ThayerATM
OBS Chief
I know that we can't book a trip before 11 months out. But how does Amtrak define "11 months out?"
I'm planning a trip next year, and we'll be spending a couple of days in each of three cities (FMD, LAX, SEA) along the way, as well as the usual two layovers in CHI. This involves a six leg journey. I'm planning on making the reservations in increments.
In order to get the train accomodations that I'd prefer, I'd like to book on the first day available for Amtrak reservations. Amtrak tells me that the earliest date is the same date of the month, but 11 months out. I've heard some of the members say that there's a time of day involved. Is that true?
For instance --- if our first train would depart on August 15, 2011 at 11:00 PM, would I make THAT reservation on
September 15, 2010 after 11:00 PM. Could I make THAT reservations earlier in the day on September 15th? I know that I can't book the whole trip all at one time 'till 11 months out from the departure time of the last train.
I know I'm getting awfully picky, but I'd like to book before the travel agents tie up some of the reservations. I booked 10 months out for a trip we took last year, and I DID have to get on a waiting list to get a regular bedroom on the Empire Builder. We were able to book the family bedroom originally, but we didn't need the extra berths, and we did want our own "head." We got "upgraded" to a regular bedroom upstairs, four weeks before departure --- at a savings of over $500.
If it makes any difference, the legs are ROC to CHI, CHI to FMD, FMD to LAX, LAX to SEA, SEA to CHI, and CHI to ROC.
And NO, I won't have any of the six legs ticketed 'till we arrive at the first station. Paid for, certainly. Ticketed, no. :lol:
I'm planning a trip next year, and we'll be spending a couple of days in each of three cities (FMD, LAX, SEA) along the way, as well as the usual two layovers in CHI. This involves a six leg journey. I'm planning on making the reservations in increments.
In order to get the train accomodations that I'd prefer, I'd like to book on the first day available for Amtrak reservations. Amtrak tells me that the earliest date is the same date of the month, but 11 months out. I've heard some of the members say that there's a time of day involved. Is that true?
For instance --- if our first train would depart on August 15, 2011 at 11:00 PM, would I make THAT reservation on
September 15, 2010 after 11:00 PM. Could I make THAT reservations earlier in the day on September 15th? I know that I can't book the whole trip all at one time 'till 11 months out from the departure time of the last train.
I know I'm getting awfully picky, but I'd like to book before the travel agents tie up some of the reservations. I booked 10 months out for a trip we took last year, and I DID have to get on a waiting list to get a regular bedroom on the Empire Builder. We were able to book the family bedroom originally, but we didn't need the extra berths, and we did want our own "head." We got "upgraded" to a regular bedroom upstairs, four weeks before departure --- at a savings of over $500.
If it makes any difference, the legs are ROC to CHI, CHI to FMD, FMD to LAX, LAX to SEA, SEA to CHI, and CHI to ROC.
And NO, I won't have any of the six legs ticketed 'till we arrive at the first station. Paid for, certainly. Ticketed, no. :lol:
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