Howdy.

My wife, 11 y.o. son, and I are considering Amtrak for a trip from Seattle to Vancouver, BC.

Leaving Seattle Aug 3 and returning Aug 7. Might have to take the train one way and a bus the other because of schedule restrictions.

It's been ages since I took Amtrak (on the US East coast) and I'm not familiar with the latest wrinkles. May I get tickets in advance at my tiny local Amtrak station in Homewood, IL?

Do we have to show our passports when buying tickets, or just crossing the border?

Is there any reason to rush to get tickets, or will the train likely not fill up? How long in advance do you show up at the station for a trip like this? Any tricks for discounts on this itinerary?

For those of you with an Amtrak credit card and familiar with AGR, if I buy an Amtrak "gift card" for $200 beforehand and use it to pay for tickets, will that suffice to allow me to subsequently transfer Amtrak points out (to Choice Privileges and thence to Southwest Rapid Rewards)? And for how long, just until the end of the year? (Yes, I know about the "sudden changes that screw you over" risks of dealing with AGR.)

I realize I ask a lot of questions for a guy from Chicago.

Thank you, and any other tips would be welcome.