short notice trip change?

[Barciur]

Hi

I am flying to EWR and am looking to go from NWK to LNC. However, the train I am looking to go on is at $79 already. So I thought I'd use the 4000 points on this trip which would also make me flexible in case of delays.

So my question is: Say I do the 5:30ish train back. I land with a 2-hour delay at the airport and I can't make it. Would I be able to call and change my reservation to a later train with the same amount of points on such short notice for the Keystone? If not, what are my best alternatives to keep flexible?

 

[Ryan]

For trips booked on points, you have to call and make the change before your scheduled train leaves. If you call before that, you're fine. If the train leaves and you're not on it, you're hosed.

How are you going to get from EWR to NWK?

 

[Barciur]

How are you going to get from EWR to NWK?

Yeah that's also a good question... I flew out of EWR for the first time in June, but AirTrain was suspended and it was a convenient shuttle bus to the airport from NWK. What would be the best option now? AirTran to EWR station, then NJ Transit to NWK? Or anythibng better?

 

[Ryan]

Honestly, I'd just get on a regional and change at PHL.

That's probably easier than trying to make your way to NWK and catch the train there.

 

[the_traveler]

I don't know the answer (and I'm too lazy to look at the schedule ), but do the Keystones stop at EWR? If so, why not just board there!

 

[Barciur]

When I go to amtrak.com to book EWR to LNC, I'm being given at 4:28pm option and then nothing until 8:03. I land at 2:55 so I am not certain that I will make the 4:28 train..

Edit: ah yes, that's because 10 days in advance there the next train is sold out (6:47)

 

[PRR 60]

I don't know the answer (and I'm too lazy to look at the schedule ), but do the Keystones stop at EWR? If so, why not just board there!

Most (all?) do not.

 

[Barciur]

Two of them do per day. But anyway...

So I have an option of either doing EWR at 4:24pm and then an hour layover at Trenton for a next Keystone OR a 4:20pm Keystone out of NWK. Not sure if I can get to Newark Penn in time though with a 2:55PM flight arrival.

So if I book the 4:24pm and it turns out at 4:00pm I am still stuck at the airport, I can call in and change my reservation to the next train from NWK? Just as long as it's still the same zone, right?

I suppose the perk of that is that will be I get a AGR reward with the AirTrain fee included.

 

[Barciur]

Well I just tried to book the AGR reward out of EWR and the only options to LNC I have are two Keystones that stop there directly, so I guess I can't have a NE Regional to Keystone change just on the rewards. Oh well.

 

[Ryan]

Yes you can, you just have to call to get it. You can only book trips with no connections online.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Yes you can, you just have to call to get it. You can only book trips with no connections online.

Which is really kind of shocking when you think about it. Imagine how many extra phone calls Amtrak has to take simply because their loyalty website is so hobbled that it only works with the most simplistic requests and only in coach. If it were up to me I'd almost never call Amtrak and simply use the online tools. Apparently that's not how Amtrak would prefer we handle it.

 

[crescent2]

I also wonder how much business they lose when potential passengers just take the website at its word. Those unfamiliar with Amtrak would have no reason to think phoning would make any difference.

 

[Ryan]

Yes you can, you just have to call to get it. You can only book trips with no connections online.

Which is really kind of shocking when you think about it. Imagine how many extra phone calls Amtrak has to take simply because their loyalty website is so hobbled that it only works with the most simplistic requests and only in coach. If it were up to me I'd almost never call Amtrak and simply use the online tools. Apparently that's not how Amtrak would prefer we handle it.

I don't think that Amtrak wants to handle it that way, in fact they have an RFP on the street to make it better. But without funding, they're stuck using the crappy tools that they have today (and yes, they're really crappy, and I'd love to be able to do more without calling and have *all* of my trips show up in the iOS app).

I also wonder how much business they lose when potential passengers just take the website at its word. Those unfamiliar with Amtrak would have no reason to think phoning would make any difference.

Not much, since the only thing this impacts is AGR redemptions.

 

[Barciur]

Ah I see.. ok, it's going to be a PITA to call in from overseas but maybe I'll be able to.

So would I be able to request them to make a connection with a transfer in PHL instead of Trenton, or is that going to be set in stone and not possible to change?