rrdude
Engineer
Is it still possible to make reservations, via the toll-free #, withOUT actually putting the charge on your credit card?
Yes, and they hold them for 7 days. They'll tend to ask you for a credit card payment, though. Just politely say you just want to hold at this time while you finalize your plans.Is it still possible to make reservations, via the toll-free #, withOUT actually putting the charge on your credit card?
I made reservations on the Autotrain southbound last week. Because I was more than 11 months out for the return trip I asked them to hold my reservation for the 7 days. This Wednesday will be the seventh day and is the first day I can book the return trip and will finish the reservation then and pay for it using my CC. I reserved under the name of Mickey Mouse, so are there any guesses where we'll be staying during part of out stay in Florida? :lol:Is it still possible to make reservations, via the toll-free #, withOUT actually putting the charge on your credit card?
Sea World? :lol: Enjoy Dizzyland!!I made reservations on the Autotrain southbound last week. Because I was more than 11 months out for the return trip I asked them to hold my reservation for the 7 days. This Wednesday will be the seventh day and is the first day I can book the return trip and will finish the reservation then and pay for it using my CC. I reserved under the name of Mickey Mouse, so are there any guesses where we'll be staying during part of out stay in Florida? :lol:Is it still possible to make reservations, via the toll-free #, withOUT actually putting the charge on your credit card?
I won't be doing Sea World, but our son who along with his girlfreind who will be joining us from Los Angeles may do it pre-Disney while we're at an Orlando hotel where we all will be staying at for an Elk's Convention!Sea World? :lol: Enjoy Dizzyland!!I made reservations on the Autotrain southbound last week. Because I was more than 11 months out for the return trip I asked them to hold my reservation for the 7 days. This Wednesday will be the seventh day and is the first day I can book the return trip and will finish the reservation then and pay for it using my CC. I reserved under the name of Mickey Mouse, so are there any guesses where we'll be staying during part of out stay in Florida? :lol:Is it still possible to make reservations, via the toll-free #, withOUT actually putting the charge on your credit card?
My experience is the same on various long distance trains, Alan. The number of days they will hold a reservations does vary.It is still possible to make reservations via the toll free number without paying, but please be aware that the 7-day rule isn't an ironclad deal anymore. Amtrak got tired of people making multiple unpaid reservations on the NEC, and in particular on Acela, to hedge their bets about which train they'd get and to lock in lower prices.
So about two years ago the rules were changed. The time limit is now variable depending on the route and the demand for a particular train on the route. The computer will give the agent the time limit. Most are quite good at telling you when the reservation had to be paid by, but if they don't tell you, ASK. Don't assume that you're going to get 7 days.
In fact during my recent fun and games with the VIA Rail strike, I could only get Amtrak to hold my unpaid alternate reservation on the EB & LSL for 2 days. I unfortunately really needed 3 days, since the strike was scheduled for Friday and my unpaid reservation expired Thursday night. So I was forced to pay for the reservation on Thursday, even though I still wasn't sure that I was going to actually use it.
They did that to me on a reservation for a trip last month. I was leaving from an unstaffed station and it was three days out so the agent told me to call back up at one day out and have the agent reset the timer so it would hold it for me to pay on the train.In fact during my recent fun and games with the VIA Rail strike, I could only get Amtrak to hold my unpaid alternate reservation on the EB & LSL for 2 days. I unfortunately really needed 3 days, since the strike was scheduled for Friday and my unpaid reservation expired Thursday night. So I was forced to pay for the reservation on Thursday, even though I still wasn't sure that I was going to actually use it.
Can I still assume that if I make a reservation on the telephone and am told that it is good for 7 days, that the fare I am quoted is good for seven days ("locked in"), even if the fare bucket sells out and current reservations are for the next higher bucket? I have a reservation for coach on the Keystone and Crescent, and it seems that there are only six seats still available at the lowest bucket.It is still possible to make reservations via the toll free number without paying, but please be aware that the 7-day rule isn't an ironclad deal anymore. Amtrak got tired of people making multiple unpaid reservations on the NEC, and in particular on Acela, to hedge their bets about which train they'd get and to lock in lower prices.
You are usually safe but I assume nothing that I don't see in writing. I always ask for an e-mail confirmation and that document states the "must purchase by" date.Can I still assume that if I make a reservation on the telephone and am told that it is good for 7 days, that the fare I am quoted is good for seven days ("locked in"), even if the fare bucket sells out and current reservations are for the next higher bucket? I have a reservation for coach on the Keystone and Crescent, and it seems that there are only six seats still available at the lowest bucket.It is still possible to make reservations via the toll free number without paying, but please be aware that the 7-day rule isn't an ironclad deal anymore. Amtrak got tired of people making multiple unpaid reservations on the NEC, and in particular on Acela, to hedge their bets about which train they'd get and to lock in lower prices.
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