Same day Sleeper booking?

[5280 Guy]

I was thinking about going from Denver to Chicago. The last time the train was 4 hours late in arriving in Denver. I'm thinking about taking a chance and checking the schedule on a particular day and going that night if it's on time. Does that seem doable?

 

[TinCan782]

Sure. If accomodations are available.

 

[Willbridge]

I was thinking about going from Denver to Chicago. The last time the train was 4 hours late in arriving in Denver. I'm thinking about taking a chance and checking the schedule on a particular day and going that night if it's on time. Does that seem doable?

And Denver is an agency station if you want to check baggage (up to one hour before departure) or get a paper ticket.

 

[TaseMeBro]

I've done it on two different occasions, including about ten days ago on the CZ. My reasoning was somewhat similar to yours - I saw a chance to wrap up a trip using train, rather than air, but it only made sense if the train was running close to on time.

I didn't appear on a paper roster of some sort the attendant had; I mentioned I only bought the ticket a few hours earlier, and he said "oh, that's why, then", and there were no problems at all with scanning the ticket from the app.

 

[5280 Guy]

Thanks, all.

 

[joelkfla]

I've done it on two different occasions, including about ten days ago on the CZ. My reasoning was somewhat similar to yours - I saw a chance to wrap up a trip using train, rather than air, but it only made sense if the train was running close to on time.

I didn't appear on a paper roster of some sort the attendant had; I mentioned I only bought the ticket a few hours earlier, and he said "oh, that's why, then", and there were no problems at all with scanning the ticket from the app.

Sounds like you could get on the SCA's bad side if they were using your room to store excess baggage or supplies. Depends on whether your SCA is Grumpy or Happy.

 

[zephyr17]

Sounds like you could get on the SCA's bad side if they were using your room to store excess baggage or supplies. Depends on whether your SCA is Grumpy or Happy.

Tough luck for the SCA. If that gets on their bad side, no tip for them...

 

[crescent-zephyr]

The SCA would be annoyed that you bought a sleeping car ticket? I mean it’s Amtrak so sure, it could happen. But it certainly shouldn’t.

I’ve boarded a few times like this and the SCA’s have at most said “oh let me make sure your room is ready for you.”

 

[SubwayNut]

I was once on a ski trip, and pushed my departure from Salt Lake City to Truckee back by a night in a sleeper. The night I was supposed to leave I decided to stay in SLC an extra night because it had just dumped so there and the Sierra's had almost none.

Rebooking the ticket was easy, only issue was the Reno Finest drung detective who wanted to search my room claiming I paid cash for a ticket last minute and must have been transporting drugs.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

Rebooking the ticket was easy, only issue was the Reno Finest drung detective who wanted to search my room claiming I paid cash for a ticket last minute and must have been transporting drugs.

Oh yeah…. That did happen to me once after a “last minute booking” to SLC. Only it was Amtrak police in Chicago that questioned and searched.

That’s an issue on the chief and zephyr no matter when you book from what I’ve seen. Sad, but what can you do. :-/

 

[UserNameRequired]

Any stories of how close to boarding time you can still get the ticket bought online? 15 minutes? Standing at the train door? After the train is rolling?

When does the choice to purchase a ticket get removed as an option on the web site (I suppose it has to allow for multi-hour late trains too). Hmm….

 

[trimetbusfan]

Any stories of how close to boarding time you can still get the ticket bought online? 15 minutes? Standing at the train door? After the train is rolling?

When does the choice to purchase a ticket get removed as an option on the web site (I suppose it has to allow for multi-hour late trains too). Hmm….

The app or website won’t allow you to purchase a ticket until after the train is scheduled to leave. I once had a friend who bought a ticket like 4 minutes before departure.

I believe a station ticket agent is able to sell you a ticket after that in the event the train is late though.

 

[UserNameRequired]

The app or website won’t allow you to purchase a ticket until after the train is scheduled to leave. I once had a friend who bought a ticket like 4 minutes before departure.

I believe a station ticket agent is able to sell you a ticket after that in the event the train is late though.

So, in the case of a late train to a non-staffed non-kiosk station, the only choice to try to pull this move off would be a phone call for a ticket? Edit I suppose too, if the phone lines are clogged this idea won’t work.

 

[user 14106]

I actually was sitting near someone on my last ride who grabbed a sleeper while underway sitting in coach. A sleeper had freed up due to a cancellation. They booked it from the next station stop to their destination and called to get credited for the extra coach fare.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Any stories of how close to boarding time you can still get the ticket bought online? 15 minutes? Standing at the train door? After the train is rolling? When does the choice to purchase a ticket get removed as an option on the web site (I suppose it has to allow for multi-hour late trains too). Hmm….

Back when I was booking close-in tickets station staff would close ticket sales an hour or so before departure. You could book online up to the scheduled departure. After that you had to book on-board through the conductor. Rooms were often high bucket (or sold out) and SCA's would get frazzled if they were not expecting you. These days you can call and book anytime before actual departure but the hold times are likely to be substantial and unpredictable.