? for Amtrak experts

[terribm]

Hi,

I am traveling with DS-10 and DD-8 from NC to Kissimmee in June. This is an overnight trip. I booked coach seats. Has anyone had any experience doing an upgrade to a sleeper while on board? Also, on the Silver Star, the seating is 2x2. Is there seating with 2 seats facing 2 seats?

Thanks,
T

 

[NJRRK]

Hi,

I am traveling with DS-10 and DD-8 from NC to Kissimmee in June. This is an overnight trip. I booked coach seats. Has anyone had any experience doing an upgrade to a sleeper while on board? The further south/later in the day you get on the train the less likely you are to be able to upgrade to sleeper on the train. This isn't to say you won't but if you REALLY want a sleeper reserve it now. Also, on the Silver Star, the seating is 2x2. Is there seating with 2 seats facing 2 seats? For the coach seating on the train, think 1st class of an airplane, not commuter train. All the seats face the same way.

Thanks,
T

They were simple questions, come on you can come up with better than that.

 

[pulphero]

They were simple questions, come on you can come up with better than that.

I've often taken Amtrak from Philadelphia to Orlando. I book sleeper accommodations in advance. I always see empty cabins, however, and so a few years ago I asked the attendant if I should not book in advance but rather ask for an empty cabin at a discounted rate once I'm on-board. He advised against it. He said that many of the empty cabins are, in fact, reserved for people who will board farther down the line, and that it's a hassle to process requests for sleeper accommodations from people who have already booked coach. They're not obligated to honor those requests. For me, it's worth the peace of mind to book in advance. But it never hurts to ask.

 

[DC7800]

Hi,

I am traveling with DS-10 and DD-8 from NC to Kissimmee in June. This is an overnight trip. I booked coach seats. Has anyone had any experience doing an upgrade to a sleeper while on board? Also, on the Silver Star, the seating is 2x2. Is there seating with 2 seats facing 2 seats?

Thanks,
T

You can inquire about a sleeper upgrade from the Conductor once onboard, but with many long distance trains likely to be sold out this summer, your chances are not good. The discounts aren't as big as they once were anyway, so I'd definitely book now if you want to go first class.

While seats can be turned to have four seats facing each other, you are likely to encounter resistance (at the very least) from the coach attendant. Further, there's only the three of you, right? Particularly if the train is sold out or nearly so, there will be someone else sitting in that fourth seat, so they really can't turn them for just you. You can always ask, of course.

 

[terribm]

They were simple questions, come on you can come up with better than that.

Ok, so you want a challange.: How 'bout this. The viewliner roomette and the bedroom both have an upper and lower berth. My kids are small and could both fit on one berth. Would we be allowed to book the roomette for the three of us?

T

 

[pulphero]

Ok, so you want a challange.: How 'bout this. The viewliner roomette and the bedroom both have an upper and lower berth. My kids are small and could both fit on one berth. Would we be allowed to book the roomette for the three of us?

T

Yes, absolutely. Done it myself.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

that info is not correct you may NOT book a roomette for 3 unless one is a very small child-I think they say under 3. I do not know the ages of the 2 children but be sure that they are young enough before you try to plan on it.The system will not let you book online if they are over the age limit.I can post my trip report so you can see some pics of the train roomette-have a great trip

 

[pulphero]

That information IS correct. It's true you can't book a roomette for one adult and two children on-line, but if you call Amtrak and explain that your children are small and can share the lower bunk in a roomette, they will let you book it over the phone.

 

[Henlady]

We're doing the AutoTrain in 3 weeks. It will be me, DH and my 2yo grandson.
I called Amtrak and they absolutely would not book us into a single roomette. I ended up purchasing 2 roomettes for our trip down.
We're in coach coming back because I will not pay $314 for a single roomette(X2 would be $628). That's more than I'd pay for a hotel room.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

I have to insist that the info is not correct-soory
I have never heard of it working and have known many that tried.They will not allow it-period!If you had it happen to you once than you should consider it a rare and odd event.I have to book 2 roomettes like eveyone else does even though my little one could fit in with me.

 

[pulphero]

I'll have to stand corrected, but I'm not crazy in remembering that I booked a roomette for myself and two kids in 2008. I guess Amtrak changed its policy to increase its revenues. Too bad.

 

[pulphero]

PS. Sorry for spreading information that is no longer true (and might never have been universally true).

 

[NJRRK]

We're doing the AutoTrain in 3 weeks. It will be me, DH and my 2yo grandson.
I called Amtrak and they absolutely would not book us into a single roomette. I ended up purchasing 2 roomettes for our trip down.
We're in coach coming back because I will not pay $314 for a single roomette(X2 would be $628). That's more than I'd pay for a hotel room.

You have an advantage going down that I bet you never thought of. If your DGS will indeed fit with you in the bed, then no one has to sleep in the upper bunk.

I had the opposite problem in 2007, I tried to book 4 roomettes for the 4 of us and since I had two children it would not let me (DS13 and DD17) when I called, after exhaustive talking to the agent then the supervisor I was FINALLY allowed, but had to pay adult fare for the two teens.

 

[Henlady]

It will be me and DGS(we both should be able to fit on the bottom bunk) in one roomette and DH in the other. Actually, we booked coach seating to begin with - 2 adults and 1 child. Then about a month later called back to add the roomettes and they kept the 2 adult & 1 child pricing without question and just added the $124 for each roomettes. I've already paid for them and had the tickets issued so I don't anticipate any problems.