For a limited-time, explore the country with the USA Rail Pass for just $299

[Qapla]

Got an email about the latest Rail Pass offer. When I went to the page it shows:


Under the questions section it has this:


My question is - with the new offer, when do you have to start travel ... by Jan 17 or do you have till May 16 to start the travel? or do you have to complete the travel by May 16?

I have never used a Rail Pass and the info on the website is not real clear on this

 

[Peter_Travels]

If you buy the pass today, you will have until May 10th to start the first segment. After you start the first segment, you have 30 days to complete the rest.

 

[caravanman]

You need to purchase the pass by 17 Jan to obtain the offer price, it's quite a bargain, normally $499. I notice it can be used over a 30 day window from the first day of travel, it used to be valid for only 15 days, so again a good improvement.
As Peter above states, you have 120 days from purchase to start your first trip.***
You would still need to make reservations for trains, you can't just turn up and go.
Do read all the information about use and validity, folk should remember that each train or bus is a segment used, so for example one segment takes you from Chicago all the way to Emeryville, but add the bus connection from Emeryville into San Francisco and that uses two segments.
Yep, I am tempted to buy one for myself!

*** Edit in light of Amtrak Blue's post, it seems that the final trip must be finished within the 120 days from first purchase...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

 

[PaTrainFan]

In other words they want you to get your bargain travel in before the summer travel season.