Auto Train Veterans

[katallo]

This will be our first trip on AutoTrain. We are planning to go mid to late February. I have no idea of a good price, but seats (value) are 190 each, plus the car. I noticed the Value seats are "refundable". Does anyone know if the trip is cancelled in the appropriate time if a credit card refund is issued or do you have to take a voucher for a future trip. With February weather in the Northeast, it can be uncertain. Can trips be rescheduled for another day if weather prohibits you from getting to Lorton? Thanks so much. This is a learning experience

 

[bdcp]

Since you are not given actual tickets perse unless you go to a station and get them, it should be refundable. But, there is probably a 10% penalty (I'm not sure as we've never refunded AT tickets, just received a credit for a rescheduled Amtrak trip). Weather can cancel trains, but usually just delays them unless it's a big blizzard. We went to FL this past Feb on the AT and had weather that was fine. The day after we returned we had a pretty good snowfall, but the train was not cancelled. Just rescheduling is not as easy as you would hope. The AT usually is sold out or close to several days to several weeks out so if a train is cancelled, you can rebook, but don't expect to get on the next day. Our plan always is to drive if the train is cancelled. Remember, everyone else on your train is in the same position you are.

 

[katallo]

Thank you. The backup plan of driving works so that's why I was hoping if we need to cancel in the required time we would be given a credit rather than a voucher for another flight. Looking forward to being warm in February....it's just getting out of the snowy area

Do you find tickets prices vary greatly? One day they were 254 and then 190.

 

[bdcp]

Yes, prices vary but tend to go up the closer you get to your travel date. We book 11 months out which is the earliest we can. You should ask your questions on the Auto Train thread as that's where almost everyone who uses it posts.