am I crazy to think this might work?

[maryanne]

I’m planning a two-zone AGR trip, Seattle to New Orleans. My preferred routing is Coast Starlight/Zephyr/Cardinal/Crescent – but I’m concerned about the Zephyr to Cardinal connection in Chicago. I can’t decide if two hours is a long enough cushion to catch the Cardinal. What do you all think? Also, if I miss the Cardinal, are they likely to put me on the City of New Orleans (leaving the same day but several hours later), or will they automatically stick me on a bus (yuck)? Any and all advice is appreciated – thanks.

 

[Bob Dylan]

I’m planning a two-zone AGR trip, Seattle to New Orleans. My preferred routing is Coast Starlight/Zephyr/Cardinal/Crescent – but I’m concerned about the Zephyr to Cardinal connection in Chicago. I can’t decide if two hours is a long enough cushion to catch the Cardinal. What do you all think? Also, if I miss the Cardinal, are they likely to put me on the City of New Orleans (leaving the same day but several hours later), or will they automatically stick me on a bus (yuck)? Any and all advice is appreciated – thanks.

If the_traveler hasnt beat me to this one: to stay off the CONO youll need to book to Slidell,LA on an AGR award. this will route you from CHI-CVS on the Cardinal where you would have a 7 hour layover to Catch the Crescent or via The Cap Ltd. to WAS, then the Crescent to SDL. Youd have to pay for the ticket from SDL-NOL but it's just across the bay, about $8 and they should let you stay in your room. I took this trip last month, went through WAS on the CAP since the Cardinal was having weather problems and remember it only runs 3 days a week. When the weather is better the Cardinal would be the way to go. If you book to NOL you will be booked on the CONO from CHI-NOL. In case the CZ is late they may book you on the Cap Ltd. which leaves later or even bus you catch up with the Cardinal, I've seen both!

 

[the_traveler]

If the_traveler hasnt beat me to this one

You beat me to it! :angry: But that's OK - we all make mistakes! :lol:

To the OP, with the CZ running about 1 hour late, I was worried about my connection to the Cardinal, but the CZ arrived nearly on time!

 

[maryanne]

Thanks for your input. Amtrak's actually showing a routing from SEA-NOL via CS/CZ/Cardinal/Crescent, as long as I pick the right day of the week, due to the Cardinal's limited schedule. I don't mind taking the CONO instead of Cardinal/Crescent, I just don't want to waste any of my travel time on a bus. It's all about the train!

 

[the_traveler]

Amtrak's actually showing a routing from SEA-NOL via CS/CZ/Cardinal/Crescent, as long as I pick the right day of the week, due to the Cardinal's limited schedule.

If amtrak.com shows a routing when you put in From ___ To ___ using the "regular" screen (NOT the multi-city screen), then AGR can book it as an AGR award!

 

[Bob Dylan]

Thanks for your input. Amtrak's actually showing a routing from SEA-NOL via CS/CZ/Cardinal/Crescent, as long as I pick the right day of the week, due to the Cardinal's limited schedule. I don't mind taking the CONO instead of Cardinal/Crescent, I just don't want to waste any of my travel time on a bus. It's all about the train!

If theyll book you CHI-CVS-NOL via the Cardinal/Crescent for the same amount of points that's a lot better deal than riding the CONO which is basically an overnight ride through corn fields/delta cotton fields and swamps vs. two nights with great scenery on the Card and Crescent! I'm not gonna knock the poor CONO, have ridden it several times (I like NOL! :lol: )but there's no contest if you can book the longer trip!