I'm back with more questions We just got our tickets for our trip from Milwaukee to Seattle and instead of showing the trip as being from MKE to Seattle, the tickets say MKE to Spokane and then Spokane to Seattle. There is a change in train number too. Are we changing trains? Or is it just a change in numbers? If we are changing trains, is it possible to go to Seattle without changing trains? We thought we had the train directly to Seattle. TIA for your help!!!!
Posted by CG96 (Member # 1408) on :
Yes it is possible, in fact it is desireable. I'd check and see if Amtrak put you on a bus. It should be Trains #'s 7 & 8, and nothing else. If it is something different, then talk to an aghent at the toll-free number and get it changed. You deliberately chose the train, so it doesn't seem fair that you should have tio take the bus west of Spokane.
Posted by TheBriz09 (Member # 3166) on :
Are the trains #27 to Spokane and #7 to Seattle? If so, then it is the same train, the Empire Builder. If you're traveling in a bedroom, though, check to see if you have the same room & car number on both tickets.
Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :
The Empire Builder splits into two sections at Spokane. One section continues on to Seattle. The other heads for Portland. Amtrak gives the Portland section a separate sub-designation: Train #27.
I don't know whether you booked your trip online or through an Amtrak agent. But it's possible that your reservation is split between the Portland and Seattle halves of the train.
In other words, from Milwaukee to Spokane, you're booked onto the "Portland" section (#27). From Spokane to Seattle, you're booked onto the "Seattle" section (#7).
If you're traveling in coach, this shouldn't pose a problem. Just be sure to point it out to the conductor as you board in Milwaukee.
Make certain he directs you to one of the Seattle-bound coaches. Do NOT sit in the Portland coach, or you'll have to move to a different car when the train reaches Spokane at 2 a.m.
Traveling by sleeper, however, is a different matter. If you've been booked into a "Portland" sleeper out of Milwaukee, you'll have to move to a "Seattle" sleeper when the train arrives in Spokane.
If you don't, you'll wake up in Oregon.
To be on the safe side, call Amtrak. Have the ticket agent carefully check your itinerary and make any adjustments (i.e. make sure your sleeper room is in the Seattle section for the entire trip).
If necessary, have the ticket reissued.
[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 04-04-2004).]
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
Our Guest Rewards tickets are, according to the nice lady at Amtrak, in the mail. We're on #8 SEA/CHI on the 23rd. I'll double check to make sure we're in the same car all the way!
The whole booking process was painless. I transferred Continental OnePass miles to pay for this and when only 20,000 miles were initially transferred Amtrak went ahead and ticketed the trip pending posting of the remaining miles.
Looking forward to this trip in Deluxe Bedroom "D"
Best,
Frank in SBA
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Frank - if your sleeper ticket says "8 SEA-CHI" then you WILL be in the same through sleeper all the way to Chicago.
Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :
I just spoke with Arnie and Gail at Amtrak again. The put the extra 6,000 miles they had charged back in my account. (Because we are travelling before 04/30/04 it should have been 24,000 not 30,000.) They also say that the tickets did not go out on Friday but will be mailed today. Gail had a little trouble reading the ticket but we finally determined that we are in Car 830 Bedroom D. These folks are in Minneapolis and are so nice it's hard to be upset when mistakes are made!
