Amtrak long distance fares 2021-2023

[Sidney]

I have seen a few $623 fares on the Southwest Chief Eastbound from LA. I may have missed a few days but I checked almost every day from Chicago to LA on the Chief and TE and nothing is lower than $899 all the way through next April.

 

[zephyr17]

Niemi24, fyi, in the absence of Amsnag I did a couple of phantom reservations in what should be low demand periods, early November when I recently got my low bucket EB and LSL fares, plus mid-January, and early February. All the dates I tried came up at $899. I do agree with you that $899 is not the low bucket, just the lowest available bucket. But I also honestly think that Amtrak may just not be putting any inventory in the two lower buckets on 421/422 right now, based on those random samples of what should be low demand days. I have theories of why they might do this, but no firm knowledge. I hold hope they put some inventory into the lower bucket as actual demand develops (or doesn't). If they can sell them in middle bucket, why offer them in the low bucket? But whether or not they can remains to be seen. And they may blink.

 

[bms]

Niemi24, fyi, in the absence of Amsnag I did a couple of phantom reservations in what should be low demand periods, early November when I recently got my low bucket EB and LSL fares, plus mid-January, and early February. All the dates I tried came up at $899. I do agree with you that $899 is not the low bucket, just the lowest available bucket. But I also honestly think that Amtrak may just not be putting any inventory in the two lower buckets on 421/422 right now, based on those random samples of what should be low demand days. I have theories of why they might do this, but no firm knowledge. I hold hope they put some inventory into the lower bucket as actual demand develops (or doesn't). If they can sell them in middle bucket, why offer them in the low bucket? But whether or not they can remains to be seen. And they may blink.

You used to be able to get the low bucket by booking 5 months out, but I'm seeing some fares over $1000 for trains 5 months out that are 6% or 12% full. A lot of times it's cheaper to take the Builder and change to the Starlight in Portland, even though it has to cost Amtrak more to take people on a three-night trip than a two-night trip.

 

[zephyr17]

How do you know how fully booked the sleepers are? That is something I'd like to be able to figure out.

 

[bms]

How do you know how fully booked the sleepers are? That is something I'd like to be able to figure out.

That's just the percent full for the whole train on the site. Can't imagine there are many sleepers booked if the whole train is only 6% full.

 

[zephyr17]

You'd be surprised with the pandemic. There was a post either here or on one of the Amtrak oriented Facebook groups within the last couple days about a train with like 12 people in coaches and the sleepers were full.

I can probably find it again if I look for it.

 

[caravanman]

How do you know how fully booked the sleepers are? That is something I'd like to be able to figure out.

One method I used, was to "pretend" that I wanted to book more passengers than just myself into the bedrooms. May not be a 100% perfect solution, but one gets a feel for the availability of sleepers on a train...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

That's just the percent full for the whole train on the site. Can't imagine there are many sleepers booked if the whole train is only 6% full.

The percentage MAY be only for coach since people like to know if they’ll be stuck with a seat mate.

 

[bms]

The percentage MAY be only for coach since people like to know if they’ll be stuck with a seat mate.

Good point. In any event, $889 is outrageous. I don't think I could enjoy my trip knowing it cost that much.

 

[Cal]

I will say at that price and without the SSL, I won't be filling my Texas Eagle gap on my Amtrak long distance experiences any time soon.

I'd go now before they eliminate more things!

 

[zephyr17]

I'd go now before they eliminate more things!

I've taken every other long distance train, the TE route has never called to me, and it is way out of my way. I already know I really dislike not having a Sightseer. I miss it on the single evening on the Builder out of Seattle.

Plus, the SW Chief is a particular favorite of mine as riding that route always reminds me of when I had the privilege of riding the Super Chief. So when going between LA and Chicago I've always chosen it. Also, low bucket fares on the Eagle through cars have always been a bit elusive.

So if I miss the Eagle, so be it. I sure as heck am not going to pay $899 for that a ride that without a Sightseer, especially because for me it would be riding it just for the sake of riding it.

 

[Lissa]

In my own experience, the price for which we had purchased 2 roomettes from Philly to Orlando for late summer 2000 was almost a full thousand dollars less than the prices I just checked for the same route, same train, same dates in 2021. Ouch. Now granted, we did snag a deal for those 2000 tickets (That wound up being cancelled.), but it wasn't a nearly thousand dollar deal by a long shot!

 

[niemi24s]

In my own experience, the price for which we had purchased 2 roomettes from Philly to Orlando for late summer 2000 was almost a full thousand dollars less than the prices I just checked for the same route, same train, same dates in 2021.

See what the fares are a few days on either side of the one you checked. You might be surprised.

Then again, maybe not. Don't forget there are two trains for you to pick from.

 

[dlagrua]

I have complained the most about the high fare situation here and won't present the whole story again but as people who have spent thousands on LD travel ( we figure $35-$40K) over the years, we would hope that there would be some concern on Amtrak's end that some passengers may have been shut out and turned away this year due to cost. We enjoy train travel and wish to continue to support the service. We are ready to fork over up to 2X the first class air fare if and when the fare structure can support that.

 

[jis]

I have complained the most about the high fare situation here and won't present the whole story again but as people who have spent thousands on LD travel ( we figure $35-$40K) over the years, we would hope that there would be some concern on Amtrak's end that some passengers may have been shut out and turned away this year due to cost. We enjoy train travel and wish to continue to support the service. We are ready to fork over up to 2X the first class air fare if and when the fare structure can support that.

It is really like an auction. If there are sufficient number of people willing to fork out more than you are for the same thing, any outfit would tend to sell it to the highest bidder, unless they are limited by other factors like say the commuter railroads are. I am not saying this is right, but as a famous ex-President said "It is what it is".

 

[Bostontoallpoints]

" It is really like an auction. If there are sufficient number of people willing to fork out more than you are for the same thing, any outfit would tend to sell it to the highest bidder, unless they are limited by other factors like say the commuter railroads are."

I would be fine with that if Amtrak was a private company and not using public funds. For example I think first class domestic commercial airline tickets are outrageously priced and I won't pay for it but some people do. Amtrak needs public funds and thus the public should have a say on what is acceptable fare. Presently the level of service provided doesn't come close to the price requested.

 

[flitcraft]

I would be fine with that if Amtrak was a private company and not using public funds. [snip]. Amtrak needs public funds and thus the public should have a say on what is acceptable fare. Presently the level of service provided doesn't come close to the price requested.

But the public does get a say--they choose to pay or not. And, with the current occupancy rate of sleepers, it seems the public is voting with their wallets. And, I would guess that a lot of the public would argue that, as a publicly supported entity, they'd rather not subsidize Amtrak sleeper travel when there are plenty of sleeper passengers willing to pay the higher rates. I get that it is aggravating to see the fares so high, but I'd prefer for Amtrak to use sleeper fares to makes LD trains more cost-effective so as to increase the odds that they will continue to be available in the future.

 

[Bostontoallpoints]

But the public does get a say--they choose to pay or not. And, with the current occupancy rate of sleepers, it seems the public is voting with their wallets. And, I would guess that a lot of the public would argue that, as a publicly supported entity, they'd rather not subsidize Amtrak sleeper travel when there are plenty of sleeper passengers willing to pay the higher rates. I get that it is aggravating to see the fares so high, but I'd prefer for Amtrak to use sleeper fares to makes LD trains more cost-effective so as to increase the odds that they will continue to be available in the future.

We'll see how things shake out. I doubt that Amtrak will obtain returning sleeping car passengers at the present level of service. If the meal's provided improved greatly and the attendants provided service levels at pre-Amtrak then I could see the value. RIght now its worse service and food at a cost far greater than justified.

 

[jis]

We'll see how things shake out. I doubt that Amtrak will obtain returning sleeping car passengers at the present level of service. If the meal's provided improved greatly and the attendants provided service levels at pre-Amtrak then I could see the value. RIght now its worse service and food at a cost far greater than justified.

I think the point that @flitcraft was making is that contrary to your earlier claim, the public does get a say. If they really don't fill the accommodation at a price level the yield management system will (hopefully) lower the fares to where they do. The only way to figure out what that point is is to try out various price levels and offering schedules and see what yields the most for the level of service provided, whatever it turns out to be.

The other possibility of course is that they are preparing for a long play to discontinue the service. Only time will tell. I would not put anything past them at this point, notwithstanding all the happy talk emanating from RPA and such.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Just checked on Fares Austin-Chi-Austin for the October Gathering.

Southwest Airlines- $116 each way Non-Stop to Midway

Amtrak: Texas Eagle Roomette
AUS-CHI. $625( 3 left @ this Price)
CHI-AUS. Sold Out

Good thing no-one rides Amtrak LD Trains.

I'll be Flying both ways needless to say!

 

[jis]

Just checked on Fares Austin-Chi-Austin for the October Gathering.

Southwest Airlines- $116 each way Non-Stop to Midway

Amtrak: Texas Eagle Roomette
AUS-CHI. $625( 3 left @ this Price)
CHI-AUS. Sold Out

Good thing no-one rides Amtrak LD Trains.

I'll be Flying both ways needless to say!

Apparently TE will have neither a Transdorm, nor a second Sleeper (except on 421/422 days when there is a 421/422 Sleeper and Coach), and will have a Coach and a Coach Baggage and of course a CCC. Not a very long train. Quite puzzling really.

 

[Ryan]

I would be fine with that if Amtrak was a private company and not using public funds.

This goes back to the language in the legal authorization for Amtrak that's been posted in one of these million threads bitching about the same thing. Key words are "managed as a for profit corporation".

Don't like it? Petition Congress to change it, or to massively increase funding to provide for more rolling stock. Increased supply would yield lower prices.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Apparently TE will have neither a Transdorm, nor a second Sleeper (except on 421/422 days when there is a 421/422 Sleeper and Coach), and will have a Coach and a Coach Baggage and of course a CCC. Not a very long train. Quite puzzling really.

They're putting the Eagle back into the Orphan Train Catagory that they share with the CONO and the Cardinal!

I dont like saying it, but I wont be riding the Eagle LD anymore( the Coach Fares for Day tripsare still not bad, but for the same Price to Chicago in Coach I can Fly on SWA) unless the Sightseer Lounge is brought back and Reasonsble/Affordable Prices for the Rooms are returned to this Route!

 

[jiml]

I think first class domestic commercial airline tickets are outrageously priced and I won't pay for it but some people do.

First Class airfare is a relative bargain compared to just a few years ago - not that you get much for it currently, with lounges closed or lacking services and minimal on-board amenities. I can book YYZ-LAX for an optimistic September trip for $456 on AA - less than half of what it has been in the past. The drop started well before Covid, so not necessarily a sale intended to win back customers.

 

[jis]

It is pretty unusual to get lounge access for standard Domestic First Class in the US. Lounge Access is normally though Club membership for US domestic First Class. YYZ to LAX is not exactly domestic unless Canada has finally seen the light of the day and joined the United States