Recent content by Carolyn Bryat

CHICAGO? What is going on with Chicago hotel prices? We are departing CUS June 10, and I'd hoped to stay in Chicago June 9...Nothing Near the station for less than $355 (not including tax)...I've stayed at the LaQuinta many times over the years, but never paid over $275 for my room.....Any...

A roomette is fine for one person for one night. I generally go for a bedroom (E is my pick if possible) when traveling 2 nights. The cost is crazy these days compared to even a year ago. Try booking a roomette then doing a bidup to a bedroom to save a few dollars. I'm currently on the...

New locomotive engines that can handle N Dakota and Montana winters. New coaches sleeper cars dining cars and sightseer lounges. Expand routes in the Midwest "flyover" zones. Hire and train more on board staff and mechanic staff. Convince Congress to subsidize Amtrak at a criticality...

Fun? Yes..I write this as I ride a transfer bus from Janesville WI to Chicago to board the CZ to Glenwood springs for a 2 night stop then back to Chicago and WI. Just returned from Seattle on the EB 6 weeks ago. Next up in June ..New Orleans on the CONO with my 3 grandkids. I do about 5 or 6...

I'm riding the CZ from Chicago to Glenwood Sprgs tomorrow, so I've been watching to know how things are going recently. Sad to see it was down this morning. Love this Site!!

While I was about 2400 points short of the 20,000 points needed, received Select Executive status (3rd year in a row!) Received today from Amtrak Guest Rewards! "Carolyn, You earned a lot of Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) in 2023. Although you didn’t have quite enough to earn Select...

We experienced a similar situation last March. We were traveling CHI to NOL on the CONO. Found out noon the day we were supposed to leave at 8pm that a satellite went down, stopping every single train leaving or arriving at Chicago. We waited until 7pm, being told that they "thought" we would...

I just returned December 11, 2023 from Seattle (to Columbus WI) on the EB, where I bidup from a Roomette to a Bedroom. Interesting thing happened, it said the LOW bid amount was $292.00, which I didn't want to pay, BUT at the bottom of the email, I was offered an immediate purchase of $256.00...

I'll be on the SW Chief this Thursday with my 3 grandkids, CHI to ABQ.......(my birthday on 8/11, celebrating in the diner!!) .returning on 8/20. Looks like we missed the boat (er the TRAIN!) ..he was riding Last Week!?!

I traveled the EB from Columbus WI to Seattle in January. Booked roomettes both ways back in early Sept...Watched Amtrak's site daily. Two days before Thanksgiving, the price one way dropped $250, and 3 days later the price dropped $250 the other way. In each instance, I called Cust Service, and...

Ok...didn't think so. Wishful thinking! 🙃

Question....do you receive TQP's if you "Paid" for your trip using points? I can't seem to find that answer anywhere. Thanks!!

Whoo Hoo! I received the same message. I was bumped up to Executive even though I was a couple thousand short!! Now if the sleeper long distance prices would just go down a bit!

I've stayed at the Izaak Walton at Essex MT (take the EB) in winter a few times. It's sweet, but not much to do unless you're into cross country skiing. They are not currently supplying rental cars, so you can't venture out from the Inn. By the way, I LOVE the Izaak!!!