Amtrak deals?

[ktrask]

we are doing a family vacation to DC in August. Taking Amtrak from Boston to DC. Any deals or ways to buy and earn points...other than a rewards card or the saver fare on Amtrak?

Just wanted to ask before I book

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

They changed their program a few years ago, there doesn't seem to be any economical way to transfer points in or out anymore from partners like Starwood. The Amtrak MasterCard gives you 12,000 or 20,000 points depending on which one you sign up for.

 

[WVMomof3]

Did you see the fare sale between DC and Boston when you book multiple tickets? Seems like it could be a good deal.

Valid for up to 4 passengers.
The First passenger will pay the full regular adult fare, Companion One (1) will receive a 15% discount, Companion Two (2) will receive a 60% discount, and Companion Three (3) will receive a 70% discount off the full adult rail fare.
Valid for sale beginning April 23, 2019.
Valid for travel beginning April 26, 2019.
Advance reservations are required a minimum of three (3) days prior to travel.
Valid for travel on most Northeast Regionals between Washington, DC and Boston, MA, and on long-distance trains and associated thruways.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

It's been several years ago now, but on an Amtrak message board I read to check on the weekends for deals on roomettes or sleeper cars. We got an awesome deal on a sleeper car that, even though we didn't travel overnight, it gave us free meals in the dining car and a private toilet/shower. We loved Amtrak!

 

[MrsPete]

I've only ridden in coach:
- Make your reservation sooner rather than later. Prices do go up.
- Kids under 16 travel cheaply. Is it half price?
- Each person will have a comfortable seat and an electrical outlet.
- You'll have space above your seat for a backpack or tote bag. Each car has a space at the front for stash-your-own large suitcases.
- The bathrooms are NASTY. Watch to see when they open a new car /clean bathrooms. Bring a container of Clorox wipes.
- The food is expensive and not good. BYO. They do sell cold drinks and ice. Each car also has a water bottle filler.

 

[amgallarza]

If anyone has any kind of deals from LA to ORL, send that info my way! I'm headed to Florida in November.

 

[striker1064]

If anyone has any kind of deals from LA to ORL, send that info my way! I'm headed to Florida in November.

That's going to be quite a trip! I'm sure you know, but you'll need to go through either New Orleans or Chicago to DC (depending on which train you take), to get down to Florida. I'd like to do that someday.

Anyway, no deals. Sometimes there are savings on coach travel on long-distance trains, but I'd imagine you'd prefer a room for such a long journey. Otherwise, Amtrak prices their tickets in fare "buckets," for lack of a better word, and when the cheapest fares sell out, prices go up. It continues until it's sold out. So it's best to buy as early as possible.

 

[amgallarza]

That's going to be quite a trip! I'm sure you know, but you'll need to go through either New Orleans or Chicago to DC (depending on which train you take), to get down to Florida. I'd like to do that someday.

Anyway, no deals. Sometimes there are savings on coach travel on long-distance trains, but I'd imagine you'd prefer a room for such a long journey. Otherwise, Amtrak prices their tickets in fare "buckets," for lack of a better word, and when the cheapest fares sell out, prices go up. It continues until it's sold out. So it's best to buy as early as possible.

We've done this trip before - it's from LA to CHI to DC to ORL, then ORL to NY to CHI to LA. It's about 4 days, but an experience. I was just curious to see if anyone has heard/seen anything about promotions. I did not know about the buckets though. It makes total sense!

 

[disfanforlife]

I saw that they have Amtrak gift cards on sale at BJ’s right now.