Pacific Surfliner Biz Class

[rtabern]

I just got back from a trip to the west coast and did a quick round-trip from LAX to Solana Beach on the Surfliner... it was very enjoyable... except I found the Pacific Business Class service to not really be worth the extra $16.

On the southbound trip (#562) things went good and the upgrade seemed worth it -- the attendant put out like 8 packs of apple juice which went quick (I took two for myself and fiancee) and some muffins and cinnamon rolls. Newspaper and WiFi. Seats seemed pretty much the same as the coach though.

On the northbound trip (#769), Business Class was a complete waste of $$$$. We got on around 10:30am at Solana Beach and there was NOTHING to eat or drink except coffee. The muffins and juice were apparently all gone from the southbound train run -- and the attendant said she was not going to offer drinks or snack packs until after leaving LAX (we were 30 minutes late). I did notice there was a sign that pointed out this service this service was to begin at 12 NOON. When I pointed this out to the attendant she wasn't too thrilled and said she would bring us 2 snack packs, but when she did... she covered them up with a napkin... and said don't show the other passegers what we got as she didnt really want to give them out to everyone until after leaving LAX around 1PM.

Also, on both trips it seemed like the Business Class car was MORE crowded than the regular cars... we almost thought about going and sitting in one of the Superliner cars which were on the trainset.

 

[guest employee]

This time of year, BC can be worth it, especially with the Del Mar Fair and/or race season, which frequently results in trains with over 100 standees...

 

[guest in the west]

I just got back from a trip to the west coast and did a quick round-trip from LAX to Solana Beach on the Surfliner... it was very enjoyable... except I found the Pacific Business Class service to not really be worth the extra $16.

On the southbound trip (#562) things went good and the upgrade seemed worth it -- the attendant put out like 8 packs of apple juice which went quick (I took two for myself and fiancee) and some muffins and cinnamon rolls. Newspaper and WiFi. Seats seemed pretty much the same as the coach though.

On the northbound trip (#769), Business Class was a complete waste of $$$$. We got on around 10:30am at Solana Beach and there was NOTHING to eat or drink except coffee. The muffins and juice were apparently all gone from the southbound train run -- and the attendant said she was not going to offer drinks or snack packs until after leaving LAX (we were 30 minutes late). I did notice there was a sign that pointed out this service this service was to begin at 12 NOON. When I pointed this out to the attendant she wasn't too thrilled and said she would bring us 2 snack packs, but when she did... she covered them up with a napkin... and said don't show the other passegers what we got as she didnt really want to give them out to everyone until after leaving LAX around 1PM.

Also, on both trips it seemed like the Business Class car was MORE crowded than the regular cars... we almost thought about going and sitting in one of the Superliner cars which were on the trainset.

If you are leaving from LA or from San Diego, Business class is almost NEVER worth paying for, as almost every consist has a Superliner coach these days, and you sit in Superliner coach luxury, with foot and legrests, for the coach price, while the Business class seats are just a wee bit more comfortable than the regular Surfliner coach seats, with emphasis on "wee."

The exception from LA or San Diego: if you happen to get the single-level Amfleet consist (but you really can't know ahead of time very easily), then the Business Class in the cafe-BC car is worth it because the seats are from the Metroliners, and are extremely comfy (like BC on the River Runner and other Midwest and East routes).

AND if you are boarding from intermediate stops, especially in the summer and ESPECIALLY northbound from Solana Beach, and IN PARTICULAR in the morning or late afternoon, it is probably worth buying business class, so you will be assured of a seat. The Surfliners can get pretty crowded northbound in the morning and almost always in the late afternoon from Solana Beach north.

 

[WhoozOn1st]

With exceptions such as those noted above I've never thought Surfliner BC is worth coughing up the extra cabbage either. The Amfleet consist with the Horizon BC/Cafe car used to be a reliable exception when 799/798 did a daily run to SLO, but that's no more.

Also, equipment problems can toss the BC guaranteed seat thing out the window, or make the extra expenditure otherwise useless. I once rode a bi-level consist with MrFSS on which the cafe car had been bad ordered at SLO. The BC car was opened to Coach passengers, rendering our added expense pointless from the exclusivity standpoint. Coach riders traipsed endlessly back and forth for the surprise free eats and coffee. And as MrFSS noted with displeasure, the BC coach itself was nothing special. I had tried to tell him...

Superliner seats are the way to go, well worth the slight extra boarding/detraining effort.

MrFSS and WhoozOn1st are none the worse for wear at L.A. Union Station following a disquieting Surfliner BC ride, 2-18-08. Photo by MrsFSS.

​

 

[sechs]

I've never experienced the kind of issues that folks here have described.

Of course, I don't pay for business class unless I have some expectation that the train will be busy. When using points, on the other hand, I pretty much always get it.

 

[dart330]

I took my boss roundtrip from San Diego to Oceanside last year in Business Class. Departing we were given the snack packs and our choice of an alcoholic beverage. Coming back the attendant wouldn't give us the time of day and we did not get our included beverage. She was too busy cleaning up in preparation for arriving in San Diego, even though we had a full hour to get there. I don't think I would take it again for such a short trip.

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I would not ride BC on the PS either. For short rides, the extra money is not worth it. For long rides, the situation would be different.

 

[RampWidget]

I would not ride BC on the PS either. For short rides, the extra money is not worth it. For long rides, the situation would be different.

I think it's a matter of individual preference. LadyWidget & I have travelled in BC on all three of our Surfliner trips (SAN-LAX) and have enjoyed the car. I can see if the car was completely full, or open to Coach pax as a "cafe", then it wouldn't be nearly as desirable.

But we were lucky on all our Surfliner trips that the BC car was less than 50% full (and the beverages/snacks were available).

 

[SubwayNut]

Pacific Surfliner Business Class definitely seems more worth it to me than Midwest and Northeast Business Class, where you just get a more comfy seat and coffee/soft drink. I have upgraded twice, both times starving for breakfast and definitely felt like I got my monies worth, ate about six muffins and cinnamon rolls on each trip, plus the free cup of coffee. One was on a Sunday and getting a free $2/$3 Sunday paper to read also seemed worth it (It was the San Diego Union Tribune). I wouldn't spend more than $10ish to upgrade but for the idea of an 'unlimited' breakfast for that small amount seems worth it to me. The first time I also got like 300 extra AGR points because of a 'Try Business Class' Promotion that was in my account.

 

[guest]

Pacific Surfliner Business Class definitely seems more worth it to me than Midwest and Northeast Business Class, where you just get a more comfy seat and coffee/soft drink. I have upgraded twice, both times starving for breakfast and definitely felt like I got my monies worth, ate about six muffins and cinnamon rolls on each trip, plus the free cup of coffee. One was on a Sunday and getting a free $2/$3 Sunday paper to read also seemed worth it (It was the San Diego Union Tribune). I wouldn't spend more than $10ish to upgrade but for the idea of an 'unlimited' breakfast for that small amount seems worth it to me. The first time I also got like 300 extra AGR points because of a 'Try Business Class' Promotion that was in my account.

With all due respect, I don't think that six cholesterol-laden muffins and cinnamon rolls--baked and wrapped probably months prior to eating--qualify as any type of normal breakfast.

 

[bombcar]

Sometimes you have to walk from BC to the Cafe car and show your stub to get your goodies.

 

[Kero]

Pacific Surfliner Business Class definitely seems more worth it to me than Midwest and Northeast Business Class, where you just get a more comfy seat and coffee/soft drink. I have upgraded twice, both times starving for breakfast and definitely felt like I got my monies worth, ate about six muffins and cinnamon rolls on each trip, plus the free cup of coffee. One was on a Sunday and getting a free $2/$3 Sunday paper to read also seemed worth it (It was the San Diego Union Tribune). I wouldn't spend more than $10ish to upgrade but for the idea of an 'unlimited' breakfast for that small amount seems worth it to me. The first time I also got like 300 extra AGR points because of a 'Try Business Class' Promotion that was in my account.

Six pastries each trip?!? Gee, save some for the rest of us who board further down the line! :angry2:

 

[SubwayNut]

Pacific Surfliner Business Class definitely seems more worth it to me than Midwest and Northeast Business Class, where you just get a more comfy seat and coffee/soft drink. I have upgraded twice, both times starving for breakfast and definitely felt like I got my monies worth, ate about six muffins and cinnamon rolls on each trip, plus the free cup of coffee. One was on a Sunday and getting a free $2/$3 Sunday paper to read also seemed worth it (It was the San Diego Union Tribune). I wouldn't spend more than $10ish to upgrade but for the idea of an 'unlimited' breakfast for that small amount seems worth it to me. The first time I also got like 300 extra AGR points because of a 'Try Business Class' Promotion that was in my account.

Six pastries each trip?!? Gee, save some for the rest of us who board further down the line! :angry2:

Both times were Sunday mornings on nearly empty trains, there were plenty at the buffet when I got off.

 

[downgraded]

I now have the pleasure of sitting in "business class," which is a Horizon COACH!! Yes there is a cafe/business car next to me, but the attendant claims that those seats are "reserved for a group" and kicked everyone off there.

I understand that equipment can change and people could be inconvenienced occasionally. But aren't we paying for biz upgrade fare but basically getting a commuter car seat? If this is a regular occurrence, I would not be happy. This sure is a good way to discourage people from Amtrak (not to mention giving ammo to haters). People here on this "business class" are not exactly too happy.

Can't they at least put in a Amfleet 2 or a NER business class car?

 

[Swadian Hardcore]

I now have the pleasure of sitting in "business class," which is a Horizon COACH!! Yes there is a cafe/business car next to me, but the attendant claims that those seats are "reserved for a group" and kicked everyone off there.

I understand that equipment can change and people could be inconvenienced occasionally. But aren't we paying for biz upgrade fare but basically getting a commuter car seat? If this is a regular occurrence, I would not be happy. This sure is a good way to discourage people from Amtrak (not to mention giving ammo to haters). People here on this "business class" are not exactly too happy.

Can't they at least put in a Amfleet 2 or a NER business class car?

I think those Amfleet II Coach and Amfleet I Business Class cars are on the other side of the continent!

 

[zepherdude]

Pacific Surfliner Business Class definitely seems more worth it to me than Midwest and Northeast Business Class, where you just get a more comfy seat and coffee/soft drink. I have upgraded twice, both times starving for breakfast and definitely felt like I got my monies worth, ate about six muffins and cinnamon rolls on each trip, plus the free cup of coffee. One was on a Sunday and getting a free $2/$3 Sunday paper to read also seemed worth it (It was the San Diego Union Tribune). I wouldn't spend more than $10ish to upgrade but for the idea of an 'unlimited' breakfast for that small amount seems worth it to me. The first time I also got like 300 extra AGR points because of a 'Try Business Class' Promotion that was in my account.

You are so lucky you do not have to check your sugar!

At least, for now!

 

[downgraded]

I now have the pleasure of sitting in "business class," which is a Horizon COACH!! Yes there is a cafe/business car next to me, but the attendant claims that those seats are "reserved for a group" and kicked everyone off there.

I understand that equipment can change and people could be inconvenienced occasionally. But aren't we paying for biz upgrade fare but basically getting a commuter car seat? If this is a regular occurrence, I would not be happy. This sure is a good way to discourage people from Amtrak (not to mention giving ammo to haters). People here on this "business class" are not exactly too happy.

Can't they at least put in a Amfleet 2 or a NER business class car?

I think those Amfleet II Coach and Amfleet I Business Class cars are on the other side of the continent!

Then how come the consist consists of Amfleet I and Horizon cars (not "native" to West Coast)? I actually wondered about this myself.

This is the only reason I brought up Amfleet II.

Anyways the biz class was jam packed, so yeah there are bigger issues. But wish they subbed in a more appropriate car...

 

[MrFSS]

I now have the pleasure of sitting in "business class," which is a Horizon COACH!! Yes there is a cafe/business car next to me, but the attendant claims that those seats are "reserved for a group" and kicked everyone off there.

I understand that equipment can change and people could be inconvenienced occasionally. But aren't we paying for biz upgrade fare but basically getting a commuter car seat? If this is a regular occurrence, I would not be happy. This sure is a good way to discourage people from Amtrak (not to mention giving ammo to haters). People here on this "business class" are not exactly too happy.

Can't they at least put in a Amfleet 2 or a NER business class car?

I think those Amfleet II Coach and Amfleet I Business Class cars are on the other side of the continent!

Then how come the consist consists of Amfleet I and Horizon cars (not "native" to West Coast)? I actually wondered about this myself.

This is the only reason I brought up Amfleet II.

Anyways the biz class was jam packed, so yeah there are bigger issues. But wish they subbed in a more appropriate car...

There are some Surfliners that use Amfleet I's and Horizon coaches.

 

[Anthony]

If the BC attendant is nowhere to be found, just take your ticket stub to the cafe. A small bottle of wine is one of the allowed BC beverages. Note that only one beverage from the cafe is permitted for free.