So how price sensitive is business travel between Birmingham and London?

LondonMidland has relaunched the Rail Sale for the period Monday 9 April to Thursday 31 May (booking now open through to Monday 7 May). Included in the Sale is the purchase of Advance First Class tickets on LondonMidland routes...

Using a journey that I need to make at peak time on Monday 16th April, let's compare the prices for advance tickets for the three train operating companies running services between Birmingham and London.

LondonMidland £28.80 advance first class return - 0653 out / 1813 return
Facilities: compartment with table seating and power points; reclining seats; curtains
Lacks: WiFi, refreshments, newspaper, First Class lounges, Quiet Coach
Disadvantages: Only one service per hour peak time; journey time of 2hrs 17mins out / 2hrs 4mins back
Possible drawback: First Class compartment might get crowded both ways (only 24 seats at which 8 at the tables)


Chiltern Railways £110 advance standard class return (incl Business Zone supplements) - 0655 out / 1807 return
Facilities: table seating with power points; reclining seats; curtains; WiFi; complimentary tea / coffee; complimentary Financial Times
Lacks: complimentary meals, First Class lounges, Quiet Coach
Disadvantages: Only two services out at peak time and two back at evening peak; journey time of 90 mins out and 93 mins back
Possible drawback: WiFi has been unreliable of late


Virgin Trains £188 advance first class return - 0710 out / 1803 return
Facilities: table seating with power points; reclining seats; curtains; WiFi; complimentary meals; complimentary Financial Times / Independent; Quiet Coach; First Class lounges
Lacks:
Disadvantages:
Possible drawback:



Clearly, Virgin offer SPEED, FREQUENCY, and the COMPLETE business package but the company will charge over 6 times the fare of its cheapest competitor for these advantages. Will business travellers vote with their wallet or with their desire to be looked after???