to load up, we were given their new first class lunch menu and offered cold and hot drinks for the journey. These are all included and I could hear a couple of men a few seats in front of me trying to take advantage of the beer and wine being served. 'I'll come back down in 10 minutes and you can get another one', the staff reassured them.

I opted for a glass of apple juice and for food I chose the Homity Pie and salad which is a creamy leek and potato pie with a green pea and bean salad. Without even being asked, I was given a packet of crisps.

Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.

As I waited for my lunch to arrive, the WIFI still hadn't connected. Any work I had planned to do had to take a back seat. Instead, I enjoyed the view of the rolling green hills as we passed the border and made our way into England.

I noticed how she asked every person, not waiting to be flagged down. But I also noticed there wasn't a 'Lets eat at your seat' QR code like there is in standard class. That QR code allows travellers to order and buy food and the staff take it to their seat. In first class, either I would have to go to the shop section or wait until the staff came back up again with the trolley.

It wasn't long till the food was served and presented to me was a small hot pie, with its accompanying salad and a little bottle of lemon and vinegar dressing. Potato and leek is one of my favourite combinations and the pie was deliciously creamy and full of flavour.

My only complaint is that it wasn't big enough and I was glad I was given crisps and an elderflower and lemon pudding pot to help fill me up.

Luckily my journey wasn't long, but I think if I was heading down to London, I'd have asked for a sandwich too.

Because I've never travelled first class, I didn't have any expectations. Maybe a button to call for staff for a tea top-up might have been too demanding, but can you have too much of tea and biscuits?

The main standout for me was the staff. I could hear them having a laugh with passengers. By the time we arrived at Newcastle, they had come through with trolleys more than once as travellers filled themselves up with snacks, drinks and sandwiches.

For my fellow frugal friends, is it worth the price? It felt a little special treat to use the 'secret' lounge, and to have a hot meal on the train and served to you on a plate. I think for a longer journey, the extra service, comfortable chairs, and rotation of the drinks and snack trolley would make the travelling easier.

But as a stingy person always up for a brag at how cheap I got something, I'd challenge myself to get a first-class seat as low as possible with the bidding app.