Autotrain Sleeper Cancellation Policy

[ksc37]

We're debating driving to Florida for the first time this summer due to the fact that (a) Airfare is expensive, (b) we need a rental and (c) we'll be there for almost 2 weeks.

Driving both ways is going to be much less expensive than flying with 4 (like $1000 less!), but we're considering booking an Autotrain trip home, just in case the thought of driving home once we've done the trip down is too unbearable.

From reading the Amtrak website, it looks like we can cancel our tickets up to 7 days ahead of time and get a cash refund minus 10%. We'd be booking sleeper accommodations and we'd use a AAA discounts on the rail fare.

Has anyone else canceled their autotrain reservation (for a sleeper) 7-10 days ahead of time and been able to get a cash refund (not a credit for future travel)?

Thanks!
Karen

 

[nono]

Going from memory here, but I've cancelled tickets and not had a 10% penalty. My credit card was fully refunded. But, I also don't have the tickets issued when I purchase, just reserved, and then I pick them up at the station.

Maybe this is a new policy? It's been a year since I've had to cancel.

 

[kandb]

Check with the autotrain but we have taken the autotrain a few times and I remember them telling me the policy for cancellation and it included only a credit for the sleeper. If you are thinking of doing it without a sleeper, don't torture yourself. We did it once one way "sleeping" in the seats and it was horrendous. Sleeper is the only way to go if you do the autotrain. Good luck, Linda. PS, we have driven many times before and it really is not bad at all. Have fun.

 

[ksc37]

Check with the autotrain but we have taken the autotrain a few times and I remember them telling me the policy for cancellation and it included only a credit for the sleeper. If you are thinking of doing it without a sleeper, don't torture yourself. We did it once one way "sleeping" in the seats and it was horrendous. Sleeper is the only way to go if you do the autotrain. Good luck, Linda. PS, we have driven many times before and it really is not bad at all. Have fun.

Thanks - I think I'll call and check before booking anything. And I don't think I could do coach... sleeping with all those people around me, and in a chair, doesn't work for me. I can't do it on long flights, so I know I won't do it in a train.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

Thanks - I think I'll call and check before booking anything. And I don't think I could do coach... sleeping with all those people around me, and in a chair, doesn't work for me. I can't do it on long flights, so I know I won't do it in a train.

I remember the one and only time I took the autotrain and didn't have a sleeper. I was in the last row in the car with the doors behind me. When I finally got asleep (around 2:00 am) I dreamt that I was on a circus train and the snakes wouldn't stop "hissing".........it was the doors behind me opening and closing with people walking through the train I was hearing in my sleep .

Always got a sleeper after that.

But, the chairs on the autotrain do recline quite far and have legrests that come up, so it actually is more like flying first class, you are not flat, but not sitting straight up.