Upgrading to Business Class Seat Onboard

[david10225]

Hello,

I decided to use Amtrak for a business trip next week vs driving. I will be leaving from Manassas, VA (which is an unstaffed station) and traveling to Philadelphia. Our company travel agent has issued me paper tickets (like the kind that airlines used years ago). My company would not pay for the business class seat, but I would be willing to pay the $16.00 extra to try it out.

What are my options? Should I call Amtrak and ask to change class of seats and pay the extra over the phone? Would the conductor know that I can sit in that type seat? (there is not enough time to have tickets reissued by the travel agent and anyway you wouldn't believe how much they charge as a service fee).

Or can I inquire when I board if a business class seat is available and pay the conductor on board. In that case, I assume I would have to have cash since it is a small amount. Should I expect to pay some additional service fee for paying on board?

Thanks you any assistance. I am really looking forward to sitting back on reading to Philadelphia instead of driving.

 

[Acela150]

It's worth calling Amtrak. The conductor might be to lazy to do the paperwork. Remember in BC drinks are included in the ticket price.

 

[AlanB]

I don't think that calling Amtrak will work, since there is no way for you to turn in your current ticket in favor of a new ticket. Unless you can get to an Amtrak station before you leave, I believe that your only choice is to try for an onboard upgrade. I'd say it's probably worth the dime to call, but don't be surprised if they can't do anything.

The conductor, assuming space is available and they want to do the paperwork, can accept either cash or credit card as payment.

Know that the conductors change in DC too, so if the first doesn't want to do it, you can ask the new conductor coming on duty in DC; assuming that seats are still available.

 

[chandj]

I have actually done this on the Pennsylvanian from Greensburg PA to Harrisburg PA. I called Amtrak and they told me to board in BC at Greensburg (unstaffed and no ticket machine)and that the Conductor would sell me a BC ticket on board if available, which she did. I then took my coach paper tickets to the staffed station in Harrisburg and got a refund. It was complicated and I don't know if it would have worked out if I hadn't called Amtrak in advance--so now I charge the BC tickets to my corporate credit card and then don't turn in the upgrade cost for company reimbursement--much easier for everyone!