Printing E-tickets

[TinCan782]

That's where Passbook or similar facilities come in handy. No app to start. Just touch the item as presented even on a locked screen based on time and other factors that are pre setable.

Now, if only Amtrak reservations made by phone (such as Guest Rewards sleeper redemptions) could be brought into the Amtrak app, and therefore into Passbook...

I think we'd all like that. Don't know why. Such a ticket could always be "locked" so you had to modify it by phone instead of via the app if that's their concern.

That's not their concern Frensic. And I think that Amtrak would love to be able to provide what you guys are requesting. The issue is that ARROW can't handle it. Online booking, App stuff, and AGR are all really overlays sitting on top of ARROW. They all know things that ARROW doesn't and ARROW doesn't have the ability to pass that information around. At least not without a major rewrite, which no one wants to do and at this point no one may even really be capable of doing it without risking bringing down the entire system.

I fear that the only way that this may happen is if/when Amtrak finds the money to actually replace ARROW with something more modern.

If, as you say, "Online booking, App stuff, and AGR are all really overlays sitting on top of ARROW", AGR would be equal to online booking and app stuff but, as we know, AGR award tickets do not show in the app or online, same a a reservation made by phone. Something's going over my head here...it is sounding like there are two different systems/levels/databases, or whatever they are called, that do not play with each other. Phone and AGR reservations are in a different "place" than reservations made via the Amtrak website...one type of reservation is in Arrow and, the other is not. :wacko: !!!

 

[Acela150]

Keep in mind that ARROW dates back to the 70's long before the Modern Internet, Smartphone, and AGR. All of these had to be put into ARROW for making an AGR, Smartphone, or Internet reservation.

 

[AlanB]

I have to add that if Amtrak does puts the fee into effect, when one calls about upgrading from Coach to BC or BC to FC with an AGR coupon, would one have to pay say $5 for their time?? :wacko:

The fee, if it happens, would only be charged for doing things with an agent that one could do via other means; like the website or using Julie. Upgrading with a coupon is NOT something you can do by other means.

 

[AlanB]

Something's going over my head here...it is sounding like there are two different systems/levels/databases, or whatever they are called, that do not play with each other.

Correct, to a large extend they don't all play nicely with one another. They all talk to ARROW, but they don't all communicate with each other and ARROW cannot help them to communicate with each other. Therefore what one overlay does is unknown to the others, beyond the minimal info that ARROW stores to guarantee that reservation.

Phone and AGR reservations are in a different "place" than reservations made via the Amtrak website...one type of reservation is in Arrow and, the other is not. :wacko: !!!

If ARROW doesn't know about your reservation, then you don't have one! And any space that you might think you have can be sold. Every reservation, without regard to how it was made, must end up in ARROW. Otherwise no ticket of any type can be issued and again, you have no reservation.

 

[Acela150]

I have to add that if Amtrak does puts the fee into effect, when one calls about upgrading from Coach to BC or BC to FC with an AGR coupon, would one have to pay say $5 for their time?? :wacko:

The fee, if it happens, would only be charged for doing things with an agent that one could do via other means; like the website or using Julie. Upgrading with a coupon is NOT something you can do by other means.

Is there potential in the future that coupons could be redeemed through AGR.com or a way similar to that?

 

[jis]

Only when they become e-Coupons

 

[amamba]

I have to add that if Amtrak does puts the fee into effect, when one calls about upgrading from Coach to BC or BC to FC with an AGR coupon, would one have to pay say $5 for their time?? :wacko:

The fee, if it happens, would only be charged for doing things with an agent that one could do via other means; like the website or using Julie. Upgrading with a coupon is NOT something you can do by other means.

Is there potential in the future that coupons could be redeemed through AGR.com or a way similar to that?

I believe Select Executive members have e-coupons that can be redeemed without a physical coupon, however, I think they still have to call to use it.

 

[AlanB]

I believe Select Executive members have e-coupons that can be redeemed without a physical coupon, however, I think they still have to call to use it.

Correct, Select Exec's got eCoupons this year. AFAIK, that test has largely been successful, and therefore next year I expect that all special AGR levels will see eCoupons.

Not sure when the ability to upgrade online may come though.

 

[Acela150]

Gotta be honest, upgrading online would be nice for me, but it might be a big hit for others. The one downslide could be transferring them.