I'm booking an airfare to LAX and a Starlight trip up to my old hometown of Paso Robles. As I indicated in another thread or two, I've been wanting to test out the Parlour Car, so I'd like to book a roomette on the return (my outbound leg is too close to my flight, so I don't want to chance missing the train and being out the cost of the sleeper).
However, if the Parlour Car is not in the consist, I don't want to waste the $70 (it appears it's low bucket) on the sleeper on a daylight (1:30pm-9pm) trip (well, it's only a waste of maybe $30, I guess, as I can get lunch and dinner, at ~$20 per meal, out of it).
So, assuming the restart of full LAX-SEA train service and/or the relaunch of the Starlight as a premier train (I'm a bit confused on the dates, even after re-skimming the appropriate threads--which is happening when?) goes smoothly, what is the status of the PPC? Can I expect it (with reasonable certainty, anyway, barring a bad-ordered car or something) in the consist, or is it going to be awhile before the cars make it back in full rotation?
Since it's at low bucket now, I have the feeling I should buy now. However, would I be better off attempting an on-board upgrade only if the PPC is in the consist? (Basically, if there's, maybe, a 50% chance the PPC will be in the train, I'd be willing to book the roomette, but if the PPCs are mostly still at Beech Grove and there's only one in circulation, then no.)
Like any good little Amtrak traveler, I went ahead and booked two reservations (on my new AGR MC, natch), one round-trip LAX-PRB in coach and one LAX-PRB with a roomette on the return (Car 1130, Room 006--where is this room in the car and should I call and ask to be moved? I'll hopefully be in the PPC or Sightseer Lounge for most of the trip, though), so I've bought myself a bit of time for the decision (trip's at the end of May). I would have booked separate outbound and returns, but PRB is unstaffed/un-kiosked and it was going to force me to have it mailed (which I obviously don't want to do because of the 10% penalty on refunds, nevermind that it might not even make it in the mail to me and back before the 7-day cancellation window)...although I'm a little concerned that if I miss the outbound Starlight and have to exchange the Starlight ticket for a Surfliner ticket, they'll reticket the return leg, too, jacking my fare up or something. Would it be better for me to book separately and have them hold the ticket for pick-up at LAX (since I'll be passing through LAX on the outbound, obviously)? Can someone remind me how to do that--do I need to call and book the reservation on the phone, or can I book it online and call them before they mail it?
I know this is a mess of questions, and I've hung around here and FT long enough that I should know the answers, but it's always a little different when you're booking your own stuff ('cause it can hit your pocketbook!). Any recommendations on the best way to handle this situation?
(For those who like short lists and bullet points, here's a recap and an attempt to untangle the above mess of questions:
Thanks much in advance!
However, if the Parlour Car is not in the consist, I don't want to waste the $70 (it appears it's low bucket) on the sleeper on a daylight (1:30pm-9pm) trip (well, it's only a waste of maybe $30, I guess, as I can get lunch and dinner, at ~$20 per meal, out of it).
So, assuming the restart of full LAX-SEA train service and/or the relaunch of the Starlight as a premier train (I'm a bit confused on the dates, even after re-skimming the appropriate threads--which is happening when?) goes smoothly, what is the status of the PPC? Can I expect it (with reasonable certainty, anyway, barring a bad-ordered car or something) in the consist, or is it going to be awhile before the cars make it back in full rotation?
Since it's at low bucket now, I have the feeling I should buy now. However, would I be better off attempting an on-board upgrade only if the PPC is in the consist? (Basically, if there's, maybe, a 50% chance the PPC will be in the train, I'd be willing to book the roomette, but if the PPCs are mostly still at Beech Grove and there's only one in circulation, then no.)
Like any good little Amtrak traveler, I went ahead and booked two reservations (on my new AGR MC, natch), one round-trip LAX-PRB in coach and one LAX-PRB with a roomette on the return (Car 1130, Room 006--where is this room in the car and should I call and ask to be moved? I'll hopefully be in the PPC or Sightseer Lounge for most of the trip, though), so I've bought myself a bit of time for the decision (trip's at the end of May). I would have booked separate outbound and returns, but PRB is unstaffed/un-kiosked and it was going to force me to have it mailed (which I obviously don't want to do because of the 10% penalty on refunds, nevermind that it might not even make it in the mail to me and back before the 7-day cancellation window)...although I'm a little concerned that if I miss the outbound Starlight and have to exchange the Starlight ticket for a Surfliner ticket, they'll reticket the return leg, too, jacking my fare up or something. Would it be better for me to book separately and have them hold the ticket for pick-up at LAX (since I'll be passing through LAX on the outbound, obviously)? Can someone remind me how to do that--do I need to call and book the reservation on the phone, or can I book it online and call them before they mail it?
I know this is a mess of questions, and I've hung around here and FT long enough that I should know the answers, but it's always a little different when you're booking your own stuff ('cause it can hit your pocketbook!). Any recommendations on the best way to handle this situation?
(For those who like short lists and bullet points, here's a recap and an attempt to untangle the above mess of questions:
- What is the chance the PPC will be in the consist (May 27 southbound PRB-LAX)
- Given that I may not make the outbound Starlight from LAX and that PRB is unstaffed, what is the best way of booking a round-trip (May 25-May 27) itinerary with a sleeper upgrade on the return leg?How do I book the two legs separately without having them mail the tickets for the return?
- If I book as a single itinerary and miss the outbound Starlight, how will exchanging the tickets for a different outbound train (the later Surfliner) affect the upgraded return leg of the Starlight?
Thanks much in advance!
This was reserved in September, and cancelled before the end of the year.)
