Originally Posted by
tj722
As an FYI, I tried to book a train online for this past weekend using points and got an error stating that I could not book award travel for the dates. I think that there may have been some error in programming the new 2008 blackout dates. MLK weekend was blacked out last year, but not for 2008.
I was able to book the train just fine over the phone.
I suspect the web booking engine hasn't been updated...AGR had actually already released blackout dates November 2006-January 2009 in the T&C.
(Except looking at the old T&C, the dates listed were 1/11-1/14...odd)
They actively reduced them--a true enhancement!
The old T&C:
For the period from November 2006, through January 2009, travel origination on Redemption awards may not occur on the following dates/times: (i) on all Amtrak services, November 9, 2006 - November 12, 2006; November 21, 2006 - November 28, 2006; December 15, 2006 - January 2, 2007; January 12, 2007 - January 15, 2007; February 16, 2007 - February 19, 2007; February 16, 2007 - February 21, 2007 (New Orleans only); April 5, 2007 - April 9, 2007; May 25, 2007 - May 28, 2007; August 31, 2007 - September 3, 2007; October 5, 2007 - October 8, 2007; November 9, 2007 - November 12, 2007; November 20, 2007 - November 27, 2007; December 14, 2007 - January 2, 2008; January 11, 2008 - January 14, 2008; February 15, 2008 - February 18, 2008; February 1, 2008 - February 6, 2008 (New Orleans only); March 20, 2008 - March 24, 2008; May 23, 2008 - May 26, 2008; July 3, 2008 - July 6, 2008; August 29, 2008 - September 1, 2008; October 10, 2008 - October 13, 2008; November 25, 2008 - December 2, 2008; December 12, 2008 - January 4, 2009. (ii) on Acela Express and Metroliner services, weekday travel origination may not occur from any boarding point between start-of-service and 8:59am inclusive, or between 2:00pm and 5:59pm inclusive (weekend Acela Express and Metroliner travel is permitted at any time except on any weekend dates defined in item (i) above); and (iii) Please contact 1-800-307-5000 for blackout periods applicable to travel after January 2009.