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I will be going to Port Huron on the Blue Water from Chicago. Is there a difference in the seats from coach to business class? Is it worth the extra 10 dollars?
Posts: 41 | From: Milwaukee, WI USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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In my experience it is. You have a bit more space, a bit more privacy, and you get free soda. The seats are comfier. Ten bucks is nothing!
Posts: 2236 | From: Evanston, Ill. and Ontonagon, Mich. | Registered: Feb 2007
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yea the 10 dollars is not a problem but I herd on some trains the business class is the same as coach but just a separate car. If it were that then I would just keep the 10 bucks.
Posts: 41 | From: Milwaukee, WI USA | Registered: Nov 2002
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Quite correct, Mr. Nascar. Those cars that Amtrak has configured with 2-1 seating are assigned to the Northeast. Likely your train will have 2-2 seating - Business or Coach.
Ten bucks IS worth it, simply for more space and a more civilized environment. I'd pay it in a heartbeat, and recommend you do same.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Gil, in all the years we went up to Ct it was always business class and only once did we get the 2-1 seating. In fact one year the car was identical to the regular coach with no foot rests. I made such a fuss they finally refunded our fare. Going south on the Palmetto to Charleston it was the same thing. I do not know where they are hiding the2-1 cars.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Last October 23 we had some nice leathery business class seats on the IL trains from Chicago to Springfield, so that could be it might be nice heading to Michigan too. Also on the IL train we got free newspaper and beverages, served by the snack-bar attendant at our seats! (not including alcoholic beverages, of course)
Also found business class nicer on the California and Cascades trains in the West. In the Northeast, I have had nicer business class seats on the Vermonter and Ethan Allen trains. (I am surprised the Palmetto isn't nicer too!!!) But on regular NE corridor regionals (as to CT), I wouldn't bother with it; although if there is a quiet car, that'd be my choice (costs nothing extra).
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Ms. Sojourner, Mr. Palmland (who likely you know I have met face to face) reports at another topic that 89-90, Palmetto, is assigned a Business Class car with 2-1 seating.
As I noted over at that topic, there appears to be a practice of assigning 2-1 Amclub seating to those trains that have the greater average passenger line hauls. Even though Boston-Newport News Regionals 94-95 have a 643 mile end point run, their average line haul is apparently less than other trains and accordingly they are assigned 76 seat Coaches for Business Class.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The only experience I've had with Business Class was on the Cascades. And it was very nice. You get roomier seats, a discount in the Bistro car, priority check-in and you're on the train before the coach passengers are. If given the opportunity to go on the Cascades again, I'll do it in Business Class, for sure.
Posts: 23 | From: Spokane, WA | Registered: Jun 2007
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My experience with Business Class on the Cascades (SEA to PDX) was outstanding. Comfortable single seat, clean car, the discount in the Cafe Car, TV monitor to show location and ETA, etc.
Business Class on the Surfliners is also a good deal, especially on weekends or in the summer when they can be SRO.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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Gentlemen, let me assure you from my experience there is a world of difference between business class on the east coast and that on the west. In fact they are not even on the same planet.The club car attendents have the rights to decide what you can or can't have to drink so on one train you can have tea or coffee but on the next one only coffee. The only "perk" seems to be fewer little children running up and down the aisles. It is usually like cellphone city. You would be amazed ath the info one can glean .
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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addenda, I should have added that on the palmetto it was different in that we were given pillows,very soft and warm blankets and the drinks were all in the back of the car so you could just go back and take what you wanted.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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One East Coast perk I would like to see on the Western trains is a quiet car. Or a total ban on cellphones. On the Acela, the last time I rode, cellphone users were asked to move to the vestibules.
Frank in Sunny SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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