Does Amtrak Overbook?

[JoeRids]

There was a post for this many years ago, but I was wondering if anyone has recent experience with Amtrak overbooking, specifically in coach. What about the 1/2 BC cars used on Midwest, Empire, Downeaster, etc?. I am taking a trip next weekend (Columbus Day) and am boarding “up the line” and expecting fully packed trains.

 

[Just-Thinking-51]

No, they do not overbook. That said equipment may not be available as planned.

However seat assignments are not available other than Acela. So find a seat can be issue.

 

[zephyr17]

No, they do not overbook. Especially in BC.

 

[Mailliw]

Seat assignments are available in Business Class on the Northeast Regional and the Carolinian too.

 

[blueman271]

Amtrak doesn’t overbook in the same way the airlines do, if a train has 100
seats Amtrak will only sell 100 tickets. Of course most Amtrak trains do not allow you to select your seat so while you are guaranteed a seat you are not guaranteed a window or aisle or the ability to sit next to any traveling companions.

 

[Maverickstation]

I've been on Northeast Regionals where the coach sections were packed to the point where Conductors had to make room in the Cafe Car so that no one had to stand.

In the case of Sleeping Car pax, if there were less sleepers than planned, that will in most cases cause pax to be bumped to coach.

Ken

 

[zephyr17]

In the case of Sleeping Car pax, if there were less sleepers than planned, that will in most cases cause pax to be bumped to coach.

Or, more likely, cancel and get a refund if there is any reasonable notice.

 

[JoeRids]

I've been on Northeast Regionals where the coach sections were packed to the point where Conductors had to make room in the Cafe Car so that no one had to stand.

In the case of Sleeping Car pax, if there were less sleepers than planned, that will in most cases cause pax to be bumped to coach.

Ken

I am confused by this. Your post would indicate that Amtrak does indeed sell more tickets than seats, unless they consider the cafe car a seat.

 

[OBS]

I am confused by this. Your post would indicate that Amtrak does indeed sell more tickets than seats, unless they consider the cafe car a seat.

They absolutely do for NEC trains in coach.

 

[alanh]

There are still some regional "unreserved" trains where you don't buy a ticket for a specific train, just for a route. These can have more riders than seats.

 

[Trogdor]

In the past, Amtrak definitely would overbook coach. Not by a ton, but maybe a few percent. During the early COVID days, I understand that was stopped simply because they had to cut back to ~50% or so of seated capacity. Now that they no longer have those restrictions, I don’t know if they have returned to slight overbooking, or if they cap it at 100%. If those who say Amtrak doesn’t overbook have current info, then fine. But if they’re speaking from the basis of guesses/assumptions, I’d be wary of that.

I can’t say that every train would get overbooked, and premium accommodations definitely would be sold to the limit of planned capacity. It would actually surprise me if (COVID changes notwithstanding) they didn’t get more effective at overbooking, since they should have a better idea these days of how many no-shows there are on which segments of which routes, on which days of the week; how many late cancels/last minute changes they get, etc.

Selling only 100 tickets on a 100-seat train leaves a lot of potential revenue on the table when you know, for example, that 2% of passengers miss their train, and another 3% will rebook for a different train a few hours from departure.