Any Amtrak experts?

[momof2cuties]

I'm thinking of taking the kids on a trip to Disney the end of June. My 16 year refuses to fly again and I'm not against the train, though the cost is more than double a flight. It's also 21 hrs vs. 3. But it could be fun (if you think dragging your fingernails across a blackboard is fun)

My husband and I took a train many years ago - to Tampa. We did coach on the way there and was miserable. We paid for the sleeper car on the way home.

So a sleeper car is a must - and it automatically gives us two sleeper cars since there are 4 of us. I considered putting the 2 older kids in coach and getting one sleeper car and we could all pile in, but I don't know if that's a no-no or if it would be miserable.

Also considered getting coach for all of us and hoping for an upgrade offer - does that happen? Especially this late before the trip?

 

[rwdavis2]

I would not try to circumvent the rules and hoping you don't get caught. You need to consider what you do if everyone has to sit where their ticketed. I would never count on an upgrade.

Might trying to deal with the 16yo reasons for not flying be worth the effort?

 

[momof2cuties]

Thanks rwdavis - have you been offered upgrades to sleeper cars? I'm not trying to break any rules - I'm not sure there is a rule, I have not called. Still just thinking options. And no, I'm not forcing him to fly, so train or we won't be going.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I considered putting the 2 older kids in coach and getting one sleeper car and we could all pile in, but I don't know if that's a no-no or if it would be miserable.

It's a no-no and you'd be miserable. There are attendants on sleeper cars who pay attention to what's going on. Depending on the type of train, there are 3-4 types of rooms in the sleeper cars, and even the largest one, the family bedroom (which 'legally' holds 4), would be tight with 4 adult sized people.

My 16 year refuses to fly again

That's awfully young to be giving in to irrational fears. Here's the *real* relative safety of various forms of travel:

 

[momof2cuties]

thanks - not looking for debates.

So I guess my only question is, if you are an amtrak expert, do we stand a chance of being offered an upgrade to a sleeper car?

 

[rwdavis2]

thanks - not looking for debates.

So I guess my only question is, if you are an amtrak expert, do we stand a chance of being offered an upgrade to a sleeper car?

Have you googled "amtrak free upgrades" ? There are lot of hits.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

So I guess my only question is, if you are an amtrak expert, do we stand a chance of being offered an upgrade to a sleeper car?

I don't know about the upgrades, but here's what I do know: I take Amtrak pretty frequently, from Washington DC to NY and cities in Virginia and West Virginia. I did the auto train from Orlando to DC for the first time last summer. I've had a Bedroom and Roomette on Viewliner trains, and family bedroom on a Superliner (auto train). I can't imagine doing an overnight trip in coach. Think of the crying babies, hard-of-hearing folks, flatulence, and snoring that could keep you up, let alone the swaying of the train and the train horn. And when I've been on trains with sleepers, I've never heard a general announcement that 'upgrades are available'.

You might get better insights if you post which train route are you taking and if the Amtrak ticket system show any availability for a sleeper.

Personally, I wouldn't take the chance of not getting a sleeper if I wanted a sleeper.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

24 Train Hacks From an Amtrak Veteran
October 14, 2014

11. You Probably Can't Upgrade Onboard for a Discount
In the past, some passengers have reported being able to snag a cheap sleep if any bedrooms were empty after the train departed. I asked the conductor about this on the Southwest Chief, and he said this is no longer allowed. The reason he gave is that too many conductors were pocketing the money!

Other passengers reported as recently as 2013 that you could book a sleeper onboard, but at the same price as online.

Another thread:
Last minute deals on sleepers

CameronConnection​

Does Amtrak ever do last minute (as in the train leaves in a few hours) deals on unsold sleeping car accommodations? Did it ever?
Has anyone ever upgraded on-board?

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Quote ]
LiveWire​

Used to be able to upgrade onboard after departure for half the lowest fare bucket. Sadly, those days are gone...

 

[momof2cuties]

Ok thanks - I didn't notice that before, that it shows how many sleeper cars are available. Not too many left. I think I'm gonna have to just decide and book it.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Just another thought if you're looking to save some time - have you looked into how long it would take to drive?

I dislike flying, very much. I'm not afraid of it, I just don't like it. I don't like dealing with airports and headaches over how much and what I'm packing, turbulence is uncomfortable to me, etc. etc. etc.

It takes just under 3 hours to fly to Orlando from where I live, and it takes 16 hours to drive (we break it up into 10 hours on the first day and 6 hours on the second day - we never drive straight through). I've done both more than once. I did look into the train to see if it would save time, but no, it would significantly add time because of the train route (I think it was going to be more than 24 hours on the train). I didn't even bother doing the math of the cost of gas vs. the train tickets because of the significant increase in time.

That all said, I think you should book the tickets that you need as everyone will be more comfortable. I'm not a seasoned enough train traveler to assist with the upgrade question.

 

[Pooh2]

Did you look at the price of two roommettes across from each other as well as the family bedroom room?
We enjoy train travel and consider it to be part of the vacation so do not mind spending a bit more.
I have done coach for 17 hours overnight (on the autotrain) and done bedrooms. Much prefer the bedroom.

Advantages of the bedroom: include the price of meals in the dining room,have access to wait in the first class lounge at the station, have private bath/shower, (roomettes have shared bathroom/shower) and sleep better being able to stretch out.
In coach, you do not have access to the showers.

We like to be able to shower and arrive in Disney rested and ready to go!

I would suggest to try the train at least once if you can swing it in your budget.
Also, be sure to join amtrak guest rewards to get points before booking your trip to get points toward future travel.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Did you look at the price of two roommettes across from each other as well as the family bedroom room?

I should have researched this before, but the only service into Orlando or Kissimmee is Silver Service/Plametto which is on single-level Viewliners. That means roomettes or bedrooms/bedroom suites.

The Autotrain, out of Sanford, is on two-level Superliners which have family bedrooms. But autotrain service is the only route there and you have to bring/pay for a car.

 

[momof2cuties]

Yes it looks like the only thing available for the dates I'm trying are roomettes. I got a decent rate on the way, but the way back is about $300 more. Not sure why - still playing with dates, as we could be flexible.

Anyone know how to apply the AAA discount?

 

[joelkfla]

Yes it looks like the only thing available for the dates I'm trying are roomettes. I got a decent rate on the way, but the way back is about $300 more. Not sure why - still playing with dates, as we could be flexible.

Anyone know how to apply the AAA discount?

When you specify the passenger type (underneath the number of passengers,) select AAA member instead of adult.

How to Enter Your AAA Number
To take advantage of this discount:

• Use the Fare Finder at the beginning of your search and select 'AAA Adult' or 'AAA Child' for each passenger as appropriate. Then, enter your AAA membership number on the 'Passenger Information' page of the booking process.
• Or, in your user profile, select 'AAA Adult' in the 'Travel Profile' section, and enter your AAA membership number. AAA will be pre-selected as your preferred passenger discount type, and your AAA membership number will appear, already filled-in, in the appropriate text field.

To correctly enter your number in the booking process or as part of your user profile:

• Enter your three-digit club code into the 'AAA Club Code' box.
• Enter the remaining nine digits of your membership number, excluding any letters. Omit any numbers after the space following the nine digits.
• If your number contains the word "plus" leave out this text. Do not enter any spaces between numbers.

 

[Vijoge]

I considered putting the 2 older kids in coach and getting one sleeper car and we could all pile in, but I don't know if that's a no-no or if it would be miserable.

Also considered getting coach for all of us and hoping for an upgrade offer - does that happen? Especially this late before the trip?

You won't be allowed to have coach passengers in your sleeper, not even for a visit. And upgrades. . .not likely. Sleepers are usually sold out and if there is something available you'll most often be paying full price for it so if that's the accommodation you want you're better off just to book it in the beginning.

 

[Vijoge]

Yes it looks like the only thing available for the dates I'm trying are roomettes. I got a decent rate on the way, but the way back is about $300 more. Not sure why - still playing with dates, as we could be flexible.

To get an idea of the cheapest days go to www.amsnag.net and search over a 30 day period.

 

[Vijoge]

When booking Silver Service (91Silver Star/97Silver Meteor) keep in mind the Silver Star no longer has a dining car, only a cafe car. Meals in the dining car are included with your sleeper fare on the Silver Meteor, however.

 

[momof2cuties]

Thanks everyone!! Appreciate all of the help!
Can't believe I didn't see the AAA option...

 

[momof2cuties]

hmmm just realized we won't be getting Magical express from the train station. Do you train travelers rent cars or just get a taxi? I do have a 4 year old and was hoping to avoid dragging the car seat with me.

 

[Vijoge]

hmmm just realized we won't be getting Magical express from the train station. Do you train travelers rent cars or just get a taxi? I do have a 4 year old and was hoping to avoid dragging the car seat with me.

When we rode the train down we took a taxi.