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I will be travelling on the CZ from Omaha to Davis and then returning on SWC from Fullerton to Kansas City. The return trip on the SWC will be leave Sunday night of Memorial day weekend. What is the possibililty of upgrading from coach to a sleeper on either of these routes during this time of the year. I checked the Amtrak web site for my dates and found that they still had these accomodations; however, the price is now rather high. I thought that if I waited to upgrade it might be cheaper. Any ideas?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Nil to nonexistent.
If you want Sleeper, book it now and "pay the piper"
TheBriz09 Member # 3166
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Hey, when are you taking the CZ westbound? I'm on the westbound California Zephyr originating in Chicago on Tuesday, May 25. Going all the way to Emeryville in a sleeper.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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I've tried to upgrade every time I ride these trains. I think I am 0 for 14. Sometimes they just laugh when I ask. I think all you can hope for is a late cancelation.
Brian Keefer Member # 2916
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We are leaving from Omaha on Saturday 22nd. I made the reservations early for my son and I in a standard sleeper, but now my wife and daughter may want to go.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I've managed to upgrade from coach to sleeper at a reduced rate three times....once each on the trains you are riding and also once on the City of New Orleans. Note that in each case, however, Amtrak initiated the upgrade.
On both the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief trips I received a call from Amtrak about two weeks before my trip asking if I'd be interested in upgrading to standard sleeper for $100.00.
On those trips I was traveling from Sacramento to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles to Albuquerque respectively. I presume that Amtrak was trying to fill sleeper space that had been booked earlier originating eastbound in say Denver or Lamy.
On the City of New Orleans trip they had a sign at the ticket counter saying "sleeping car rooms available tonight" in New Orleans and I booked a standard room to Carbondale for about $60.00 just 90 minutes before departure.
Notice that in two of these cases I was scheduled to get off the train around 4:00 in the morning......didn't see a point in booking a room in those circumstances.
------------------ David Pressley
[This message has been edited by notelvis (edited 04-24-2004).]
Brian Keefer Member # 2916
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Back to my original question about upgrading: I already have a standard sleeper and have planned to travel with a 5 year old. I may have another person that wants to go. If they rode in coach could they get back to our sleeper. Is it possible for the 5 year old to share a bed with a 10 year old, or is there just no room? I guess worst case could you use the upper bunk for someone to nap in during the day if they rode in coach at night?
Thanks for the help, Brian
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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My kids shared a standard lower bed when they were both older than 10. Having more than 2 in the room in the day could be way more difficult. All can regroup in the sightseer lounge.
You will have to pay for meals in the diner for the people booked in coach. Have you checked to see if the family bedroom is booked? It would be perfect in your situation, and you can see out both sides of the train.
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