Reserving a Silver Meteor Viewliner II Sleeper

[pennyk]

FYI - All Silver Service trainsets are now operating with Viewliner IIs in the xx10 and xx12 car positions this week.

Do you know if that will continue into May (and beyond)?

 

[user 6862]

@pennyk

As you do or have travelled both Silvers frequently, do you have a preference?

Hope you don't mind me asking

 

[pennyk]

@pennyk

As you do or have travelled both Silvers frequently, do you have a preference?

Hope you don't mind me asking

The Silver Meteor has always been my preference because of connections to the west. However, I used to like taking the Star for different scenery until they eliminated the dining car. When daily service returns, I am hoping to take the Meteor one way and the Star the other way if I am traveling to the NE. However, if I am traveling to NY, the Star arrives too late for my taste.

 

[user 6862]

The Silver Meteor has always been my preference because of connections to the west. However, I used to like taking the Star for different scenery until they eliminated the dining car. When daily service returns, I am hoping to take the Meteor one way and the Star the other way if I am traveling to the NE. However, if I am traveling to NY, the Star arrives too late for my taste.

Very clear, you've opened up our options, thank you Penny

 

[pennyk]

Very clear, you've opened up our options, thank you Penny

I just made a reservation to go from ORL to NYP for a day trip. Because of the timing, I am taking the Silver Meteor both ways. I am hoping to take a day trip to WAS once daily begins again. I will take Meteor one way and the Star the other way. It has been a while since I have done that and am looking forward to it.

 

[user 6862]

I just made a reservation to go from ORL to NYP for a day trip. Because of the timing, I am taking the Silver Meteor both ways. I am hoping to take a day trip to WAS once daily begins again. I will take Meteor one way and the Star the other way. It has been a while since I have done that and am looking forward to it.

Bet you are you lucky person

 

[RebelRider]

Do you know if that will continue into May (and beyond)?

Two VLIIs per Florida train is the current plan. Of course, this is subject to change based on daily operating requirements (i.e. a VLII car is unexpectedly shopped and a protect isn't available).

It sounds like both Silver Service trains will go to two sleepers when daily service returns June 7. Expect the Meteor to be all VLIIs while the Star will have a VLI in the 10 position and a VLII in the 11 position. Once more VLII sleepers are delivered, the Star will probably go all VLII, but right now there aren't enough to cover the daily service and have protects/shop count cars.

 

[hoovernp]

It sounds like both Silver Service trains will go to two sleepers when daily service returns June 7.

I am going on Silver Meteor on June 2, and it looks like Silver Service has daily service then. Do you think it'll be the two-sleepers by this point versus June 7? In car 11 and wanted to figure out if I should call them, or if the train will likely be VLII

 

[jis]

I am going on Silver Meteor on June 2, and it looks like Silver Service has daily service then. Do you think it'll be the two-sleepers by this point versus June 7? In car 11 and wanted to figure out if I should call them, or if the train will likely be VLII

Silver Service has been daily throughout, just that it is Silver Meteor four days and Silver Star three days in the week. Starting June 7 each of the Silver Service train (Star and Meteor) will become daily. Incidentally I think Palmetto becomes daily too at that time.

They most likely have enough VLIIs to populate four consists needed with three VLIIs each by early June and have enough leftover for shop and contingency. As to whether they will do it or not by then is another matter.

 

[amy1277]

Two VLIIs per Florida train is the current plan. Of course, this is subject to change based on daily operating requirements (i.e. a VLII car is unexpectedly shopped and a protect isn't available).

It sounds like both Silver Service trains will go to two sleepers when daily service returns June 7. Expect the Meteor to be all VLIIs while the Star will have a VLI in the 10 position and a VLII in the 11 position. Once more VLII sleepers are delivered, the Star will probably go all VLII, but right now there aren't enough to cover the daily service and have protects/shop count cars.

This is great info, thank you! I am booked in a bedroom on the Silver Meteor on June 23, in the 10 car. I called to switch to the 12 car in the hopes that it would be a VLII, but it was $200 more so I decided against it.
That said, I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $200 if there were a solid chance that it was a VLII.
So if there are still 3 sleepers on the Meteor after June 7, what is your best guess on which will be VLII? The 12 car like people have been saying throughout this thread, or all 3 of them?
And yes, I realize this is only a guess and nobody truly knows but I am pretty new to train travel so I would welcome any guesses that are more educated than mine!

 

[pennyk]

This is great info, thank you! I am booked in a bedroom on the Silver Meteor on June 23, in the 10 car. I called to switch to the 12 car in the hopes that it would be a VLII, but it was $200 more so I decided against it.
That said, I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $200 if there were a solid chance that it was a VLII.
So if there are still 3 sleepers on the Meteor after June 7, what is your best guess on which will be VLII? The 12 car like people have been saying throughout this thread, or all 3 of them?
And yes, I realize this is only a guess and nobody truly knows but I am pretty new to train travel so I would welcome any guesses that are more educated than mine!

I was in a bedroom in the 10 car and the 12 car last week. Both were Viewliner IIs. The 10 car was more noisy (could hear more flushing than I did in the 12 car) but the AC was out in the 12 car. The cars are very nice looking and the mattress is much better.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

This is great info, thank you! I am booked in a bedroom on the Silver Meteor on June 23, in the 10 car. I called to switch to the 12 car in the hopes that it would be a VLII, but it was $200 more so I decided against it.
That said, I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $200 if there were a solid chance that it was a VLII.
So if there are still 3 sleepers on the Meteor after June 7, what is your best guess on which will be VLII? The 12 car like people have been saying throughout this thread, or all 3 of them?
And yes, I realize this is only a guess and nobody truly knows but I am pretty new to train travel so I would welcome any guesses that are more educated than mine!

You should call back and ask for a supervisor if the agent tells you it will cost extra. They can change your room, if one is available, without changing the price (ask to MODIFY your reservation). Some agents don't know how to do it w/o cancelling/rebooking which affects the price. Supervisors do know how.

 

[amy1277]

Yes, that's what I thought too, based on what you guys have said! I called 4 times and waited 30 mins to an hour each time. 4 different people told me that wasn't possible. At that point I just gave up, ha. I asked for a supervisor during the last call and she convinced me that that wouldn't help. I will try again and be more assertive this time. Thanks for the tip!

 

[RebelRider]

This is great info, thank you! I am booked in a bedroom on the Silver Meteor on June 23, in the 10 car. I called to switch to the 12 car in the hopes that it would be a VLII, but it was $200 more so I decided against it.
That said, I wouldn’t mind paying an extra $200 if there were a solid chance that it was a VLII.
So if there are still 3 sleepers on the Meteor after June 7, what is your best guess on which will be VLII? The 12 car like people have been saying throughout this thread, or all 3 of them?
And yes, I realize this is only a guess and nobody truly knows but I am pretty new to train travel so I would welcome any guesses that are more educated than mine!

When they go to pull inventory to select another room, Arrow automatically reprices the reservation. Whether this should be considered a glitch or programming oversight, I don't know. Regardless, there is no fare difference for changing rooms. Point out you aren't changing dates of travel, train number, origin/destination or room type. They'll have to price it back to what you paid, but it can and should be done.

Be polite, but don't let them tell you otherwise. Ask them if you have to pay a fare difference when changing a business class seat assignment on the same train... The answer is no.

 

[michaeloz]

On Silver Star 9112 right now, VL I. Specifically called and paid a difference for 9112 because I wanted to experience VL II. BUMMER. 9110 is VL II.

 

[amy1277]

On Silver Star 9112 right now, VL I. Specifically called and paid a difference for 9112 because I wanted to experience VL II. BUMMER. 9110 is VL II.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that; that is my fear. Thank you for the info, and I hope you have a great trip regardless!

 

[user 6862]

On Silver Star 9112 right now, VL I. Specifically called and paid a difference for 9112 because I wanted to experience VL II. BUMMER. 9110 is VL II.

That is a shame. The positive is at least you can enjoy train travel again

 

[Cal]

On Silver Star 9112 right now, VL I. Specifically called and paid a difference for 9112 because I wanted to experience VL II. BUMMER. 9110 is VL II.

I'm sorry.

Also, next time, don't let them charge you. It shouldn't cost anything to simply change rooms/cars. Just ask to modify your reservation. Some agents don't know how to do this without charging you, so you should ask for a supervisor if they say you need to pay a difference.

 

[michaeloz]

I'm sorry.

Also, next time, don't let them charge you. It shouldn't cost anything to simply change rooms/cars. Just ask to modify your reservation. Some agents don't know how to do this without charging you, so you should ask for a supervisor if they say you need to pay a difference.

That’s what I thought, but the agent I called insisted. The difference is only $10 so I think I’ll save the arguments for $10. Thank you for the tips!

 

[Cal]

That’s what I thought, but the agent I called insisted. The difference is only $10 so I think I’ll save the arguments for $10. Thank you for the tips!

Ah, okay.

 

[michaeloz]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that; that is my fear. Thank you for the info, and I hope you have a great trip regardless!

Thank you! I talked to the attendant later and he said because the 12 car had some issue and they have to do a swap for this trip. I’m not sure how long they will fix the car, but I hope VL II will come back soon! He assured me that the 12 car is supposed to be VL II, just my bad luck this time (

That is a shame. The positive is at least you can enjoy train travel again

Yes I’m more than happy that I am taking a train ride now

 

[joelkfla]

Be thankful that you have a working toilet.

 

[jis]

Thank you! I talked to the attendant later and he said because the 12 car had some issue and they have to do a swap for this trip. I’m not sure how long they will fix the car, but I hope VL II will come back soon! He assured me that the 12 car is supposed to be VL II, just my bad luck this time (

At least you did not have to suffer through no working toilets in the VL- II car like we did on 97(20).

 

[jiml]

Be thankful that you have a working toilet.

...in your room.

 

[niemi24s]

The eventual disappearance of the VL I eliminates the only advantage (for me at least) their Roomettes had over Superliner Roomettes - a toilet and sink in the room.

Please: no reason to reiterate personal disdain for such amenities. Have heard enough of it over the years.