First Nation Trip in 2010

[TransitRider]

I am in works to travel on Amtrak in Feburary 2010 for a "TransitRider Tour 2010" and what I came down to this:

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

92 Silver Star (TPA - WAS)

Depart:

5:17 pm, Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Arrive:

3:14 pm, Thursday, February 4, 2010

Duration:

21 hr, 57 min

Amenities

* 1 Senior

$90.10

* 1 Bedroom

$488.00

* Subtotal

$578.10

Sunday, February 7, 2010

29 Capitol Limited (WAS - CHI)

Depart:

4:05 pm, Sunday, February 7, 2010

Arrive:

8:45 am, Monday, February 8, 2010

Duration:

17 hr, 40 min

Amenities

7 Empire Builder (CHI - SEA)

Depart:

2:15 pm, Monday, February 8, 2010

Arrive:

10:25 am, Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Duration:

46 hr, 10 min

Amenities

* 1 Senior

$164.05

* 2 Bedrooms

$725.00

* Subtotal

$889.05

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

8 Empire Builder (SEA - CHI)

Depart:

4:40 pm, Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Arrive:

3:55 pm, Friday, February 12, 2010

Duration:

45 hr, 15 min

Amenities

59 City Of New Orleans (CHI - NOL)

Depart:

8:00 pm, Friday, February 12, 2010

Arrive:

3:32 pm, Saturday, February 13, 2010

Duration:

19 hr, 32 min

Amenities

* 1 Senior

$219.30

* 2 Bedrooms

$619.00

* Subtotal

$838.30

Sunday, February 14, 2010

20 Crescent (NOL - WAS)

Depart:

7:05 am, Sunday, February 14, 2010

Arrive:

10:10 am, Monday, February 15, 2010

Duration:

26 hr, 5 min

Amenities

91 Silver Star (WAS - TPA)

Depart:

3:00 pm, Monday, February 15, 2010

Arrive:

12:34 pm, Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Duration:

21 hr, 34 min

Amenities

* 1 Senior

$196.35

* 2 Bedrooms

$1,243.00

* Subtotal

$1439.35

Terms & Conditions

Total

$3,744.80

What do you think? is this a good trip? I have a reservation pending until I make a final decision tommorrow and purchase the ticket. Also, how many AGR points I would generate for this trip?

Any advice is appreicated, thanks!

 

[Neil_M]

Maybe there is an obvious answer, but you go from one bedroom to two, is that intentional?!

Adds to the cost a fair bit if you only need one!

 

[AlanB]

You'll only earn points for the first bedroom, who ever is listed second on the reservation will earn points for the second bedroom, assuming that they are an AGR member and you provide their number. There is no way for you to earn points for both bedrooms.

As for the trip, it seems like a nice trip covering lots of ground.

 

[Rail Freak]

Sounds great!!!

Last year, I took TPA-WAS-CHI-SEA-SAC-CHI-WAS-TPA! Only night off the train was one night in SEA! 11 Days & LOVED IT!!!!

RF

 

[TransitRider]

Maybe there is an obvious answer, but you go from one bedroom to two, is that intentional?!Adds to the cost a fair bit if you only need one!

Well, I wanted to book bedroom on entire trip so I can earn more points that way.

 

[Rail Freak]

Also a little tip I found on this forum: Check a bag (or two) to Seattle & carry one with ya, then switch in Seattle grabbing the clean clothes bag & check the bag of dirty clothes back to TPA! That way you avoid doing laundry during your trip!

RF

 

[Bob Dylan]

Its a nice trip, but I dont get why 1 Bedroom on the Silver Train, then 2 after that? ALso roomettes can be had cheaper so unless you really need lots of room (theres always the family bedroom or the H room that are usually cheaper also)

why not consider a roomette on the one night parts of the trip?

Also for the Empire Builder, you might consider doing both trains (#7/#28) to see different scenery The low bucket on a roomette on this train is $216, bedroomm $476. You could also fit in a Talgo ride PDX-SEA which is a good trip also!

A roundtrip on the EB with no nights off the train is pretty tiring, think about @ least one night in SEA or PDX, as much as I love trains I try to break up my trips unless they are an AGR award where you have to stay on the trains long as the points hold up and the train keeps rolling! Any questions, weve got lots of experts here, some are even correct once in awhile! :lol:

 

[Neil_M]

Maybe there is an obvious answer, but you go from one bedroom to two, is that intentional?!Adds to the cost a fair bit if you only need one!

Well, I wanted to book bedroom on entire trip so I can earn more points that way.

Fair enough, but on the first leg of your trip you have one room booked, then from Washington you go to two.

Thats what I was asking about!

 

[TransitRider]

Thanks all for the tips and advices. I am looking forward to the trip and I'll share the story blog and photos will be on my site so you all can enjoy reading and see the pictures as well.

Thanks again