So, I noticed that on the City of New Orleans, the cost of a roomette is nearly half price if departing from Centralia than from Chicago. So I bought a coach ticket from Chicago to Centralia, and then a roomette the rest of the way to New Orleans. That way I can get a good night sleep once it gets super late. Had anyone else tried pulling a stunt like this and will I get in trouble?
Splitting ticket between coach and sleeper
- Thread starter Crowbar_k
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I doubt it, I've done split ticketing before not with the coach and a sleeper, but with 2 coach tickets wasn't an issue. I just let the conductor know I had 2 tickets for the same train, I was arriving at the destination of my first ticket when it was scanned so they just scanned both.
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Not a fare rule violation at all. The downside is no dinner leaving Chicago and, if the crew follows the rules to the letter, you will not occupy your room until after midnight (or later if the train is not on time).
Not a problem. 8 pm is a bit late for dinner anyway so I'd rather eat before I leave. And, I still get breakfast and lunch the next day.
That's also a way of getting around sold out sections. The first time I rode the Cardinal I went Newark>Clifton Forge in coach and then in sleeper to Chicago. EWR>CHI was showing sold out.
Yep. I had to split the LAX to CHI part of my upcoming April trip because it was showing sold out. Though I just need to change rooms in the same car.
My wife and I did this on the CZ. Coach from CHI to OMA then Roomette from OMA to Grand Junction CO. We used AGR points for the coach section. It works best at a refueling stop of at least 7 minutes.
fhussain44
Train Attendant
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Did it once on Lake Shore Limited and the conductor let me board the roomette early .. Maybe an hour early? Can't remember..
I'm using the same technique to extend my trip in a couple months. I was initially booked in the southbound Meteor sleeper PHL-SAV and had plans to fly home from Savannah. When the flight got pricey I found a suitable combo of flights home via Jacksonville I booked coach seats with AGR points online on my train's SAV-JAX leg. As I'm not a fan of breakfast I won't feel cheated having to buy a cafe cinnamon roll that day, and may not have to worry about it if we're late arriving in SAV.
lstone19
Service Attendant
Did it once on the LSL after a flight cancellation (so booking just a few hours ahead). Was trying to book a roomette SYR-CHI. Said available but then the dreaded not really meaning it was two different rooms. Tried ROC-CHI and same thing. Tried BUF-CHI and was good. So then booked business class SYR-BUF. Moved during the BUF station stop. No problem other than due to booking after the train had already started so the SCA wasn't expecting me (but he quickly got the room ready).
fhussain44
Train Attendant
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On this topic, will the attendant give attitude if you ask them to make the bed but only have a few hours till your destination?
Depends on the attendant.
They can give me attitude and I can forgo giving them their tip afterward. Either way happy or not to do it it's still their job.
Winecliff Station
Service Attendant
Now that the bedroom prices have gone up so much compared to the roomettes I’ve considered booking hubby and me in a roomette for the daytime and bedroom overnight on one of the Silvers for our next cruise out of Florida. The only downside I can see is having to use up two companion tickets.
The Train Service Accounting Procedures User Guide talks about booking a sleeper in Non-Berth Service, for seating only. Is the accommodation charge the same as Berth Service?
Yes, the main difference is there is a higher maximum occupancy for non-berth service in some accommodation types. In any case, to exceed the recommended occupancy up to the maximum occupancy you have to call. The website will only allow the recommended occupancy.
SubwayNut
Conductor
I once got around a sold out Adirondack (decided to ride the Dome up to Montreal for the night when it was still running) by getting of in Fort Edward, having dinner and then getting on the much less crowded Ethan Allen Express a few hours later (on its late evening Sunday only schedule).
Fort Edward had a nice station house that was open and closed by a friendly volunteer.
Fort Edward had a nice station house that was open and closed by a friendly volunteer.
