Autotrain Experts,i Have A ?

[dsnycrzy]

I Booked with the special they had going on with the kids go free for next month. I have 3 kids so I would have to pay for my oldest as an adult or take this guy I'm seeing for free. Last summer, I was suppose to take my 4 yo niece with me because I had temp. custody of her, but at the last minute her mom went to the courts and had me restrained from taking her out of state, so I had to leave her here with one of my co-workers and I felt SUPER BAD, because that is all we talked about in my house especially her and my DD who is 6 months younger then her. Well I promised her Iwould take her this year, so what I did with my train tickets was paid for my friend and I as adults and 2 of my kids go free on my ticket and my other kid and my niece, I got free on his ticket. Now here's my problem, My friend is starting to talk backwards like "If I go" and stuff like that and my sister up and left the state herself with my niece (I gave her back custody) . So if push came to shove, would Amtrak make me change my tickets when I arrive in Lorton,VA or would it be to late for them to do anything? I know the regular train may be different because as people get on the seats can get filled up but no one gets on and off the auto train after boarding and no one can walk up to the auto train check in and just get on, I believe they have to have a reservation 1st. Has anyone ever had this experience where some of their part didn't show up but the seat were already spoken for?
Thanks everyone

 

[NJBILL]

Refund Policy


Refund Options

Once the value of a refund has been determined, as described in the following paragraphs, passengers have two options on how to receive the refund value:

Passengers may receive the full calculated refund value in the form of a non-refundable exchange voucher valid for future travel purchases. (Note: this option is not available online. See below for details on where to obtain refunds.)
Or, passengers may receive the calculated refund value, less a 10% refund service charge in the form of cash, check or credit to credit card, depending on the form of payment that was used for the ticket(s) being refunded. The maximum amount imposed by Amtrak on this 10% refund service charge will be $100 per refund transaction on any single reservation (Passenger Name Record).
Refund Calculations

Refunds will be calculated separately on each component of the total charges, as described below.

Rail fare: Most tickets are refundable before travel begins. In most cases, partially used regular (full) one-way fare tickets may be returned for a partial refund. Some discount tickets are non-refundable once paid for.
First Class seat charges on Acela Express / Metroliner trains; Business Class seat charges on other trains: Refundable if reservations are cancelled at least one hour prior to departure. If not cancelled by one hour prior to departure, the seat charge amount will not be refundable but it may be applied to future Amtrak travel purchases. The First/Business Class non-refundability penalty will not be imposed if the customer chooses to cancel travel on account of the train being late one hour or more at the boarding station.
Sleeping car accommodation charge: Refundable if sleeping car reservations are cancelled at least seven days prior to departure. If cancelled fewer than seven days prior to departure, but before actual departure, the accommodation charge is not refundable but may be applied to future travel purchases by issuance of a non-refundable exchange voucher. If not cancelled before actual departure ("no show"), the accommodation charge is neither refundable nor may it be applied to future travel. The sleeping car non-refundability penalty will not be imposed if the customer chooses to cancel on account of the train being late two hours or more at the boarding station.
Vehicle (automobile, van, motorcycle and bicycle) accommodation charge: refundable at any time.
Time Limits

An Amtrak ticket becomes non-refundable, not valid for carriage and has no exchange value, after one year from its date of issue (or other period if so endorsed on the ticket). An exchange voucher is valid for one year from date of issue, and may be renewed provided this is done before its expiration date.

Advance Payment and Prepaid Tickets

When purchased through either Amtrak's advance payment or prepaid programs, tickets are considered "paid for" and subject to the refund policies of any component rail fare, passenger type discount, and/or promotional discount, even if the actual tickets have not yet been printed.

On-Board Refunds

Passengers who downgrade accommodations or reduce the number in their party on board trains must obtain a Refund Authorization Form from the conductor; actual refundability, if any, will be determined by the rules that apply to the ticket purchased.

Must Return Original Tickets

Cancellation or change of reservations does not generate a refund (except for unticketed advance payment reservations); the actual original unused or partially used ticket (not a photocopy) must be submitted.

Where to Obtain Refunds

Most refunds can be processed at Amtrak ticket offices, depending on the type of ticket and the form of payment. Exceptions do exist; please ask for details. Tickets purchased at a travel agency must normally be returned to that agency; however, Amtrak will process travel agency ticket refunds caused by a downgrade or a service disruption.

Most tickets purchased online can be cancelled and refunded online.
Mail Refunds

Amtrak can process your unused ticket refund by mail. Send original tickets via certified mail with return receipt requested to: Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898