Amtrak Guest Rewards - Sitting with a friend getting on at another station

A friend and I are going to Chicago in a couple weeks and airfare (as well as Amtrak) is a lot higher than normal. We were thinking of just taking Amtrak Saturda morning instead of flying in Frida night and we would save on a hotel Friday night and if the train is on time we would have all day Saturday in Chicago free anyway and could just sleep most of the train ride.

My friend lives in Cleveland and I live in Toledo and we could both be on the Lake Shore train (another advantage over flying since we would be on difference flights).

On the Capital Limited for some reason it is showing only reserved upper level seating is available and the lower level is sold out from CLE but for me both selections are available.

We would like to sit together. Would he be allowed to get off the train at TOL and just reboard with me so we can sit together if someone is already sitting in the seat beside him once he gets to Toledo?

A friend and I are going to Chicago in a couple weeks and airfare (as well as Amtrak) is a lot higher than normal. We were thinking of just taking Amtrak Saturda morning instead of flying in Frida night and we would save on a hotel Friday night and if the train is on time we would have all day Saturday in Chicago free anyway and could just sleep most of the train ride.

My friend lives in Cleveland and I live in Toledo and we could both be on the Lake Shore train (another advantage over flying since we would be on difference flights).

On the Capital Limited for some reason it is showing only reserved upper level seating is available and the lower level is sold out from CLE but for me both selections are available.

We would like to sit together. Would he be allowed to get off the train at TOL and just reboard with me so we can sit together if someone is already sitting in the seat beside him once he gets to Toledo?

I've been told by several conductors that "reserved seating" only means there will be a seat available, not which seat. Even when the conductor is assigning seats, several times we've boarded and found our seats occupied and just told take a seat elsewhere.

Not sure what the load factor is on your trip, but I would just do like I do on a plane... When we can't book seats next to each other, just ask politely if someone would mind switching. And in this case if someone tries to sit next to your friend have him say someone is joining him in Toledo but they are welcome up to there. I suspect most will just keep going.

Not sure what the load factor is on your trip, but I would just do like I do on a plane... When we can't book seats next to each other, just ask politely if someone would mind switching. And in this case if someone tries to sit next to your friend have him say someone is joining him in Toledo but they are welcome up to there.

Two comments -- they sometimes like to put shorts in certain cars and longs in others -- where long and short is based on how far people are traveling.

Also, there will be people who got on east of Cleveland, so seat selection there and in Toledo may be limited.

Bob H

Two comments -- they sometimes like to put shorts in certain cars and longs in others -- where long and short is based on how far people are traveling.

Also, there will be people who got on east of Cleveland, so seat selection there and in Toledo may be limited.

Bob H

Weird thing is that there are lower level seats in Toledo but not Cleveland. Seems like it would be the opposite since the train would be stopping in Cleveland first unless people that selected lower level are getting off the train between cleveland and TOL.

There is also the concern of my friend being in another car which is a very good possiblity. I am planning on sleeping most of the trip but I guess if we want to talk we can go to the snack car to talk

Weird thing is that there are lower level seats in Toledo but not Cleveland. Seems like it would be the opposite since the train would be stopping in Cleveland first unless people that selected lower level are getting off the train between cleveland and TOL.

There is also the concern of my friend being in another car which is a very good possiblity. I am planning on sleeping most of the trip but I guess if we want to talk we can go to the snack car to talk

None of the trains I've been on have ever been so tight on seat assignments that your friend can't join you, or you him, once both are on-board. You're sweating the small stuff that shouldn't worry you. Go for the fun and enjoy yourself. Everything will work out.

Let the conductor know you are meeting someone down line. Let you friend know which car you are in. Have your friend let the conductor he's meeting someone already on board. Sit back and relax, talk, sleep, what ever you feel like doing.