Amtrak Guest Rewards - eVouchers

Effective October 30, Amtrak began issuing electronic vouchers for residual fare value left after a downgrade or exchange. No more paper vouchers to lose! Depending on the fare rules and reason for the downgrade/exchange, the voucher amount may be refundable and is good for one year from date of issue. This is part of the electronic ticketing initiative. Read more here: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1248544420627

The downside is they can only be redeemed at a station right now, phone agents can't even use them. However, it sounds like the ability to use them online and at Quik-Trak machines is coming.

Very interesting, and thanks for the heads-up. I wonder if Customer Relations vouchers will move to electronic as well.

I imagine all vouchers will be electronic eventually, and we'll be able to use them anytime, anywhere to make a reservation. Electronic tickets will be interesting. Auto Train is already e-ticket and has been for a while. It is a rather unique closed route and a good place to test e-tickets.

Well the AT is really only half a test IMHO; it tests the concept of people using eTickets and the software for tracking & issuing the eTickets. But it doesn't test the most critical part of the program, that is the conductor's collection equipment and its ability to work even when out of range of a data connection.

This is not intended to put the test down either, I'm glad to see them moving forward with things and getting eTickets rolled out.

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I figured it was better than creating a new one on a related subject.

When I was exchanging tickets a few weeks ago, the ticket agent mumbled under her breath that she would just issue a paper voucher since she apparently hated dealing with the electronic vouchers.

Prior to this, I had never heard that Amtrak offered electronic vouchers. It sounds like they may be useful because they can be redeemed over the phone.

I currently live about 15 minutes from a staffed Amtrak station, so it's not terribly inconvenient to deal with exchanging paper tickets and vouchers (although I tend to lose papers easily! :D), but I'd rather have the flexibility of being able to do it over the phone (wish there were an online option, too, but that's expecting too much of Amtrak :p). Is there any downside to the electronic vouchers to be aware of, though? Or are they preferred to paper vouchers universally by everyone here?

I moved jackal's post from a 6 year old thread on vouchers to something slightly more recent and relevant to the current eVouchers vs. the Customer Relations voucher file... :D

ByeByeDelta
AGR Moderator

Is there any downside to the electronic vouchers to be aware of, though? Or are they preferred to paper vouchers universally by everyone here?

This disadvantage IMHO lies in the older paper voucher, which is much harder to use. The eVoucher is simply easier to use and it can't be lost.

This disadvantage IMHO lies in the older paper voucher, which is much harder to use. The eVoucher is simply easier to use and it can't be lost.

Thanks, Alan.