Making the Most

[ALC Rail Writer]

Long story short, my mother and I are taking a sleeper on a return trip (or at least are planning to it).

We have about 132.20 in unused tickets from June. We want to apply this to the cost of our ticket, however since we don't live near a station and want to lock in our lower bucket-- we want to know how it is possible to make a reservation for this trip and get the money from the unused tickets.

Is it possible to book the trip in two segments (to and return) and cancel the RETURN trip at the last minute then go to the station before we leave and ask for an agent to book our return trip again using the unused tickets as credit... thereby selling the room I just canceled back to us?

 

[J-1 3235]

I believe if you cancel the sleeper within seven days of the trip, you will receive another voucher, at least for the accomodation charge.

Maybe you can make the reservation over the phone and explain you have the old tickets you would like to use. Ask the agent to hold your reservation so that you can send the tickets back, and pay the difference with your credit card. Mail the tickets back to Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898 immediately by registered mail.

I would think Amtrak would allow this as you cannot visit an agent easily.

Good luck!

Mike

 

[diesteldorf]

Long story short, my mother and I are taking a sleeper on a return trip (or at least are planning to it).
We have about 132.20 in unused tickets from June. We want to apply this to the cost of our ticket, however since we don't live near a station and want to lock in our lower bucket-- we want to know how it is possible to make a reservation for this trip and get the money from the unused tickets.

Is it possible to book the trip in two segments (to and return) and cancel the RETURN trip at the last minute then go to the station before we leave and ask for an agent to book our return trip again using the unused tickets as credit... thereby selling the room I just canceled back to us?

Call Amtrak and explain the situation to the agent. Ask if you can pay for the reservation over the phone - the value of the tickets. If you can, ask them if they will hold the reservation for you until the day of travel so you can use the tickets to pay the remaining amount before you board.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Thank you much. I made the reservation, the agent explained I have to pay the full amount but that there is a notation on the rezzie that I have some $130 in unclaimed tickets to turn in. Once I turn in the tickets they'll refund the appropriate amount.

 

[the_traveler]

I believe you can make the reservation over the phone with an agent, and then mail in the tickets and have them "pay" for the reservation. You would mail them Certified, Return Receipt Requested.