AGR reservation vs. Amtrak reservation – same thing?

[Guest_rms492_*]

Okay, hope I’m making sense here:

I would like to redeem a one-zone AGR redemption for myself. I will be given a room number and reservation number.

My friend, will call Amtrak and reserve his own room and get his own reservation number.

We would like our rooms to be directly across from each other, how do we go about doing that?

Does AGR and Amtrak use the same reservation system, can we call one or the other to request room changes if we aren’t across??

(We are both big, and cannot fit in one roomette, hence the need for two separate reservations--he is not an AGR member, but I am).

 

[Upstate]

You should be able to do it. They both use the same reservation system, but they don't modify reservations made by the other so you might have to call back and forth between the two to get it right. Have your friend make his reservation first since he will be paying money for it and you don't want to bump him up to a higher price.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Okay, hope I’m making sense here:
I would like to redeem a one-zone AGR redemption for myself. I will be given a room number and reservation number.

My friend, will call Amtrak and reserve his own room and get his own reservation number.

We would like our rooms to be directly across from each other, how do we go about doing that?

Does AGR and Amtrak use the same reservation system, can we call one or the other to request room changes if we aren’t across??

(We are both big, and cannot fit in one roomette, hence the need for two separate reservations--he is not an AGR member, but I am).

Since you say you are both "big" what about the family bedroom or a deluxe bedroom,two travel and eat cheaper in one bedroom than

two roomettes in MOST cases,and if you pay with your AGR MC youll get the points and your friend can pay you!WIN/WIN!!!

 

[AlanB]

You should be able to do it. They both use the same reservation system, but they don't modify reservations made by the other so you might have to call back and forth between the two to get it right. Have your friend make his reservation first since he will be paying money for it and you don't want to bump him up to a higher price.

I agree with this, but make sure that your friend gets both the car number and the room number from the agent when he calls to book his trip. He might even want to ask the agent if the room across the hall is still empty at that moment. Then he should immediately let you know and you need to quickly call AGR and have the agent get you the room across the hall from him in the same car.

Keep this diagram handy so that you know where the rooms are and ensure that you are indeed getting the room across the hall.

 

[Guest_rms492_*]

(We are both big, and cannot fit in one roomette, hence the need for two separate reservations--he is not an AGR member, but I am).

Since you say you are both "big" what about the family bedroom or a deluxe bedroom,two travel and eat cheaper in one bedroom than

two roomettes in MOST cases,and if you pay with your AGR MC youll get the points and your friend can pay you!WIN/WIN!!!

Problem is I am short 5000 points and of course need to travel NOW!

But that's a good point, and will certainly consider it next time. Besides, I am slowly introducing my friend to train travel...he has to work his way "up" to a bedroom, know what I mean? (first was day coach, then overnite coach, now overnite roomette, then overnite bedroom, then 2 nights bedroom, and finally all the way across the country 3 nites in bedroom--he has a ways to go!)

 

[the_traveler]

Problem is I am short 5000 points and of course need to travel NOW!

You could always BUY the needed points! A member can buy up to 10,000 points per calendar year - and until (IIRC) 9/30, you will receive a 10% bonus!

We are both big, and cannot fit in one roomette, hence the need for two separate reservations--he is not an AGR member, but I am.

So have him sign up yesterday! My sister was not yet an AGR member a few years ago, and does not travel by Amtrak much , but I got her to sign up prior to a trip. She has already redeemed 1 award - and has almost enough points for another award!

If your friend does buy a roomette and is not an AGR member, then those 2 points per $ would be lost! Say the amount spent is $1,500 - that would be 3,000 out the window! And if you live or travel in the Northeast Zone - that would be a free trip!