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What's the very best time to call Amtrak for an upgrade in sleepers? Thank you.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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Maybe someone can answer your question better than I can, but it's my understanding that there is no specific date/time to call. When Amtrak changed to the bucket system of fares (based on demand, date, passenger load, etc), it eliminated any rock-solid times for getting a good deal. Now, it's just luck as to what you will get.
I would imagine one thing you can do is book your sleeper so you get it confirmed, and then keep checking online to see if the rates go down. When they do, grab that reservation---then call Amtrak and cancel your original reservation. But I've never tried this, so I'm not sure how successful that would be.
train lady Member # 3920
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Amtak used to put up available reservations at 3AM. They would always tell you that that is the time cancellation and changes are posted. I can remember several times setting the alarm so I could wake up and call. It took a few nights but we were successful.I don't know if they still do that but you could call amtrak and ask.
dixiebreeze Member # 3224
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Been there and done that :^( with the 3 a.m. thing but it always worked in the past. Now, they're saying just call after midnight, which is rather vague.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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The Amtrak reservations computer purges reservations that have not been picked up/paid for every day at 12AM Pacific, 3AM Eastern. I always get the accomodation I want (as well as the room I want) when I call a few minutes after that time.
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