Family Bedroom "age limit" question

[jhanon76]

Hi everyone, 4 of us (2 adults, 2 children) have used the family bedroom on several trips, but our babies are now turning 13 (technically aging out of the family bedroom). Let's assume they sill fit on the kid berths...what is the risk if we book as 2 adults plus 2 "12 year olds" even though they are 13? Does anyone have experience with this? could we be denied boarding if...somehow...the conductor challenged us on their age? They are tall but no mustaches

 

[pennyk]

There is no age limit in order to use the Family Bedroom, however, the beds may be too short for your tall children. You should not lie to Amtrak about the age of your children in order to receive a discount.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

There is no age limit in order to use the Family Bedroom, however, the beds may be too short for your tall children. You should not lie to Amtrak about the age of your children in order to receive a discount.

But will they be able to book 4 "adults" in the family room?? I think that is the concern, not the discount.

 

[jhanon76]

Correct I am only able to book 2 adults and 2 kids under 12

 

[joelkfla]

But will they be able to book 4 "adults" in the family room?? I think that is the concern, not the discount.

The Amtrak Train Service Accounting Procedures manual says a party of 4 in the Family Bedroom can include 3 adults + 1 child. That might require talking to an agent.

I think that's based on 2 adults sharing the lower berth, same as 3 adults in a Deluxe Bedroom.

 

[Ryan]

However, if you scroll just below that, you see the table for allowable limits for non-berth service where you can see that 4 full fare (or even 5 full fare!) passengers can be booked. You'll have to call to do it, and they'll tell you that there isn't bed space for everyone, but once you are on the train, it's likely that the car attendant isn't going to care about age and if there are 4 people there that will fit in the 4 beds, you'll be fine.

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Lying about childrens age is basically defrauding Amtrak , believe Amtrak requires ID for travel .

 

[joelkfla]

However, if you scroll just below that, you see the table for allowable limits for non-berth service where you can see that 4 full fare (or even 5 full fare!) passengers can be booked. You'll have to call to do it, and they'll tell you that there isn't bed space for everyone, but once you are on the train, it's likely that the car attendant isn't going to care about age and if there are 4 people there that will fit in the 4 beds, you'll be fine.

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Still, if the agent pointed out that you are securing the room for seating only, and you agreed to that, it would be lying. I think if you were honest and said something like, "I know, but we'll squeeze in," they might very well deny the booking.

 

[jhanon76]

Lying about childrens age is basically defrauding Amtrak , believe Amtrak requires ID for travel .

Requires ID...for 12 year olds...?

 

[Dutchrailnut]

Correct only 18 and over , now lets talk about defrauding ?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Correct only 18 and over , now lets talk about defrauding ?

This hill is so small I'm surprised you can find enough room to die upon it.

 

[tricia]

Correct only 18 and over , now lets talk about defrauding ?

It's nonetheless dishonest to lie about your kids' age to claim a discount.

 

[Chris I]

Have you considered doing 2 Roomettes? We had one on each side of the Starlight earlier this year, and it worked out really well. It was cheaper overall than the family bedroom, we were on the upper level, and we had big windows on both sides. The kids bounced back and forth across the aisle, and they both slept up top, so the wife and I got the more comfortable lower beds.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

It's nonetheless dishonest to lie about your kids' age to claim a discount.

That's a perfectly reasonable take IMO.

Calling out the dishonesty is fine but inflammatory terms that imply some sort of grand conspiracy make the OP look more reasonable by comparison.

we were on the upper level [...] kids bounced back and forth across the aisle

I agree with the shared roomettes part but would recommend the lower level for younger kids to avoid blocking aisle traffic and to keep noise levels down. Booking the lower level also has the benefit of being near to the Family Room where other kids might be found.

 

[Chris I]

That's a perfectly reasonable take IMO.

Calling out the dishonesty is fine but inflammatory terms that imply some sort of grand conspiracy make the OP look more reasonable by comparison.


I agree with the shared roomettes part but would recommend the lower level for younger kids to avoid blocking aisle traffic and to keep noise levels down. Booking the lower level also has the benefit of being near to the Family Room where other kids might be found.

By "bounced back and forth", I'm meaning that they would move back and forth to see the scenery. No actual bouncing was done, and we usually kept the doors closed. Families shouldn't feel like they need to be segregated to the lower level.

 

[toddinde]

Requires ID...for 12 year olds...?

IDs aren’t required for children.

 

[jhanon76]

It's nonetheless dishonest to lie about your kids' age to claim a discount.

Not trying to get a (quite small in this case) discount, just trying to get a room that fits 4 comfortably by day, reaches across both sides of the train, and is located in a quiet downstairs area.

 

[jhanon76]

That's a perfectly reasonable take IMO.

Calling out the dishonesty is fine but inflammatory terms that imply some sort of grand conspiracy make the OP look more reasonable by comparison.


I agree with the shared roomettes part but would recommend the lower level for younger kids to avoid blocking aisle traffic and to keep noise levels down. Booking the lower level also has the benefit of being near to the Family Room where other kids might be found.

I've seen more adults blocking the aisle and being noisy than kids. In fact the downstairs is very quiet and away from the adult noise and energy upstairs...its nice to go back and forth between lounge car and lower level bedroom...yin and yang

 

[Ryan]

Not trying to get a (quite small in this case) discount, just trying to get a room that fits 4 comfortably by day, reaches across both sides of the train, and is located in a quiet downstairs area.

Agreed. And I (personally) would have no issues using the beds in a bedroom that I've paid for if my kids fit in them regardless of what some ticket agent said on the phone months ago. That's between you and the sleeper car attendant once you're aboard. I'd be shocked if they said you couldn't use beds that you all fit in.

 

[jebr]

Lying about childrens age is basically defrauding Amtrak , believe Amtrak requires ID for travel .

Why would any lying be required? Amtrak explicitly 4 adults in non-berth mode. There's a chance that the SCA won't turn down the bunks, but realistically as long as everyone comfortably fits I don't see it being an issue on board.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Why would any lying be required? Amtrak explicitly 4 adults in non-berth mode. There's a chance that the SCA won't turn down the bunks, but realistically as long as everyone comfortably fits I don't see it being an issue on board.

I think the "defraud" refers to getting children's discounts....if the OP were to get the discount. As others have said, they should be able to book the kids as adults.

 

[Stremba]

Honestly with kids that age you probably would be better off and more comfortable booking two roomettes rather than the family bedroom. Neither option is cheap, but the price difference is typically small, and on many trips I have taken, the two roomettes are cheaper than a family room.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I've seen more adults blocking the aisle and being noisy than kids. In fact the downstairs is very quiet and away from the adult noise and energy upstairs...its nice to go back and forth between lounge car and lower level bedroom...yin and yang

That has not been my experience but even if it had been there is another important distinction to be made. If an adult is creating too much noise you can often reason with them whereas if someone's kids are making too much noise they can become extremely defensive about it as seen in this very thread.