California Zephyr discussion 2024 H2 - 2025

[MccfamschoolMom]

The trap that I fell into with that work-around was that that meant the Chicago to Cleveland (and back) was on a separate reservation, so the connection wasn't guaranteed for me.

This is why I wouldn't want to use points to pay for the 2 Lincoln Service segments as a separate reservation, because the connection from the eastbound CZ to the Lincoln Service could be messed up if the CZ runs late. And because the Lincoln Service isn't one of the long-distance routes, there would be less likelihood of other CZ passengers with guaranteed reservations continuing on the Lincoln Service to hold the Lincoln Service's departure.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Cash&Points have finally been implemented (sometime in 2024). I may be looking at using that option for a trip I’m starting to plan.

 

[UserNameRequired]

Cash&Points have finally been implemented (sometime in 2024). I may be looking at using that option for a trip I’m starting to plan.

I don’t have personal experience with Cash&Points, but there was a thread analyzing that vs. purchasing more points to cover a trip so if you are a careful shopper it could be worthwhile to price buying points vs. Cash&Points.

 

[Bob Dylan]

The hubby and I are just about ready to book an October roundtrip on the CZ, but don't want to take it all the way to Emeryville. We're debating which stop to get off at in California, preferably during daylight hours and with hotels as close as possible to the station. (The 2-block walk from the Fort Worth station to the hotel in 90F heat on last year's Texas Eagle trip exhausted us!) Also, my current AGR points balance is just under 37K, not enough for even 1 person one way Chicago-Sacramento in a roomette. As long as we'd be overnighting in a hotel before catching the eastbound CZ the next day, would we be OK using points + cash to buy the tickets, or should I buy enough points for at least the westbound trip? (We would also be connecting from/to the Lincoln Service in Chicago, which shouldn't be a problem on the westbound trip, but could be a difficulty coming home.)

Buying lots of AGR Pounts isn't a good deal,( and using them in Coach is an especially poor deal) you'd be better off to Pay Cash for a Segment since Point+ CashTrips tend be Pricier than Tickets bought with Cash.( and you no.lomger get the Low Bucket Rail Fare when using points to book a Sleeper)

Sacramento is OK for staying overnight,( the,Excellent California Rail Museum is next to the Amtrak Station)but I suggest you take a look @ Davis, the cool College town which is the first stop West of Sacramento).

Both towns have Hotels and Eating places within walking distance of the Amtrak Station.

And since you're going in October, tte weather will be pleasant. In the Summer Temps are regularly over 100 in the Sacramento Area!

 

[railiner]

I caught Amtrak #6(10) east of Ottumwa, Iowa this (Sunday) morning being pulled by a Union Pacific SD70M and one Amtrak P42. I think I saw that this Zephyr started out this way when it left Emeryville.

View attachment 38862

I’m surprised they didn’t swap for a BNSF unit at Denver. That’s the way they used to…

 

[Agent]

I’m surprised they didn’t swap for a BNSF unit at Denver. That’s the way they used to…

I don't think I've ever seen a report of them swapping freight locomotives at Denver for an Amtrak train. In fact, not too long ago, they added a BNSF unit in front of an ailing Union Pacific unit.

 

[Mary Olup]

You can buy the points you need on Amtrak site

 

[Asher]

The hubby and I are just about ready to book an October roundtrip on the CZ, but don't want to take it all the way to Emeryville. We're debating which stop to get off at in California, preferably during daylight hours and with hotels as close as possible to the station. (The 2-block walk from the Fort Worth station to the hotel in 90F heat on last year's Texas Eagle trip exhausted us!) Also, my current AGR points balance is just under 37K, not enough for even 1 person one way Chicago-Sacramento in a roomette. As long as we'd be overnighting in a hotel before catching the eastbound CZ the next day, would we be OK using points + cash to buy the tickets, or should I buy enough points for at least the westbound trip? (We would also be connecting from/to the Lincoln Service in Chicago, which shouldn't be a problem on the westbound trip, but could be a difficulty coming home.)

Get off in Sacramento. The train arrives at 1:30 pm if on time. Plenty to see, train museum, old town Sac. State Capital. Spend an extra day so you have time to enjoy where ever you stay. Train travel is fun but you need time to smell the roses and add to the photos you hopefully post.

 

[railiner]

I don't think I've ever seen a report of them swapping freight locomotives at Denver for an Amtrak train. In fact, not too long ago, they added a BNSF unit in front of an ailing Union Pacific unit.

I’m referring to the years I was there in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s…

 

[Trainiac]

Get off in Sacramento. The train arrives at 1:30 pm if on time. Plenty to see, train museum, old town Sac. State Capital. Spend an extra day so you have time to enjoy where ever you stay. Train travel is fun but you need time to smell the roses and add to the photos you hopefully post.

Is there really not that much to see between Sacramento and Emeryville? I'm taking it in a couple of weeks was gonna go all the way and stay at the Hyatt House. But if there isn't much to see then I'll just get off and stay at a free hotel in Sacramento (I have IHG points for hotels which are near the Sacramento train station)

 

[MccfamschoolMom]

Is there really not that much to see between Sacramento and Emeryville? I'm taking it in a couple of weeks was gonna go all the way and stay at the Hyatt House. But if there isn't much to see then I'll just get off and stay at a free hotel in Sacramento (I have IHG points for hotels which are near the Sacramento train station)

From when I was first researching the CZ 2 years ago, the Hyatt House is a nice hotel, but I was told that the elevator from the station to the walkway over the tracks to the hotel can be a little sketchy/dirty, with homeless people hanging out nearby. There's a shuttle bus from Emeryville into San Francisco - but one then has to decide if the touristy stuff will be interesting enough to outweigh what one's heard about filthy streets and lax law enforcement.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Here’s how to get to the hotel without using the elevator. A 7 min walk.

 

[Maglev]

Is there really not that much to see between Sacramento and Emeryville? I'm taking it in a couple of weeks was gonna go all the way and stay at the Hyatt House. But if there isn't much to see then I'll just get off and stay at a free hotel in Sacramento (I have IHG points for hotels which are near the Sacramento train station)

I think there is interesting scenery to see between Sacramento and Emeryville. There is farmland, then the train runs along a river that turns into San Francisco Bay. There is a large bridge and a ship graveyard, and at one point you can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the train.

My wife and I stayed at the Hyatt House for an afternoon, waiting for the northbound Coast Starlight. There may or may not have been homeless people in or around the elevator; but I definitely recall homeless people on the benches outside the station. We opted to wait outside and enjoy the fresh air, and were not bothered.


:

 

[zephyr17]

Points + Cash is problematic, aside from the points devaluation involved. It is apparently a kludge implemented outside the core system and cannot be done with agents at all, you can only do it online. In case of a en route problem, like a missed connection, agents have a difficult time accessing Points + Cash reservations and adjusting them. One poster here some months ago got the remainder of their trip cancelled when an agent thought they had successfully adjusted it after much work. The good news is I think the poster managed to get it reinstated but after much stress, work and headache. If I am feeling ambitious, I'll try to find that thread.

In short, as currently implemented Points + Cash is pretty much a landmine waiting to get stepped in in the form of a missed connection. As we all know, those are not at all uncommon.

Based on information posted here, I'd avoid Points + Cash at all costs. Make a "normal" reservation, either all points or all cash, that an agent can work on, purchasing points to "top off" if required.

 

[Maglev]

one then has to decide if the touristy stuff will be interesting enough to outweigh what one's heard about filthy streets and lax law enforcement.

I was last in San Francisco in 2018, and did not notice excessive filth or lack of law enforcement. My brother was there a couple years ago, and said the whole place was "a toilet." We frequented different areas--he, Union Square and I, Nob Hill; but we both visited Fishermen's Wharf.

We love to stay in bay-view, upper-floor-tower rooms at the Fairmont on Nob Hill. I checked for Valentine's weekend, and they're going for $1061 per night. Here's a view from our room and the lobby:

 

[Cal]

Is there really not that much to see between Sacramento and Emeryville? I'm taking it in a couple of weeks was gonna go all the way and stay at the Hyatt House. But if there isn't much to see then I'll just get off and stay at a free hotel in Sacramento (I have IHG points for hotels which are near the Sacramento train station)

It's nothing exciting, but I think there's something to taking a train end-to-end, and the scenery is still pleasant.

 

[GariYaMoshi]

If you do go to Emmeryville, I recommend spending the day over at Alcatraz. You can go to prison without staying there....

Slightly more off topic, the Rosie the Riveter National Monument has great displays too. For someone who had breakfast with a Rosie the Welder on the Empire Builder years ago, it was really inspiring to see the exhibits and watch the films about the war effort.

 

[Asher]

San Francisco. Whatever bad you’ve heard I’m sure you can find it. At the end of the day it’s still a destination that is well worth the visit. It takes a little time to enjoy what it offers. Getting off a train and finding a rose garden is hard to do in most large cities.