Amtrak AGR Upgrade Voucher Compendium
Now that this is a sticky, I've rewritten this first post to consolidate the information we have so far on Amtrak's one-class upgrade coupons. The information below details the finer points of coupon use. For a list of the standard T&Cs, please see the last item below, where we duplicate the fine print from the back of the coupon.
How to get them: You'll get several in your Select or S+ packet. While transferable, these will bear your name and AGR number. S+ members receive 48-hour upgrades. Select members receive 12-hour upgrades. You can also order a pack of 5 for 10,000 points from AGR. These will not be labeled with your name and will have a 12-hour upgrade window. All are transferable. They also tend to appear on CC toward the beginning and end of their validity periods, March 1 - Feb 28/29. Can reserve upgrade by phone and pick up later: Amtrak's phone agents can apply upgrades over the phone; you must then turn in your coupon to a station agent to pick up the upgraded ticket. When upgrading over the phone, you'll receive a new confirmation e-mail (if you want one) showing the upgraded class of service; your reservation number will not change. An upgrade results in a reissue with a new ticket number under the same reservation number. For best service, use ClubAcela: If you're upgrading on Acela at WAS, PHL, NYP, or BOS, there's no need to go to the main waiting line to get your F ticket. Simply present yourself at ClubAcela your coupon with reservation number or pre-printed ticket, and the agent will upgrade you and let you in. ClubAcela agents understandably process lots of upgrades and are the most proficient and reliable ones to do so. One leg on a roundtrip OK, with advice: This should be elementary, but this is Amtrak. Yes, you can upgrade one leg of a round-trip itinerary. However, since upgrades result in ticket resissue, it's generally easier to process an upgrade prior to printing the ticket. So, if your destination has an agent available and you don't expect to be rushed, it's best to book two one-ways instead of a roundtrip so that you don't print your return ticket until you're about to upgrade it. (Lots of other good reasons to do this: unprinted tickets are often refundable without fee, can be changed online, can't be lost, etc.) One coupon on connecting through fare, with caveats: Like the airlines, Amtrak will accept a single upgrade coupon for a connecting itinerary priced with a single "through-fare." (Examples: WAS-NYP-BOS, RVR-PHL-PGH.) However, not many agents are aware of this, and not every agent can do it right. It's best to work with an agent who handles upgrades coupons, such as a ClubAcela agent. Also note that you must be within the upgrade window for your last connecting train to receive upgrades on all segments—this could be problematic for long layovers if you have a 12-hour coupon. See post 8 for full details. No capacity controls: Despite the fine print, none of us have observed capacitiy controls on the upgrades. Once the upgrade window opens, any available premium seat is game. One corner case that we haven't studied is where coach is full and only business seats are available. (For Acela, we mean that business is full and only first class is available.) It is unknown whether upgrades will be permitted in this situation, though I don't see why not. Earned points based on travelled class of service: Unlike airlines frequent flyer programs, where you earned miles based on your purchased class of service, Amtrak will award points based on the upgraded class of service. This only makes a difference on Acela, where select city pairs earn 750 points for first vs. 500 points for business. You will earn 750 for an upgraded, select city-pair Acela ticket. Strict upgrade windows: Upgrade coupons typically have 12-hour or 48-hour windows. In the past, an agent could let the window slide a bit. Today, the computer will reject an attempt to upgrade outside the designated time window. Same blackout dates as AGR redemptions: The 2011 coupons show the same blackout dates as for AGR reward travel. However, the Acela time-of-day blackouts for reward travel do not apply to upgrades. Go ahead, upgrade your Monday 7am Acela ticket. No fare difference: Like airlines, Amtrak will preserve your original rail fare when an upgrade is applied. Sometimes this is easier said than done and requires a "manual price." (If an agent claims that you owe a fare difference, instruct the agent to manual price per the terms on the back of the coupon. And report it here!) Not valid with most promotional discounts: The T&Cs state that only corporate discounts are valid with the upgrades. Since upgrade coupons require use of a H*** promotion code (asterisks are numbers, different each year), any discount that relies on a promotion code of the same form (X***, V***) will generally not qualify. Discounts that require advance purchase (NARP, AAA, Student Advantage, etc.) are unlikely to work since a reissue within 12 or 48 hours would kill the discount. It is unknown whether upgrade coupons are valid for deep-discount fares that aren't upgradeable at time of purchase, such as YE and YF coach fares (14-day NEC advance purchase, weekly specials, 3-day sales, and their ilk) and child and military tickets, which require no advance purchase. We suspect they won't work. Impact of e-ticketing: Unknown at this time. Amtrak is rumored to be rolling out e-ticketing to mobile devices. Given that the upgrade coupon needs to be turned in to a human agent to receive the upgrade, I'm speculating that an upgrade will force a paper ticket to be issued. We shall see. Fare basis/booking code: For the real wonks out there who want to know what booking code your upgrade will book into, it depends. Usually, a KD fare (Acela business, "D" fare bucket) will become a PD fare (Acela revenue first, "D" bucket). I've seen at least one instance of "PK". Not sure whether this means upgraded business or full-fare first. For point-earning purposes, it doesn't matter. What's in the fine print: On the back of a 2011, 12-hour coupon (promotion code H119) are the following restrictions: Coupon valid for one (1) space-available upgrade from Coach to Business class or Business class to First class. Not valid for upgrade to sleeping accommodations. Limited availability; upgrade not available on all trains at all times. Valid for travel between March 1, 2001 and February 29, 2012. Travel blackouts apply: April 22, 2011; April 24-25, 2011; May 27, 2011; July 1-2, 2011; September 2, 2011; September 5, 2011; October 7, 2011; November 22-23, 2011; November 26-28, 2011; December 21-24, 2011; December 26-30, 2011, January 2, 2012; February 17, 2012; February 20, 2012. Offer is not valid on the following services: Adirondack, Auto Train, California Zephyr, Capitol Limited, Cardinal, City of New Orleans, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder, 7000-8999 Series Thruway Service, Keystone Service, Lake Shore Limited, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, Silver Star, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle. Upgrade may be combined with corporate discount, but may not be combined with any other discount, coupon, or Amtrak Guest Rewards redemption travel. The coupon has no cash value and is not valid for resale. Photocopies and reproductions will not be accepted. Coupons are transferable. Other restrictions may apply.
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Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
When Amtrak started yield-managing the NEC, there were reports of agents repricing to the prevailing, often higher, fare when redeeming an upgrade. This issue has been definitively fixed some time ago. (The coupon even instructs agents to manually price tickets to preserve the original fare.)
Well the upgrade, even though free, was still a change to the reservation. So the computer repriced and if the agent wasn't paying attention, they didn't notice that it had repriced. Even worse, one limitation in ARROW is that they can't find out what the original price was, so unless they had noted it prior to starting, you had to bring printer proof to the station later on to get the original price. This situation has since been fixed via other means now anyhow.
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
This should go without saying, but this is Amtrak. Upgrading individual legs of a roundtrip works. I had a roundtrip Acela booking with J outbound and F returning. Upgrading the J leg without disturbing the return was a cinch.
So if you're planning to upgrade both legs, make separate resevations. It's just easier!
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
Despite the fine print on the coupon, the upgrades don't appear to be capacity-controlled, but I haven't had a chance to test that assertion.
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
Upgrades aren't valid for child tickets, right?
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
Can you upgrade a two-segment trip priced with a single through fare? If so, one coupon or two?
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
Anyone tried using an upgrade voucher for a rail fare that doesn't permit a purchased upgrade to business class, like those 14-day advance NEC fares?
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
How strict are the 12-hour and 48-hour windows? Will the computer reject the upgrade, or is it left to the agents to enforce the waiting periods?
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Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
[*]How strict are the 12-hour and 48-hour windows? Will the computer reject the upgrade, or is it left to the agents to enforce the waiting periods?
But this year, select members only got the 12 hour upgrade coupons, so that is what I have. I tried to get one of those processed about 14 hours ahead of time, and when I called 1800USARAIL the very friendly agent told me that the computer wasn't taking the code. He told me to call back in exactly two hours, which I did. In terms of the coupons being capacity controlled, they are limited in terms of the FC car capacity, not how many coupons can be used on a train I think. FC acela sells out fairly often, and by sells out, I mean I think people are using the upgrade coupons. I used upgrade coupons just this past weekend for a trip BOS - PHL and then NYP - BOS. When I called to get my upgrade for the Sunday train, at first the agent told me it was sold out. I was prepared to try for a later train if it wouldn't kick my BC fare bucket too high, when she apologized and told me she was looking at the wrong train. If there are no more FC seats, you aren't going to get an upgrade. |
I'll buy a drink for the first FTer who books their, say, BOS-WIL Acela ride as BOS-NYP-WIL using the multi-city option (which will get you a through fare, though the higher fare bucket prevails) and attempts to upgrade the BOS-NYP segment with a coupon.
If you've an hour or two to spare, note that you get the 500/750 point minimum for BOS-NYP, plus the pro-rated value for NYP-WIL, plus a visit to your favorite NYC eatery. |
The 12h upgrades are locked out before the 12h period - I tried to upgrade a 7PM WAS-NYP when I was checking in for my 7AM NYP-WAS (around 6:40AM), and the lounge agent tried and said that the computer wouldn't accept the request until the 12h window opens. Don't know about the 48h upgrades, but there seem to be not too many of those around...
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I'm going to sticky this thread as it contains useful information on upgrades.
ByeByeDelta AGR Moderator |
Originally Posted by ByeByeDelta
(Post 16493175)
I'm going to sticky this thread as it contains useful information on upgrades.
ByeByeDelta AGR Moderator |
1 Upgrade Coupon for 2 Segments on Thru Fare
I routinely travel between Washington and Boston with a one hour stop over (or longer) in New York using a single upgrade coupon. The underlying fare is the through one way fare. The ticket agents at the Acela Club in DC and at Route 128 in Boston fully understand that a single upgrade applies to two segments of an itinerary priced on a through fare basis. During the most recent triple mile promotion, I used two upgrades on a roundtrip between Washington and Boston with a stopover each way in New York. The ticket price was $314 (two times $157 WAS-BOS through fare) and I earned triple miles on four 750 point segments plus the 50 percent SelectPlus bonus for a total of 10,500 points. The SelectPlus complimentary upgrade coupons allow any upgrade within 48 hours (not 12 hours) which means I can apply the upgrade coupon within 48 hours of the departure of the second train (which means I can arrange a layover in New York for a day or so if I want). I have been doing this for years since it was first explained to me that this was possible by a very helpful woman in the Acela Club in Washington Union Station.
I once tried to do a two segment through fare upgrade by phone and my reservation was completely mangled (repriced in a non-sensical fashion) by an Amtrak reservations agent. In addition, only one of the two segments was actually upgraded. While I managed to get this fixed at the station, I have learned to NEVER attempt this two segment upgrade for a through fare itinerary with anyone other than an experienced agent in Washington or Boston. To keep things simple, I always book each one way through fare separately rather than as part of a combined round trip reservation. Also: To restate the obvious, don't you use any kind of restricted fare (14 day advance purchase, AAA discount etc.) if you want to use an upgrade coupon. So, for example, I never use the AAA discount on weekend Acela travel because the three day advance purchase requirement prevents me from using an upgrade coupon 48 hours prior to departure without paying a big fare increase. |
Originally Posted by Rover75
(Post 16506747)
(Lots of extremely helpful insight )
I've made a number of changes to the "FAQ" on post 1 thanks to your contributions. |
Any anecdotal evidence on using these on Acela on Saturday afternoons (NYP-WAS)? If there's typically tons of availability, I probably won't bother calling in advance to apply the upgrade.
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Originally Posted by vatraveler
(Post 16583118)
Any anecdotal evidence on using these on Acela on Saturday afternoons (NYP-WAS)? If there's typically tons of availability, I probably won't bother calling in advance to apply the upgrade.
If it were me, I wouldn't worry about a F sellout if you're traveling on a non-holiday weekend. Whenever I've upgraded an offpeak Acela, F has been less than half-full. |
I have done the upgrade on 3 different weekends in calendar year 2011 - none of which were holiday weekends - and the FC car was sold out on each of those one ways. I traveled:
BOS - NYP NYP - PVD BOS - PHL NYP - PVD BOS - NYP NYP - PVD one trip I went south on a Saturday morning, one trip was a Friday morning, and one trip was a Thursday evening. All of the returns were either the 2250 or 2252 (Sunday afternoon). I personally wouldn't chance just showing up the station, I would definitely call within the 12 hour window rather than be disappointed. |
Originally Posted by amamba
(Post 16596344)
I have done the upgrade on 3 different weekends in calendar year 2011 - none of which were holiday weekends - and the FC car was sold out on each of those one ways. I traveled:
BOS - NYP NYP - PVD BOS - PHL NYP - PVD BOS - NYP NYP - PVD one trip I went south on a Saturday morning, one trip was a Friday morning, and one trip was a Thursday evening. My take on off-peak Acela travel times are: Mon-Wed late morning, midday, and late evening after the PM business rush; Thursday late morning and midday; Saturday afternoon/evening; and Sunday morning. All other times bring a risk of sold-out trains. Holidays can turn every train into a busy train. Trains that run WAS-NYP or NYP-BOS only are usually less full than the ones that run the entire route. Using the above definitions, I've seen lightly loaded F cars during "off-peak" periods. "Peak" periods indeed produce fairly high loads both in biz and first. EDIT — if you're not doing so already, may I respectfully suggest booking your NYP-PVD tickets as NYP-BOS/BBY/RTE, and getting off in Providence? This nets you the 500/750 point minimums for your northbound trips. The few extra dollars paid are generally worth the additional points earned, especially if you have an elite bonus or double points promo in force. |
Originally Posted by gatelouse
(Post 16432516)
One corner case that we haven't studied is where coach is full and only business seats are available. (For Acela, we mean that business is full and only first class is available.) It is unknown whether upgrades will be permitted in this situation, though I don't see why not.
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Gatelouise, thank you, I always book to BOS because the price difference is generally $9. Sometimes if I have time to spare, I take the regional up to BOS from PVD prior to traveling south to NYP. It nets me an extra 100 rail points plus some time in the Club Acela - plus it is wicked stressful boarding in PVD because the best seats are always gone and I end up in a foursome with three coworkers yapping away about their business the entire trip.
I have had no trouble getting the 750 points on the FC segments when boarding in PVD or detraining in PVD with a BOS ticket. |
Great thread and very helpful.
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Originally Posted by Rover75
(Post 16506747)
I once tried to do a two segment through fare upgrade by phone and my reservation was completely mangled (repriced in a non-sensical fashion) by an Amtrak reservations agent. In addition, only one of the two segments was actually upgraded. While I managed to get this fixed at the station, I have learned to NEVER attempt this two segment upgrade for a through fare itinerary with anyone other than an experienced agent in Washington or Boston.
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A few days ago I ordered my packet of five upgrade coupons for 10,000 points. They arrived today. They are the usual 12-hour variety, and have an expiration date of MARCH 31, 2013. That's right, MARCH. Thirteen months validity ^ The coupons that came with the S+ packet expire February 28, 2013.
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gatelouse asks: "Can exchangeable tickets (e.g. 14-day NEC fares) that can't be upgraded at time of booking be upgraded with a coupon?"
I am not sure what qualifies as an "exchangeable" ticket, but I can assure you that I have tried and consistently failed to be able to use an upgrade coupon to upgrade any Acela ticket that is discounted (e.g., AAA fare on the weekend or a discounted non-refundable 14 day advance purchase). The argument offered is that the advance purchase requirement (three days and 14 days respectively) precludes the reissuance of the ticket within either a 48 or 12 hour window prior to travel. |
notacolour asks: "Do you go to the ticket window, or to the agents in the ClubAcela [to do a two segment upgrade with a single upgrade coupon]?"
I have been consistently successful using the Club Acela in DC and various ticket agents at the Route 128 Boston station. These are the only places I do my two segment upgrades. (Ten years ago I had a very rude and bitter experience at Boston South Station with an agent who would not allow me to redeem an award ticket for my aging-- now deceased-- father, despite the fact that he had the same name as mine, unless I produced him and his ID in person at the station. I have not had any contact with an Amtrak ticket agent at South Station since then.) |
Originally Posted by Rover75
(Post 18159438)
gatelouse asks: "Can exchangeable tickets (e.g. 14-day NEC fares) that can't be upgraded at time of booking be upgraded with a coupon?"
I am not sure what qualifies as an "exchangeable" ticket, but I can assure you that I have tried and consistently failed to be able to use an upgrade coupon to upgrade any Acela ticket that is discounted (e.g., AAA fare on the weekend or a discounted non-refundable 14 day advance purchase). The argument offered is that the advance purchase requirement (three days and 14 days respectively) precludes the reissuance of the ticket within either a 48 or 12 hour window prior to travel. Yes, you cannot use any discount when you also wish to use a free upgrade coupon. But there is simply no reason that the agent cannot cancel out the existing reservation and credit your card back for that and then start a new reservation for you. Yes, you do run the risk that the bucket is now higher than it was at the time of booking, but if you're willing to pay that or lucky enough that the bucket wasn't kicked, then there is no reason that you cannot use that coupon. That said, it's best to try an plan ahead and simply book a non-discounted fare if you're considering using a coupon. |
Upgrade coupons are combinable with 14 day advance fare on Northeast Regional
You are permitted to use your upgrade coupon with the 14-day advance fares on the Northeast Regional. Upgrade coupons are not combinable with discounts, but these are "fares" not "discounts" and therefore you may apply your upgrade coupon. There is no 14-day advance fare available on Acela.
Vicky Radke Amtrak Guest Rewards |
Originally Posted by wxguy
(Post 18156722)
A few days ago I ordered my packet of five upgrade coupons for 10,000 points. They arrived today. They are the usual 12-hour variety, and have an expiration date of MARCH 31, 2013. That's right, MARCH. Thirteen months validity ^ The coupons that came with the S+ packet expire February 28, 2013.
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They are providing F e-tickets without requiring the physical coupon. Doesn't make business sense. Should go to e-coupons next year, if they have the capability.
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Originally Posted by AGR Insider
(Post 18291119)
You are permitted to use your upgrade coupon with the 14-day advance fares on the Northeast Regional. Upgrade coupons are not combinable with discounts, but these are "fares" not "discounts" and therefore you may apply your upgrade coupon. There is no 14-day advance fare available on Acela.
Vicky Radke Amtrak Guest Rewards I just posted in this thread - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtra...low-fares.html - as I didn't pay attention to this sticky. |
From the Terms and Conditions for the 14-day fare:
Terms & Conditions ... - Non-upgradeable. Fare is valid for class of service listed only. ... |
Amtrak AGR Upgrade Voucher Compendium
Agreed. They should also have an option to book an upgradable fare.
That said, hoping AGR Insider can clarify because her comments are very different than what you posted and what agents say over the phone - but aligned with the agents actions at NYP when they upgraded me today (as they've done every time I've tried with the H121 cents on this $49 fare) |
Hi All,
Thank you for alerting us to this issue with your Amtrak Guest Rewards upgrade coupons and the 14 day advanced purchase ($49) fare. There has been no change in policy and Amtrak Guest Rewards coupons are compatible and can be used with the 14 day advanced purchase fare on the Northeast Regional. We are working to ensure that all of our agents are trained accordingly. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Best, Becky Parks Senior Marketing Officer, Amtrak Guest Rewards |
Any Problems Using UG Coupon When Using Transportation Certificate for Base Fare?
Just as airlines issue compensation certificates for poor service, Amtrak does so too. My question is, if I reserve an Acela Business seat using that certificate, can I later upgrade using a coupon within the 48-hour window?
The reason I ask is because Amtrak's upgrade process is so convoluted, requiring a refund of the original fare and a new fare charge. |
Originally Posted by Explore
(Post 19915100)
Just as airlines issue compensation certificates for poor service, Amtrak does so too. My question is, if I reserve an Acela Business seat using that certificate, can I later upgrade using a coupon within the 48-hour window?
Originally Posted by Explore
(Post 19915100)
The reason I ask is because Amtrak's upgrade process is so convoluted, requiring a refund of the original fare and a new fare charge.
Do know that your eTicket will become invalid and will not work if you are successful in using the coupon. And the reservation will disappear from your smart phone's App I believe. When you turn in the coupon, the agent will give you a new eTicket on Amtrak ticket stock. |
Originally Posted by AGR Insider
(Post 19271578)
Hi All,
Thank you for alerting us to this issue with your Amtrak Guest Rewards upgrade coupons and the 14 day advanced purchase ($49) fare. There has been no change in policy and Amtrak Guest Rewards coupons are compatible and can be used with the 14 day advanced purchase fare on the Northeast Regional. We are working to ensure that all of our agents are trained accordingly. Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Best, Becky Parks Senior Marketing Officer, Amtrak Guest Rewards |
Originally Posted by vatraveler
(Post 20297550)
Still having issues with this. Trying to upgrade a NYP-WDB 14-day advance fare, and the agent is attempting to charge me a $25 fare difference. Very frustrating.
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Originally Posted by AGR Insider
(Post 20360592)
Sorry to hear this. When this happens, please send me a private message with your reservation number so we can be sure the agent is properly trained.
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Amtrak Class upgrade coupons
I just noticed my dozen or so coupons from Amtrak rewards (one-class upgrade and club acela day passes) have my name on them. Does this mean I can't use them for upgrading someone else?
My travel is paid by work and I don't need these unless traveling with a companion. Moreover my Amtrak status gets me free entry to Club Acela so these are more or less useless for me now. Is there any way I can use these to upgrade travel companions or friends/family? |
Check out the sticky at the top of this forum.
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The coupons are fully transferable and you may give them (for free) to anyone you'd like. Even though your name is printed on the face of the coupon, anyone may use it. Hope this helps!
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Originally Posted by AGR Insider
(Post 20466884)
The coupons are fully transferable and you may give them (for free) to anyone you'd like. Even though your name is printed on the face of the coupon, anyone may use it. Hope this helps!
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I used points to order some upgrade coupons from the AGR website and just received 5 companion in the mail coupons instead- has this ever happened to anyone? Guess I should call and ask them to resend.
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Originally Posted by Organgrinder
(Post 20494916)
I used points to order some upgrade coupons from the AGR website and just received 5 companion in the mail coupons instead- has this ever happened to anyone? Guess I should call and ask them to resend.
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How long does it take for the 10,000 point upgrade vouchers to arrive in the mail once requested online?
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