Thanks for the update,
Explore.
Originally Posted by
Explore
... why can't Amtrak change its systems to allow simple room changes without upcharges - or better yet, allow passengers to select or change their own room from an online map?
I have heard that Amtrak is trying to juggle room assignments to maximize availability for long-haul passengers. For example, if a passenger wants to travel from Minot to Whitefish, and another passenger has already reserved a room from Milwaukee to Rugby, the Minot-Whitefish passenger will likely be put in the room that the Milwaukee-Rugby passenger had occupied, rather than tying up a room that would otherwise be available from Chicago to Seattle or Portland (depending on the car). Of course, this is a problem that a point-to-point service, such as an aircraft, would not have.
I have boarded Amtrak at an intermediate point and been told that my room has been switched to accommodate an earlier passengers request, so even a "confirmed" assignment is subject to change.