Thanks everyone. I figure that if I cannot get it for my 23rd-24th travel, I will at least get it by the 27th for my 30th-31st run (hopefully). However, I am going to book in advance to avoid getting bucketed up, and then cancel and rebook in the off chance it comes in. I definitely want to take advantage of the 3 for 1 rebate scheme that is going on for Acela though AGR. However, the thought of letting an additional 450 points or so go pains me.

Yet, as a follow up, what are the carry on baggage offerings like for Acela and regional service? I have a mini-carry on (the smallest they make that you can still pull, which holds about two days worth of clothes tops), but I am wondering if I will still have to check it underneath. I used to ride regional service up from DC to Baltimore a lot without any luggage, and really liked the fact that I could arrive 15 minutes before my train, print my ticket at a kiosk, and then hop on board. Arriving early to check my bags would be a major kink in my schedule.