Surfliner Business Class

[Shortline]

Just booked a AGR trip in April, OKC-LAX. We're actually going down to San Diego, but forgot about the blackout dates, and our arrival into LA is on a blackout day, so will have to buy our tickets to SAN. $37 for coach, $50something for Business. Never have ridden the new surfliners, (last time I took a surfliner it was all Amfleet) so no idea how the cars are laid out-Is there a discernible difference between Coach and BC on these trains? Primary concern will simply be two seats together, if that's more likely in BC, then we'll fork it over, if it's just a USA today, and a Coke, like the Wolverine/Blue Water, we might not-What say you?

 

[amtkstn]

Business class on the Surfliner is the first coach right next to the locomotives. Other then the Wifi and free snacks and drinks the business class is no better then riding one of the normal coaches.

 

[MrFSS]

The other thing BC gets you is a guaranteed reserved seat. Coach is unreserved and at crowded times you may have to stand to ride. That doesn't happen often, but it can. The cars/seats are physically about the same.

 

[Shortline]

Good enough, thanks. Coach it is.

 

[oregon pioneer]

Can someone tell me if this is correct: doesn't the blackout schedule refer to the date you start the trip (board the first train)? So if you are booked as one trip through to San Diego, can't you use AGR for the whole thing?

 

[Shortline]

Yes, and no-It only affects the start of the trip, but you can't board a connecting trip, on a blackout date. Hence, we can arrive on our train during the blackout since we boarded prior to the blackout date, but can't connect to the Surfliner that day.

 

[Acela150]

What Shortline said is the correct answer. Blackouts are big this time of year due to the plentiful holidays. Amtrak wants to make money on those trips. I don't blame them..

 

[user 1215]

I've been on the Pac Surf between LAX and SAN several times. My advice is to go Business. For not much more money, you do, indeed, get the few freebies and much better chance not only having a seat together but a seat at all. The one time I went Coach, I wish I hadn't. It was busy, and though only 3/4 of the seats were taken, the other quarter were housing people's bags and feet, and the conductors cared zero about asking all seats to be occupied by people.

Like most of business class on the Amtrak network, you won't get $13 in newspapers, snacks and drinks, but you be sad you didn't spend the coin if you get caught in a busy coach.

 

[bobnjulie]

We went on the surfliner in business class... unfortunately it was the Amfleet but I thought it was worth the extra money just for our attendant, who was incredible. She hustled and let us know where to sit. It wasn't that crowded so for us it was completely worth the money.

 

[sportbiker]

BC now gets you the new Metropolitan Lounge at LAUS while you wait for your transfer.

 

[Guest]

Business class on the Surfliner is the first coach right next to the locomotives. Other then the Wifi and free snacks and drinks the business class is no better then riding one of the normal coaches.

The whole train has Wi-Fi, Business Class doesn't get anything special in that regard.

 

[Henry Kisor]

Californians aboard Surfliners and other trains seem to be far ruder and more self-centered than elsewhere. I have watched as elderly people shaky on their pins tried to find somewhere to sit, only to be coldly ignored by the seat hogs, and the conductors telling them to walk three cars back where there might be open seats. What is it with those folks, anyway?

One advantage of a coach ticket is that it's good on any Surfliner, in case you're early or late. A business class ticket has to be exchanged at the ticket counter for a new one.