Originally Posted by
jetsetter
Maybe the pax could book the 2nd reservation with a middle initial, and not add the AGR# until right at departure time, so to the system they look less alike.
That middle initial would be enough to prevent you from earning points, even after adding your AGR number. They match the full name, plus the AGR number, before awarding points. There are people who've had trouble getting points simply because Jr. got left off the reservation.
Originally Posted by
jetsetter
Also do you know anything about when and how this Amtrak conflicting reservation sweep procedure works? For instance does it run every night, or several times a day?
Amtrak doesn't exactly publicize this, but I'm pretty sure that it's not several times per day. Seems more like a couple of times per month. But I sure wouldn't want to gamble either.
Originally Posted by
jetsetter
Also I wonder if Amtrak will ever be able to do standby like the airlines especially at bigger stations. Wonder too how high the no show factor is since at least in past you could get a refund or re-use the funds without penalty fee.
I have no actual info on the no-show factor, but I'm guessing that it's rather high since Amtrak seems to be working harder and harder to penalize those who don't show.
Don't see a standby list happening, at least not until Acela ticketing is handled in the way it was originally intended; if that ever happens. Originally Amtrak, when Acela was first introduced, was working on a system whereby anyone no-showing would be indicated in ARROW and that seat would go back on the market for stations further up the line.
Even if they ever implement that in the future, I don't see a standby list being maintained, most likely in today's electronic age you'd just keep checking to see if seats suddenly go on sale.