Amending a booking by adding another leg - is it possible ?

[Sharky]

In January, I've booked the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles and then the day after arriving in LA, I'm taking the CS to Seattle.

Rather than spending a day in LA, I've seperately booked a return trip on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego (I like SD, whilst LA leaves me cold). The ticket is cancellable until the Surfliner departs, so if the SC is to late for the connection, I'll be able to cancel the trip and I'll spend the day in LA (not ideal, but hey ho). However, for the return leg, if Surfliner 765 is an hour or more late, I'll be stuffed.

Would Amtrak be receptive to me adding the LA-SD trip to my booking and if so, would it then become a guaranteed connection ?

Sharky

 

[dlagrua]

I believe that Amtrak would prefer to re-ticket you for the entire trip. You could always purchase a separate ticket but in any event the Amtrak guarantee might just be to offer a ride on the next trains. Call customer service and ask.

 

[trimetbusfan]

In January, I've booked the Southwest Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles and then the day after arriving in LA, I'm taking the CS to Seattle.

Rather than spending a day in LA, I've seperately booked a return trip on the Pacific Surfliner to San Diego (I like SD, whilst LA leaves me cold). The ticket is cancellable until the Surfliner departs, so if the SC is to late for the connection, I'll be able to cancel the trip and I'll spend the day in LA (not ideal, but hey ho). However, for the return leg, if Surfliner 765 is an hour or more late, I'll be stuffed.

Would Amtrak be receptive to me adding the LA-SD trip to my booking and if so, would it then become a guaranteed connection ?

Sharky

Train 765 is the guaranteed connection to train 14, as long as they are on the same reservation.

 

[NYP]

I think if you call 1-800-USA-RAIL they can add the Surfliner segments to your existing reservation. Ask to speak with an agent and explain you want to add segments to your existing booking and not modify your existing segments.

 

[Sharky]

I believe that Amtrak would prefer to re-ticket you for the entire trip. You could always purchase a separate ticket but in any event the Amtrak guarantee might just be to offer a ride on the next trains. Call customer service and ask.

I don't fancy the idea of doing a total rebooking, as the SW Chief fare was ridiculousy cheap ( $1180 for 2 adults in a Family Bedroom) and I can't imagine a rebooking price coming anywhere near that.

Train 765 is the guaranteed connection to train 14, as long as they are on the same reservation.

Sadly, it's not on the same reservation and was booked seperately after wards.

I think if you call 1-800-USA-RAIL they can add the Surfliner segments to your existing reservation. Ask to speak with an agent and explain you want to add segments to your existing booking and not modify your existing segments.

That sounds like a plan. I'll be calling from the UK, where we don't utilise letters in phone numbers - what would 1-800-USA-RAIL be phonetically. IOf they could add the Surfliner tickets to my origial reservation, that would be Happy Days.

I realise that I may be overthinking this, as 765 rarely misses 14.

 

[caravanman]

Hi, I recently returned from a USA trip myself, and enjoyed time in Santa Monica, which is very convenient to reach on the LA metro system. It might be a

convenient alternative to travelling to San Diego to get out of LA for the day? USA Rail = 1-800-872-7245

There is a number for International visitors: 1-215-856-7924 which might be worth a try instead?