PDX to SEA -Is Business Class Worth It?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 734
PDX to SEA -Is Business Class Worth It?
Hi. I am not an experienced Amtrak passenger. I will be traveling from Portland to Seattle later this month. I noticed that for $16 I can upgrade to a business class seat. But the Amtrak web site doesn't make it really clear what you get for that (compared to what I'd get in regular coach).
Is anyone familiar with Amtrak first class on that route and do you think it's a decent value? I WOULD like to work during the train ride (for what that's worth).
Thank you!
Is anyone familiar with Amtrak first class on that route and do you think it's a decent value? I WOULD like to work during the train ride (for what that's worth).
Thank you!
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,981
More info here: http://www.amtrakcascades.com
This is what you get. Looks like a wider seat, a bit more legroom. Getting either of 4 seats that face another passenger would completely suck, though.
This is what you get. Looks like a wider seat, a bit more legroom. Getting either of 4 seats that face another passenger would completely suck, though.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
Except that you can get an Amtrak
reward ticket on that route for just 1000 points,
and a business class one for 1500,
....so the extra 500 pts is quite trivial,
why not have a better seat ! @:-)
reward ticket on that route for just 1000 points,
and a business class one for 1500,
....so the extra 500 pts is quite trivial,
why not have a better seat ! @:-)
#5
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
It depends a lot on when you are traveling, IMO.
(First, with your upgrade you get a $3 voucher for the cafe car. So if you were going to buy something anyway, it's now effectively a $13 upgrade.)
I've had relatively no problems working in coach on the Cascades, even with a laptop. So for that angle, no it's not worth it. BUT...
If you are traveling during a peak travel period, coach can feel packed. Biz class seals you off somewhat from the college students heading home for the weekend, the families on day trips to Seattle, etc. But if you're taking a mid-day train in the middle of the week, for instance, this is less of an issue.
With biz class, you get priority boarding in PDX and a dedicated check-in line. During peak travel periods, this is almost worth the extra charge in and of itself. During non-peak times, it makes little difference.
Either way, enjoy the trip!
(First, with your upgrade you get a $3 voucher for the cafe car. So if you were going to buy something anyway, it's now effectively a $13 upgrade.)
I've had relatively no problems working in coach on the Cascades, even with a laptop. So for that angle, no it's not worth it. BUT...
If you are traveling during a peak travel period, coach can feel packed. Biz class seals you off somewhat from the college students heading home for the weekend, the families on day trips to Seattle, etc. But if you're taking a mid-day train in the middle of the week, for instance, this is less of an issue.
With biz class, you get priority boarding in PDX and a dedicated check-in line. During peak travel periods, this is almost worth the extra charge in and of itself. During non-peak times, it makes little difference.
Either way, enjoy the trip!
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,597
Do Business Class passengers in PDX get to hang out in the Metropolitan Lounge?
Also, there is a $3 voucher in the snack car, and they used to hand out a free paper in the morning.
But, it really does come down to if the coach will be filled up. If so, definitely spring for it; if not, you can decide if the extra $$ is worth it
Also, there is a $3 voucher in the snack car, and they used to hand out a free paper in the morning.
But, it really does come down to if the coach will be filled up. If so, definitely spring for it; if not, you can decide if the extra $$ is worth it
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,185
I did a business class trip SEA-PDX a couple of years ago and enjoyed the extra room and single seat (nice to have your seat be both a window and an aisle! ).
I look at it as: are you riding the train just this once and spending the (effectively) $13 on just one trip? If so, it's a small amount of money to be able to experience just a little bit of a better experience. If you're doing a round-trip weekly, is it worth it to spend $104 extra per month? Probably not, especially if you can work your schedule to travel on the lighter days (although at that point, I really wish AGR were a bit more generous in terms of elite upgrades, so that someone spending a few thousand bucks a year on this route would be able to qualify for space-available last-minute upgrades on corridor routes (more than just the couple token coupons one gets).
My recommendation: go for it. What's $13 in the long run of things?
I look at it as: are you riding the train just this once and spending the (effectively) $13 on just one trip? If so, it's a small amount of money to be able to experience just a little bit of a better experience. If you're doing a round-trip weekly, is it worth it to spend $104 extra per month? Probably not, especially if you can work your schedule to travel on the lighter days (although at that point, I really wish AGR were a bit more generous in terms of elite upgrades, so that someone spending a few thousand bucks a year on this route would be able to qualify for space-available last-minute upgrades on corridor routes (more than just the couple token coupons one gets).
My recommendation: go for it. What's $13 in the long run of things?
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
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Outside of that timeframe, the views are not that spectacular. In fact, the right (east) side is potentially more exciting coming into Seattle, as you can catch glimpses of Boeing Field.
#13
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: PDX
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More info here: http://www.amtrakcascades.com
This is what you get. Looks like a wider seat, a bit more legroom. Getting either of 4 seats that face another passenger would completely suck, though.
This is what you get. Looks like a wider seat, a bit more legroom. Getting either of 4 seats that face another passenger would completely suck, though.