21/22 vs. 421/422 - Significant differences north of SAS?

[Philly Amtrak Fan]

I am thinking of traveling to Texas. When using the Multi-City option, both 22 and 422 appear separately and the prices don't appear until you choose one. Is there ever any way one option would be cheaper than the other and if so which would be cheaper? Are there any other significant differences if you don't travel beyond San Antonio? Assume coach travel.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

I only have experience with 8/28 on the Empire Builder, but I assume it would be the same with 22/422 on the Texas Eagle. The prices may vary depending on which one is being booked, but there is no difference once you are onboard. Last month I travelled MSP to CHI with reservations on train 8 (Seattle section) and ended up on the Portland section (train 28).

 

[the_traveler]

The only difference is that 22 goes from SAS to CHI and 422 goes from LAX to SAS to CHI. Thus those boarding in LAX or ELP, if they do not want to change cars in SAS overnight (and wait in the station overnight) board the 1 thru coach or 1 thru sleeper that is 422. Otherwise, there is no difference north of SAS.

Due to supply & demand, 422 usually costs more.

 

[Bob Dylan]

As Dave said, it's the same train North of San Antonio, but on the #422 Days( 3.days a week) the 2 Cutout Cars, a Sleeper and Coach, are switched off #2 and hooked on to #22 for the Journey North to Chicago.( same thing for #421 South out of CHI to SAS)

#421/#422 usually cost more due to the one car trip from LAX to CHI but for your purposes just book Coach in whichever is cheaper since its the same train. It's usually cheaper to do this in Coach in advance since Buckets usually go uo close to departure date. In my expierence it's usually the week of departure when Coach ( Rail) Fares go up!

 

[Philly Amtrak Fan]

Let's say I could choose to travel on a SL day vs. a non SL day. Would there be an advantage to either in terms of price/other factors?

 

[Bob Dylan]

Let's say I could choose to travel on a SL day vs. a non SL day. Would there be an advantage to either in terms of price/other factors?

Yes, please read the travelers and my post, it's supply and demand and can vary widely depending on this.
The usual Coach Fare Buckets to CHI from SAS ( non discounted) can range from $100+ to $250. On the #421/#422 days there is usually a difference in the Rail Fare and the Sleeping Car Charges, with #421/#422 being higher!

 

[printman2000]

Funny, every trip I have checked for us, 21/22 has always been more expensive than 422/422.

I have even been checking out dates for next June and that always seems to be the case.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Funny, every trip I have checked for us, 21/22 has always been more expensive than 422/422.

I have even been checking out dates for next June and that always seems to be the case.

That's very interesting Craig!
I've Never seen #21/#22 cost more than #421/#422 out of Austin and other cities, and I've ridden the Eagle hundreds of times over the years.

Perhaps the demand is different in the cities you would catch it in,

I've pretty much gotten on/off in every Major stop between LAX and CHI and even some of the smaller places too. ( Alpine.Longview,Springfield etc. )

 

[printman2000]

Fort Worth to Chicago June 13, 2017. Coach is cheaper on 22, but a roomette is $303 while only $193 on 422.

I guess I should clarify that I have always compared roomettes, not coach.

I have often thought it silly that it is priced like that for this trip. You would think they would want to push not through car passengers to 22.

 

[printman2000]

Perhaps it is just from Fort Worth? That is where I have always left from.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Perhaps it is just from Fort Worth? That is where I have always left from.

Good point, I ride in Coach for short trips and Sleeper for LD Trips, so I see your point. I always go with the lowest price, it's always been #21/#22 for me North of Austin, but I do pay extra for #421/#422 from AUS to/from LAX to avoid the Dungeon and Changing Cars in SAS.

 

[Lonestar648]

On the days when 421/422 runs, the only sleeper rooms available on 21/22 are roomettes in the Trans/Dorm verses a full sleeper for 421/422. Also note that on a ticket the sleeper for 421/422 is listed as 2130/2230 but on the other four days the sleeper is 2120/2220. The computer treats 21/22, 421/422 as separate trains so based on availability, recent activity, etc. the bucket pricing will fluctuate. I see pricing fluctuate with ticket changes and cancelations since this alters the availability and what bucket will not be used.

 

[chakk]

Amsnag.net should list the fares for both 21/22 and 421/422. This would tell you which is cheaper for your particular journey

 

[saxman]

I am thinking of traveling to Texas. When using the Multi-City option, both 22 and 422 appear separately and the prices don't appear until you choose one. Is there ever any way one option would be cheaper than the other and if so which would be cheaper? Are there any other significant differences if you don't travel beyond San Antonio? Assume coach travel.

To actually answer your question. Use the normal booking section and type in the city pair and date you are planning to end up on the Texas Eagle. Both 21 and 421 prices will be displayed. Note which train number has the cheaper fare. Then go back to the multi-city section and make your booking. You'll know which train number to book, whether it be 21 or 421 from the fare you looked up earlier.