posted
Hi, Thanks for looking at my post, I am a person who usually flies across country on Americam Airlines BUt i've always loved Amtrak and tooken shorter routes such as the Pacific Surfliner and the Coast Starlight..This winter I want to take Amtrak from Los Angeles, CA to New York, NY I would take the Southwest Cheif then transfer to the Lake Shore Limited..I diffinetly do not want to be in coach for 72 Hours in a seat for one reason I could be traveling alone...and I don't want to be next to Snorezilla, I was looking at Sleeper Rates, I thought that even a Deluxe Superliner Sleeper would be pennys compared to Air Fare, But I noticed Deluxe Sleepers were like FIrst Class Airfare, and Standard Sleepers were still more expensive then a Airplane if you are traveliong alone especially..Also if I travel in coach I am going to pay atlease $40 a day in food If youv ever seen that show on Food Network 40 Dollars a Day I'd rather not spend $40 a day on the Southwest Cheif..LOL..Anyway Does anyone know a way to get cheaper fares without Miles on a Guest Reward Miles Thing..Also does anyone know a site where I can get pictures of the Amtrak Sleepers...when your in the Dining Car it always say "Sleeping Car Guests Only" when I go on a short route from Los Angeles, CA TO San Jose, CA......SO I'v never seen a sleeper!!!!!
Thanks a bunch for your Help! Anton L. pillsbury09@excite.com
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Tips for getting cheaper fares: 1. Book early. The first tickets to be sold are the cheapest, the last minute fares are the most expensive. 2. Travel off-peak. 3. Travel on lesser/slower trains, eg Texas Eagle instead of Southwest Chief. 4. Attempt to upgrade on-board, subject to space available and the crew in a mood where they feel like going to the effort to sell an upgrade. 5. Win the lottery.
If you ask nicely, sometimes crew will show you the sleeping cars. But don't go nosing around without authority as you're likely to get shouted at.
posted
Amtrak.com has lots of pictures of its sleeping accomodations. For one person, a standard sleeper is usually plenty big. In the winter, trains usually aren't as crowded, and the chances of you having two coach seats to your self to stretch out on is better. Since sleepers include all meals, you will be saving big time bucks there. For cheap fares, try the Amtrak store at ebay.com or the rail sale part of amtrak.com If you are travelling round trip, I would suggest taking different trains each way so you get to see completely different scenery. Have a good trip!
Posts: 78 | From: Des Moines, IA | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
I'd recommend the Southwest Chief (SWC) to anyone (maybe I'm a little biased with my username and all ). But seriously it's a great train and a great way to travel.
I've only experienced the SWC by sleeper so if you have any specific questions regarding the SWC that can't seem to be answered, I'd love to try and answer them for you.
[This message has been edited by Southwest Chief (edited 09-01-2003).]
Posts: 579 | From: San Bernardino Subdivison | Registered: Dec 2001
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posted
Check out Ebay...I know they sell tickets as low as $88.00 round trip LA to NY but of course this is coach. Check to see if you can upgrade to a sleeper when on the train with this type of discount ticket. I'm also travelling across country in less then 4 weeks on the CZ and can't wait. Good luck
Posts: 9 | From: Benicia, CA, USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
I have been looking at those alot on ebay...It's incredible how cheapt that guy sells tix for..$88.00 its like $250 almost at www.amtrak.com I "ask seller a question" this guy and asked him what he can do for me with a sleeper...Obviously he cant do sleeper auctions because of there are several different kinds of sleepers IE: Deluxe, Standard, Family...
Thx, keept he responses coming! Anton L. pillsbury09@excite.com
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
When you bid on tickets on EBay, the "seller" is actually Amtrak. And the tickets are always in coach.
They're not always a great deal. Since many of the posted offers attract several bidders, the "winner" often ends up paying close to what he/she would have paid if they'd booked directly through Amtrak. So check the regular fare before bidding.
Also keep in mind that tickets purchased through EBay, like those booked through Amtrak's "rail sale" page, have heavy restrictions. They're "non-transferable, non-refundable, non-upgradeable, and non-exchangeable."
This means you can't upgrade to a sleeper after you've boarded, even if a room is available.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 09-01-2003).]
posted
I new it was EBay the seller....But I didnt know you couldnt upgrade...Thats kind of weird dont they want you to givew them more $? Also, What's Amtrak's rail sale?
-Anton L. pillsbury09@excite.com
Posts: 1082 | From: Los Angeles, CA. USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Actually, it's the EBay tickets that don't permit upgrades.
If you buy your ticket though Amtrak's "Rail Sale" page (it's part of Amtrak's own web site), you can sometimes upgrade to a sleeper after you board, as long as you're willing to pay extra.
For a standard room, this can range from $50 (which is rare) to a more usual $100 to $150 per night. That's in addition to what you've already paid for your ticket.
As always, upgrades are "subject to availability." The sleepers on Amtrak's most popular routes are often completely booked, weeks in advance, from spring through autumn. If you're traveling in the dead of winter, however, you might luck out.
"Rail Sale" fares are only available for specific days and routes. As mentioned in my earlier post, the tickets have restrictions.
The discounts aren't limited to the fares and major cities posted on the introductory web page (for example, $26.60 from New York to Chicago on train #49). You can also book travel between the secondary cities along the same route (say, from Buffalo, NY to Toledo, OH). The web site gives you the option of choosing these other cities during the online booking process.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 09-01-2003).]
posted
Let's keep this as simple as possible. We want you to have a great first experience by rail:
Book a reservation:
Online at www.amtrak.com OR through 1-800-USA-RAIL OR through a travel agent
Specify you want to travel from LA-NY, First Class. Specify you want through travel LA -Chicago and Chicago-NY ... that means two trains enroute.
LAX-CHI (Los Angeles to Chicago)... Train 4 is Southwest Chief, EB. Train 3 is SWC, WB
CHI-NYP (Chicago to New York Penn Station) Train 40 is Three Rivers EB Train 41 is TR, WB Train 48 is Lake Shore Limited EB Train 49 is LSL, WB
Consider allowing yourself 1 day visit in Chicago as "margin for error."
FIRST CLASS means you've bought: Rail transportation Sleeper accommodation Meals, ... all up front
As far as accommodations ...
IF you are travelling by yourself, request a standard bedroom. Footprint is about 21 sq ft (3x7). At night, you have a bed for yourself, toilet down the hall, shower down the hall or downstairs.
IF you travel with someome, request a deluxe bedroom. Footprint is about 42 sq ft (7 x 6) . Toilet, sink and shower are part of your room.
There are other choices if you travel with young children or are handicapped.
I hope this is simple enough to help.
John
------------------ The City of Saint Louis (UP, 1967) is still my standard for passenger operations
[This message has been edited by PullmanCo (edited 09-09-2003).]
posted
You can do exactly what Pullman Co says (in terms of itinerary), or call Amtrak Vacations at 1-800-321-8684 and see what price they come up with. Amtrak Vacations is associated with Amtrak, but they can do package type deals involving hotels, airfare and other items - and of course straight long distance rail fare bookings. I have often gotten better fares when booking through them (not a ton of savings, but some). Remember AAA gets you 10% etc. Amtrak Vacations can apply any Amtrak standard discount promotions (i.e. fall savings, AAA) that are being offered.
Posts: 337 | Registered: Jun 2003
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). But seriously it's a great train and a great way to travel. 
