This is topic Free Trip on Guest Rewards in forum Amtrak at RAILforum.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/11/4176.html

---

Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
 
Well, I've finally racked up enough points for a 1-zone trip in a roomette!

Now, I want to maximize my 1-zone trip as much as possible!
I think the rule is that you can not have overnight stays-all connections must be the same day.

So, I'm thinking of taking the Empire Builder (paid) from Seattle to Wolf Point, then use AGR to travel from Wolf Point to Chicago, then connect to the City of New Orleans to New Orleans.

On the other hand, I've never traveled in a Viewliner, so I'm thinking of going from Miami to Atlanta on a Silver train then the Crescent.

Any other ideas?
 

---

Posted by 1702 (Member # 4508) on :
 
The Silver Service trains don't serve Atlanta, so from Miami you'd have to go to Alexandria, VA, to connect with the Crescent.
 

---

Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
 
You can go Miami to Jacksonville or Savannah and finish the trip by bus. How practical that is, I do not know. I have no idea of the schedules and relative proximity of train and bus stations in those cities. A visit to www.greygound.com and probably some research into the cities themselves will answer that. However, I think the answer on proximity is not any. I know the Jacksonville station is well out of town, and think that is also true for Savannah.
 

---

Posted by PaulB (Member # 4258) on :
 
My goal is to maximize the train miles within 1 zone, shown here:
http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/redeem/details/zone_chart_popup.html

So connecting at Alexandria (or DC, or New York) is fine by me!
 

---

Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
 
To maximize train miles in 1 zone with a Viewliner part way, try Miami to Toledo. You'd have a Viewliner on the FL train and a Superliner (and scenic ride the first night) on the Capitol Ltd. And you can pay cash and go coach from Toledo to Chicago for a more convenient terminus. I know the train says it will be in Toledo very early and changing rooms then seems like a hassle, but believe me, it will be late enough so that you needn't worry!

Just be sure to leave yourself a cushion before doing anything that would cost you a lot if you don't show up. In other words, if you do go Miami to Toledo/Chicago, don't book to fly back from Chhicago (or Toledo) assuming you will make the DC connection--leave a cushion in case you miss that connection. By cushion, I mean, stay in a hotel in Chicago before your return. AND try not to book a hotel that you cannot call up from the train and cancel without penalty before 4 PM day of arrival--with some hotels, it's 24 hours in advance, and that can be problematic for an overnight trip.

Personally, much as I prefer Viewliner to Superliner sleepers, I'd forego the former and instead do a more scenic trip, i.e., Albuquerque or Denver to Seattle (try to get sleeper on left side facing forward of Coast Starlight; but, if not, you can use the lounge). You could even extend and go to Vancouver BC with a bus; you may have to pay for that part, but Vancouver is IMO much nicer than Seattle. (Just be careful the Amtrak person doesn't give you Vancouver Washington instead of Vancouver BC by mistake!)
 

---

Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1702:
The Silver Service trains don't serve Atlanta, so from Miami you'd have to go to Alexandria, VA, to connect with the Crescent.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by notelvis:

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1702:
The Silver Service trains don't serve Atlanta, so from Miami you'd have to go to Alexandria, VA, to connect with the Crescent.

---

Hi 1702 - Original poster said on a "silver train then the Crescent." My guess is that he's looking for two nights in a Viewliner and intends to change trains in Washington, DC. The Amtrak website shows that as a travel option if you simply enter MIA to ATL......I was looking into that possibility for myself just last night!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1702:
You gotta let us know who's right, PaulB, there's a lot riding on this!

---