My wife and I took amtrak from chicago to New York city. We didn't buy round trip, it was cheaper to buy one way. We had a handicapped accessible room. It was a pleasant trip except for loud neighbor next to us . They played music loud. They told the car attendant, and the conductor to blank off. He kicked them off the train with the help of the amtrak police. We received a discount from amtrak for the inconvenience for our next trip. The staff were all very pleasant. Our conductor was great. It sure as heck was his train, and wo to those who cause problems.
@@RaymondMcNamaraJr Spark up a fatty, a stogie or just a Marlboro in the sleepers and see what happens. There are also smoke detectors in the crappers, as in aircraft.
@@The_DuMont_Network LOL I guess but i remember my friend doing that few years ago in bathroom of bedroom but thankfully nobody knew but i dont even smoke
I got the Amtrak Credit Card and received 30,000 points or about $600.00 to apply for train tickets. Along with that came a few lounge passes which are great. The free food in a lounge could be worth about $30.00. I used the lounge all day at Moynahan Train Hall. first in the morning when I arrived in NYC and later in the evening when I left. So that was worth about $50.00. By using my Amtrak Credit card for anything and everything I earn about $700.00 a year that can be applied for train travel. This works the best if you use the train a lot .
I agree with everything you said. One thing I'd add is that it is also cool to do the same route/train in the opposite direction. My first coast to coast trip I took the Sunset Limited (switched trains in New Orleans) on the way there, and the Zephyr on the way back. Next trip, I did the reverse. You still get to see lots of new scenery because an area that you passed through overnight, is often passed through during the day going the opposite direction. There are so many options for train travel that allow us to see a big chunk of our beautiful country.
Allie and Rob, I am so grateful for everything you have taught me on this channel! My daughter and I got back a month ago from a Chicago to Seattle trip on the Empire Builder stopping in Glacier, then Coast Starlight to SF, and took the California Zephir back to Chicago. Unforgettable! We have so many stories to tell our family this Thanksgiving🙂
Have to agree...I got on in Wilmington DE, took the Acela to NYC, then Lakeshore Limited to Chicago...quick turn around to the Cardinal back to Wilmington. Fun trip..lots to see.
Good advice! I took a long distance Amtrak trip last year, the California Zephyr and Lake Shore Limited, a true cross-country trip. I sprung for a bedroom and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The scenery was mind-blowing. It also did wonders for my mental health, I was rested, no stress, even my complexion cleared up, people complemented me that I look so well when I returned.
I just finished my dream trip and I was looking for you guys all the way! Greensboro, NC, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, DC Greensboro! It was 7 Trains in 10 days with only 3 hotel stays. Exhausting but fun. All done on points!
I've always booked RT with Amtrak by phone for many years on account of the type accommodations I needed. I've once booked online between L.A. & B'ham & was taken L.A. to New Orleans on The Sunset Ltd., then on The Crescent to B'ham. On the return trip, I was routed from B'ham to New Orleans on The Crescent, New Orleans to Chicago on The City Of New Orleans, then on to L.A. on the Southwest Chief. I didn't originally plan on an additional layover but thought it would be a fun diversion. I call it a not in a hurry scenic route. 2 weeks before leaving L.A. I was contacted by Amtrak & told there were no sleeper cars available on The Southwest Chief to L.A. and was given the option of going coach, a refund, or a Roomette on The Texas Eagle at no additional charge. I chose the latter. I don't mind seeing the same territory upon return trips. Sometimes I'm lucky by being placed on the opposite side of travel. I try to avoid having too many train changes during a trip since I give myself an additional day between transfers in order to avoid missed trains.
My husband and I recently took m the Texas Eagle and Southwest chief from Chicago to LA. The Texas Eagle was rather a disappointment. The Southwest Chief, however, was a delight.
@@cherihabegger9856 Indeed. AMTRAK has been treating our Eagle like a bastard redheaded stepchild for years. Yet the sleepers are always booked, and coach ridership is high. I never know when my next trip will be my last. Bastards. We're booked DAL-CHI over Thanksgiving.
I guess it depends on where you’re going. I am doing a round trip to Albuquerque, NM in the spring from Chicago. I was able to use a companion fare for both ways. If I used multiple trains (instead of Southwest Chief all the way) I would have to ride coach to one station, have a layover then catch the Southwest Chief. Not worth it in my opinion.
We recently had a round trip to Philadelphia on the Northeast Regional. Our return trip was VERY late, and there was actually a train scheduled after ours that was on time that would have gotten us home earlier. But we couldn't switch our tickets.
I am like you, crazy about traveling Amtrak. If I have the time and can afford it, it is my preferred mode of travel. Whenever I do a round trip, I plot out a different route so I can see something different.
I agree. I did the Empire Builder to Seattle, Coast Starlight to Emeryville, San Juaquines to Stocton, Throughway to Sacramento a few days later, and California Zephyr back to Chicago. I rode the City of New Orleans to and from Chicago to my start/end point of Memphis.
I agree that it's better to go one way for example from Atlanta to New York City and then fly back to Atlanta. I guess one could do Atlanta to NYC, then NYC to Chicago, then Chicago to New Orleans and then NOLA to ATL.
We just got home from a round trip. We started in Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL. Then Chicago to Seattle WA. Then Seattle to Emeryville, CA. Then Emeryville back to Chicago. That was a nice beautiful trip... only the ride was very rough from Denver, CO to Chicago!!! We weren't impressed with the roomette from Seattle to Emeryville, due to being very tight for the two of us at night. Otherwise, we were very pleased with our trip otherwise with Amtrak.
Buying round trip tickets goes back to when you received a discount if you purchased both segments at once. When I purchase airfare I always buy one way. That way I can choose a different airlines for each direction.
Thanks for the information. We just got back from a trip to Portland. We booked two one way tickets to and from Portland so I could use the coupons we had. .
It may no difference for our round-trip visit to DC from LA in terms of price but maybe using the Amtrak credit card it makes a difference & prices also are not always cheaper early because they've gone down since last month so amtrak is just pretty much all over the place! 😂love your videos, thanks for sharing ✌🏾❤
Things I never thought of.... maybe my next big trip I'll do one way for both ways...... probably still on the same train, but will allow for more flexibility for me....
They missed the most important reason not to buy round tickets as far as I’m concerned. A few years ago I bought a round trip ticket from NYC to Niagara Falls, NY, business class. Boarded the train in NYC, conductor scanned the ticket for the trip from NYC to NF on my phone, and I was on my way. A few days later, boarded the train in NF to return to NYC. Conductor scanned the return ticket and then shot me a puzzled look and asked me if I had canceled the first leg from NYC to NF. I replied, “of course not…THAT’S how I got to NF!”. He said, according to Amtrak I canceled the first leg and that automatically canceled the RETURN ticket. I said, “no, I did not cancel that leg and I assure you the conductor scanned my ticket”, which I still had in my Apple wallet. He said there must have been an error when the conductor tried to scan my NYC to NF ticket and it didn’t register and the conductor didn’t notice it. He then said that I might not be able to stay in my seat in business class and that he would “try” to find another seat on the train but that it was pretty full. I then told him that he had better do that because I had NO intention of getting off the train until I reached NYC. About five minutes later he returned and said I could stay where I was in business class. Moral of the story, if I had purchased two SINGLE tickets the return ticket would never have been canceled!
I had exactly the same experience in 2018. We booked the Southwest Chief from Galesburg to LA, then a Surfliner from LA to San Diego as a round trip with the return four days later (our timeline was tight and didn't allow taking a different route). After arriving in LA, a freight train derailed between LA and Fullerton, fouling all three BNSF mains. That disrupted the Surfliners as well as Metrolink. Amtrak bussed us to Anaheim where passengers for both services were piled up. Once Amtrak finally got a northbound train stopped at Fullerton, emptied and moving back southbound, they let both Amtrak and Metrolink riders onboard to relieve the pressure. They said they'd make all Amtrak AND Metrolink stops -- the only problem was that they didn't scan any tickets. Four days later when trying to check our baggage in San Diego, we got the same question -- "Did you take the train you were supposed to? Did the conductor scan your ticket?" You don't have a business class seat and you won't have a bedroom on the Chief in LA!" UGH! Once we explained what happened, she made a call, and rebooked us on the Surfliner. However, the only available room on the Chief was a family bedroom. When we got to LA, we were telling "Keith" (a supervisor in the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge) about our ordeal. He jumped on the computer and found that our original bedroom was only rebooked from Albuquerque to Chicago. He modified our rebooking to get the bedroom from LA to Albuquerque, then move to the family bedroom for the Albuquerque-Galesburg portion of the trip. We've done two long trips since then and are very careful to make sure our tickets are scanned!
Having begun to travel by Amtrak only within the last two years, I was surprised to find that there was no savings and no convenience in booking round trip vs one way trip online. I was doing it, however, to be certain of making the trip mesh together. (Trips for us begin and end at a small station that is a southern terminus for some of the Northeast Regional runs; longer trips include wait and transfer in DC or Philadelphia.) While watching the video, I realized that since Amtrak is using the usual shopping cart, I can assemble the pieces before committing to order and pay; I just didn't think about it.
@@The_DuMont_Network I hadn't even noticed. My spouse has been doing our airline reservations ever since we retired, and round trips fit our travel plans.
What do you think about the Rail Pass. I’m planning a trip from Spokane to Boston going through Chicago. I’d like to spend a day in Chicago going both ways. I’ve been thinking about getting the rail pass. Will be going via the cheap seats.
Thank you for the helpful information. Great channel! Also, I love Rob‘s T-shirt. Out of the box suggestion for a future video: Rob‘s T-shirts and where he gets them! 😀
Hello guys. I personally prefer booking round trip. Only one time I did 2 one way tickets, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. At the time I did not know when I would be returning. When I travel from Philadelphia to San Antonio, always round trip. during the booking process, I see multiple routes I could take. Most are 3 legged routes. I time it for a 2 legged route (Cardinal and Texas Eagle). The return trip shows another 2 legged route (Sunset Limited and Crescent). This is tempting. It would be a first for me on the Crescent. It's been 30 years since I have been on the Sunset Limited. Back then it went to Florida where I could transfer to the Silver Meteor.
I checked the singular price when booking (about 3 1/2 months in advance), $60 one way per adult on The Maple Leaf from Niagara Falls Ontario to New York in January, and also in a return booking, which was the same cost, so we booked return. Since this is our first experience with Amtrak, there are no points yet, but I'm sure it won't be our last trip.
Do you have any coupons to spare? ;-) On a different matter..... I know a guy in central Michigan who is trying to get to Atlanta. The Greyhound service via Chicago is completely screwed up because of the Hurricane Helene damage. So he will most likely have to go via Detroit and D.C. Who would have thought that a hurricane could rip out interstate highways?
I didn't understand what you were saying about the companion coupons. I recently used one of those coupons for a round trip ticket for myself & another person & it was a BOGO deal for the roundtrip ticket for the person I am traveling with.
Once you realize that there is no discount to reserving round trip, the rest comes easy. As you point out, you get more change flexibility by having separate tickets. The T&C's of using the coupons call out that they are for One-Way travel.. that's why you usually get them in pairs. Also note that you must book a full adult fare, I have Senior fare as my default, and have to change it. But I can get the Senior discount when using points. So you have to be very particular when using their website for booking. Some times calling the Guest Rewards agent is the best way to get it done.
Ok. I got nervous since I booked a roundtrip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Since there's only one train for that route, I couldn't have booked a different train. Have you 2 been to the Grand Concourse in Pittsburgh? It was the original train station in Pittsburgh. The current one downtown is pretty horrible.
Do you have a route you would recommend in January from the WestCoast to anywhere? Last year I did the CS to Seattle because my CZ train was canceled … weather… yet the CS also put us on a bus (mudslide) from Portland to Seattle. Flexibility and patience is important❤️
@Debrahall-koftinow3162 where in the west coast are you coming from. There are several trains you could take zephyr from Eneryville to Chicago, Empire builder either from Portland or Seattle to Chicago, The Southwest Cheif from LA to Chicago or Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans. I just do not recommend taking the Texas Eagle in a room since part of the time it is flexible dinning and no observation car for a small section.
great advice. question: if you book two one ways that are part of a contiuiing connecting trip, will amtrak provide accomodation if you miss the conne tion? I booked oneway on the Cardinal from DC to Chicago last week, and then a one way on the Empire Builder to Portland. There was a five hour layover, everything was pretty much on time so no problem. But I have e,perinced significant delay in the past, so I was wonderin if amrrak guarntees the conne tion.
I understand your reasoning and, with the scenarios you mentioned, it makes sense. However, when we book a daytrip from PAK to TPA, it only makes sense to book round trip since only one train goes there and comes back on the same day. Likewise, even in we book from PAK to WPK where both Silvers go, booking round trip still lets me pick which of the Silvers I want to use each way. Since I don't have companion coupons, that is not a factor.
weve traveled in october a couple of years and its become our post-summer, off-season vacation. our plan this year was to take the Empire Builder out from chicago and then fly back primarily because we were going to be short on time home. alas leukemia got in the way this year and we never booked. maybe NEXT fall...
Sometimes you can't help but get a rt ticket. I live in Greensboro, NC and if I'm going to FL or NY, the routes don't change Lol!! Only 1 route up or down the east coast Lol!!
Sounds great but unfortunately that wouldn't work for NY-ATL. Only the Crescent goes to ATL from NY so have to book roundtrip. Wish there was an alternative option.
They are just fine. I've found the odd paper scrap here and there, perhaps the trash can with something leftover, but all in all, the rooms are as clean as airline seats.
I have found sleeping accommodations on Amtrak as clean as motels, except for the floors, and I expect them to be a bit gritty. Regarding seating, there are two differences. An Amtrak seat might have several occupants during one run, because passengers exit and embark at the multiple stations, so there is no opportunity for cleanup; on the other hand, the travelers seem to be usually more courteous about not leaving a mess on Amtrak. It appears to me that Amtrak provides more thorough coach cleanup between runs than do the airlines. Overall, I find Amtrak seating to be as clean or better than the airlines coach classes. For all travel, I recommend carrying wipes, tissues, or hand sanitizer, but I admit I don't always use them.
As clean as u can see them..I was on the empire builder this June .very clean and our car attendant Suzanne kept it that way the whole time I was going to Seattle 😊
Booking only one way doesn't make sense to me if you are purchasing a sleeping compartment. It is my experience that you have to book a compartment about 10 months prior to the trip, otherwise they are all sold out. If you book a compartment one way, you will probably not get a compartment on your return trip. A personal example of this was a trip we took several years ago on the Southwest Chief to Chicago. We had a compartment (full bedroom). It was so late into Chicago that we missed our connection on the Capital Limited. Amtrak put us up overnight in a dumpy motel clear across town and then booked us on the next day's Capital Limited. The problem, however, was that the compartments for that train were all booked, so we had to ride in coach which was miserable. Amtrak refunded some of our points we had used to pay for the trip, but trying to sleep in a coach seat was not wonderful.
@@brookswilson1072 Do some shopping. There is a website which lists fare across different dates. I'll try to post it here. If you see a good fare grab it instanter. Then look for the return and book it if u can find it. You can get instant refund if you cancel within 24 hours. Do yourself a favor. Research on line. Close browser. Call the AMTRAK Guestrewards number. You get faster service and more malleable attendants. The AMTRAK website is a joke
Although I do not doubt that they were in the same roomette on their return trip, being sure of the wrapper ..."because I order mine from Amazon" is hardly proof. 😊
I do have a question for you guys - you mention the credit card a lot. There’s a special right now until December I think for more points than 20k (but not quite the double points special I wanted, but it’s pretty close - 35k vs 40k is a difference but I will take either one over just 20k.) and I was thinking of applying. I’ve been denied for the 40k special before and I just want to know what are some good ways to “guarantee” they’ll approve me? And I will disclose right away I will immediately try to use the $2000 in the 3 billing cycles since opening the card because that’s how those points are gotten. Plus Amtrak private room booking can be expensive at certain times so they make it easy. But yeah basically do you have any tips on how to make it so that I will be approved?
Be aware also that if you wanna switch your day on a return trip that they will charge you an exchange fee, and in our case it was nearly as much as the one way fare just to do that. Live and learn I guess?
Don't you keep the same room type if you're booking round trip ? If you're booking each way separately, how/when do you stipulate that you'd like the same room ?
Great information but the website isn't the easiest to maneuver. Is there a list of trains and all their destinations? I find I have to keep trying different dates and times and locations to get where I need to be. It's exhausting. Where do I find the list? Thanks
would a round trip be worth it for a 1st time train traveler (roomette)going from alton, il to tucson, az is there alternative trains? also would you or could you buy the tickets at the same time or around same time? thanks any other advice
I was going to book a RT frm NYC to Orlando, FL for December 12th and returning on the 15th. Should I book one way tickets only or is this peak season as its December? Not sure what to do?
Amtrak currently is offering 35,000 points instead of the 20,000 points it normally does for their credit card. Do you recommend signing up gor the credit card now or waiting for the 50,000 points?
@@shirleymiller7279 Don't fear traveling alone, especially in the sleepers. The attendants are there for you. Fewer passengers per attendant. Get on AMTRAK Unlimited discussion group. You can find a companion.
If you do not book round trip, you can consider booking two tickets, one for your travel companion to return. How many stops to Bosta bosta bosta BOsta Bosta?
I'm handicapped and if I book a room for handicap and when I come to the train station I found out that there's some in the room what would Amtrak Will do for me.
If the occupant is a squatter, hte will be removed forthwith by train crew. if somehow the person was booked, they do try to move a non handicapped person in favor of the handicapped.Otherwise AMTRAK needs to accommodate you somehow.
They want an extra $350 for a round trip from Tampa to Cleveland. A one way with a private room is $900 and the round trip with a private room is $1250.
The wrapper proves the rooms are NOT cleaned very well. Sanitary? Highly doubtful. Gross. I’m too much of a ‘clean’ person to take these trips I’ve always wanted to do
They are no worse than the average hotel room. In fact, the linens are fresher, the blankets are cleaned and delivered in plastic bags, linens are always fresh. One pissy little candy wrapper left in a fairly inaccessible bag does not an unsanitary room.
I always bring a travel size pack of lysol wipes or something like that whether I'm flying or taking the train. Planes are not cleaned well enough either. I clean my own personal space when I first board the plane or train. I also wipe down high touch surfaces in my hotel rooms.
Great information thank you. However, I am still stuck on the fact that the "garbage" that you left in the pouch on your first trip was still there on your second trip lol. I still love Amtrak though. 😀🚅
My wife and I took amtrak from chicago to New York city. We didn't buy round trip, it was cheaper to buy one way. We had a handicapped accessible room. It was a pleasant trip except for loud neighbor next to us . They played music loud. They told the car attendant, and the conductor to blank off. He kicked them off the train with the help of the amtrak police. We received a discount from amtrak for the inconvenience for our next trip. The staff were all very pleasant. Our conductor was great. It sure as heck was his train, and wo to those who cause problems.
great report. Who the heck buys an expensive Amtrak room ticket so they can blast music and risk arrest?
Flat out weird people.
Wait i know Amtrak to throw people off train when in coach never heard a story where they get thrown out being in bedroom
@@RaymondMcNamaraJr Spark up a fatty, a stogie or just a Marlboro in the sleepers and see what happens. There are also smoke detectors in the crappers, as in aircraft.
Good!
@@The_DuMont_Network LOL I guess but i remember my friend doing that few years ago in bathroom of bedroom but thankfully nobody knew but i dont even smoke
I got the Amtrak Credit Card and received 30,000 points or about $600.00 to apply for train tickets. Along with that came a few lounge passes which are great. The free food in a lounge could be worth about $30.00. I used the lounge all day at Moynahan Train Hall. first in the morning when I arrived in NYC and later in the evening when I left. So that was worth about $50.00. By using my Amtrak Credit card for anything and everything I earn about $700.00 a year that can be applied for train travel. This works the best if you use the train a lot .
I agree with everything you said. One thing I'd add is that it is also cool to do the same route/train in the opposite direction. My first coast to coast trip I took the Sunset Limited (switched trains in New Orleans) on the way there, and the Zephyr on the way back. Next trip, I did the reverse. You still get to see lots of new scenery because an area that you passed through overnight, is often passed through during the day going the opposite direction. There are so many options for train travel that allow us to see a big chunk of our beautiful country.
You csn also make a point of sitting on the other side of the train coming back, so that you have different views.
Allie and Rob, I am so grateful for everything you have taught me on this channel! My daughter and I got back a month ago from a Chicago to Seattle trip on the Empire Builder stopping in Glacier, then Coast Starlight to SF, and took the California Zephir back to Chicago. Unforgettable! We have so many stories to tell our family this Thanksgiving🙂
Have to agree...I got on in Wilmington DE, took the Acela to NYC, then Lakeshore Limited to Chicago...quick turn around to the Cardinal back to Wilmington. Fun trip..lots to see.
Y'all just saved me over $200!!!
Thank you for the great information.
Good advice! I took a long distance Amtrak trip last year, the California Zephyr and Lake Shore Limited, a true cross-country trip. I sprung for a bedroom and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The scenery was mind-blowing. It also did wonders for my mental health, I was rested, no stress, even my complexion cleared up, people complemented me that I look so well when I returned.
I have done this for years! It makes the planning and journey special❤️
I just finished my dream trip and I was looking for you guys all the way! Greensboro, NC, DC, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, DC Greensboro! It was 7 Trains in 10 days with only 3 hotel stays. Exhausting but fun. All done on points!
I've always booked RT with Amtrak by phone for many years on account of the type accommodations I needed. I've once booked online between L.A. & B'ham & was taken L.A. to New Orleans on The Sunset Ltd., then on The Crescent to B'ham. On the return trip, I was routed from B'ham to New Orleans on The Crescent, New Orleans to Chicago on The City Of New Orleans, then on to L.A. on the Southwest Chief. I didn't originally plan on an additional layover but thought it would be a fun diversion. I call it a not in a hurry scenic route. 2 weeks before leaving L.A. I was contacted by Amtrak & told there were no sleeper cars available on The Southwest Chief to L.A. and was given the option of going coach, a refund, or a Roomette on The Texas Eagle at no additional charge. I chose the latter. I don't mind seeing the same territory upon return trips. Sometimes I'm lucky by being placed on the opposite side of travel. I try to avoid having too many train changes during a trip since I give myself an additional day between transfers in order to avoid missed trains.
I prefer 2 one ways because anything happens h can get evoucher but harder to get another if its both ways versus different tickets be easier
My husband and I recently took m the Texas Eagle and Southwest chief from Chicago to LA. The Texas Eagle was rather a disappointment. The Southwest Chief, however, was a delight.
@@cherihabegger9856 Indeed. AMTRAK has been treating our Eagle like a bastard redheaded stepchild for years. Yet the sleepers are always booked, and coach ridership is high. I never know when my next trip will be my last. Bastards.
We're booked DAL-CHI over Thanksgiving.
I guess it depends on where you’re going. I am doing a round trip to Albuquerque, NM in the spring from Chicago. I was able to use a companion fare for both ways. If I used multiple trains (instead of Southwest Chief all the way) I would have to ride coach to one station, have a layover then catch the Southwest Chief. Not worth it in my opinion.
We recently had a round trip to Philadelphia on the Northeast Regional. Our return trip was VERY late, and there was actually a train scheduled after ours that was on time that would have gotten us home earlier. But we couldn't switch our tickets.
I am like you, crazy about traveling Amtrak. If I have the time and can afford it, it is my preferred mode of travel. Whenever I do a round trip, I plot out a different route so I can see something different.
I am retired from an airline career and can fly for free and would rather pay to take Amtrak when the routing and schedules work out.
Very helpful. Thank you!
I agree. I did the Empire Builder to Seattle, Coast Starlight to Emeryville, San Juaquines to Stocton, Throughway to Sacramento a few days later, and California Zephyr back to Chicago. I rode the City of New Orleans to and from Chicago to my start/end point of Memphis.
@@lelandrogers1078 Bucket List material. Good on yuh!
I agree that it's better to go one way for example from Atlanta to New York City and then fly back to Atlanta. I guess one could do Atlanta to NYC, then NYC to Chicago, then Chicago to New Orleans and then NOLA to ATL.
We just got home from a round trip. We started in Cleveland, OH to Chicago, IL. Then Chicago to Seattle WA. Then Seattle to Emeryville, CA. Then Emeryville back to Chicago. That was a nice beautiful trip... only the ride was very rough from Denver, CO to Chicago!!! We weren't impressed with the roomette from Seattle to Emeryville, due to being very tight for the two of us at night. Otherwise, we were very pleased with our trip otherwise with Amtrak.
how did you buy tickets? the website doesnt work.. i m going to amtrak website and over n over gives error messages
Buying round trip tickets goes back to when you received a discount if you purchased both segments at once. When I purchase airfare I always buy one way. That way I can choose a different airlines for each direction.
Thanks for the information. We just got back from a trip to Portland. We booked two one way tickets to and from Portland so I could use the coupons we had. .
It may no difference for our round-trip visit to DC from LA in terms of price but maybe using the Amtrak credit card it makes a difference & prices also are not always cheaper early because they've gone down since last month so amtrak is just pretty much all over the place! 😂love your videos, thanks for sharing ✌🏾❤
I primarily go from Omaha to Dever & back or Omaha to Chicago & back. There's only 1 train on both those routes, the California Zephyr.
Love watching your videos...helpful information..will book separate to and from trips on my next Amtrak trip.
Things I never thought of.... maybe my next big trip I'll do one way for both ways...... probably still on the same train, but will allow for more flexibility for me....
Loving Rob's Little Caesars shirt 😁
Detroit Tigers tshirt?
🤔Wow! Thank you for sharing this valuable and cost saving tip. Much appreciated! 😄
They missed the most important reason not to buy round tickets as far as I’m concerned. A few years ago I bought a round trip ticket from NYC to Niagara Falls, NY, business class. Boarded the train in NYC, conductor scanned the ticket for the trip from NYC to NF on my phone, and I was on my way. A few days later, boarded the train in NF to return to NYC. Conductor scanned the return ticket and then shot me a puzzled look and asked me if I had canceled the first leg from NYC to NF. I replied, “of course not…THAT’S how I got to NF!”. He said, according to Amtrak I canceled the first leg and that automatically canceled the RETURN ticket. I said, “no, I did not cancel that leg and I assure you the conductor scanned my ticket”, which I still had in my Apple wallet. He said there must have been an error when the conductor tried to scan my NYC to NF ticket and it didn’t register and the conductor didn’t notice it. He then said that I might not be able to stay in my seat in business class and that he would “try” to find another seat on the train but that it was pretty full. I then told him that he had better do that because I had NO intention of getting off the train until I reached NYC. About five minutes later he returned and said I could stay where I was in business class. Moral of the story, if I had purchased two SINGLE tickets the return ticket would never have been canceled!
Great story great advice good work
I had exactly the same experience in 2018. We booked the Southwest Chief from Galesburg to LA, then a Surfliner from LA to San Diego as a round trip with the return four days later (our timeline was tight and didn't allow taking a different route). After arriving in LA, a freight train derailed between LA and Fullerton, fouling all three BNSF mains. That disrupted the Surfliners as well as Metrolink. Amtrak bussed us to Anaheim where passengers for both services were piled up. Once Amtrak finally got a northbound train stopped at Fullerton, emptied and moving back southbound, they let both Amtrak and Metrolink riders onboard to relieve the pressure. They said they'd make all Amtrak AND Metrolink stops -- the only problem was that they didn't scan any tickets. Four days later when trying to check our baggage in San Diego, we got the same question -- "Did you take the train you were supposed to? Did the conductor scan your ticket?" You don't have a business class seat and you won't have a bedroom on the Chief in LA!" UGH! Once we explained what happened, she made a call, and rebooked us on the Surfliner. However, the only available room on the Chief was a family bedroom. When we got to LA, we were telling "Keith" (a supervisor in the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge) about our ordeal. He jumped on the computer and found that our original bedroom was only rebooked from Albuquerque to Chicago. He modified our rebooking to get the bedroom from LA to Albuquerque, then move to the family bedroom for the Albuquerque-Galesburg portion of the trip. We've done two long trips since then and are very careful to make sure our tickets are scanned!
Having begun to travel by Amtrak only within the last two years, I was surprised to find that there was no savings and no convenience in booking round trip vs one way trip online. I was doing it, however, to be certain of making the trip mesh together. (Trips for us begin and end at a small station that is a southern terminus for some of the Northeast Regional runs; longer trips include wait and transfer in DC or Philadelphia.) While watching the video, I realized that since Amtrak is using the usual shopping cart, I can assemble the pieces before committing to order and pay; I just didn't think about it.
@@catreader9733 Airlines quit round trip discounts years ago.
@@The_DuMont_Network I hadn't even noticed. My spouse has been doing our airline reservations ever since we retired, and round trips fit our travel plans.
What do you think about the Rail Pass. I’m planning a trip from Spokane to Boston going through Chicago. I’d like to spend a day in Chicago going both ways. I’ve been thinking about getting the rail pass. Will be going via the cheap seats.
Fabulous content as usual!
Thank you for the helpful information. Great channel! Also, I love Rob‘s T-shirt. Out of the box suggestion for a future video: Rob‘s T-shirts and where he gets them! 😀
I was able to cancel a return trip from Winnemucca after arriving there, and rebook from Reno.
Hello guys. I personally prefer booking round trip. Only one time I did 2 one way tickets, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. At the time I did not know when I would be returning. When I travel from Philadelphia to San Antonio, always round trip. during the booking process, I see multiple routes I could take. Most are 3 legged routes. I time it for a 2 legged route (Cardinal and Texas Eagle). The return trip shows another 2 legged route (Sunset Limited and Crescent). This is tempting. It would be a first for me on the Crescent. It's been 30 years since I have been on the Sunset Limited. Back then it went to Florida where I could transfer to the Silver Meteor.
What about the fact that booking early saves? Should I book both one way tickets at the same time?
I checked the singular price when booking (about 3 1/2 months in advance), $60 one way per adult on The Maple Leaf from Niagara Falls Ontario to New York in January, and also in a return booking, which was the same cost, so we booked return. Since this is our first experience with Amtrak, there are no points yet, but I'm sure it won't be our last trip.
Great info ty
Good to know. Thank you.
Do you have any coupons to spare?
;-)
On a different matter.....
I know a guy in central Michigan who is trying to get to Atlanta. The Greyhound service via Chicago is completely screwed up because of the Hurricane Helene damage. So he will most likely have to go via Detroit and D.C. Who would have thought that a hurricane could rip out interstate highways?
I didn't understand what you were saying about the companion coupons. I recently used one of those coupons for a round trip ticket for myself & another person & it was a BOGO deal for the roundtrip ticket for the person I am traveling with.
I wonder if there might be different terms on the coupons versus the deals that Amtrak sometimes runs.
The only time to purchase a round trip ticket on Amtrak is if you are using an Amtrak credit that is a one time use only.
Once you realize that there is no discount to reserving round trip, the rest comes easy. As you point out, you get more change flexibility by having separate tickets.
The T&C's of using the coupons call out that they are for One-Way travel.. that's why you usually get them in pairs.
Also note that you must book a full adult fare, I have Senior fare as my default, and have to change it.
But I can get the Senior discount when using points. So you have to be very particular when using their website for booking.
Some times calling the Guest Rewards agent is the best way to get it done.
Ok. I got nervous since I booked a roundtrip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Since there's only one train for that route, I couldn't have booked a different train. Have you 2 been to the Grand Concourse in Pittsburgh? It was the original train station in Pittsburgh. The current one downtown is pretty horrible.
Do you have a route you would recommend in January from the WestCoast to anywhere? Last year I did the CS to Seattle because my CZ train was canceled … weather… yet the CS also put us on a bus (mudslide) from Portland to Seattle. Flexibility and patience is important❤️
@Debrahall-koftinow3162 where in the west coast are you coming from. There are several trains you could take zephyr from Eneryville to Chicago, Empire builder either from Portland or Seattle to Chicago, The Southwest Cheif from LA to Chicago or Sunset Limited from LA to New Orleans. I just do not recommend taking the Texas Eagle in a room since part of the time it is flexible dinning and no observation car for a small section.
great advice. question: if you book two one ways that are part of a contiuiing connecting trip, will amtrak provide accomodation if you miss the conne tion? I booked oneway on the Cardinal from DC to Chicago last week, and then a one way on the Empire Builder to Portland. There was a five hour layover, everything was pretty much on time so no problem. But I have e,perinced significant delay in the past, so I was wonderin if amrrak guarntees the conne tion.
I understand your reasoning and, with the scenarios you mentioned, it makes sense. However, when we book a daytrip from PAK to TPA, it only makes sense to book round trip since only one train goes there and comes back on the same day. Likewise, even in we book from PAK to WPK where both Silvers go, booking round trip still lets me pick which of the Silvers I want to use each way. Since I don't have companion coupons, that is not a factor.
weve traveled in october a couple of years and its become our post-summer, off-season vacation. our plan this year was to take the Empire Builder out from chicago and then fly back primarily because we were going to be short on time home.
alas leukemia got in the way this year and we never booked. maybe NEXT fall...
I have taken the Lake Shore to Chicago from NY. then take the capitol Limited back with a connection in Washington DC.
Do you guys ever talk about the trips from VA to FL? I want to take that train with my van. Can you include content for that route too?
I’ve done this trip 3 times! The Auto Train.
Sometimes you can't help but get a rt ticket. I live in Greensboro, NC and if I'm going to FL or NY, the routes don't change Lol!! Only 1 route up or down the east coast Lol!!
Years ago round trip tickets were cheaper than two one-ways. Apparently this is no longer the case?
Is it legal for you to give those coupons to your friends?
Sounds great but unfortunately that wouldn't work for NY-ATL. Only the Crescent goes to ATL from NY so have to book roundtrip. Wish there was an alternative option.
How clean is the room on the Amtrak Trains.
They are just fine. I've found the odd paper scrap here and there, perhaps the trash can with something leftover, but all in all, the rooms are as clean as airline seats.
wipes are essential on Amtrak
I have found sleeping accommodations on Amtrak as clean as motels, except for the floors, and I expect them to be a bit gritty. Regarding seating, there are two differences. An Amtrak seat might have several occupants during one run, because passengers exit and embark at the multiple stations, so there is no opportunity for cleanup; on the other hand, the travelers seem to be usually more courteous about not leaving a mess on Amtrak. It appears to me that Amtrak provides more thorough coach cleanup between runs than do the airlines. Overall, I find Amtrak seating to be as clean or better than the airlines coach classes.
For all travel, I recommend carrying wipes, tissues, or hand sanitizer, but I admit I don't always use them.
As clean as u can see them..I was on the empire builder this June .very clean and our car attendant Suzanne kept it that way the whole time I was going to Seattle 😊
If I find something like a protein bar wrapper in the top little pouch in my room, that tells me the room was not thoroughly cleaned.
Booking only one way doesn't make sense to me if you are purchasing a sleeping compartment. It is my experience that you have to book a compartment about 10 months prior to the trip, otherwise they are all sold out. If you book a compartment one way, you will probably not get a compartment on your return trip. A personal example of this was a trip we took several years ago on the Southwest Chief to Chicago. We had a compartment (full bedroom). It was so late into Chicago that we missed our connection on the Capital Limited. Amtrak put us up overnight in a dumpy motel clear across town and then booked us on the next day's Capital Limited. The problem, however, was that the compartments for that train were all booked, so we had to ride in coach which was miserable. Amtrak refunded some of our points we had used to pay for the trip, but trying to sleep in a coach seat was not wonderful.
@@brookswilson1072 Do some shopping. There is a website which lists fare across different dates. I'll try to post it here. If you see a good fare grab it instanter. Then look for the return and book it if u can find it.
You can get instant refund if you cancel within 24 hours.
Do yourself a favor. Research on line. Close browser. Call the AMTRAK Guestrewards number. You get faster service and more malleable attendants. The AMTRAK website is a joke
How do we get companion coupons (?) for Amtrak trips? I am 82 years old so that I do not want to drive long didtance. Thanks. Dr. Ajit Thakur (USA).
Although I do not doubt that they were in the same roomette on their return trip, being sure of the wrapper ..."because I order mine from Amazon" is hardly proof. 😊
I do have a question for you guys - you mention the credit card a lot. There’s a special right now until December I think for more points than 20k (but not quite the double points special I wanted, but it’s pretty close - 35k vs 40k is a difference but I will take either one over just 20k.) and I was thinking of applying. I’ve been denied for the 40k special before and I just want to know what are some good ways to “guarantee” they’ll approve me? And I will disclose right away I will immediately try to use the $2000 in the 3 billing cycles since opening the card because that’s how those points are gotten. Plus Amtrak private room booking can be expensive at certain times so they make it easy. But yeah basically do you have any tips on how to make it so that I will be approved?
Can you use BOGO or companion coupons for a 2nd roommette?
Be aware also that if you wanna switch your day on a return trip that they will charge you an exchange fee, and in our case it was nearly as much as the one way fare just to do that. Live and learn I guess?
Don't you keep the same room type if you're booking round trip ? If you're booking each way separately, how/when do you stipulate that you'd like the same room ?
Great information but the website isn't the easiest to maneuver. Is there a list of trains and all their destinations? I find I have to keep trying different dates and times and locations to get where I need to be. It's exhausting. Where do I find the list? Thanks
How do you get the companion coupons? I’ve never gotten one.
They say on video you get them through Amtrak credit card
Where can I get coupon? Would like some information please
Is there any use for a companion coupon if I travel alone?
would a round trip be worth it for a 1st time train traveler (roomette)going from alton, il to tucson, az is there alternative trains? also would you or could you buy the tickets at the same time or around same time? thanks any other advice
I was going to book a RT frm NYC to Orlando, FL for December 12th and returning on the 15th. Should I book one way tickets only or is this peak season as its December? Not sure what to do?
Amtrak currently is offering 35,000 points instead of the 20,000 points it normally does for their credit card. Do you recommend signing up gor the credit card now or waiting for the 50,000 points?
Do it now. The 50k offer hasn't happened again in the last couple years. You can earn the additional 15k points in less than a year no problem.
Where do you get the coupons?
I love your videos. If I ever get someone to travel with I’ll be on the train.
@@shirleymiller7279 Don't fear traveling alone, especially in the sleepers. The attendants are there for you. Fewer passengers per attendant. Get on AMTRAK Unlimited discussion group. You can find a companion.
We've taken many Amtrak trips & never once had an issue booking a roundtrip ticket.
If you do not book round trip, you can consider booking two tickets, one for your travel companion to return. How many stops to Bosta bosta bosta BOsta Bosta?
I will say, I did a round trip from Charlotte to NYC and it let me book the Carolinian there and the Crescent back
Does this apply to all routes?
I'm handicapped and if I book a room for handicap and when I come to the train station I found out that there's some in the room what would Amtrak Will do for me.
That would be decided by amtrak customer service when you talk to them.
If the occupant is a squatter, hte will be removed forthwith by train crew. if somehow the person was booked, they do try to move a non handicapped person in favor of the handicapped.Otherwise AMTRAK needs to accommodate you somehow.
I would like some of those companion coupons LOL
Wouldn't this mean that I have to pay two different prices to return home. It seems to me it would be more expensive. I'm a little confused. 😔
They want an extra $350 for a round trip from Tampa to Cleveland. A one way with a private room is $900 and the round trip with a private room is $1250.
Why is it so had to collect Rewards Points?
You must live in or around Chicago. Most of the country does NOT have your oppertunities.
The wrapper proves the rooms are NOT cleaned very well. Sanitary? Highly doubtful. Gross. I’m too much of a ‘clean’ person to take these trips I’ve always wanted to do
They are no worse than the average hotel room. In fact, the linens are fresher, the blankets are cleaned and delivered in plastic bags, linens are always fresh. One pissy little candy wrapper left in a fairly inaccessible bag does not an unsanitary room.
I always bring a travel size pack of lysol wipes or something like that whether I'm flying or taking the train. Planes are not cleaned well enough either.
I clean my own personal space when I first board the plane or train. I also wipe down high touch surfaces in my hotel rooms.
Sounds like your option is driving your own car. A wrapped left in a pouch is not a good enough reason for me to avoid taking the train.
I travel amtrak sparingly. There are numerous reasons beyond ones stated here.
I have several places I travel. There is no monetary benefit in booking one way for any of them
Forgive me but booking round trip tickes "are" not a mistake, however, it "is" a mistake... maybe.
Great information thank you. However, I am still stuck on the fact that the "garbage" that you left in the pouch on your first trip was still there on your second trip lol. I still love Amtrak though. 😀🚅
This is great to know !! Thank you so much !! 👍👍😀💜🥁🐉🎤🎶🚈💕💞
Thanks for the great info.