- Joined
- Jul 20, 2019
- Messages
- 2
Unlimited Community,
First-time "poster" - looking for some possible clarification on Rail Passes and the purchase of tickets.
Question:
Once we have purchased our Rail Passes how far in advance of a trip can we start purchasing tickets for our segments?
Background:
We live in Canada and are looking at starting a trip (Seattle- San Fran - Chicago- Seattle) in September 2020.
We’re wondering how far in advance we can buy Rail Passes before our planned start and how far in advance of the actual trip we can start making ticket reservations.
It looks from the Amtrak site that we can purchase the Passes online, and then have a year to obtain a Paper Pass. We then have 330 days to complete the trip. I also understand that we can start making ticket purchases once we have received the #'s for our Rail Passes (i.e. we do not actually need the physical Pass in hand before we can start the on-line purchase process).
Not clear how far out the reservations can be once we start making those on the Passes. The longer the better, for our purposes. I recall reading a 'thread' that suggested reservations only 6 months before a trip - but haven't come across the thread again.
I've sent an e-mail to Amtrak, but no response yet.
Planning a trip starting in mid-September 2020. Plan to pick up our Rail Pass in Seattle and start our 1st segment the same day.
Have read various 'threads' on the "best times" to make ticket reservations; 1 year, out 4-5 months out, closer to dates, etc. I'd be looking at a Roomette for all overnight segments of our trip and I'm a creature of certainty. So I'll likely be booking as soon as we've committed to the trip and as early as I'm able once I've purchased the Rail Passes.
Any insights would be most appreciated!
Thanks!
John Landis
First-time "poster" - looking for some possible clarification on Rail Passes and the purchase of tickets.
Question:
Once we have purchased our Rail Passes how far in advance of a trip can we start purchasing tickets for our segments?
Background:
We live in Canada and are looking at starting a trip (Seattle- San Fran - Chicago- Seattle) in September 2020.
We’re wondering how far in advance we can buy Rail Passes before our planned start and how far in advance of the actual trip we can start making ticket reservations.
It looks from the Amtrak site that we can purchase the Passes online, and then have a year to obtain a Paper Pass. We then have 330 days to complete the trip. I also understand that we can start making ticket purchases once we have received the #'s for our Rail Passes (i.e. we do not actually need the physical Pass in hand before we can start the on-line purchase process).
Not clear how far out the reservations can be once we start making those on the Passes. The longer the better, for our purposes. I recall reading a 'thread' that suggested reservations only 6 months before a trip - but haven't come across the thread again.
I've sent an e-mail to Amtrak, but no response yet.
Planning a trip starting in mid-September 2020. Plan to pick up our Rail Pass in Seattle and start our 1st segment the same day.
Have read various 'threads' on the "best times" to make ticket reservations; 1 year, out 4-5 months out, closer to dates, etc. I'd be looking at a Roomette for all overnight segments of our trip and I'm a creature of certainty. So I'll likely be booking as soon as we've committed to the trip and as early as I'm able once I've purchased the Rail Passes.
Any insights would be most appreciated!
Thanks!
John Landis