Are there ever any good discounts for Amtrak?

[dtsaos]

Other than the regular discounts they have listed like AAA?

 

[js]

I know they have AAA but I also seem to remember that the cheapest seats sell first and then they price just goes up until departure day.
I haven't taken the train in a few years but remember this was the case the last I took it. If possible, I would definately try to get a sleeper car. I didn't but think next time I would definately try to swing it.
Have fun!

 

[sweet maxine]

If you keep checking their website, they do show listings for weekly specials that they advertise as up to 80% off the regular fares. Fodor's or Frommer's website (I think) also posts the latest codes for discounts on Amtrak.

 

[tar heel]

The specials are really cheap but usually available fairly close to the date. My son takes the train home from college sometimes. Regular price is $20 and AAA discount makes it $18, but we have paid as little as $3.20.

 

[dtsaos]

sweet maxine, thanks or the tip. It was Frommers, but none of the codes out right now apply to travel to FL -probably cause it's one of the most busiest of their destinations. Oh well, I'll just have to keep checking in case something comes up.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you look at Amtrak's Weekly Specials (bookmark this site) they will show upcoming discounts up to 80%. Note that if they indicate Washington to Miami (which is included this week) it includes all intermediate stops for boarding or detraining. Note that these are coach prices only; I don't know if you can use the discount for sleeping cars.

 

[maggiew]

Two summers ago they had a "kids ride free with paying adult". Me and my DDs rode the train to Orlando for around $200.

Maggie

 

[LakeAriel]

I travel to Disney every year on Amtrak. I am not comfortable flying. People don't realize it, but the sleeper car is more expensive then an airplane trip. The first time I went coach, never again. I have been traveling with my Disney companion (my daughter, now 21) Even in the sleeper car privacy is at a premium so be close to your berth mate!
American Express Rewards now has Amtrak on their list of clients that take points. I use Amex all year for EVERYTHING piling up the points. This year I redeemed 30,000 points for $300 off my Amtrak trip! Easier then you think and quite a coup! Also reserve 11 months out if you can.You save hundreds that way. Everytime a sleeper is taken the next one cost more etc.
Good luck saving money!
Be riding the rails next month!!!!!!

 

[maggiew]

I travel to Disney every year on Amtrak. I am not comfortable flying. People don't realize it, but the sleeper car is more expensive then an airplane trip. The first time I went coach, never again. I have been traveling with my Disney companion (my daughter, now 21) Even in the sleeper car privacy is at a premium so be close to your berth mate!
American Express Rewards now has Amtrak on their list of clients that take points. I use Amex all year for EVERYTHING piling up the points. This year I redeemed 30,000 points for $300 off my Amtrak trip! Easier then you think and quite a coup! Also reserve 11 months out if you can.You save hundreds that way. Everytime a sleeper is taken the next one cost more etc.
Good luck saving money!
Be riding the rails next month!!!!!!

We rode coach from Chicago to Orlando. What a trip!! We went from Chicago to Washington DC. Then Washington DC to Orlando. If I did it again, I might stop overnight in Washington DC then take the next day's train to Orlando.

Maggie

 

[LakeAriel]

God bless you Maggie! For one there were three of us in coach, my daughter, her friend and myself. That meant I sat by myself. That meant I had to sleep sitting up next to a stranger!! LOL Never again! I love the sleeper car. The motion puts me to sleep. I am either eating, gazing out the window or sleeping! Don't forget meals are included with the sleeper car.

 

[maggiew]

I hear you! There were 3 of us too - me and my two DDs. I had to sleep next to a stranger. But we had TWO overnights!! Luckily on the second leg of the trip I was seated next to this nice older lady who was retired from WDW. She had worked in the Yacht Club. So we talked about that for a lot of the trip.

I might try the sleeper car another time. If I could get a good price.

I would actually like us to take a trip across country on the train - maybe stopping at a few places along the way. A few summers ago I took the train from Chicago to San Francisco. It was quite the beautiful ride.

The problem with taking the train from chicago to orlando is that there is no direct route!

Maggie

 

[OceanAnnie]

Cheshire Figment, thanks for the weekly specials site!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

we have been going by train the last 8 - 9 years. I do not like to fly anymore. We have never gotten the sleeper, its usually WAY to exp. We actually have gotten a few cheaper discounts beside AAA. One time it was pay 2 adults, 1 kid free. one time 1st person full price, 2nd person 1/2 price and the third free. I think if i can remember right, we went the middle of Aug. me, dh, dd15 and 2 friends. I think we had a special for up to 2 kids free with each paid adult. Somthing like that. So it was pretty reas. price. Of course everyone BEGS me to fly instead........hahaha. Now i just say , Well if you want to go to Disney, we will be sitting on the train...haha. im such a mean mother.................. I really would like to try the sleeper, but it just s seems way to pricy.............

 

[dtsaos]

Dopey's twin Dippy,
We live in Maine and have taken the train to disney twice already because my husband won't fly. Actually I'm not too eager to fly these days either. Anyway, the first time we went from Boston to NY to Kissimmee and we had the family sleeper (which now is only being offered on the auto train for some reason) . I would say it's definetly worth the extra money, especially if you're traveling with young children. So much more comfortable than the coach seats. The second time, we took the auto train so we had to drive to VA first to pick it up. We took coach on the way there and it was pretty bad but we were lucky because most of the seats were empty so we were able to spread out. If it was just me and my husband, it probably would've been fine, but with my crazy 18mo daughter and 3 yr. old son, it was a little rough. On the way back, we found out that the train in coach was completely booked, so we were luckily able to upgrade to one of the viewliner roomettes which although still small, was a hundred times better with 2 toddlers. I guess it's all a matter of preference and of course money since the rooms are very expensive. One thing, IMO if you try the sleeper it will probably be hard to ever go coach again.

 

[ioneblair]

I'm checking Amtrak reg to see the specials.....looking for Philly to Orlando....couple of years ago I took two daughters (12,17) roundtrip from Philly to Portland, OR on Amtrak special....cost us $379 rt for everyone.....

we had a great exp....kids carried homework, cd player and portable tv besides other books and things of interest....we went coach and would do it again, it's worth the savings....we were on the Superliner from Chicago on.....great....movies, sightseer car.....

we're adventurers and don't mind a little challenge in our travels....