When I depart California on the Chief in August, I would like some "flexibility" related to whether I board the east-bound Chief in LOS ANGELES , or FULLERTON.
Would it be a problem if I was TICKETED to board in Los Angeles, but boarded INSTEAD in Fullerton ?
It would really help if I could CHOOSE , the day I depart.
I will be traveling first-class. But I don't want my sleeper space "sold out-from-under" me, if I don't happen to show -up in Los Angeles (if I was ticketed to depart from there.)
I have never attempted to do this before.
If I COULD board in Fullerton instead, would I have to contact Amtrak personnel in Los Angeles by phone and INFORM them that I will not be boarding until Fullerton----or would that be unnecessary ?
I would feel more comfortable if I knew whay you guys think.
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
Never try to board a stop beyond the station on your ticket. Make sure your ticket starts at Fullerton, and then if you want to board in Los Angeles you can be sure that your bedroom will not be given to someone else if Amtrak assumes you are a no-show. Last Christmas I was booked out of Ontario Calif. on the Sunset, but instead boarded in Los Angeles. There was no problem in accepting my ticket two stops prior to Ontario.
Posted by Brian Keefer (Member # 2916) on :
I did this same thing on my SWC trip. I was ticketed from LA, but I boarded at Fullerton. I called Amtrak 1-800-USARAIL the day that I departed and told them that I would be boarding in Fullerton instead of LA. They made a note on the computer printout that the conductor uses. When I got to the Fullerton station I reminded them of this and I was told by that agent that they always "save" the room for one stop.
Posted by Grandma Judy (Member # 3278) on :
I did this on the LSL in February, boarding in Schenectady instead of Albany on the way to Chicago. I called Amtrak to indicate that I would be doing this because the Adirondack was so late that I was in danger of missing my connection in Albany & we drove to Scheenectady instead of risking the connection. I would never try to do it without speaking personally to an agent before & getting his/her name, etc.
Posted by Kairho (Member # 1567) on :
My experience is similar, but in business class, when I boarded 3 stops later. From a price (fare) standpoint, there is no problem with that, just as there's no problem getting off early. And in coach or business class there's no problem. However, in business or first class it's a good idea to call and let them know so the conductor knows not to do a double stop when required nor resell your accommodations.
In my case, both the stops where I was ticketed and where I actually boarded were double stops (platform too short for one stop). The conductor (in a very friendly manner) told me how "we were looking for you" at the first stop. And, of course, at the actual boarding stop I was the only BC pax but they didn't stop and I had to board the coach and lug the suitcase all the way up. The conductor said he never gets annoyed when that happens because the lugging itself would teach the lesson!
Posted by F59PHI2014 (Member # 3076) on :
Being fullerton is NOT a doubble stop platform in my experience, and being it is only an hour out of LA or so, most conductors dont even finish collecting tickets by the time they arrive in FUL, so it should not be a problem. Just be sure to call 1-800-USA-RAIL, speak to a human, NOT JULIE, she is totaly useless for this type of thing, and tell them that you will be boarding at FUL instead of LAX, and everything will be taken care of. Hope that helps