Hi everyone!
I've been on here a while but haven't posted much. We enjoyed our trip in 2018 (California Zephyr to DEN, week and a half road trip, then Empire Builder back from WFH) and are now interested in returning from a Route 66 trip by rail in May of next year, departing from either SAN or LAX. My preferred route would be driving down the coast from LA to San Diego, then taking the 6:05 train the next morning back to LAX, connecting to the 14 Coast Starlight to EMY, then the California Zephyr leaving the following morning all the way to CHI. Here are my questions:
1) Is there a way to book a multi-segment ticket with points? The option "Use points" disappears when you click the Multi City search form. Is there even an advantage to this rather than separate one-ways (i.e., are connections protected)? I'm seeing conflicting info on this. I'm OK with being on the hook for accommodations in the event of a delay but just don't want their delay to cost me my connecting ticket.
2) Is there a way to combine points and cash? I won't have enough points for the full itinerary. (If not, I'll just book separate tickets for each segment.)
3) Is there a way to filter out bus connections? From SAN-EMY, I'm only seeing the bus to Bakersfield, then the San Joaquin, rather than the quicker route through LA. If I book these separately, how often is SAN-LAX delayed? (Connection is 1 hour 10 min, unless I take the 4:05 departure.)
Another option I see when searching LAX-CHI directly (besides the Southwest Chief) is the Coast Starlight all the way to PDX, connecting to the Empire Builder. Connection is only an hour and a bit, which seems risky on a LD arrival, but if it's protected, then that's an option.
4) Finally, would I earn points on the full amount I booked on my account, or is it like the airline programs where each ticketed passenger earns his own points? (I'm planning on traveling with my wife in a Roomette and her parents in a second Roomette, so it'd be nice to get credit for both.)
Thanks in advance!
I've been on here a while but haven't posted much. We enjoyed our trip in 2018 (California Zephyr to DEN, week and a half road trip, then Empire Builder back from WFH) and are now interested in returning from a Route 66 trip by rail in May of next year, departing from either SAN or LAX. My preferred route would be driving down the coast from LA to San Diego, then taking the 6:05 train the next morning back to LAX, connecting to the 14 Coast Starlight to EMY, then the California Zephyr leaving the following morning all the way to CHI. Here are my questions:
1) Is there a way to book a multi-segment ticket with points? The option "Use points" disappears when you click the Multi City search form. Is there even an advantage to this rather than separate one-ways (i.e., are connections protected)? I'm seeing conflicting info on this. I'm OK with being on the hook for accommodations in the event of a delay but just don't want their delay to cost me my connecting ticket.
2) Is there a way to combine points and cash? I won't have enough points for the full itinerary. (If not, I'll just book separate tickets for each segment.)
3) Is there a way to filter out bus connections? From SAN-EMY, I'm only seeing the bus to Bakersfield, then the San Joaquin, rather than the quicker route through LA. If I book these separately, how often is SAN-LAX delayed? (Connection is 1 hour 10 min, unless I take the 4:05 departure.)
Another option I see when searching LAX-CHI directly (besides the Southwest Chief) is the Coast Starlight all the way to PDX, connecting to the Empire Builder. Connection is only an hour and a bit, which seems risky on a LD arrival, but if it's protected, then that's an option.
4) Finally, would I earn points on the full amount I booked on my account, or is it like the airline programs where each ticketed passenger earns his own points? (I'm planning on traveling with my wife in a Roomette and her parents in a second Roomette, so it'd be nice to get credit for both.)
Thanks in advance!