Need advice on booking sleeper with points

[Mystic River Dragon]

I will be joining the huge crowd booking a roomette on the Silver Meteor with points. I know I have to call to do this, but I have never done it before and would feel much better after getting some tips from the experts here on the procedure.

First, should I call the number on the back of my "Select" card? Is that the priority number that Amtrak says I have for being "Select"?

Second, I will have the following information handy to mention--am I forgetting anything?:

Tell them I want to redeem points for a roomette on train 97

Date of travel

Start and end points

AGR number

My email address for them to send the ticket to

Get a number/name to call if the ticket doesn't come through

Thank you all very much. I am very awkward on the phone and always forget to ask/say something important, so it helps for me to have a list in front of me when I talk to them.

 

[the_traveler]

Yes, the number on your Select Card is a "priority number" that goes to the same AGR call center, but puts you "at the head of the line" for your call to be answered by an agent.

All you need to tell the agent is where you're going from and to, and the date. (The other info is in your profile.) Also, if there will be a second person, tell them their name also. (Remember that tbe award covers 2 for the same amount of points!)

 

[battalion51]

The only other thing you may want to do is inquire what Car and Room you would be in. Rooms 1-4 to me are ideal since they are at the center of the car. But if you have a hard time walking, for example, you may want a higher number room in the 10 Car instead. If you're traveling alone, the odd numbered rooms are ideal since the toilet faces "backwards."

 

[KmH]

Is Roomette 1 reserved for the Train Attendant - Sleeper Car on Viewliner sleeper cars like it is on Superliner sleeper cars?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The only other thing you may want to do is inquire what Car and Room you would be in. Rooms 1-4 to me are ideal since they are at the center of the car. But if you have a hard time walking, for example, you may want a higher number room in the 10 Car instead. If you're traveling alone, the odd numbered rooms are ideal since the toilet faces "backwards."

In my limited experience, they've always told me what car/room I'm assigned to. I have requested a certain car at least once (since I knew at least one friend was going to be in that car).

 

[Bob Dylan]

Is Roomette 1 reserved for the Train Attendant - Sleeper Car on Viewliner sleeper cars like it is on Superliner sleeper cars?

Nope, the SCAs room is the last one across from the shower by the end door!

Thw Other OBS occupy various Roomettes in the Viewliner I's. If the H Bedroom isn't occupied, OBS usually use it!

 

[the_traveler]

While in Superliners the SCA room is #1, on Viewliners it's #12 (I think - it's a high number).

 

[Alice]

Get a number/name to call if the ticket doesn't come through

I keep them on the phone until the ticket hits my email, and open up the pdf to make sure everything is right. It usually arrives before the agent is done, anyway. I also write down the confirmation number separately.

 

[Mystic River Dragon]

I'm sorry it took so long to get back to all of you to thank you for the advice--I have been traveling and been out and about and am just catching up with real-life stuff (you all know what that's like!). I feel much better about knowing how to book the roomette now.

I do like rooms 1-4, so will ask if one of them is available. And I will stay on the phone til the ticket comes through on the computer.