Waitlist for sleeping car space.

[Steve4031]

Has anybody done this? Im number 1 on the list on a sold out train.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Its been several years since I did this Steve but I did get a call once from Amtrak telling me that a Bedroom opened up on the TE from AUS-STL and that it was low bucket so I snagged it! Of course in the old days when you could upgrade to a room @ low bucket aboard the train lots of us used that method!(and its surely missed!)

Other than that I just check daily and if a Roomette opens up @ an affordable price on a SOLD OUT Train I want to take I call and book it!

With the Holiday crush the odds are against you but maybe you'll get lucky!

 

[aviva_dawn]

I've definitely noticed that between the time that I checked to see if certain trains had spots for tomorrow for a friend, (and all trains were sold out for her itinerary at that time), and the second time I checked, a few sleepers and coach seats opened up again. I just checked again, an hour from the second time that I checked....and nothing has changed.

It really varies, but its nothing to 'count on' with a guarantee of getting a spot last minute.

 

[Anderson]

I didn't even know Amtrak did waitlisting for sleeper space.

 

[aviva_dawn]

^ Likewise until this past summer.

 

[chakk]

Am I correct in assuming that you can get waitlisted for sold-out sleeper space only after you have agreed to purchase a ticket for coach?

 

[Steve4031]

That is my experience.

 

[DooBdoo]

Did it twice. Got my sleeper both times.

 

[The Whistler]

Its convenient to have a waiting list but the unfair thing about it is that you are forced to buy a cancelled sleeper at the highest bucket price. With an average of about 60 sleepers available on most trains, I guess its just a supply and demand issue. The sad part is that even the regularly sold out trains can't get more sleepers and congress insists that Amtrak is to be run like a business. Go figure!

 

[user 1215]

I guess I fail to see how that is "unfair".

 

[jis]

Likewise

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

I guess I fail to see how that is "unfair".

Fully agree because if you were to buy the last available Sleeper chances are you will be paying Highest Bucket anyways.

 

[chakk]

I suppose The Whistler thinks that Amtrak will want to fill that last-minute-cancelled sleeper so badly that they will "give it away" at a lowest-bucket -- or lower! -- price.

Maybe they did that in the old days -- I remember getting a call from Amtrak more than a decade ago asking if I wanted a sleeper at half the going rate. But no more. And taking the onboard conductor out of the loop to sell unclaimed sleeper space is also a good thing, in my opinion. The potential customer can always dial up Amtrak Reservations on their cell phone or laptop to purchase that space themselves.

 

[NYP2NFL01]

I had a similar experience in 2005. Amtrak called to see if I was interested in upgrading my southbound Crescent coach seats to a Viewliner Bedroom for just $80 bucks. Of course I jumped on that deal immediately!

 

[Steve4031]

It worked. I checked twice earlier today and nothing was available. Amtrak just called and sold me roomette 20. I got it at low bucket too!

 

[NW cannonball]

It worked. I checked twice earlier today and nothing was available. Amtrak just called and sold me roomette 20. I got it at low bucket too!

You just proved that the waitlist strategy can work !

Nothing to rely on -- but "It can work -- "

Good on you -- hope you (and me) get such a deal sometimes.

 

[Steve4031]

Well I thought I would self report. The lady was very nice. I think its a computer program that notified her to call. I was impressed

 

[Phil S]

So buy a coach fare (it's fully refundable as credit voucher) and then get on waitlist for upgrades to roomette.? If it works, great, and if it doesn't just more voucher $ with endless ways to keep that viable forever. Of course in a logical system none of this would be necessary -- but we don't live in a logical country. So -- I like it!

 

[DesertRat]

Hrm. I was looking at getting at least a bedroom next October, and they were either out or down to one or two. If I ask to be waitlisted, I can request bedroom only?

 

[Steve4031]

Yes. They gave me a choice.

 

[BLNT]

Has the ability to be placed on a wait list been phased out with Amtrak? I called and spoke to two different people (one checked with someone else to be sure), and both had no idea what I was talking about.

Looking at the auto train for a return trip (to FL) following Christmas.

THANKS