Chicago Union Station

[Casinocim]

Good morning everyone.

It's been 2 years since I have been on Amtrak, my mom has insisted on driving and now I have a trip reserved, I'm so excited!

My question is about Chicago and the Legacy Club and Metropolitan Lounge.  I will be in coach from Denver to New Orleans.  On the trip back I will have a roomette from New Orleans to Chicago, coach from Chicago to Denver.  

I know I can pay to be in the Legacy Club $20 and have read you can get a day pass for the Metropolitan Lounge for $50(also have read just for sleeping and business class in Metropolitan).  If that's right and I can purchase a pass to both, which lounge is better to wait in?  

I think I have read I can be in the Metropolitan on my return trip free since I will have been in a Roomette?

Also on the CONO what is with the dining car?  Being in coach can I still eat in there?  

Thanks everyone!

 

[greatcats]

Yes, coach passengers may eat in the CONO dining car, as I did from New Orleans two weeks ago.  I wanted to see how bad the cuisine is.  So, I ordered the Asian noodle bowl.  If I was to buy that item in the supermarket for a quick, convenient meal at home stuck in the microwave, it would be OK.  But in the dining car for $22.75?  Puhleeze!!   If I was to ride that train again in coach, which was fine, I would bring my own food from a decent restaurant.  I see you are In a sleeper northbound, so that meal is included.  Southbound, never mind.  Enjoy your trip. 

 

[the_traveler]

I believe the Legacy Club has closed, thus that is not an option anymore.

 

[Rail Freak]

What are your dates of travel? (I may be able to help you out)

 

[cpotisch]

Good morning everyone.

It's been 2 years since I have been on Amtrak, my mom has insisted on driving and now I have a trip reserved, I'm so excited!

My question is about Chicago and the Legacy Club and Metropolitan Lounge.  I will be in coach from Denver to New Orleans.  On the trip back I will have a roomette from New Orleans to Chicago, coach from Chicago to Denver.  

I know I can pay to be in the Legacy Club $20 and have read you can get a day pass for the Metropolitan Lounge for $50(also have read just for sleeping and business class in Metropolitan).  If that's right and I can purchase a pass to both, which lounge is better to wait in?  

I think I have read I can be in the Metropolitan on my return trip free since I will have been in a Roomette?

Also on the CONO what is with the dining car?  Being in coach can I still eat in there?  

Thanks everyone!

The food on the CONO is pretty disgusting and extremely expensive, so I recommend you just eat in advance. And unfortunately, I don’t think you get access to the Met Lounge on the way back just because you were in a sleeper on the way there. You have to either have a lounge pass or a same-day sleeper or Business Class ticket. However your can likely buy a BC ticket on say the Lincoln Service, for $20 or less, so it might make sense to just book something like that and get access to the Lounge that way, rather than buying a pass.

 

[Casinocim]

Yes, coach passengers may eat in the CONO dining car, as I did from New Orleans two weeks ago.  I wanted to see how bad the cuisine is.  So, I ordered the Asian noodle bowl.  If I was to buy that item in the supermarket for a quick, convenient meal at home stuck in the microwave, it would be OK.  But in the dining car for $22.75?  Puhleeze!!   If I was to ride that train again in coach, which was fine, I would bring my own food from a decent restaurant.  I see you are In a sleeper northbound, so that meal is included.  Southbound, never mind.  Enjoy your trip. 

Thank you.   I'll probably try the chicken on my northbound trip and maybe take something on the train for the southbound.  Decisions!  

 

[Casinocim]

I believe the Legacy Club has closed, thus that is not an option anymore.

Well shoot!

 

[Casinocim]

What are your dates of travel? (I may be able to help you out)

Beginning of January

 

[Casinocim]

The food on the CONO is pretty disgusting and extremely expensive, so I recommend you just eat in advance. And unfortunately, I don’t think you get access to the Met Lounge on the way back just because you were in a sleeper on the way there. You have to either have a lounge pass or a same-day sleeper or Business Class ticket. However your can likely buy a BC ticket on say the Lincoln Service, for $20 or less, so it might make sense to just book something like that and get access to the Lounge that way, rather than buying a pass.

This is really good information, thank you.

 

[greatcats]

My Asian noodle dish was not disgusting, just way overpriced. 

 

[wwchi]

I believe the Legacy Club has closed, thus that is not an option anymore.

It closed already? I could've sworn I saw Legacy passengers last week coming into the holding area...?

 

[Casinocim]

It closed already? I could've sworn I saw Legacy passengers last week coming into the holding area...?

It's still showing on Amtrak it's open.   I'll check it out when I get there.

 

[jimontheriver]

I think that when you come into CUS on the CONOL with a sleeper that you can use the Met Lounge, just show them your ticket or your phone using it for you ticket  I know I have used the lounge coming in CUS with business class ticket but leaving same day with a coach class ticket. I use the self check luggage room and walk around town a bit.  Great little mom and pop Italian Deli " Bombacigno's J & L" place about a bolk and a half south and west of the ******* Street exit ramp out of the far and left end of the great hall, get yourself a sandwich to go.  I do not think they are open on Sat or Sun.

https://www.yelp.com/menu/bombacignos-j-and-c-inn-chicago-2

Another place close to the station I have not tried but will the on my next trip thru CUS the end on January is The Ruin Daily.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ruin-daily-chicago-3

 

[wwchi]

It's still showing on Amtrak it's open.   I'll check it out when I get there.

yes I'm curious now! I'm usually in Business so don't use the Legacy Club but would be interested in knowing!

 

[PVD]

I sort of remember us discussing a mid next years closure, but don't remember specifics. I always use the ML since i am always in a sleeper in/out of Chicago.

 

[PRR 60]

I believe the Legacy Club has closed, thus that is not an option anymore.

Do you have anything that says the Legacy Club has closed? Every reference I see shows it open daily 9 AM to 9 PM.

 

[Rail Freak]

Beginning of January

I have a Single Visit Lounge Pass (Good for one person and guest) that I will gladly donate to your trip!! I believe I received this when I got my World Master Card! If you'll PM me, we can work that out!

 

[the_traveler]

No, I don’t. That’s why I said that “I believe” not “it is closed”.

 

[PRR 60]

No, I don’t. That’s why I said that “I believe” not “it is closed”.

All the info I have says it is open - Amtrak.com, Google.  I was  curious if you had any information to the contrary since you believe it is closed.

 

[VTTrain]

No, I don’t. That’s why I said that “I believe” not “it is closed”.

I trust that you would neither form nor broadcast a belief without evidence.   So what was the evidence that you relied upon?

That said, the Legacy club is most definitely open.  

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I trust that you would neither form nor broadcast a belief without evidence.   So what was the evidence that you relied upon?

That said, the Legacy club is most definitely open.  

As someone mentioned above, it's demise has been talked about.  He probably just forgot when that demise was to occur.

 

[Siegmund]

At least in Portland you're allowed into the Metropolitan Lounge with a sleeper ticket, whether leaving or arriving. As far as I know that's a system-wide rule and you'd be good to go on your return.

 

[Manny T]

I'm with Siegmund on this. I always use the lounges with a sleeper ticket on both departure and arrival--never had a problem.

The Amtrak website specifically allows for this, with no exclusions:



Who is Eligible for Lounge Access?

• Amtrak passengers with a same-day ticket (departing) or ticket receipt (arriving) in First Class or sleeping car accommodations.
  

 

[tim49424]

I will be at CUS from the CONO tomorrow morning. I will check on the Legacy Club status when I head to the metropolitan lounge for the day. When I was there last Saturday, I didn’t hear the customary advertising announcement for it so I wondered myself.

 

[tim49424]

Legacy Club indeed is still open. The sign is still hanging outside the entrance and the lights are still on. Now, it’s anyone’s guess as to how much longer it will exist as asking someone at CUS is a useless endeavor. You could ask 20 people and get 20 different answers.