Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges 2025

[pennyk]

From January 5, 2025 forward, please post comments discussing Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges here. For previous posts regarding Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges, please refer to this thread, which is currently locked:

https://www.amtraktrains.com/threads/amtrak-metropolitan-lounges.79939/page-16

 

[IAmNotATrain]

Do Lounge passengers in Chicago and Los Angeles get priority boarding in coach for the LD trains? Thinking of buying points for lounge passes for my trip.

 

[Eric in East County]

Do Lounge passengers in Chicago and Los Angeles get priority boarding in coach for the LD trains? Thinking of buying points for lounge passes for my trip.

This can depend on several factors. In Chicago, when we’ve been transported from the Metro Lounge to our LD train coach in a Red Cap cart, we are usually the first ones to board. On our last trip, however, our getting a cart was delayed due to the limited availability of carts. By the time we got to our coach, the “walkers” had gotten there first.

 

[Cal]

Do Lounge passengers in Chicago and Los Angeles get priority boarding in coach for the LD trains? Thinking of buying points for lounge passes for my trip.

In Los Angeles the platforms are open-access, just go to the platform early and be there when the train pulls in (usually 40 minutes to an hour prior to departure). Not a guaranteed way to board first, however, because by the time they actually start boarding there might be more people and the way things end up you might not be at the position best to get on first.

 

[Stevenz]

While waiting for the Floridian to leave Chicago I was wandering around because I can’t sit still in such situations. So I checked out where the gate was, just to be prepared. Sometimes I want to know what is required of me in advance. (The staff person at the Great Hall wouldn't tell me.). Well, right at the gate I found a lounge for passengers needing extra assistance with boarding. One of the criteria was anyone “over 65.” No additional qualifications noted. So in I went, showed my ticket, and was invited to have a seat. We were called and taken to the gate ahead of the “walkers”. Not a lot ahead but enough. It was a great find.

 

[CHImdw1522]

In December Chicago passengers leaving the lounge were taken to the platform by red caps. Everyone else was told to walk to the boarding area.
When I mentioned that in the past passengers were led to the waiting area by an employee, I was told that they were not allowed to lead passengers during the current construction phase.

Since I have done this before, I knew that when I arrived at the waiting area, I needed to tell the attendant that I had come from the lounge. I was then sent to the preboarding area. Passengers were then separated into two groups: sleeper passengers and coach passengers. Passengers who had been waiting in the senior lounge and passengers needing assistance were added to this group. We were pre-boarded - sleeper passengers first; then coach passengers - all before those in the general boarding line.

 

[Cal]

In December Chicago passengers leaving the lounge were taken to the platform by red caps. Everyone else was told to walk to the boarding area.

Worth nothing there is nothing stopping you from walking yourself. In December, when they called people to board #7 I just walked to the boarding area (which is very poorly organized IMO). I was towards the front of people boarding sleepers.

 

[JRR]

In December Chicago passengers leaving the lounge were taken to the platform by red caps. Everyone else was told to walk to the boarding area.
When I mentioned that in the past passengers were led to the waiting area by an employee, I was told that they were not allowed to lead passengers during the current construction phase.

Since I have done this before, I knew that when I arrived at the waiting area, I needed to tell the attendant that I had come from the lounge. I was then sent to the preboarding area. Passengers were then separated into two groups: sleeper passengers and coach passengers. Passengers who had been waiting in the senior lounge and passengers needing assistance were added to this group. We were pre-boarded - sleeper passengers first; then coach passengers - all before those in the general boarding line.

We did this last week but had a Redcap who not only gave us a ride to the train but also put our bags in the roomette! A wonderful service. I gave him a good tip and came back to profusely thank me!