I've had to delay my trip around the US until next April/May. I saw somewhere else that I may not be able to buy Amtrak tickets in the UK after Jan 1 2009 and will therefore have to book as I go once I arrive Stateside. Is this correct? If so, how likely is it that roomettes will be fully booked up around that period of the year. I am planning on a round America trip and was relying on being able to reserve my hotel accommodation and train trips prior to leaving England. To be able to do one without the other would be worrying.
Posted by smitty195 (Member # 5102) on :
If this is something new, your best bet would be to call Amtrak and ask them. I don't see why you can't book your trip when it's convenient for you, pay via a credit card, and then pick up the tickets here in the USA once you are at the train station. If there is a staffed ticket counter, you can pick them up there. If there is only a Quik Track machine (similar to an ATM), you can pick them up there by sliding your credit card through the slot (the same card you used to purchase them with). But I have not heard anything about things changing after January 1st of 2009, so I would double-check on this with Amtrak.
Here is a hint that you might want to do when you call: Call Amtrak and ask your questions and get your answers, then call them again a day or two later and ask the same questions again. Amtrak tends to give bizarre answers sometimes, as their reservation agents sometimes are not on the ball (or don't care), but if you get the same answer twice then whatever the answer is, it's probably true.
For hotels, there is no restriction on that-----just whatever the hotel's policy is for booking in advance. There is no problem booking online (or over the phone) with your credit card to reserve your room.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
You should be able to use the website to ask your questions, if you do not want to call.
Posted by heatherite (Member # 6059) on :
Thanks - I'll follow this up direct with Amtrak and see how I go.
Posted by mgt (Member # 5479) on :
Having read your message I have just checked with Trailfinders in Newcastle on Tyne and as far as they are concerned they will continue to sell Amtrak tickets in the future. They are in fact much happier with the updated Amtrak computerised booking system than they were previously, when they did not advertise the fact that they are Amtrak agents! My wife and I have just booked Via and Amtrak tickets for this summer, no sleepers this time unfortunately, and Trailfinders were their usual efficient selves.
Posted by heatherite (Member # 6059) on :
Thanks - I will check with my local Trailfinders to make sure they will be doing the same as your branch.
Posted by mr williams (Member # 1928) on :
Strange - I haven't heard anything on this. The only time I've used Trailfinders was to book one of Amtrak's Regional passes, only available to non-US citizens. For everything else I've booked direct on Amtrak's website and collected my tickets at the station before departure.
A number of Brits contribute to this forum and ride Amtrak so if you hear any more, please let us know.
Posted by John Hull (Member # 4465) on :
Mr Williams, We booked direct from Amtrak's website in 2005 and collected our tickets at San Francisco (Ferry Building). In 2006 we booked most of our journeys through a travel agent but still had to pick up tickets at SFC. We did book a return from Sacramento to Merced and Yosemite off the website. The direct bookings were no problem. Hopefully things have not changed because I hope to use the system again soon. Amtrak have not communicated any change to me, but since the new email system I haven't had any messages from them, so who knows? John