Thanks for the additional details, jkm024.

The $150 offer is OK, I suppose. The only time I was on a 6+ hour late train, everyone on board was offered a free meal anyway. And while I've never needed it, Amtrak (like airlines) has been known to place people in a hotel in the event of a missed connection. So again, I hope that this isn't a sign that Amtrak will no longer take care of its customers unless they purchase this added "protection."

The baggage protection item is strange...how many people check their electronics in the first place? Sporting equipment, I guess that means skis or high-priced raquets...again, don't see this as being useful for a lot of people. I wonder if you have to declare those items when checking to be eligible for the reimbursement? Otherwise it would seem to open the door to fraudulent claims.

As to buying the "protection" for trains that are already late...I'd imagine the offer would no longer be valid for trains that are en route...that would seem to be a simple thing to program into the system. Even so, it's hard to imagine that many people would try to game the system, as you'd have to pay very close attention, and be in position to be able to travel right away. And, last-minute fares would tend to be most expensive anyway so it would be only rare cases where you could actually "profit" from this.