lg10

I have taken many trips from BOS to NYP and back, in various combinations
of Acela and Northeast Regional (upgraded to business class).
Here's what I have noticed, and I'm curious about any other BTDTs:

1. Acela is [obviously] a quicker ride, and sometimes has more convenient
scheduling.
2. Acela is often cheaper than business class (full-paid) on the regular train
3. Acela earns many more AGR points than the regular train, I think it is
500 per one-way trip vs. cost of the ticket (not counting whatever bonuses)

BUT:

4. Acela doesn't allow AAA discounts.
5. Acela is often much more crowded than business class on the Regional
6. Acela (in regular "business class") doesn't have as many frills i.e. things
like free drinks and nicer bathrooms.



Because of #5 above, on my most recent trip I just went ahead and got
the Regional tickets. Then I was kicking myself because it was totally
crowded and I should have at least gotten the better cost/time/points
for that. I'm not prepared to pay to upgrade to First on Acela, which I
suspect would solve all the problems....

What I mean by "crowded" is that you have to share your set of 2 seats
with a stranger. (I know, that 's a bit spoiled of me....)


What do people think?

--LG

jackal

That is the case for certain city pairs
that can be checked and verified right here.
Acela rides between all other stops
earn only twice the cost that you have paid--
the same that you would earn on Regional.

I fail to comprehend why some insist
on pressing "enter" after every line.
It makes it hard to read, at least to me--
There is a reason why my screen is wide!

lg10

Ah, well the vast majority of my trips are BOS <-> NYP, which is in that category.

That was beautiful poetry. The reason I use CRs (and isn't "carriage return"
a lovely archaic thing to call it) is that on my device, it is easier to type that way. But I'm sorry for disturbing your reading, particularly when you are the only one who replied.

--LG

jackal

No worries--it's becoming (or, rather, I'm making it ) something of an ongoing joke around here. Not singling you out!

lg10

Do some people perhaps read on devices that don't wrap lines well? I know that
on some yahoo sites you have to scroll way way over if the person doesn't CR
well. Anyway, I think you have an amazing talent for kvetchy blank verse.

Back on my question - would you ever choose to ride Business on Regional
instead of Acela? Why/why not? I'm thinking that next time I'm going to just
do the Acela since Regional Business was just as crowded and lacked any of the other benefits. I'm also wondering about Amtrak's perspective, and how they view Acela, as a whole new product or another "Business" option.

--LG

jackal

I come across some sites on my iPhone
that don't text-wrap and are indeed a fuss.
It's mostly not a problem for me, though,
and long lines on my screen I find a plus.

Finally! My genius is noticed!

I've got to develop my rhyme scheme talents, though, if I want to TRULY impress my old English teacher. 14-line sonnets in ABABCDCDEFEFGG...here I come!

I've only ever taken Acela First, never Acela Business and never a Regional in any class. But then again, I don't live anywhere remotely near it and only take it as a novelty, not as functional transportation. I'll leave this question for others to answer.

lg10

Nice.


Eh, I think the curmudgeonly preachy tone of FT is much more suited to
dactylic hexameter. If you have more than 5000 posts you are permitted
a spondee substitution occasionally.


Doesn't Acela First cost an arm and a leg? Is there some high status
that lets you upgrade for free? And also, does it get crowded on the
northeast routes?

--LG

jackal

Putting aside the feet for the moment:

No, it only costs an arm. Legs [and feet ] are left intact.

If you earn 5,000 rail points (ONLY points earned by traveling on a train) in a year, you earn AGR Select status. If you earn 10,000 rail points in a year, you earn AGR Select Plus status. When you receive your Select Plus packet, you get--I believe--two coupons good for space-available (IIRC, one hour before departure) upgrades to First Class on Acela. I forget the exact number of coupons and the terms of their use, but the point is, the benefits are limited.

In my [admittedly very few] experiences, First Class was FAR from full. I've read here and on other Amtrak boards that it occasionally fills up, though. But with 2x1 seating, it doesn't feel as full even when there are no open seats.

FormerAmtrakTraveler

For Select Plus you get 4 upgrade coupons and 2 companion coupons. The S+ upgrade coupons can be used within 24 hr of trip... the S coupons are the ones that can only be used within 1 hr.

Good pt re: regionals being less crowded. BUt, I just find the Acela on-time track record to be infinitely better than the regional and getting to my meetings on time is my #1 priority.

AlanB

Actually the Select+ coupons are 48 hour coupons, not 24.

AlanB

If one is riding NYP-WAS, one is far more likely to find first class sold out, especially on rush hour trains and especially between NYP and PHL. South of Philly it may or may not be sold out.

Going north/east of NYP to Boston, some rush hour trains used to sell out in FC before the current fiscal crisis hit. I'm not so sure that they are selling out now.

AlanB

About the only time that I'm not riding the NEC in Acela FC is when I'm either in a long distance train or connecting to a long distance train in DC. Otherwise I would normally never choose a regional for my transportation.

I take Acela FC because I prefer to sit and relax and enjoy my journey. In FC I don't have to worry about getting food or drink, it comes to me. Additionally if I'm traveling solo, I not only get a window seat, but I have no one sitting next to me.

JT_BOS

Weekend Acela runs do allow AAA discounts.

FC between BOS-NYP are rarely sold out nowadays, unless there is weather, and you get all the shuttle escapees. That's when the 48-hours-in-advance upgrade coupons come in handy, because you'll be ahead of those people.

stingwray

I take the NEC Acela FC from NHV to PHL a bit. I have always gone the FC route. Early morning FC is a bit crowded until NYP but clears out there. The food/drink service and the seating (typically easy to get is fine) and the car is typically pretty quiet. Even if I have to pick it up on my own dime the upgrade is worth it.

The_Rockaway_Kid

I'm trying to maximize points, so I go with the Acela.