Just like the airlines, Amtrak does have refundable tickets with no penalty. In North Carolina on the Piedmont and Carolinian, all tickets are fully refundable without penalty. I assume this is one of the conditions of the state sponsorship of the trains. I'm sure there are other trains that have refundable tickets available.

Unless you are just cancelling a trip, the new policy is much more flexible. No fees or penalties to change any reservation - meaning you can keep changing it until you use it. For all tickets under $300, which most coach tickets probably are, the new 10% fee will cost less than the previous $30 flat fee. Any airlines out there that are this generous with ALL tickets?