Yes most dates only have berths available. Earlier this summer the berths were showing up on the discount page showing great discounts, even in July and August.
I called VIA yesterday for Oct 10 price. They still have discounted upper and lowers. They have 9 lower berths remaining. They also have space in Car 218 which I think means they are running a full consist as during my May trip this was the last sleeper car before the dome, diner and prestige cars.
Well, it actually happened. Just checked my reservations and have been moved to car 211.
So nice to know that VIA runs enough Sleepers on the Canadian so you don't get Cancelled on short notice like Amtrak is currently doing to folks!
That happened to us in May. We were in Car 218 from Vancouver to Jasper. We had 218 booked on the following train after our three day stopover. When we got the station cars 217 and 218 were completely empty. We were moved to Car 212. Prior to boarding I asked if I could get car 216 and they moved me. We had the entire section to ourselves.
Roomette
They adjust the consist to sales, not arbitrarily like Amtrak. And it is a long standing practice at VIA that they have much experience with. Not the "duh, we just figured out don't have the cars and/or staff to run what we committed to" Amtrak approach.
There is no difference. They sell X number of rooms at the discounted rate. When the X number of berths sell out you have to pay the higher rate.
Discounted Sleeper Plus tickets are charged a 10% service fee for refunds or exchanges. Regular fare Sleeper Plus tickets are refundable or exchangeable at no cost.
