Autotrain upgrade question

[skoi]

Just wondering if anyone who has taken the autotrain has tried to "upgrade" at the station from coach to a sleeper? Is it cheaper than booking a sleeper when you buy your tickets. We got a great deal on tickets, but were told we couldn't add the sleeper until we get to the station.

Thanks,
Julie

 

[DC7800]

How did you buy the tickets? Unless we are talking RailSale, Ebay, or another heavily discounted fare, you should always be able to simply reserve a sleeper (first-class) at the time you make the reservation.

However, to answer your question, you can upgrade accomodations once onboard ANY Amtrak train, based on availability, of course. Many times no rooms will be available, or will only be available for part of the trip/night (someone else has a reservation to an intermediate point; this part doesn't apply to Auto-Train), so always be prepared to spend the night in coach. Check upon (an early) arrival to have the best chance of snaring a room. The prices will be very good, much less than buying the accomodations at reservation, but you take your chances.

 

[skoi]

Thanks for the reply. We bought the tickets off the Amtrak website-- via the rail sale page-- less than 20.00 each way (not counting the van, of course). They were pretty explicit about not being able to add accomodations at time of booking. Maybe we'll try calling in advance to see if we can add them.

We've ridden the autotrain twice-- both times coach. It's okay, but sometimes our son gets a little loud-- like a lot of little boys do-- and without a lot of of other kids on the car, that behavior stands out.

Thanks again.
Julie

 

[DC7800]

That explains it - RailSale (and Ebay sales) are for the coach fare only, and specifically say "non-upgradeable" (or refundable, etc.). Usually a really good deal, especially with Auto-Train's included meals, but you just can't add a sleeper (first-class) accomodation now.

 

[Debbart]

My daughter is in the world right now...she hit the rail sale a few months back and got autotrain round trip tickets for two , coach, for $400. total. At the Lorton station she asked if they could upgrade to a sleeper car and they offered her a superliner standard for an additional $125 or a deluxe for an extra $225

 

[MapleGirl]

I know the amtrak ebay site is no longer up. Is the rail sale still around?