Can I obtain refund for unused tickets by mail?

[Guest]

Can I just mail in my unused tickets with a note asking for a refund? They are 9 months old. Or should I call or do in person?

 

[the_traveler]

If you live near (or will be near) a manned station, the easiest way is to do it in person. If it is convenient, that's the way I would do it. Also be aware of the date - they are only good (or able to be exchanged) for 1 year.

HINT: If you plan on taking Amtrak anywhere within a year, exchange them for a voucher! That way, they are worth 100% of their value. Otherwise a refund only nets 90% of their value. (And the voucher can be extended!)

 

[AlanB]

However, to answer the actual question, yes you can get a refund or voucher by mail. You'll need to mail the tickets to:

Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898

Note: It is highly recommended that you mail those tickets certified mail, return receipt requested. If they are lost in the mail, you are out the money. Sending things certified makes it far more secure, and the return receipt proves to Amtrak that they received them.

 

[PRR 60]

Can I just mail in my unused tickets with a note asking for a refund? They are 9 months old. Or should I call or do in person?

If it not too much trouble, I would prefer to swing by a nearby station and turn in the tickets in person. That way you get a receipt.

If the nearest attended station is a light-year or two away, then mailing them in is your only option. As Alan and Amtrak suggest, use certified mail with return receipt. A little old fashioned, but it is what it is.

 

[Guest]

The nearest station is a few hours away . If I mail in and ask for a voucher, can I use the voucher online? Or can it only be used through phone reservations? If I ask for refund, I assume they send a check back for 90% of the amount?

 

[soitgoes]

If I mail in and ask for a voucher, can I use the voucher online? Or can it only be used through phone reservations? If I ask for refund, I assume they send a check back for 90% of the amount?

The best way to handle this is to cancel your reservations over the phone. They will give you a cancellation number--write it in the designated space on the back of the ticket before mailing it in.

Once they receive the tickets, the refund will be processed. If you paid with a credit card, they will credit your credit card (less the 10% service fee). If you paid cash or check, I believe you get a check back (less the 10% service fee).

If you would prefer a voucher for 100% of the value, IME they will mail that to you. It cannot be used online. I think the reservations can be made over the phone, but you would need to see an agent or mail it in for ticketing.

 

[Guest]

If I mail in and ask for a voucher, can I use the voucher online? Or can it only be used through phone reservations? If I ask for refund, I assume they send a check back for 90% of the amount?

The best way to handle this is to cancel your reservations over the phone. They will give you a cancellation number--write it in the designated space on the back of the ticket before mailing it in.

Once they receive the tickets, the refund will be processed. If you paid with a credit card, they will credit your credit card (less the 10% service fee). If you paid cash or check, I believe you get a check back (less the 10% service fee).

The problem I have is the credit card I used to pay for the tickets a year ago I cancelled! Will that be a problem?

 

[AlanB]

The best way to handle this is to cancel your reservations over the phone. They will give you a cancellation number--write it in the designated space on the back of the ticket before mailing it in.

The tickets are 9 months old, and the OP said that they were unused.

Based upon that, I'd say that the train left the station a very long time ago and there will be no way to cancel the reservation.

 

[soitgoes]

The problem I have is the credit card I used to pay for the tickets a year ago I cancelled! Will that be a problem?

Call 1-800-USA-RAIL and ask to speak to the Refunds department. I think they close at 8PM ET.

If they try to credit your card back and it fails, I guess they would cut a check. If it goes through, the credit card company should still provide you with the funds eventually.

 

[AlanB]

If I mail in and ask for a voucher, can I use the voucher online? Or can it only be used through phone reservations? If I ask for refund, I assume they send a check back for 90% of the amount?

The best way to handle this is to cancel your reservations over the phone. They will give you a cancellation number--write it in the designated space on the back of the ticket before mailing it in.

Once they receive the tickets, the refund will be processed. If you paid with a credit card, they will credit your credit card (less the 10% service fee). If you paid cash or check, I believe you get a check back (less the 10% service fee).

The problem I have is the credit card I used to pay for the tickets a year ago I cancelled! Will that be a problem?

Yes, that could be a problem as the general practice probably would be to credit that card back. I would make sure to note that in a letter that accompanies the tickets. I'm not sure what Amtrak policy is in this case, whether they'll mail you a check at that point or ask for another credit card to credit.

And generally vouchers cannot be used online. However, a few people have reported success in getting Amtrak to not actually issue a physical voucher, so that it can be used if you call up an Amtrak agent. I'm not real sure on how that works and that might be worth a phone call to Amtrak. Just keep in mind though that the voucher is still only good for one year, regardless of whether they mail it to you or it remains in the computer system.

 

[sky12065]

However, to answer the actual question, yes you can get a refund or voucher by mail. You'll need to mail the tickets to:
Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898

Note: It is highly recommended that you mail those tickets certified mail, return receipt requested. If they are lost in the mail, you are out the money. Sending things certified makes it far more secure, and the return receipt proves to Amtrak that they received them.

I believe that one has the option of insuring the certified mailing for the value of the tickets if one is willing to pay whatever the price would be. The odds are that the USPS will deliver the parcel ok or at least track it down if a trace becomes necessary, but a little insurance "might" be desired if the ticket's amount is worth the price of the coverage.

 

[AlanB]

However, to answer the actual question, yes you can get a refund or voucher by mail. You'll need to mail the tickets to:
Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898

Note: It is highly recommended that you mail those tickets certified mail, return receipt requested. If they are lost in the mail, you are out the money. Sending things certified makes it far more secure, and the return receipt proves to Amtrak that they received them.

I believe that one has the option of insuring the certified mailing for the value of the tickets if one is willing to pay whatever the price would be. The odds are that the USPS will deliver the parcel ok or at least track it down if a trace becomes necessary, but a little insurance "might" be desired if the ticket's amount is worth the price of the coverage.

Yes, one can also buy insurance if one is so inclined.