AGR Upgrade Coupons-Are they valid on Thruway Fares?

[diesteldorf]

I am referring specifically to those coupons that come with Select and Select + packets to be used 1 hour or 48 hours prior to departure.

These fares are all hypothetical and not exact so I hope it doesn't violate forum rules:

Let's assume I am traveling from Boston back to Chicago in Coach:

If I book Boston to DC in Coach the fare is $90 on a REGIONAL

If I book Washington DC to CHI in Coach the fare is $80

Total fare is $170

However, if I use the Multi-Trip feature and price the same trip as a continuous segment, the same fareand itinerary is priced at around $100.

The difference just by pricing the segments as one continous trip is substantial and is achieved with no other discounts.

Now, if there are still BUSINESS CLASS seats available at the time (1 hour or 48 hours) prior to my departure, can I use one of the upgrade coupons to go from coach to Business Class?

 

[AlanB]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.

That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[AG1]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.
That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have used both Select(1 hour) and Select +(2 day) upgrade coupons on "Multi-City" reservations. In each case one coupon covered two same day segments. I found this out by calling Amtrak reservations and asking them to look up the rules for coupon H--- and found out same day stop-overs were allowed but no round trips. One of the four agents I asked for upgrades bocked at doing so until I requested he pull up the coupon H --- rules on his screen. That was the first time he processed such an upgrade.

 

[AlanB]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.
That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have used both Select(1 hour) and Select +(2 day) upgrade coupons on "Multi-City" reservations. In each case one coupon covered two same day segments. I found this out by calling Amtrak reservations and asking them to look up the rules for coupon H--- and found out same day stop-overs were allowed but no round trips. One of the four agents I asked for upgrades bocked at doing so until I requested he pull up the coupon H --- rules on his screen. That was the first time he processed such an upgrade.

Rick,

You've done this on NEC trains? Or just mid-west trains?

 

[diesteldorf]

I am also interested in how this works out. Let me explain my entire situation:

I am traveling to and from Boston for the Gathering and also from New York City to Washington earlier in the year for a seperate itinerary.

In both cases, I opted to take the Capitol Limited since it was quite a bit cheaper via Sleeper. I have opted to use trains 66 and 67 to be able to have a nice layover in DC, avoid overnighting in Boston, and New York.

I was playing with Arrow and noticed that seniors and pretty much any other type of passenger, excluding disabled were given the option to take the continuing fair off of the NEC and upgrade to Busiess Class. However, because I've been told it is mandatory to book as the same type of discount throughout the whole trip, I am being told that if I want the connecting fair I must stay in coach an be in the ACCESIBLE seat.

I don't require this but was told that I had no choice unless I wanted to forgo the continuing fair and pay full rate. This would amount to over $100 difference in fairs. A couple of times I was able to get an agent to manually price things but I've been told that they shouldn't have done this...

If I wanted to pay the steep difference, I could easily take Acela in 1st.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Alan,

Would you be willing to take a look at the reservations?

 

[AlanB]

Joe (Sky) I expect would tell you the same as what I'm going to tell you. Get a supervisor on the phone and tell them that they cannot do that. It's called descrimination. If Seniors can get a seat in BC with a continuing fare, then a person with a handicap must also be given the same consideration. What you're being told is a violation of the ADA and Amtrak cannot do that. Perhaps if your handicap precluded your getting into the BC car they might have a bit of a case, although it could be argued that they need to redesign the BC car, but in your case as I well know you are more than able to get into the BC car under your own power.

 

[AG1]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.
That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have used both Select(1 hour) and Select +(2 day) upgrade coupons on "Multi-City" reservations. In each case one coupon covered two same day segments. I found this out by calling Amtrak reservations and asking them to look up the rules for coupon H--- and found out same day stop-overs were allowed but no round trips. One of the four agents I asked for upgrades bocked at doing so until I requested he pull up the coupon H --- rules on his screen. That was the first time he processed such an upgrade.

Rick,

You've done this on NEC trains? Or just mid-west trains?

Yes, I have been doing this on the NEC both with 2008 Select coupons and 2009 S+ coupons.All trips were Acela Business Class which were upgraded to FC less than one hour before departure. Each Multi-City reservation was made on line then tickets picked up at the station .I then presented the coupon and requested that the Multi-city tickets be upgraded to FC.Only one agent at RTE questioned what I was asking for.I stated it was a same day MULTI-City trip in one direction and then he looked it up and said at first he thought it was a round trip because of the two tickets.He then upgraded both tickets.I have done this at WAS and PHL with no problems,also.

My recent routings have been RTE-NYP+NYP-WAS (1 FC coupon)and WAS-NYP+NYP-RTE(1 FC coupon).This has given me double the AGR points on a RTE(Boston area) to Washington trip with a stop in New york city. Give it a try!

 

[AlanB]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.
That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have used both Select(1 hour) and Select +(2 day) upgrade coupons on "Multi-City" reservations. In each case one coupon covered two same day segments. I found this out by calling Amtrak reservations and asking them to look up the rules for coupon H--- and found out same day stop-overs were allowed but no round trips. One of the four agents I asked for upgrades bocked at doing so until I requested he pull up the coupon H --- rules on his screen. That was the first time he processed such an upgrade.

Rick,

You've done this on NEC trains? Or just mid-west trains?

Yes, I have been doing this on the NEC both with 2008 Select coupons and 2009 S+ coupons.All trips were Acela Business Class which were upgraded to FC less than one hour before departure. Each Multi-City reservation was made on line then tickets picked up at the station .I then presented the coupon and requested that the Multi-city tickets be upgraded to FC.Only one agent at RTE questioned what I was asking for.I stated it was a same day MULTI-City trip in one direction and then he looked it up and said at first he thought it was a round trip because of the two tickets.He then upgraded both tickets.I have done this at WAS and PHL with no problems,also.

My recent routings have been RTE-NYP+NYP-WAS (1 FC coupon)and WAS-NYP+NYP-RTE(1 FC coupon).This has given me double the AGR points on a RTE(Boston area) to Washington trip with a stop in New york city. Give it a try!

Ah, that would explain it. Booking Acela in conjunction with a multi-city does not result in a discounted Acela ticket. One pays the normal price for Acela, unlike what happens when one books a connecting Regional train. For example last year on my way to the Gathering, I paid 39.55 for a Regional ticket, low bucket for NYP to WAS on a Regional is $72, so you can see that I got a substantial discount. According to the coupon, one must buy a full price ticket, no discounts allowed.

 

[diesteldorf]

I may call again and push the issue if it comes to that. However, it is a long way off and I am beginning to rethink my plans. Train 66/67 seems kind of alluring because I have never ridden it and have been told via other threads that it uses old Metroliner cars and is truly one of the nicest trains to be in Business Class for. It also seems to be a good value given the length of the trip from BOS-WAS or vice versa. However,

can someone compare it honestly to Aclea First Class?

I rarely get the opportunity to ride NE trains and I know Acela is a nice ride. Is sleeping on 66/67 a lot nicer than other overnight trains?

I know, based on Alan's response, that the coupons would probably not work for an upgrade on 66/67 unless I wanted to pay full fair, so, assuming I can get a simpathetic agent to reprice my current fair, I would be looking at about $50 ot of pocket.

The Acela, on the other hand, allows the upgrade coupons to be used with the disability discount so BOS-WAS at the currently available low bucket would be around $125 and chances are good I coulld use a coupon to get into 1st. $75 is $75 but I need some advice.

Hopefully, I'll be able to ride 66/67 in the future and make up my own mind.

 

[AG1]

First, a Thruway fare would indicate a bus or a connecting NJT train for example.
That said, no I don't believe that booking a continuing fare off the NEC would qualify for the free upgrade. The ticket in question must be a full price, no discount ticket. A continuing fare isn't a full price ticket without discount. YMMV, but I wouldn't count on it.

I have used both Select(1 hour) and Select +(2 day) upgrade coupons on "Multi-City" reservations. In each case one coupon covered two same day segments. I found this out by calling Amtrak reservations and asking them to look up the rules for coupon H--- and found out same day stop-overs were allowed but no round trips. One of the four agents I asked for upgrades bocked at doing so until I requested he pull up the coupon H --- rules on his screen. That was the first time he processed such an upgrade.

Rick,

You've done this on NEC trains? Or just mid-west trains?

Yes, I have been doing this on the NEC both with 2008 Select coupons and 2009 S+ coupons.All trips were Acela Business Class which were upgraded to FC less than one hour before departure. Each Multi-City reservation was made on line then tickets picked up at the station .I then presented the coupon and requested that the Multi-city tickets be upgraded to FC.Only one agent at RTE questioned what I was asking for.I stated it was a same day MULTI-City trip in one direction and then he looked it up and said at first he thought it was a round trip because of the two tickets.He then upgraded both tickets.I have done this at WAS and PHL with no problems,also.

My recent routings have been RTE-NYP+NYP-WAS (1 FC coupon)and WAS-NYP+NYP-RTE(1 FC coupon).This has given me double the AGR points on a RTE(Boston area) to Washington trip with a stop in New york city. Give it a try!

Ah, that would explain it. Booking Acela in conjunction with a multi-city does not result in a discounted Acela ticket. One pays the normal price for Acela, unlike what happens when one books a connecting Regional train. For example last year on my way to the Gathering, I paid 39.55 for a Regional ticket, low bucket for NYP to WAS on a Regional is $72, so you can see that I got a substantial discount. According to the coupon, one must buy a full price ticket, no discounts allowed.

Alan, I just looked through my ticket stubs for 2008 and I did get the lower Multi-City price on a Sunday Acela 2 segment trip when I also can get the senior discount.

 

[AG1]

The Acela, on the other hand, allows the upgrade coupons to be used with the disability discount so BOS-WAS at the currently available low bucket would be around $125 and chances are good I could use a coupon to get into 1st. $75 is $75 but I need some advice.
Hopefully, I'll be able to ride 66/67 in the future and make up my own mind.

I suggest a day time Acela trip to see the scenic coastline of Connecticut and Rhode Island as the train curves its way around various bays and estuaries. When the tracks straighten out in RI you will feel the acceleration into 150 MPH territory. You will not see or experience any of this on the nighttime 66/67. The few times I traveled on 66/67, business class was sold out while the rest of the train was half full. I considered going to coach too have two seats to myself. Also, 66/67 takes 9 hours verses 6+hrs for Acela.

 

[AlanB]

Yes, I have been doing this on the NEC both with 2008 Select coupons and 2009 S+ coupons.All trips were Acela Business Class which were upgraded to FC less than one hour before departure. Each Multi-City reservation was made on line then tickets picked up at the station .I then presented the coupon and requested that the Multi-city tickets be upgraded to FC.Only one agent at RTE questioned what I was asking for.I stated it was a same day MULTI-City trip in one direction and then he looked it up and said at first he thought it was a round trip because of the two tickets.He then upgraded both tickets.I have done this at WAS and PHL with no problems,also.

My recent routings have been RTE-NYP+NYP-WAS (1 FC coupon)and WAS-NYP+NYP-RTE(1 FC coupon).This has given me double the AGR points on a RTE(Boston area) to Washington trip with a stop in New york city. Give it a try!

Ah, that would explain it. Booking Acela in conjunction with a multi-city does not result in a discounted Acela ticket. One pays the normal price for Acela, unlike what happens when one books a connecting Regional train. For example last year on my way to the Gathering, I paid 39.55 for a Regional ticket, low bucket for NYP to WAS on a Regional is $72, so you can see that I got a substantial discount. According to the coupon, one must buy a full price ticket, no discounts allowed.

Alan, I just looked through my ticket stubs for 2008 and I did get the lower Multi-City price on a Sunday Acela 2 segment trip when I also can get the senior discount.

Rick, I believe that you're just avoiding what some would call the penalty fare for booking the trip with a break in NYP. You didn't venture off the NEC and connect with a long distance train, which is where the discounts that I'm talking about would kick in. To use my earlier example. with the Regional train, if the train that I was booking was in the low bucket, I would pay $70 to ride NYP to WAS. If I used the Multi-city option and booked NYP-PHL+PHL-WAS, I would still pay $70 for the ride. If however I booked NYP-PHL on one res, and then PHL-WAS I would pay $89 for the trip, $45 and $44 respectively for the two legs. All numbers from the Fall TT and without discounts.

Because I was connecting to the Capitol Limited, I got a deep discount on the Regional ticket from NYP to WAS, coming in at $39.55, almost half the normal low bucket rate. To be fair, this rate did include a AAA discount, but 10% off of $70 is only 7 bucks.

Now returning to your Acela adventure, a one way low bucket ticket before senior discount RTE to WAS should have cost $149. Take of the 15% senior discount and you should have paid $126.65 combined total for the two legs RTE-NYP and NYP-WAS. If you paid less than that, I'll be very surprised.

 

[AlanB]

I may call again and push the issue if it comes to that. However, it is a long way off and I am beginning to rethink my plans. Train 66/67 seems kind of alluring because I have never ridden it and have been told via other threads that it uses old Metroliner cars and is truly one of the nicest trains to be in Business Class for. It also seems to be a good value given the length of the trip from BOS-WAS or vice versa. However,can someone compare it honestly to Aclea First Class?

I rarely get the opportunity to ride NE trains and I know Acela is a nice ride. Is sleeping on 66/67 a lot nicer than other overnight trains?

I know, based on Alan's response, that the coupons would probably not work for an upgrade on 66/67 unless I wanted to pay full fair, so, assuming I can get a simpathetic agent to reprice my current fair, I would be looking at about $50 ot of pocket.

The Acela, on the other hand, allows the upgrade coupons to be used with the disability discount so BOS-WAS at the currently available low bucket would be around $125 and chances are good I coulld use a coupon to get into 1st. $75 is $75 but I need some advice.

Hopefully, I'll be able to ride 66/67 in the future and make up my own mind.

Chris,

The BC car uses updated former Metroliner First class seats. The seats are the same size and have the same pitch as the seats did in First Class on a Metroliner train. The difference now is that they have new cushions and in most case faux leather coverings, some still have cloth. IMHO, the Metroliner FC seats were and are superior to the Acela FC seats. They are wider and deeper than Acela FC, they have a calf rest like the Superliner coach cars do and unlike Acela FC, and they have foot rests. I wish that they had kept this same style of seat for Acela.

I can't speak however to sleeping in these seats, nor can I compare them to either an AMF II or Superliner coach for overnighting in, since I've never overnighted in either.