Newbie Question

[KWBud]

This should be an easy question, but I want to be sure I understand the process.

It says that if I buy a rail pass I still need tickets. So, I'm assuming that the rail pass does not get me onto a train. So that means that a (say) 45 Day (18 segment) Rail Pass would be good for a month and a half or 18 trips, but that tickets are still required.

So, my question is, if I want to take off and see the country by rail, how does the Pass work. Can I, (for instance) leave Miami for Chicago take the Empire Builder to Belton and get off the train for a week and then (when I decide to continue) get a ticket at Belton to continue on to the Coast Starlight and take the California Zephyr back to Chicago and then return to Miami?

In this case, what is a segment? Miami to Washington (1), Washington to Chicago (2), Chicago to Belton (3), Belton to Portland (4), Portland to Emeryville(5), Emeryville to Chicago (6), Chicago to Washington (7) and Washington to Miami (8)?

So that would leave 10 segments for side trips or other ininerant stops?

If I am staying in Belton (Glacier National Park) for a few days, how much notice do I need for a "ticket" to continue on? Or does that depend on the amount of room on the train?

I'm also assuming that all travel would be coach. How difficult is it to upgrade along the way? Can I reserve an upgrade well ahead of time? Or, whit a Pass, does it have to be done on the train?

Are there any side trips that would be especially interesting?

--

Bud

 

[user 2160]

This should be an easy question, but I want to be sure I understand the process.
It says that if I buy a rail pass I still need tickets. So, I'm assuming that the rail pass does not get me onto a train. So that means that a (say) 45 Day (18 segment) Rail Pass would be good for a month and a half or 18 trips, but that tickets are still required.

So, my question is, if I want to take off and see the country by rail, how does the Pass work. Can I, (for instance) leave Miami for Chicago take the Empire Builder to Belton and get off the train for a week and then (when I decide to continue) get a ticket at Belton to continue on to the Coast Starlight and take the California Zephyr back to Chicago and then return to Miami?

In this case, what is a segment? Miami to Washington (1), Washington to Chicago (2), Chicago to Belton (3), Belton to Portland (4), Portland to Emeryville(5), Emeryville to Chicago (6), Chicago to Washington (7) and Washington to Miami (8)?

So that would leave 10 segments for side trips or other ininerant stops?

If I am staying in Belton (Glacier National Park) for a few days, how much notice do I need for a "ticket" to continue on? Or does that depend on the amount of room on the train?

I'm also assuming that all travel would be coach. How difficult is it to upgrade along the way? Can I reserve an upgrade well ahead of time? Or, whit a Pass, does it have to be done on the train?

Are there any side trips that would be especially interesting?

--

Bud

every change of trains (or bus) is a segment

tickets available for railpasses are limited for each train, altho you can upgrade to a regular coach fare for a nominal fee if such seats are not available

you don't need much notice for a ticket as long as they are actually available

 

[the_traveler]

As said, each change to a new train or bus is a segment. Example - Chicago to LA can be done on the SWC, so that is only one segment. However, to go from Sacramento, CA to San Francisco would require you to take 1 train from Sacramento to Emeryville, CA and change to a bus for the ride across the Bay - thus that would be 2 segments.

AFAIK - and I could be wrong - the Pass only covers the lowest fare for that segment (what is called low bucket). If for example, low bucket for a specific segment is $79, but if the current fare is in a higher bucket (say $99), besides using the Pass, you would have to pay $20 more.

Thus it is always best to reserve as soon as you can. The fare for that segment may be $79 now, but later it may be $99 or $113!

 

[KWBud]

As said, each change to a new train or bus is a segment. Example - Chicago to LA can be done on the SWC, so that is only one segment. However, to go from Sacramento, CA to San Francisco would require you to take 1 train from Sacramento to Emeryville, CA and change to a bus for the ride across the Bay - thus that would be 2 segments.

So, as in my original example, Miami to Washington would be one segment, etc. The whole trip could be done in 8 segments? That would work.

AFAIK - and I could be wrong - the Pass only covers the lowest fare for that segment (what is called low bucket). If for example, low bucket for a specific segment is $79, but if the current fare is in a higher bucket (say $99), besides using the Pass, you would have to pay $20 more.

If, so, then I doubt that the pass would be worthwhile for me. I'm interested in flexibility and if I need to plan the exact details of a summer trip now, then I'll probably just drive.

Thus it is always best to reserve as soon as you can. The fare for that segment may be $79 now, but later it may be $99 or $113!

My motto? Indecision is the key to flexibility!

Anyhow if one needs to buy the Pass and then pay incremental increases in fare on top of that, it would seem to be of very little value. I understand paying for onboard upgrades such as Business Class or Sleepers or the like, but paying extra for coach somehow doesn't seem like a good deal.

Am I missing something?

--

Bud

 

[the_traveler]

My motto? Indecision is the key to flexibility!
Anyhow if one needs to buy the Pass and then pay incremental increases in fare on top of that, it would seem to be of very little value. I understand paying for onboard upgrades such as Business Class or Sleepers or the like, but paying extra for coach somehow doesn't seem like a good deal.

Am I missing something?

For me, flexibility is the key also. For some trips (such as if you wanted to go from say WAS-PGH, stop for a few days, go PGH-CLE, stop for a few days, go CLE-CHI, stop for a few days, go CHI-DEN, stop for a couple days, etc...), it may be cheaper than a point to point fare for each. In some cases, it may not be better. You should always compare the two fares.

As far as having to buy and plan so far in the future, anyone (even I) plan months in the future for a trip to get the best fare. And I can still have flexibility - only the fare for that train may be much higher, or that train may be sold out!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Basically the_traveler is right, as usual, but he didn't mention his usuual pointer about AGR points so I will. You will get rail points for the Rail Pass, X2 if a promo is in effect, any upgrades (ie biz class,sleeper) will also add points. I f you pay with your AGR Master Card (its worth it and I dont work for CHASE! )you get double points for all Amtrak charges

(ie meals/snacks/souviners,drinks etc)not just rail fare.It can add up on a long trip, this summer I got over 7,000 rail points on my Great Western Adventure!

I have used rail passes several times,never had to pay for upgrades in coach but did plan in advance as the_traveler said. In the summer almost all of the popular LD trains are full and prices are high but I paid low bucket for Every segment I took this summer on the Sunset Ltd/Coast Starlight/Cascades/Empire Builder/Texas Eagle. Same thing this fall on the loophole trip (part paid/part AGR) from Texas to Kansas City/LA/Portland/Columbus,WI/Chicago/Texas.

That's what I consider flexibility in travel, being willing to plan/schedule and be ready for contingencies when traveling,

it's actually part of the fun of travel IMHO! I'm leaving next week on another trip, Texas-CHI-Washington-New Orleans-Texas which I planned LAST WEEK, and it's all @ Low Bucket Prices!