MikeSmith wrote: My wife and I are taking Amtrak from Houston, through Los Angeles, to Seattle and returning via Chicago for our annual vacation.{12 days} The only gas we buy this trip is for the rental in Seattle.
We love sitting by the window, watching the USA pass by. {Yes, we have sleepers all the way.} The Pacific Ocean, Cascade Mountains, and Glacier Bay are spectacular from the train.
Just curious, what is the rate for that RT?
Free.
I had 50,000 Amtrak points. With the sleepers {roomette & regular} it would have been about $3200, but I would not have gotten the big bedroom from Seattle to Houston, if I was paying for the trip.
You can price out trips on Amtrak at www.amtrak.com
Don't forget your AAA discount.
Thanks, Mike. But now I'm wondering how one accumulates Amtrak points.
BTW, I consider that a very reasonable price for the benefit. It sounds wonderful! I'd be excited to go!
I have a sweet tender nature, however I enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions.
I've taken Amtrak from Florida to New York on several occasions. It helps to be something of a "people person" since you'll be in close quarters and sometimes (in the case of the dining car), sharing space with complete strangers.
I've met some very nice people on the train but I didn't care much for the dining car experience. The menu is way overpriced, the food is pre-cooked airline fare and there's no substitutions or ala carte.
Skid Row Joe wrote: I'm wondering how one accumulates Amtrak points.
Amtrak Guest Rewards has a Master Card that gives you points for each purchase. Everything I buy for the Company I work for gets put on that card. I accumulated 50,000 points so I could book this trip.
I love taking Amtrak! My daughter is a nurse in NYC, and I love to go visit her. The train is about $50 each way with my AAA discount - I get on in Buffalo. Yes it takes longer than driving, around 8-9 hours depending on whether we have to move over and let the freight trains go by. The freight trains 'own' the rails here, so they have the right of way. I don't work, so I have all the time in the world, and the scenery is beautiful. We follow part of the Erie Canal, and the Hudson River. It takes me right to Penn Station and then it's just a quick subway ride to my daughter's on Wall Street
One word of friendly advice...After taking the all-night train from NYC to Orlando, I found out it is wise to carry extra Kleenex for when the rest rooms run out of TP. The train was booked solid and I guess they underestimated supplies?
Otherwise, no worries.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
Thanks everyone for sharing the stories. It seems everyone had mostly positive experiences. We are in the planning stages for our 30th anniversary "honeymoon". My bride is planning a "reciting of our vows" ceremony and we are taking a week vacation and traveling down to "Old San Antone" for a few days. The only downside to the whole Amtrak ride is the departure time from Little Rock, it is scheduled for 3:25 AM, and I don't think it leaves on time very often. I was sitting at the crossing here in my town the other day going to work and it passed in front of me, that was at 5:10 AM, almost 2 hours behind schedule. It still had 40 miles to go to Little Rock and the Station. We are planning on staying close to downtown San Antonio and the Amtrak station is close by. There are a couple of discounts we can get, I am applying for the 15% Veterans Discount card. This is good for the Veteran only not a family deal, or we may go for the AAA Discount. We are not old enough for the Senior Citizens discount yet!!!
Dave & Pat
1999 Wanderer 230FB
2004 F250, XLT Crew Cab, V10, finally, enough power!
"No kids, no pets, trying to make it to retirement"
Trying to sleep in an Amtrak coach (large seat notwithstanding) is pure torture.
There will be: people snoring people talking train whistles stops at stations
bumps and jolts too hot or too cold
However,
Amtrak compartments (sleeping car) are a wonderful experience, and meals are included in fare.
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