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.
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 ResourceRailServe 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
H863 - 30% Off Companion Fare
Valid for bookings made September 3 through December 15, 2011 for travel January 3 through April 30, 2012. Discount must be booked via 800-USA-RAIL. Not valid on Acela, Auto Train, Northeast Regionals, Keystones, Ethan Allen, Vermonter, Capitol Corridor, Cascades, Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin and 7000-8999 Thurway bus service.
Seniors - 15% off
Amtrak travelers 62 years of age and over receive a 15% discount on the applicable adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains.
Student Advantage - 15% off
College students can purchase the Student Advantage cards to receive discounts at hundreds of retailers, including a 15% discount on Amtrak travel and Amtrak Express shipping. Amtrak reservations must be made at least three days in advance to receive discount. http://www.studentadvantage.com/disc...rd/pjp?id=9191
International Student Identification Card - 15% off
Students holding an International Student Identification Card will receive 15% off the rail fare on most routes. Must present ISIC and school ID card to qualify for discount. Excludes weekday Acela Express services and connecting non-Amtrak operated services. Reservations must be made at least three days in advance. Visit http://www.myisic.com/
AAA - 10% off
American Automobile Association members save 10% off adult rail fares. Three day advance reservation required.
Military Discount - 10% off
Active duty US military personnel, along with their spouses and their dependents, are eligible to receive a 10% discount off most Amtrak rail fares in the US, including travel on the Auto Train.
Amtrak posts special, online-only railfares between Tuesday and Friday each week. Fares are typically good for travel to/from any two stations located between the listed origin and destination stations. Fares are always shown for one-way travel.
The Hot Deals page lists other promotions that are usually booked without a discount code. Be sure to visit these pages often for the latest information.
Make fall twice as nice. With the Double Take promotion from Amtrak Guest RewardsŪ you'll earn double points the next time you head out to see the seasonal colors. Plus, you'll keep earning through November 23, 2011. All qualifying travel from the start of the promotion will earn double points. That means your points will add up faster to bring you closer to free AmtrakŪ travel. Registration at AmtrakGuestRewards.com required.
Thanks, Soxin7!
Northeast Routes
Save 25% off Northeast Regional Railfare
Book at least 14 days in advance and the railfare will be automatically discounted 25%. Use of promotion codes when booking more than 14 days in advance will replace the 25% discount and result in a higher fare.
Companions save 30% off travel to/from Washington, DC
Save 30% off a companion's ticket with purchase of a regular price adult ticket. Valid for travel to/from Washington, NC on Northeast Regional service only.
Valid for sale through December 17, 2011 and for travel through December 20, 2011. Coach only. Seating is limited. Blackout dates apply. Three day advance purchase required. Must book via Amtrak.com and click the Book Now link on this page.
Southern Routes
V104 - 15% off travel to/from Orlando
Using the FREE Orlando Visitor Magic Card, you can take 15% off the available adult railfare when traveling to or from Winter Park, Orlando and Kissimmee stations.
Valid for travel through December 31, 2011. Three day advance purchase required. Seats limited. Must call 800-USA-RAIL to book using discount code V104. Not available on Amtrak.com.
Midwestern Routes
No current promotions. Know about one we missed? Please share in this thread!
Western Long Haul Routes
No current promotions. Know about one we missed? Please share in this thread!
Northwestern Routes
No current promotions. Know about one we missed? Please share in this thread!
Southwestern Routes
20% Off the Surfliner and San Joaquin to/from Santa Barbara County
Travel to or from Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, Buellton, Lompoc, Surf, Guadalupe and Santa Maria and save 20% off the available railfare. Registration with Santa Barbara Car Free required. Only bookable on Amtrak.com via link after registering.
Valid for sale through December 16, 2011 and for travel through December 19, 2011 on the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin and associated Thruway Bus services. Three day advance purchase required. Blackout dates apply. Not valid on 7000-8999 Thruway Bus services. Thanks Exiled in Express!
Last edited by ByeByeDelta; Dec 2, 11 at 11:45 am..
Reason: Additions, Deletions, Housekeeping...
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).
Programs: AGR, PC, HH no status as I stopped paying for travel
Posts: 1,375
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.
Last edited by darben; Jan 4, 11 at 6:54 pm..
Reason: Added T&C's
Programs: AGR, PC, HH no status as I stopped paying for travel
Posts: 1,375
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.
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by darben
* Fares are non-refundable once ticketed; exchanges are permitted and honored upon purchase of other rail fares.
TalkBoard Member / Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MDT / Amtrak: MJY
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, AA, AGR S+, HZ 5*, Nat'l Exec, Costco Exec, NPS Passport
Posts: 15,498
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phlebas
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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