Long-Distance Train Amenities Being Cut
Feb 8, 2014, 3:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Long-Distance Train Amenities Being Cut
A little surprised there wasn't a thread on this yet!
The following amenities are scheduled to be cut from long-distance trains (primarily impacting sleeping car passengers), as of the indicated dates. Note that several of these only apply to the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (and one applies to those two plus the Lake Shore Limited), but some do apply to all trains:
On the first item: orange and apple juice boxes will still be available in sleeping cars, and cranberry juice will continue to be available in dining cars.
Original source for this was a leaked Amtrak memo, but it's been confirmed by other sources.
The following amenities are scheduled to be cut from long-distance trains (primarily impacting sleeping car passengers), as of the indicated dates. Note that several of these only apply to the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder (and one applies to those two plus the Lake Shore Limited), but some do apply to all trains:
- Cranberry juice boxes in sleeping cars (February 8)
- Flowers and vases on dining car tables (February 15)
- Wine & cheese receptions (March 31)
- Complimentary champagne/apple cider (March 31)
- Chocolate squares (March 31)
- Amenity kits (May 31)
- Complimentary newspapers (May 31)
On the first item: orange and apple juice boxes will still be available in sleeping cars, and cranberry juice will continue to be available in dining cars.
Original source for this was a leaked Amtrak memo, but it's been confirmed by other sources.
Feb 8, 2014, 5:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
Programs: Marriott, Southwest, American, Delta, Amtrak,Multiple others
Posts: 564
This is rather disappointing, especially the wine and cheese receptions. I am traveling on the Coast Starlight in late April and was really looking forward to the wine tasting.
AGRInsider, is this information true?
AGRInsider, is this information true?
Feb 8, 2014, 10:22 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: AAdvantage, HHonors, Marriott, United
Posts: 122
What a bummer---I was planning to make a trip next summer to celebrate my birthday on the Coast Starlight
in a sleeper. This brings it down a few notches.
in a sleeper. This brings it down a few notches.
Last edited by Jerseygirl17; Feb 8, 2014 at 10:24 pm Reason: name of train
Feb 10, 2014, 6:00 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
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Yes, I've heard from a friend that works at 30th st and it's described in detail at
http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20...amenities.aspx
Bob H
http://trn.trains.com/en/Railroad%20...amenities.aspx
Bob H
Feb 10, 2014, 8:08 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
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It is disappointing that Amtrak is following the path of Marriott and others regarding taking away important benefits valued by loyal customers in order to save a few dollars. I hope they don't eliminate the dinner in parlor car option for the Coast Starlight, or downgrade their food service again.
Feb 10, 2014, 11:40 am
#7
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Huh. Sleepers are actually a profitable product (above the rails, at least). I don't guess that people will avoid booking a trip because a chocolate wasn't left on their pillow, but still...
I will miss the wine and cheese receptions, though. Those were always fun and a highlight of the trip, even if the wines were, at best, mid-range selections. And IME, they usually sold out, so at $5 a head (and not free to sleeper passengers), you'd think they weren't a money-pit...
I will miss the wine and cheese receptions, though. Those were always fun and a highlight of the trip, even if the wines were, at best, mid-range selections. And IME, they usually sold out, so at $5 a head (and not free to sleeper passengers), you'd think they weren't a money-pit...
Feb 10, 2014, 3:11 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CMH/CVG
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I haven't seen many of these amenities on the long distance trains I have taken, except the newspaper. I haven't received an amenity kit for over 10 years.
I actually will miss the newspaper because most trains I have taken have no wireless. I primarily only read newspapers now on trains and planes.
I actually will miss the newspaper because most trains I have taken have no wireless. I primarily only read newspapers now on trains and planes.
Feb 11, 2014, 6:45 pm
#9
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Huh. Sleepers are actually a profitable product (above the rails, at least). I don't guess that people will avoid booking a trip because a chocolate wasn't left on their pillow, but still...
I will miss the wine and cheese receptions, though. Those were always fun and a highlight of the trip, even if the wines were, at best, mid-range selections. And IME, they usually sold out, so at $5 a head (and not free to sleeper passengers), you'd think they weren't a money-pit...
I will miss the wine and cheese receptions, though. Those were always fun and a highlight of the trip, even if the wines were, at best, mid-range selections. And IME, they usually sold out, so at $5 a head (and not free to sleeper passengers), you'd think they weren't a money-pit...
Feb 13, 2014, 6:47 pm
#10
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Posts: 843
I will miss the wine and cheese receptions, though. Those were always fun and a highlight of the trip, even if the wines were, at best, mid-range selections. And IME, they usually sold out, so at $5 a head (and not free to sleeper passengers), you'd think they weren't a money-pit...
Feb 13, 2014, 9:59 pm
#11
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The Coast Starlight's wine-and-cheese reception returned to being offered at no additional charge (and to being solely for sleeping car passengers) a few years ago. I believe the Empire Builder and Lake Shore Limited wine-and-cheese events were always free to sleeping car passengers.
Feb 17, 2014, 2:08 pm
#13
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I do one or two sleepers a year. Of those on the list:
- Cranberry juice boxes in sleeping cars (February 8): Darn, that was the tastiest juice
- Flowers and vases on dining car tables (February 15): Really? It's a nice touch and costs little.
- Wine & cheese receptions (March 31): Only saw it on one train...didn't go
- Complimentary champagne/apple cider (March 31): Saw it on the Empire Builder in 2010, nothing since
- Chocolate squares (March 31): Can't remember seeing this for years
- Amenity kits (May 31): Again, can't remember seeing this for years
- Complimentary newspapers (May 31): This I will miss, I like starting my day with the paper and very few stations have places you can buy papers at.