First coach LD Trip

[Tlcooper44]

Hi guys,

Turns out my wife and I will be doing a cross country trip from Boston to Portland (LSL, EB to Seattle, Cascades) beginning December 21.
Of course, I tried to book a room on the LSL, but its sold out from Albany-Chicago, with the 5 available rooms on 449 being taken once we arrive in Albany. We will be switching to coach once we are in Albany.

What are the odds that any of those unreserved rooms in the Boston section of LSL actually don't get taken (no-shows), and is it possible to get a unclaimed roommette once we are on board? I, incidentally, have been checking the app daily to see if any cancellations come up.

In the more likely event we don't get an unclaimed roommette, any tricks to make a night in coach more enjoyable?

 

[JoshP]

Once you are on 449, call 800 AGR and request room upgrade, you are more likely to get room. This what I did when I was on 97 from MIA to NYP, when I got on and went to my roomette, I call AGR right away and asked for the ADA room, minutes later, bam. Upgraded. Conductor was shocked. I paid nothing

 

[pennyk]

Hi guys,

Turns out my wife and I will be doing a cross country trip from Boston to Portland (LSL, EB to Seattle, Cascades) beginning December 21.
Of course, I tried to book a room on the LSL, but its sold out from Albany-Chicago, with the 5 available rooms on 449 being taken once we arrive in Albany. We will be switching to coach once we are in Albany.

What are the odds that any of those unreserved rooms in the Boston section of LSL actually don't get taken (no-shows), and is it possible to get a unclaimed roommette once we are on board? I, incidentally, have been checking the app daily to see if any cancellations come up.

In the more likely event we don't get an unclaimed roommette, any tricks to make a night in coach more enjoyable?

I would check the amtrak website several times a day (especially first thing in the morning or right after midnight). Passengers are canceling trips (I canceled mine) and you may get lucky to pick up a room.

I would not assume that you will be able to upgrade to a room once you board (even though it is possible if there are no-shows). I think it is more likely there will be a cancellation than a last minute no-show.

Good luck. I have no suggestions for riding in coach during the holidays.

 

[daybeers]

Are there rooms on 49 available? You could start in coach and change in Albany or call and have them put you in a sleeper on 449 and switch to a sleeper on 49 at Albany.

 

[Tlcooper44]

none on 49. Only available on 449. I guess the ones on the Boston section got taken too.

Are there rooms on 49 available? You could start in coach and change in Albany or call and have them put you in a sleeper on 449 and switch to a sleeper on 49 at Albany.

 

[JoshP]

Are there rooms on 49 available? You could start in coach and change in Albany or call and have them put you in a sleeper on 449 and switch to a sleeper on 49 at Albany.

Once he gets a sleeper on 449, he stays till CHI. No need to change.

 

[Tlcooper44]

Once he gets a sleeper on 449, he stays till CHI. No need to change.

we have a roomette from Boston to Albany. Then from Albany to Chicago we switch to coach.
I’d be perfectly fine switching to a different roomette on 49, but there are none available in either the Boston or NY section of the train.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Hey, 49 has a room from Syracuse to Chicago.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I kept checking each station west of Albany till I found one with a room available.

 

[Tlcooper44]

Just booked it!
This is truly a game ain’t it.

Hey, 49 has a room from Syracuse to Chicago.

 

[pennyk]

I kept checking each station west of Albany till I found one with a room available.

Just booked it!
This is truly a game ain’t it.

WOW. Good work Betty and congratulations @Tlcooper93!

 

[Cal]

This is what makes AU a special place.

 

[JoshP]

we have a roomette from Boston to Albany. Then from Albany to Chicago we switch to coach.
I’d be perfectly fine switching to a different roomette on 49, but there are none available in either the Boston or NY section of the train.

Next time, book from BOS-CHI instead but glad you can make it ! Enjoy your trip

 

[Tlcooper44]

This is what makes AU a special place.

Indeed.
Thanks Betty! Appreciate the work.
I switched everything before Syracuse to coach to offset the cost of a bedroom.

I figure with flex dining, we aren’t missing anything by waiting on the bedroom.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Indeed.
Thanks Betty! Appreciate the work.
I switched everything before Syracuse to coach to offset the cost of a bedroom.

I figure with flex dining, we aren’t missing anything by waiting on the bedroom.

Glad I <was bored and> could help.

 

[BlackDiamond]

I switched everything before Syracuse to coach to offset the cost of a bedroom.

I figure with flex dining, we aren’t missing anything by waiting on the bedroom.

Yes, the diner usually doesn't open until after Albany anyway, so all you are missing is a free lunch from the cafe car on 449.

 

[Tlcooper44]

Is car 4912 a VI or a VII?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

VII

 

[PVD]

I was going to say switch to BC in Albany if you could not get a room, but Betty came up with a better solution. The split clubs are pretty good and BC is generally quieter than coach. But Syracuse is a good place to go to a room, in terms of bed time.... At Albany, it might pay to let the SCA in the NY sleeper you are booked in know you are on the train already, if they have an empty room, they may put you in it earlier, and possibly arrange dinner.

 

[como]

In the more likely event we don't get an unclaimed roommette, any tricks to make a night in coach more enjoyable?

Keep in mind that most Amtrak passengers and many AU members use coach to travel overnight. Bring a sweatshirt or a light travel blanket, ear plugs and an eyeshade, and a travel pillow. You and your wife will have a great trip.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

In the more likely event we don't get an unclaimed roommette, any tricks to make a night in coach more enjoyable?

The most important trick for enjoying coach is to avoid traveling as a single or odd number group. Otherwise you may find a random stranger snuggling up to you in Amtrak's undivided loveseat contraption. Or maybe you'll awake to accusations you snuggled up to them. Either way it's a ridiculous problem to have. You can purchase an extra coach seat but there is no promise you'll be able to keep both seats depending on how the staff feel about it.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The most important trick for enjoying coach is to avoid traveling as a single or odd number group. Otherwise you may find a random stranger snuggling up to you in Amtrak's undivided loveseat contraption. Or maybe you'll awake to accusations you snuggled up to them. Either way it's a ridiculous problem to have. You can purchase an extra coach seat but there is no promise you'll be able to keep both seats depending on how the staff feel about it.

I slept in coach on two occasions and don't recall any issues with my seat mates. I think my snoring chased them away.

 

[Sidney]

I wish Amtrak would let solo travelers have both seats to themselves,especially on overnight trips. On a rail pass two months ago I was assigned to sit next to an extremely obese individual who was sprawled over both seats. His seat check said he was going all the way to Chicago from Glenwood Springs where I boarded. I told my car attendant I didn't want to sit next to him. I did manage to get two seats to myself.

If a roomette just for eight hours overnight wasn't so overpriced,I would grab in a minute. The prospect of having a seatmate on an overnight trip deters me from going. It's different from a plane trip where you generally have five hours or less in flight.

 

[tgstubbs1]

I wish Amtrak would let solo travelers have both seats to themselves,especially on overnight trips.

I think that if there are enough vacant seats they would always allow this. If the train is packed there could be a problem.

I would always take a throw ( 4 x 5 ft).

Maybe a garlic necklace?

 

[BalmyZephyr]

Thought they weren't putting strangers next to you in coach because of Covid...? That it was actually good to travel solo? Where did I get that idea, sounds like I was wrong.