Amtrak Guest Rewards - Cascades Business Class

Is it worth the extra cost for the upgrade to business class on the Cascades #516 from Portland to Vancouver? Is it basically the same as the business class on the Surfliner trains??

Can't comment about whether it's the same as the Surfliner trains.

Doing a dummy booking it looks like biz class will cost you $19 more on this segment. For that you'll get priority boarding in PDX (not really a big deal), a $3 cafe car coupon and access to a jumble of free newspapers. The seat isn't especially better than the coach seat.

Personally I'd keep my $19...but at 1500 AGR points it's not a bad redemption either.

(Edited to add: I don't know how being in biz class affects the customs and immigration experience in Vancouver...it may put you toward the front of the line, so that's a potential bonus)

Biz class on the Talgos will not only get you priority boarding, you have a seperate checkin line that's much shorter than the coach line. Addtionally, seating is 2 & 1, not 2 & 2 which results in wider seats. You also get IIRC, a $3.00 coupon good towards anything in the cafe car. Slight chance it's 5 bucks, but I do believe it's three.

Finally, the BC car is the closest car to customs and therefore you will be in the first group to get cleared.

The Business Class cabin feels a bit quieter and more spacious, though the seats themselves are not much wider and don't appear to have a higher pitch than the regular seats.

The coupon for the cafe car is indeed $3.

When I'm doing a fun, once-in-a-while out-of-town journey, I usually like to upgrade to higher classes on Amtrak trains. But if I were a local and doing this run regularly, I'd have no problem being fine in regular coach and saving the $19 each way.

I have been on this route several times. When walking by the BC seats I always wonder what the fuss is about. There is more legroom and it is quieter. This mattered to my son, who is 6' 8". It does not matter to me, and I am 6' 1". In coach there are double seats on each side. In BC, there is a single column on one side, double seats on the other.

Business Class also has access to a lounge in Portland. I've ridden in Business many times aboard the Cascades. Like Jackal, I suggest that if its a once in a while thing, why not splurge and enjoy a bit of extra space and service? Just don't expect luxury.

Business Class also has access to a lounge in Portland.

Not true. Metropolitan Lounge access is for sleeping car passengers or AGR Select+ only. If an agent granted you access with a Business Class ticket, it was in error.

Not true. Metropolitan Lounge access is for sleeping car passengers or AGR Select+ only. If an agent granted you access with a Business Class ticket, it was in error.
Unfortunately, that was my impression, too.

I've heard the Metropolitan Lounge in PDX isn't much, anyway.

I've heard the Metropolitan Lounge in PDX isn't much, anyway.

It's a decent step up from the regular waiting room, but the chairs certainly aren't as plush as in other Amtrak lounges. There are sodas and juices in a fridge. There might be light snacks. Last time I was there (late 2008), there was no high-speed Internet access, wireless or otherwise. :td:

The best part is the direct boarding access to the platforms. But I'm not sure that's available for Cascades trains (should one be eligible for lounge access otherwise) or just the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder.

It's a decent step up from the regular waiting room, but the chairs certainly aren't as plush as in other Amtrak lounges. There are sodas and juices in a fridge. There might be light snacks. Last time I was there (late 2008), there was no high-speed Internet access, wireless or otherwise. :td:

The best part is the direct boarding access to the platforms. But I'm not sure that's available for Cascades trains (should one be eligible for lounge access otherwise) or just the Coast Starlight and Empire Builder.

This is all true, I was here a few weeks ago. However, this is also access to free newspapers which can be a nice perk.

I consider it worth it to avoid the long coach check-in line. However, I do feel that AMTRAK should give some sort of class-of-service bonus for it, even if it's only 50% (50 AGR points).

I consider it worth it to avoid the long coach check-in line. However, I do feel that AMTRAK should give some sort of class-of-service bonus for it, even if it's only 50% (50 AGR points).

I've long though this. It would certainly be a motivator for me to buy upgrades on shorter routes.

I consider it worth it to avoid the long coach check-in line. However, I do feel that AMTRAK should give some sort of class-of-service bonus for it, even if it's only 50% (50 AGR points).

I think the rationale for not doing this would be that AGR throw us enough of a bone with the 100-point minimum. Business Class on most trains is very affordable and, from what I've seen over the years, tends to sell quite well. So there's no need for an additional inducement to upgrade, since the cheap accommodations charges are reason enough. Further, AGR S and S+ get upgrade coupons every year.

The more likely explanation is that the left hand and the right hand seldom coordinate. It appears rare for Amtrak and AGR to ever integrate their marketing or service plans. :(

The more likely explanation is that the left hand and the right hand seldom coordinate. It appears rare for Amtrak and AGR to ever integrate their marketing or service plans. :(

Sadly from what I've been told, that's far truer than you might even think. AGR is the forgotten step child of Amtrak; many people don't even know what AGR is. And AGR often has to beg other departments to get anything done.

It's also not a huge department in Amtrak either, consisting of one Senior Director with 3 assistants.

Sadly from what I've been told, that's far truer than you might even think. AGR is the forgotten step child of Amtrak; many people don't even know what AGR is. And AGR often has to beg other departments to get anything done.

It's also not a huge department in Amtrak either, consisting of one Senior Director with 3 assistants.
There's that many staff?! ;)

Actually, a serious question: what do the Amtrak-employed AGR department staffers (the Senior Director and three assistants you mentioned above) do? Are they tasked with overseeing the contracted-out AGR operation?

If that's the case, then perhaps we should be addressing complaint letters to them when we have issues with AGR. Perhaps they can do something about it.

thx for the opinions everyone!!