ClubAcela (PHL) - Just Snacks?
Mar 26, 2015, 2:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 143
ClubAcela (PHL) - Just Snacks?
I've traveled Amtrak quite a bit over the past few years, but have never once stepped into ClubAcela. This year I'll actually get Select Plus and I decided to Google It and see what I was in for.
Came down to this for filing the stomach:
I found very limited pictures to see what the place actually looked like. And was a bit disappointed to find out there weren't any alcoholic beverages. Most reviews were aged as well.
To the point -- Do they EVER offer meals or anything that could be substituted for a meal? Or is it like pretzels and peanuts?
Thanks.
Came down to this for filing the stomach:
- Fountain Drinks
- Snacks
I found very limited pictures to see what the place actually looked like. And was a bit disappointed to find out there weren't any alcoholic beverages. Most reviews were aged as well.
To the point -- Do they EVER offer meals or anything that could be substituted for a meal? Or is it like pretzels and peanuts?
Thanks.
Mar 26, 2015, 5:06 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Generally, the sole value of Club A is that the agent can handle changes fairly readily without long lines. At PHL the specific value is that the Club has elevators which take you directly to the platform.
Otherwise dingy and dirty. Snacks are merely packets of stuff generally sold in vending machines.
Otherwise dingy and dirty. Snacks are merely packets of stuff generally sold in vending machines.
Mar 27, 2015, 7:44 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
In the morning, they have prefab Sara Lee pastries. A shelf-stable pound cake or danish is not my idea of a healthy start to the day, but it's not much worse than the breakfast offerings in the cafe car and can keep you going until lunch.
Mar 27, 2015, 1:33 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
Don't build up expectations for any of the lounges. I haven't been to PHL, but WAS and NYP are nothing special. NYP rarely has any snacks at all (apart from morning pastries), and you get Goldfish and pretzels at WAS. They're also in desperate need of renovation. The BOS lounge is quite nice, but not a fan of the staff there. Can't remember the snack situation.
Mar 27, 2015, 3:55 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BOS/DEN/BUR
Programs: DL Gold, UA Gold, B6 Mosaic, Marriott Gold
Posts: 744
Staff is RUDE the man there, Tad told my wife to get the F*** out of his face after she asked if the train was on time. He led us to the track and didn't load the bags on the train. Didnt have bags the entire trip!
Mar 28, 2015, 6:50 am
#11
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 229
Our experience
Our experience with Club Acela: NYP is almost always crowded; it was helpful each time having a red cap get us to the train as it seemed a complicated route to me. The last time we were there, when arriving, the red caps disappeared from the platform and our car attendant had to help us with our luggage to the lounge. PHL is nice (my wife especially likes this) as it is divided into small areas so you can often feel as though you are in a private area. WAS has the best service and should be an example for all of the first class lounges, especially Chicago.
Mar 29, 2015, 2:57 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 41
"WAS has the best service and should be an example for all of the first class lounges, especially Chicago."
That has been my experience. Washington was a breeze to deal with getting "signed in" = Chicago can be very hit and miss - to the point of making you not want to ride Amtrak again.
St Louis First Class Lounge rarely used by passengers - unlike Chicago Business Class - BC riders aren't given lounge access in St Louis. But as Select Plus - I've had a fairly easy time of getting in - granted used same employee every time - so that helps.
I wasn't Select Plus on my New York visit - so didn't get to experience lounge - was ticketed Acela BC - which gets no lounge love.
That has been my experience. Washington was a breeze to deal with getting "signed in" = Chicago can be very hit and miss - to the point of making you not want to ride Amtrak again.
St Louis First Class Lounge rarely used by passengers - unlike Chicago Business Class - BC riders aren't given lounge access in St Louis. But as Select Plus - I've had a fairly easy time of getting in - granted used same employee every time - so that helps.
I wasn't Select Plus on my New York visit - so didn't get to experience lounge - was ticketed Acela BC - which gets no lounge love.
Apr 3, 2015, 3:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Philadelphia (PHL / ZFV)
Programs: AGR, HH
Posts: 31
No, the snacks aren't something to write home about, but just the chance to wait in a comfortable, *quiet* space (and have access to clean restrooms) is "worth the price of admission" for me.
Frankly, given Amtrak's ongoing funding issues, I'm surprised that Amtrak has been able to cobble the network of lounges together, and count myself lucky that they even exist.
Frankly, given Amtrak's ongoing funding issues, I'm surprised that Amtrak has been able to cobble the network of lounges together, and count myself lucky that they even exist.
Apr 3, 2015, 8:20 pm
#15
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
The new lounge in LAX at least has cookies. But yeah, you come to a Club Acela hungry and you leave hungry 