LAX-CHI-NOL = two zones?

[rms492]

Hello, still learning AGR. If I want to go Los Angeles (LAX) to New Orleans (NOL) but NOT via the Sunset Limited, could

I redeem a two-zone award using this: Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (CHI) on the Southwest Chief, and then connect

to the City of New Orleans to get down to New Orleans (NOL)?

Would that qualify as a two-zone award, even though it's technically three nights and the long way to New Orleans??

 

[sechs]

It doesn't matter what the route is as long as it is a valid route to Amtrak.

If you put in your origin and destination for a reservation on Amtrak.com, does your preferred routing appear? If so, AGR should be able to book it without too much effort.

 

[JayPea]

That is a legitimate routing according to the Amtrak website, so that should work. And, yes, that would be a two-zone reward.

 

[rms492]

Wow, thanks, Amtrak and Guest Rewards is the best.

So, along the same lines, let's say I wanted to go New Orleans to New York City.

Instead of just the Crescent, I could redeem a two-zone for: City of New Orleans to Chicago, and then connect to the Cardinal to New York?

I guess whatever comes up as the itinerary, man this opened up a lot of possibilities for me.

 

[the_traveler]

Yes - and no. If it gave you a choice of the Crescent/Cardinal, then yes, but I think it would only give the Crescent direct - since it goes right to NYP. But it should also give you a choice of the CONO (to CHI)/CL (to WAS)/Regional and maybe CONO (to CHI)/CL (to PGH)/Pennsy - and maybe CONO (to CHI)/Cardinal!

And they would all be 2 zones!

EDIT: I can't read - I thought you said Crescent/Cardinal, not CONO/Cardinal. The rest is correct though.

I need to take a trip!

 

[JayPea]

Wow, thanks, Amtrak and Guest Rewards is the best.
So, along the same lines, let's say I wanted to go New Orleans to New York City.

Instead of just the Crescent, I could redeem a two-zone for: City of New Orleans to Chicago, and then connect to the Cardinal to New York?

I guess whatever comes up as the itinerary, man this opened up a lot of possibilities for me.

Yes, you could do the New Orleans-Chicago-New York trip by way of the City of New Orleans and the Cardinal. Keep in mind, however, that the Cardinal runs only three days a week so make sure to choose a day that it runs.

And I agree totally about Amtrak and Guest Rewards! I have a Guest Rewards trip planned for August: New Orleans-Washington DC via the Crescent, DC-Chicago via the Capitol Limited, Chicago-Portland via the Empire Builder, and Portland-Los Angeles via the Coast Starlight........a two-zone award trip! All it cost was the coach fare from New Orleans to Slidell, LA....a paltry $9 with a AAA discount.