USA Rail Pass for just $299 (1/10-1/17/25)

[Qapla]

Got an email about the latest Rail Pass offer. When I went to the page it shows:


Under the questions section it has this:


My question is - with the new offer, when do you have to start travel ... by Jan 17 or do you have till May 16 to start the travel? or do you have to complete the travel by May 16?

I have never used a Rail Pass and the info on the website is not real clear on this

 

[Peter_Travels]

If you buy the pass today, you will have until May 10th to start the first segment. After you start the first segment, you have 30 days to complete the rest.

Edit: Read @AmtrakBlue’s comment below, but I was wrong. All segments have to be completed within 120 days, and your first and last segment can be mo more than 30 days apart.

 

[caravanman]

You need to purchase the pass by 17 Jan to obtain the offer price, it's quite a bargain, normally $499. I notice it can be used over a 30 day window from the first day of travel, it used to be valid for only 15 days, so again a good improvement.
As Peter above states, you have 120 days from purchase to start your first trip.***
You would still need to make reservations for trains, you can't just turn up and go.
Do read all the information about use and validity, folk should remember that each train or bus is a segment used, so for example one segment takes you from Chicago all the way to Emeryville, but add the bus connection from Emeryville into San Francisco and that uses two segments.
Yep, I am tempted to buy one for myself!

*** Edit in light of Amtrak Blue's post, it seems that the final trip must be finished within the 120 days from first purchase...

 

[AmtrakBlue]

 

[PaTrainFan]

In other words they want you to get your bargain travel in before the summer travel season.

 

[Peter_Travels]

View attachment 38854

I did not know that - thanks for the comment.

I also like your profile pic, Newark, DE, I’m headed there tomorrow.

 

[Qapla]

So, if I bought one on Jan 17 - I would have to start a trip in April at the latest

 

[Cal H]

So, if I bought one on Jan 17 - I would have to start a trip in April at the latest

To get the full 30 days of travel that is correct.
There are quite a few videos on YouTube from folks using the rail pass, it would be worth your while to watch a couple of them.
As with all things, there are pluses & minuses - but it's overall a good deal if you can make it work for you. My wife & I used full fare passes last fall and went around the country and had a great time. I'd snag a couple now for us but wifey is having shoulder surgery later this month and we don't know how long she will be out of commission or be ready for public transit.

Do read all the information about use and validity, folk should remember that each train or bus is a segment used, so for example one segment takes you from Chicago all the way to Emeryville, but add the bus connection from Emeryville into San Francisco and that uses two segments.
Yep, I am tempted to buy one for myself!

To add to Caravanman's point, if you took the CZ from Chicago to Emeryville (one segment) but got off to spend a day in Denver, when you reboarded to continue your trip you've now used a second segment. But that's what the wife & I did, we hopscotched across the country and back only spending one night on the train before getting off for one to four nights. We had a blast doing it.

Let us know if you pull the trigger, and what your plans might be

 

[Qapla]

I know how the segments work. I have been planning/hoping for a trip for several years and have the segments worked out. It is just that I have to be able to fit the overall cost, time and a few other things before I can realistically take such a venture ... that is why I started a Go Fund Me.

It's just that I got the email and wondered if I could make it work ... but, with the timing restraints for this particular sale I may have to pass on it once again

 

[Cal H]

I have been planning/hoping for a trip for several years and have the segments worked out. It is just that I have to be able to fit the overall cost, time and a few other things before I can realistically take such a venture ... that is why I started a Go Fund Me.

I hear you on this Qapla. Even though we planned out a frugal trip itinerary, the actual rail pass was the cheapest part of the trip!
Here's hoping you can put it together and take advantage of it this year