Downeaster

[Sealink]

Following my lovely experience on Acela last year, this years holiday to America (hoping this will become at least an annual event!) will include a day trip from Boston to Portland, ME.

Very much look forward to it, got a great deal (two for the price of one).

Was just wondering, the upgrade to First Class was about $16 each, but not in conjunction with the two for one offer. Do they ever let you upgrade on the train? Would I want to?

 

[Hamhock]

Do they ever let you upgrade on the train? Would I want to?

Yes if available, and yes - bigger, cush-ier seating with leg rests. And it should be $8 each for an upgrade.

 

[Acela150]

I should tell you that it's not First Class like Acela it's Business Class but it's possible to upgrade on-board.

Stephen

 

[Sealink]

I did double check - $16 was for two! Bargain! And I know it won't be Acela... (I can dream! )

 

[AlanB]

It may not be Acela, in terms of the big windows and modern car, much less food service at your seat. However, the BC seating on the Downeaster uses the very same seats and 2 & 1 seating pattern that one used to find on the Metroliner First Class service. Acela of course replaced the Metroliner service, and I for one consider the First Class seats on a Metroliner to be superior to the FC seating on Acela.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Reminds me how much I do want to take a trip down the Downeaster someday... I don't think it will ever happen, but, one can dream!

 

[dan72]

I recently took a trip on the Downeaster about a week and a half ago and rode Business Class both ways. Very nice seats and very comfortable. The staff were great and really found it to be an enjoyable trip. For me, the BC was worthwhile.

Dan

 

[had8ley]

I can't think of a better trip to spend $8 for an upgrade on...I'm sure somebody will find something that suits them more but this is really one fabulous short haul this is both scenic and comfortable in B/C.

 

[DowneasterPassenger]

I rode the Downeaster yesterday! I'm in the middle of an Amtrak-BART-United-SEPTA-Amtrak-MBTA-Amtrak-Casco Bay Lines father-son AGR rewards trip. Will post trip report later.

I didn't know about the upgrade. Can you get the upgrade on an AGR ticket?

 

[AlanB]

I rode the Downeaster yesterday! I'm in the middle of an Amtrak-BART-United-SEPTA-Amtrak-MBTA-Amtrak-Casco Bay Lines father-son AGR rewards trip. Will post trip report later.I didn't know about the upgrade. Can you get the upgrade on an AGR ticket?

Once the ticket is issued, you can only upgrade onboard the train, space available. If you tell AGR upfront or before the ticket is issued, then for additional points you can get a free upgrade.

Technically, if there is enough time, one can even return one's printed tickets to AGR and have new ones issued for BC along with the extra points being deducted from your account.

 

[diesteldorf]

I can't think of a better trip to spend $8 for an upgrade on...I'm sure somebody will find something that suits them more but this is really one fabulous short haul this is both scenic and comfortable in B/C.

For $8 each way for a 2 hour ride, that was my feeling. I decided to spring for BC when we ride in October.

Jay, are you also planning to go BC?

For someone that has mobility issues, I can appreciate BC for the extra room and proximity to the cafe car.

Alan,

If there is room in coach, is it feasible to spend part of the time with the rest of the group if there are seats available?

If I find out I am the only one from the group in BC, I may opt to downgrade my ticket.

 

[AlanB]

Alan,
If there is room in coach, is it feasible to spend part of the time with the rest of the group if there are seats available?

If I find out I am the only one from the group in BC, I may opt to downgrade my ticket.

I would think that you could visit us in coach, space available.

 

[had8ley]

I can't think of a better trip to spend $8 for an upgrade on...I'm sure somebody will find something that suits them more but this is really one fabulous short haul this is both scenic and comfortable in B/C.

For $8 each way for a 2 hour ride, that was my feeling. I decided to spring for BC when we ride in October.

Jay, are you also planning to go BC?

For someone that has mobility issues, I can appreciate BC for the extra room and proximity to the cafe car.

Alan,

If there is room in coach, is it feasible to spend part of the time with the rest of the group if there are seats available?

If I find out I am the only one from the group in BC, I may opt to downgrade my ticket.

Right this moment I'm working on getting us, at the very least, a private area of a coach car. If the load factors are low there is a possibility, and I repeat~ POSSIBILITY~ that we get our own car. We won't know until we get closer. I am going to ride coach and let those that want to upgrade do so as I will be riding the same train to all the AU festivities and can upgrade at will. I've also been told that we can use the table end of the cafe car as long as we are cash customers at the cafe counter. There are some great things to eat on this train that you won't see anywhere else on the system.

 

[Sealink]

Hello from the Downeaster! I'm on the 2000hrs service back to Boston, in Coach (business class upgrade would have removed the 2 for 1 discount) so I decided to slum it.

I'm going to post a Trip Report soon bit have to say Im blown away by this train.

- free WiFi throughout

- powerpoints at every seat

- oh those seats! So comfy, great legroom

- lovely staff who were fine when I realised I'd booked the 8th September (I realised this when I got on the train, I hadn't looked at my ticket since I printed it out and had forgotten I'd booked for Tuesday!)

- I don't know what they use to clean this train but it smells clean and fresh.

It's fairly busy too I am happy to report, I think Business Class is full.

 

[had8ley]

Hello from the Downeaster! I'm on the 2000hrs service back to Boston, in Coach (business class upgrade would have removed the 2 for 1 discount) so I decided to slum it.
I'm going to post a Trip Report soon bit have to say Im blown away by this train.

- free WiFi throughout

- powerpoints at every seat

- oh those seats! So comfy, great legroom

- lovely staff who were fine when I realised I'd booked the 8th September (I realised this when I got on the train, I hadn't looked at my ticket since I printed it out and had forgotten I'd booked for Tuesday!)

- I don't know what they use to clean this train but it smells clean and fresh.

It's fairly busy too I am happy to report, I think Business Class is full.

The little train that could and did !!!!