jackal

Unfortunately, Amtrak agents aren't known for providing accurate information. In fact, if you call four different Amtrak agents, you're likely to get four different answers.

I'm not sure how that'd be possible on a two-choice, yes/no question, but I'm sure Amtrak would find a way!

beckoa

I know the FT mantra... call again

Unfortunately it won't work this time, (unless the agent bent the rules)

I did some googling and found the source of this code and read the rules which clearly stated it was for travel to Newark, not from. It was a promo code to bring people to events happening in the city...

guv1976

I would still try calling again. I don't think that the idea of the code was for people to get the discount en route to NWK, but then have to pay full fare to get back home. (It's possible, though, that Amtrak will honor the discount out of NWK only in conjunction with roundtrip travel.)

If you still have no luck getting the discount, here's another idea: Do you or your traveling companion have any miles in Continental's OnePass program? You can convert OnePass miles to Amtrak Guest Rewards points on a 1:1 basis (with a 5,000 mile minimum, and perhaps only in blocks of 5,000 miles), and 6,000 AGR points will get you two one-way tickets from NYP or NWK to WAS.

chuljin

Do most (I guess, larger) stations (in my case, SAC) have such a service? On May 24, I'll be in a situation similar to the OP's: arriving at SAC at 12:55 and leaving again at 19:10. Having come via Ambus+San Joaquin earlier in the day, I'll have with me three days' clothes, etc. in a small bag. During those 6 hours, I'll be visiting the State Rail museum, riding their little train, and exploring the Sacramento light rail, and would rather not drag around the said bag. Does SAC have such a (even paid) left-luggage service?

PS it's 5811 (Ambus) LAX->BFD, 711 (San Joaquin) BFD->MTZ, 728 (Capitols) MTZ->SAC. Since the Capitols don't have checked luggage, I can't just check this bag through to SAC and then just not pick it up for 6 hours.

Thanks,
Chris

beckoa

Is there an ideal time for calling Amtrak?

And although I flew over 8K on CO this year, I only have Mileage Plan with AS, so no CO OP miles... interesting idea though...

the_traveler

From post #1 of the promo & discount thread:
Unless it was posted wrong, it does state either to or from Newark!

It does not make any sense that if you want to get people to visit your city, you give them a discount. But if they want to leave, you make them pay full fare! If that was the option given to me, I would not chose to visit that city at all! I'll chose to spend my money somewhere else!

I'd say call again!

beckoa

This is the page I found on google that states its valid to Newark...:
http://www.arrive-digital.com/arrive/20080102/?pg=80

Unless the magazine is not true, I can't use it the way I want... doesn't make that much sense... but does the Transportation Industry ever?

jackal

Well, the magazine is Amtrak's version of an in-flight magazine, so that's pretty much straight from the horse's mouth. However, the_traveler has a valid point in that a code should be valid for both going to the city and returning from the city.

Maybe use of the code requires a round-trip to NWK and from NWK, and then it is valid for both legs...?

beckoa

Update!!!

I decided to try again, and got a nice fellow who helped me out! First I verified the rules of the code V863, and they do allow travel to/from Newark! So then I booked the tickets with the agent!

So I ended up with 2 tickets for $103.50 vs. $139.00

Thanks guys!

jackal

Very cool!

Now, just to make sure the works aren't gunked up...try to pick your tickets up from the QuikTrak machine first instead of going straight to an agent. This is just in case the agent decides to be rude and try to remove the discount. Looks like there should be no problem, because you are booking within the rules of the discount, but it's still a good precaution.

Enjoy Amtrak and hopefully we can get you hooked on train travel!

ClimbGuy

sorry to bring up an old thread, but does anyone know what the current left luggage situation at NYP is?

AlanB

I'm not sure of the cost, I think that it's still $5 per bag, but otherwise as long as you have a same day ticket you can day check your bags at the baggage check/claim area.

Of course if you are riding in First Class or can otherwise gain access to the Club Acela, then you can leave your bags in the storage area in the lounge for free.

ClimbGuy

I have a PC membership, how safe is the Club Acela? Also, if I don't get back in time would I be able to get my bag the next morning?

AlanB

IMHO the NY CA is the least secure of the 4 CA's on the NEC. I certainly would not leave anything of major value in my bag if I were leaving it there. One can enter the area from two places, so it's hard for the agents to keep track of who goes in/out of the area. That said, access to the CA is restricted which tends to help keep things safe.

I'm not at all sure what would happen with luggage left there overnight, or for that matter what would happen if you left a day checked bag at the luggage counter overnight.

liquid

I was in Penn Station this morning and took photos of the Left Luggage and Checked baggage requirements:





Do they really get that many tandem bikes that it requires two line items?

While baggage prices have gone up, last year I paid $5 to take a 17 foot kayak with me from New Orleans to NYP. Oh, I paid up the additional ten bucks for the $2,500 total insurance Getting the kayak out of Penn was a different issue.