Two friends are taking #5/#30 from EMY to CVS leaving next Monday. They are sharing a roomette on both legs. One friend is in his eighties and about 6'3". (The other is much younger and shorter.) They have tried to upgrade to a bedroom on both legs (total three nights)but none are available. Amtrak advised them to try an onboard upgrade. Based on that, I gave them the following advice, but am now wondering if I could have provided better advice. Hence, I'd love any input y'all can provide.
Here is the advice I gave in an email, based on what I've read on this forum (I've never done an onboard upgrade myself):
"I suggest you let your SCA (Sleeping Car Attendant) know when you board that you’d like an upgrade and politely ask him if it’s possible to check with the Conductor. He may be able to pave the way for you once he understands it’s because you are such a big guy you’d really need a bigger room. The family room would be very nice, but it’s downstairs and would require going up and down to get to the lounge and dining cars. But even a standard bedroom upstairs will be roomier than the roomette.
Conductors are in charge of all accommodations once on board. They have to work with an extremely antiquated system whereby they contact Amtrak by phone to see if something is available and at what price. (The price should always be the lowest bucket.) Since the train originates where you are boarding, the conductor will be very busy with ticket work for at least the first couple of hours, and it’s best to leave him be. You then may then have to follow up with him/her throughout the day, as he/she will probably be busy again at SAC, and maybe a no-show will come up at some intermediate stop.
If you’re not successful initially, check again for the second night. Conductors have a lot of leeway in deciding whether to go to the trouble of booking a room, doing all the paperwork, and collecting the additional fare, so do try to stay on his/her good side. They’re not allowed to take tips, but if the SCA helps you, they can."
Was this on the mark? Or are there other factors to consider that I overlooked? Also, is it ever cost-advantageous to go for a second roomette rather than a bedroom, just to spread out during the day and so both parties can have the lower berth?
Any further advice would be appreciated. I'll be letting my friends know about this thread so they can follow it for themselves. Needless to say, they are excited about the trip, not having done sleeper rail travel for decades.
Many thanks.
Here is the advice I gave in an email, based on what I've read on this forum (I've never done an onboard upgrade myself):
"I suggest you let your SCA (Sleeping Car Attendant) know when you board that you’d like an upgrade and politely ask him if it’s possible to check with the Conductor. He may be able to pave the way for you once he understands it’s because you are such a big guy you’d really need a bigger room. The family room would be very nice, but it’s downstairs and would require going up and down to get to the lounge and dining cars. But even a standard bedroom upstairs will be roomier than the roomette.
Conductors are in charge of all accommodations once on board. They have to work with an extremely antiquated system whereby they contact Amtrak by phone to see if something is available and at what price. (The price should always be the lowest bucket.) Since the train originates where you are boarding, the conductor will be very busy with ticket work for at least the first couple of hours, and it’s best to leave him be. You then may then have to follow up with him/her throughout the day, as he/she will probably be busy again at SAC, and maybe a no-show will come up at some intermediate stop.
If you’re not successful initially, check again for the second night. Conductors have a lot of leeway in deciding whether to go to the trouble of booking a room, doing all the paperwork, and collecting the additional fare, so do try to stay on his/her good side. They’re not allowed to take tips, but if the SCA helps you, they can."
Was this on the mark? Or are there other factors to consider that I overlooked? Also, is it ever cost-advantageous to go for a second roomette rather than a bedroom, just to spread out during the day and so both parties can have the lower berth?
Any further advice would be appreciated. I'll be letting my friends know about this thread so they can follow it for themselves. Needless to say, they are excited about the trip, not having done sleeper rail travel for decades.
Many thanks.