Two Coach Seats vs. Roomette for One Person

[Wendy Won't Fly]

I am traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on SWC in August and would love to get a Roomette but the extra cost is $838, on top of the $169 Coach fare I was able to get. I am very uncomfortablle at the thought of having a stranger sleeping next to me for two nights,and even more uncomfortable at the prospect that I might be on an aisle seat for the whole trip, because I doubt I would sleep at all..

Is it possible to buy a second Coach seat for myself and then have the two seat together so that I can stretch out and sleep at night? If the Roomette fare was even $300-400 more, I would definitely consider that option, but $838 is just not possible.

Appreciate knowing whether Amtrak allows someone to buy two seats, whether the Train Attendents would allow me to keep those two seats togwether when assigning seats (if they do that), and any tips about how to go about arranging this when I board the train.

Believe me, if I could get myself onto an airplane and save the money and time I would, but I'm just not able.

 

[MrFSS]

You can do a site search on this topic and find quite a bit of information.

This appears to be what Amtrak has to say on the subject.

 

[gmushial]

I am traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on SWC in August and would love to get a Roomette but the extra cost is $838, on top of the $169 Coach fare I was able to get. I am very uncomfortablle at the thought of having a stranger sleeping next to me for two nights,and even more uncomfortable at the prospect that I might be on an aisle seat for the whole trip, because I doubt I would sleep at all..

Is it possible to buy a second Coach seat for myself and then have the two seat together so that I can stretch out and sleep at night? If the Roomette fare was even $300-400 more, I would definitely consider that option, but $838 is just not possible.

Appreciate knowing whether Amtrak allows someone to buy two seats, whether the Train Attendents would allow me to keep those two seats togwether when assigning seats (if they do that), and any tips about how to go about arranging this when I board the train.

Believe me, if I could get myself onto an airplane and save the money and time I would, but I'm just not able.

Bring a friend along?

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I am guessing, based on a random look on Amtrak.com, that the $800+ includes your rail fare. You do not need to add the coach cost to the roomette cost, it's all inclusive on the website now-a-days.

And remember, meals are included. Personally, that's still too high for me, but just wanted to make you aware of the cost structure.

 

[DennyM]

I think rule (e) is just a way for Amtrak to force passengers to spend

extra money for sleeping room. Lame excuse.

If I was a standing passenger in a full train, all the conductor or attendant

has to tell me is "that guy paid for both seats" and I will fully understand.

 

[MrFSS]

If I was a standing passenger in a full train, all the conductor or attendant

has to tell me is "that guy paid for both seats" and I will fully understand.

But many people won't!

 

[jebr]

I think rule (e) is just a way for Amtrak to force passengers to spend

extra money for sleeping room. Lame excuse.

If I was a standing passenger in a full train, all the conductor or attendant

has to tell me is "that guy paid for both seats" and I will fully understand.

You'd be the exception to the rule.

That being said, I still don't get why Amtrak can't sell two seats and then on the off chance there's a standing-room-only problem simply force them to relinquish their seat for that period and refund them the second ticket. They could make a note when you buy two tickets for yourself of that possibility. I'd imagine it'd be a rare occurrence on reserved trains anyways.

 

[seat38a]

Rule e. I don't get. The trains especially the LD trains are supposed to be reserved. So whats with the "standing passengers"?

 

[DennyM]

perhaps the OP can start training service dogs....

If I was a standing passenger in a full train, all the conductor or attendant

has to tell me is "that guy paid for both seats" and I will fully understand.

But many people won't!

are you suggesting that most people who ride Amtrak as standing passengers lack common sense?

looking at those rules... how are the conductors supposed to act when the two seats are occupied by a large passenger who require 1.5 seats?

which of the following is worse when a standing passengers asks ""there's an empty seat there, why can I sit in it?"

(1) "sorry, but that's an obese passenger who bought two seats"

or

(2) "sorry, but that passenger is blind and his service dog sits in the seat for free"

(both are following Amtrak's own rules)

 

[trainman74]

Rule e. I don't get. The trains especially the LD trains are supposed to be reserved. So whats with the "standing passengers"?

That means someone who just boarded an almost-completely-full train, and is standing in the aisle looking at an empty seat (and, for purposes of the italicized portion, standing there arguing with the conductor).

 

[Texan Eagle]

So, by Rule d the OP can purchase two seats... all he/she needs to tell is that it is "due to size". The rule does not say anywhere how fat do you have to be to need two seats. Could you not be a slim 100 lb person but say you need two seats because the size of one seat is not enough for you.

Does Amtrak have any cut-off on weight or waist-size etc to decide below which you are not eligible to ask for two seats due to size?

 

[SarahZ]

So, by Rule d the OP can purchase two seats... all he/she needs to tell is that it is "due to size". The rule does not say anywhere how fat do you have to be to need two seats. Could you not be a slim 100 lb person but say you need two seats because the size of one seat is not enough for you.

Does Amtrak have any cut-off on weight or waist-size etc to decide below which you are not eligible to ask for two seats due to size?

I imagine it's like the airlines, which use the armrests as the boundary between two seats. If a person is unable to put the armrest down, the airline asks them to buy two seats.

With Amtrak, I imagine that, since they don't have armrests, they use the line between the two seat cushions as the "boundary". That's how I think of it anyway.

 

[tonys96]

Rule e. I don't get. The trains especially the LD trains are supposed to be reserved. So whats with the "standing passengers"?

Twice, I have boarded the Eagle in LVW on the way to DAL. and had to ride in the SSL due to no coach seats available.

 

[SarahZ]

I once had a lady throw a fit because I'd purchased two seats on a Southwest flight, which is policy. I had the "seat reserved" card in the seat next to me. It was a full flight, and she wanted that seat. There were a few other seats left, but she wanted the middle seat next to me instead of a middle seat farther back.

She pitched a fit to the flight attendant, who explained I'd purchased two seats and, therefore, she could not sit in one of those purchased seats. The FA finally got her to sit down, and that lady glared at me every time I caught her eye.

Excuse me for following policy.

I guarantee that if I hadn't purchased a second seat and she'd sat next to me, she'd have complained to the FA that I was too fat and that a half-inch of my thigh had crossed the boundary into her seat space.

Damned if you do; damned if you don't.

I feel for the conductors who have to explain that a large or disabled person purchased a second seat and, therefore, are entitled to use that purchased seat, but honestly, they shouldn't have to. I'll never understand why people are so rude and demanding when it's obvious that person needs a second seat. Even if it's not obvious, why should that person give up the seat they paid for so someone else can sit there?

 

[gmushial]

I once had a lady throw a fit because I'd purchased two seats on a Southwest flight, which is policy. I had the "seat reserved" card in the seat next to me. It was a full flight, and she wanted that seat. There were a few other seats left, but she wanted the middle seat next to me instead of a middle seat farther back.

She pitched a fit to the flight attendant, who explained I'd purchased two seats and, therefore, she could not sit in one of those purchased seats. The FA finally got her to sit down, and that lady glared at me every time I caught her eye.

Excuse me for following policy.

I guarantee that if I hadn't purchased a second seat and she'd sat next to me, she'd have complained to the FA that I was too fat and that a half-inch of my thigh had crossed the boundary into her seat space.

Damned if you do; damned if you don't.

I feel for the conductors who have to explain that a large or disabled person purchased a second seat and, therefore, are entitled to use that purchased seat, but honestly, they shouldn't have to. I'll never understand why people are so rude and demanding when it's obvious that person needs a second seat. Even if it's not obvious, why should that person give up the seat they paid for so someone else can sit there?

Some people are simply clueless and/or self-centered... be grateful that you only have to deal with them for a short period of time... imagine what it's like to be such a person and live with oneself on a continuous basis. ... something about what goes around comes around? ... had to deal with one of these for the last two hours of our CZ trip... but we got off in LNK, and in a couple hours she was forgotten... she has to look herself in the mirror each morning, and given that I suspect she has pissed off everyone around her in her daily "life", has to deal with a bunch of angry people all day long. ... given some of the garbage she was spewing, suspect she was a dittohead... can't be a happy existence.

 

[suzanne]

If you are flexible with your dates, you might find a cheaper roomette. Check out Amsnag.net and filter out all but SWC. Can do up to 30 days. Some of the cheapest I see are $505 for a roomette. When you check Amsnag, only use it as a guide for the roomette cost. You hsve to add the coach fare to the roomette fare, but sometimes the coach part is less. You have to then go to amtrak and find out for sure. Good luck and as someone else pointed out, it does include meals with your room.

 

[Green Maned Lion]

Rule E is probably mostly a relic of the time when Amtrak was trying to increase counted ridership.

 

[Dovecote]

Rule e. I don't get. The trains especially the LD trains are supposed to be reserved. So whats with the "standing passengers"?

Twice, I have boarded the Eagle in LVW on the way to DAL. and had to ride in the SSL due to no coach seats available.

Happened to me twice also on the Capitol Limited from WAS to Harpers Ferry. At least half of the lounge car was filled on one occasion. That was the day after the WW2 memorial dedication. A lot of veterans were returning home. It was quite an honor to speak to those veterans including a Navajo code talker.

 

[Wendy Won't Fly]

MrFSS, where did you get the rules on Coach? The website has a differently worded policy for seating:

"Seating

"Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

-Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.

-Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.

-Unless specific seats are assigned, seating is on a first come - first served basis. On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.

-Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

-Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route."

According to the second bullet, it appears that I would be "entitled to one seat per fare", so if I pay two fares, why wouldn't I be entitled to two seats?

 

[seat38a]

Rule e. I don't get. The trains especially the LD trains are supposed to be reserved. So whats with the "standing passengers"?

Twice, I have boarded the Eagle in LVW on the way to DAL. and had to ride in the SSL due to no coach seats available.

Sounds like whoever was on the train that did not have a reservation should not have been allowed to board. (Unless Amtrak is Over Selling) You were on a reserved train so, unless Amtrak is overselling you should have had a seat.

 

[seat38a]

MrFSS, where did you get the rules on Coach? The website has a differently worded policy for seating:

"Seating

"Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

-Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.

-Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.

-Unless specific seats are assigned, seating is on a first come - first served basis. On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.

-Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

-Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route."

According to the second bullet, it appears that I would be "entitled to one seat per fare", so if I pay two fares, why wouldn't I be entitled to two seats?

Thats been the question. On the train I take, the conductor always make it clear, "One Ticket One Seat" but it also seems like they won't sell you two tickets without a good reason.

 

[Railroad Bill]

Wondering what would happen if you purchased two seats but you boarded down the line and there were not two seats side by side available in any of the coach cars ? It is unlikely the conductor would move someone to another seat in order to permit you to occupy two side by side seats unless you met the criteria mentioned in Tom's list of Amtrak rules.

I agree that if you pay for two seats, you should get two seats, but the above mentioned scenario could cause some problems.

 

[seat38a]

Wondering what would happen if you purchased two seats but you boarded down the line and there were not two seats side by side available in any of the coach cars ? It is unlikely the conductor would move someone to another seat in order to permit you to occupy two side by side seats unless you met the criteria mentioned in Tom's list of Amtrak rules.

I agree that if you pay for two seats, you should get two seats, but the above mentioned scenario could cause some problems.

I asked this same question before but mine was based on starting my journey from the originating station. I probably would not risk it if I was getting on the train somewhere down the line.

 

[ehbowen]

I am traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on SWC in August and would love to get a Roomette but the extra cost is $838, on top of the $169 Coach fare I was able to get. I am very uncomfortablle at the thought of having a stranger sleeping next to me for two nights,and even more uncomfortable at the prospect that I might be on an aisle seat for the whole trip, because I doubt I would sleep at all..

Hello, Wendy. I agree with the others who suggest that you search a few days plus-and-minus with Amsnag and see if you can't find a slightly better fare. Even if not, though, I would recommend that you try to stretch your budget for the roomette. Unless the train is more than half empty (which is highly unlikely in summer, especially if the roomettes are selling for a high bucket) you will probably find yourself having a seatmate at some point, and from what you have shared I think that you will be much happier on the trip in First Class. The coffee, meals, and other sleeper "perks" are just icing on the cake.

If you do decide to go coach, however, remember that you are not trapped in your seat. Feel free to spend plenty of time in the lounge car...you might want to bring a book and split your time between looking out the window and catching up on your reading. Take your meals in the dining car, where you will also have a seatmate but it will be for a short time and you will all be busy eating. I've made a lot of friendly acquaintances over dining car meals. If you do get a seatmate who "creeps you out", see the car attendant or Conductor and request a switch sooner rather than later.

I think that even in coach you will find that your fears are exaggerated, but again I would encourage you to seriously consider First Class. There have been many times after a coach trip that I have said, "I really wish that I could have gone sleeper;" there has never been a time after a sleeper trip when I have said, "You know, I really wish I had saved the money and gone Coach." As always, your mileage may vary.

 

[user 1215]

MrFSS, where did you get the rules on Coach? The website has a differently worded policy for seating:

"Seating

"Amtrak will monitor seating of passengers to ensure compliance with the following policies:

-Each passenger paying a fare will be entitled to a seat, to the extent coach seats are available.

-Passengers are entitled to one seat per fare, to ensure other paying passengers are not excluded.

-Unless specific seats are assigned, seating is on a first come - first served basis. On unreserved trains there are no guaranteed seats.

-Seating arrangements will be made without regard to race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

-Amtrak reserves the right, whenever operating conditions require, to transfer passengers from one car or train to another en route."

According to the second bullet, it appears that I would be "entitled to one seat per fare", so if I pay two fares, why wouldn't I be entitled to two seats?

If I were an arguing attorney, I would interpret the 2nd bullet as focusing on the term Passengers. In context with the term Each Passenger in the bullet above, it would imply to me that each passenger is entitled to one ticket and therefore one seat. The Service Standards "Blue Book" (aka the employee manual) is what was quoted in post #2. The intent for Amtrak is to offer one seat per ticket, one ticket per passenger. This is the policy. The exceptions would be to handle customer service issues as indicated in the Blue Book.

As for the price - everyone wants the best for less. It's human nature. Amtrak unfortunately doesn't have a 'medium' fare - something with semi-privacy but still affordable. When demand is high, and supply is low (Texas Eagle is getting a bustitution between Fort Worth and San Antonio in August, practically eliminating demand on that route from CHI to LA, pushing more than the average number of through passengers to the Southwest Chief), low fares won't be available.

Flexibility is your friend. For instance, I have found a rate on 8/24 for $505 in a roomette from CHI to LAX (total). $881 on 8/7 Total.

Another suggestion is that you can book a multi-city trip. Suffer through the first night, then after reaching Gallup, NM, you can move to a roomette. That $881 on 8/7 becomes $640. You'll still get dinner that night and maybe breakfast in the AM, but you'll unwind from a night in Coach and have an opportunity to take a shower.

Keep in mind that the higher the coach fare, the more crowded the train will likely be, thus decreasing your chances of being seat-mate free.

Finally, you might be able to hurry, get an Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard, buy 10,000 points, and spend another $30,000 and redeem a two zone roomette reward. Ok - not for next month, but if you plan ahead to next year...