2011 Amtrak Promotions and Discounts
 

Please Read This Post First!

Welcome to the 2011 Amtrak discount codes and promotions thread! If you are looking for a discount please read the information below. Discounts are organized by region for quick reference. If nothing is listed for your route, check the national promotions section for nationwide discounts.

@:-) NEW! - When you see this icon, it means the following is new or updated information.

Train Status Statistics
Use the following site to track up to four weeks of a particular train's on-time performance at a particular station. Very useful tool to guesstimate how your train will run.AmSnag - Fare Finder

Use AmSnag to view all available prices for a set date range between two stations. Very handy locating which day has the lowest fare.

Disclaimer! - Use these codes at your own risk. Many are targeted for specific people/organizations which may require proof of eligibility when booking or picking tickets up. Conductors may also verify eligibility onboard the train.

Additional Resource RailServe also maintains a good list of promotions and discount codes. Utilize both resources to find the best deals for you.

General Terms and Blackouts: Most discounts require a three day advance purchase. Sleeper accommodations, Auto Train, weekday Acela Express service and non-Amtrak operated Thruway services are typically excluded as well. Check with Amtrak for specific terms and conditions before booking.

Most promotions and discounts are not applicable during high-demand periods. Blackout dates also apply to Guest Rewards ticket redemptions. Select Plus members have access to "Rule Buster" awards during blackout periods.

2011 Promotion Blackout Dates: May 27; July 1-2; September 2, 5; October 7; November 22-23, 26-28; December 21-24, 26-30

2011 Guest Rewards Blackout Dates: February 18, 21; April 22, 24-25; May 27; July 1-2; September 2, 5; November 22-23, 26-28

National Promotions

Hot Deals and Weekly Specials

Guest Rewards Promotions

Northeast Routes

Southern Routes

Midwestern Routes

Western Long Haul Routes

Northwestern Routes

Southwestern Routes

Yay! First response to this year's, too! :p

Santa Barabara 2011
 

http://www.santabarbaracarfree.org/traindiscount.htm

20% off Surfliner, San Joaquin to/from Santa Barbara County stations. Limited blackout days

The offer wants you to register to get the special discount link and then redirects to amtrak.com/SBCarfree

V773 - Buy One Get One Free Downeaster
 

When I get more specific details, I'll be sure to post, but the Downeaster's website isn't reflecting 2011 dates yet - I've confirmed the V773 Buy One Get One Free code for the Downeaster only is at least valid throughout January, 2011, possibly the entire year as has been the case in the past.

The code in 2010 was subject to blackout dates and was only valid on trains 681, 683, 686, 688, 691, 693, 694, 696, and 698 (in other words, late afternoon/evening departures Southbound, morning departures Northbound).

The 2011 Northeast Regional codes for all major stops Boston-DC are posted at: http://www.railserve.com/amtrak_coupons.html

The Vermont deals also appear to be back for 2011.

Adirondack route
 

Just received the following e-mail from Amtrak

From now until April 25, 2011, Amtrak is offering an $89 weekend round-trip fare between New York City to and from all stations as far north as Montreal, Quebec along the Adirondack route, named by National Geographic as one of the top ten most scenic train rides in the world.

Terms and Conditions

* Valid for sale January 3 - April 25, 2011.
* Valid for travel January 6 - April 28, 2011.
* Valid for travel Thursdays through Mondays only.
* Valid for $89 round-trip rail fare per adult.
* Valid for a maximum stay of five days only.
* Blackouts dates:
- February 18 and 21, 2011
- April 22, 24 - 25, 2011
* Advance reservations are required a minimum of three days prior to travel.
* Up to two children ages 2-15 may accompany each adult at half fare.
* Valid for Coach seats on the Adirondack service only.
* Seating is subject to availability, seating may not be available on all trains at all times.
* Fares are subject to a slight increase due to pending "cross the border fees."
* Offer subject to any restrictions, blackouts and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased and upon which the discount is based.
* Once travel has begun no changes to itinerary are permitted.
* Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.
* Not combinable with any other discount offer.
* Other restrictions may apply.

Take your travel, and your budget, farther. The Winter Sale is back again, with 20% off our already-low coach fares.


See more. Save more. Get 20% off coach fares when you book by January 24, 2011 for travel January 18 - April 14, 2011

Terms and Conditions

* Valid for sale January 6 - 24, 2011.
* Valid for travel January 18 - April 14, 2011.
* Blackout dates: February 18 and 21, 2011.
* Valid for discounted one-way Coach rail fares based on the regular (full) adult rail fare only.
* Reservations required a minimum of three days prior to travel.
* Valid on the following trains only: Silver Star, Silver Meteor, Palmetto, Crescent, Cardinal, Capitol Limited, Lake Shore Limited, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, Southwest Chief, California Zephyr, Empire Builder, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Auto Train.
* Seating is limited and fares may not be available on all trains at all times.
* Up to two children ages 2-15 may accompany each adult at half the discounted adult rail fare.
* Fares are non-refundable once ticketed; exchanges are permitted and honored upon purchase of other rail fares.
* Not valid for onboard ticket purchase.
* Valid for Coach seats only; no upgrades allowed.
* Offer subject to any restrictions, blackouts and refund rules that apply to the type of fare purchased.
* Not combinable with any other discount offer.
* Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.
* Once travel has begun, no changes to the itinerary are permitted.
* Other restrictions may apply.

Book here
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...9&rtTracking=1

Does the trick where you (1) buy online, (2) never pick up the ticket from the Quicktrak machine, and then (3) get a full refund to your credit card automatically, work with fares like these that state they are nonrefundable? Thanks.

Yes, except the credit is not automatic. You have to cancel online before the train departs or call after the train departs for them to process the refund.

(I could have sworn I heard somewhere that Amtrak automatically cancels and refunds unticketed reservations 48 hours after scheduled departure, but I have been told that is incorrect. A test a few months ago indicated it was incorrect as well.)

Thanks, I tried to cancel one online already and it says can't do it online. So I guess I'll wait until after the departure date and then call. Just afraid they would say "oops, nonrefundable, sorry, you lose." Perhaps I shouldn't say this out loud, but this would appear to be a pretty significant loophole in the nonrefundability of nonrefundable fares.

If you have a non-refundable ticket/reservation, then your only option is to exchange it for a future Amtrak ticket. You cannot get a refund, even if the ticket has not been printed.

Oh, O.K., thanks for clearing that up. Do you have to do it before the original train's departure or can you call up and do it at a later date? (again, assuming you never picked up the original ticket). Thanks.

Last I knew, you could do it at any point in time.

However, I've been hearing rumors and I stress that they are still rumors at this point, that the policy may be changing in the near future. Changing in the sense that any reservation not cancelled prior to departure becomes non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

So personally I'd make sure to call before departure.

15% off on routes in the Southeast
 

Valid for 15% off the regular (full) adult rail fare for travel on the Carolinian, Crescent, Piedmont, Palmetto, Silver Star and Silver Meteor.
Valid for sale January 3 - March 11, 2011.
Valid for travel January 10 - March 14, 2011 (with two blackout dates, Feb. 18 and 21).

There doesn't appear to be any advance purchase requirement, and it doesn't appear to affect refundability of tickets. But there's no promotional code and it doesn't even seem to be listed under "Deals" on the website, only on the front page. You have to go here and click the "Book it Now" button on the right before searching for tickets to get the 15% off.

Travel Illinois this Winter and Save 20%; Michigan 15%; Missouri 15%
 

Add Illinois (Saint Louis) to the list as 20%, Michigan as 15%, and Missouri as 15%.


You must go to these pages and press book now in order to qualify.

Illinois - http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1248543083895

Missouri - http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1246042803526

Michigan - http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...=1248543084042