sleeper rewards direct trains only?
Jan 31, 2012, 3:31 am
#16
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Leodis
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 142
So yeah, out of the dates you posted, a connection would have been missed once. That is not 20-30%. I just think we should try to be realistic. Yes, a missed connection would suck. But the SWC-CS connection is generally perceived by most to be a pretty safe connection.
Don't forget that when the train comes in late, you can make the connection with just 15 minutes, unlike on a plane. And amtrak might hold the train for 5-10 minutes, or as is common on the SWC, they will detrain connecting pax early and bus them to meet the CS.
Don't forget that when the train comes in late, you can make the connection with just 15 minutes, unlike on a plane. And amtrak might hold the train for 5-10 minutes, or as is common on the SWC, they will detrain connecting pax early and bus them to meet the CS.
Feb 7, 2012, 11:18 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred/Companion Pass, Amtrak Select, Priority Club Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 453
That would be a great trip! We were looking at doing something similar, but the cost of airfare at both ends for us would be more than I'm willing to part with. Ended up booking OKC-FTW-SAS-NOL, then NOL-CHI-FTW-OKC. Picked up the tickets this morning, looking forward to it! Hope you have a great trip! ^
Feb 8, 2012, 11:11 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVP Gold, BA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,619
Was this booked as one award ---- i.e. 4.5 days of continuous Amtrak travel, with just two short scheduled layover stops (2 hours in L.A., 6 hours in Chicago)? If so, it'll be total immersion.
Wow! 
Feb 8, 2012, 3:23 pm
#21
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 289
Yes, it's all one go, since Amtrak generally doesn't allow overnight stopovers on award travel. By the time he's finished, jftino should have the dining car menu pretty much memorized.
My problem is on the third day remembering what my room number is on this train, vs. the previous two.
My problem is on the third day remembering what my room number is on this train, vs. the previous two.
Feb 8, 2012, 8:47 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PA
Programs: Airtran A+ Elite, SPG Preferred Plus, Hilton HHonors Gold, AGR
Posts: 139
Yes it was. Then 2 days in Seattle and another 4 going sea - Austin on some odd routing that comes up when you type those locations in. It was so relaxing being on the train last time for us. Hopefully it is again.
Feb 9, 2012, 1:27 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Programs: Ozark Go-Getters Gold, Statler Star Silver, others from a variety of alternate timelines
Posts: 843
The good news is that each train's menus are actually slightly different from each other (and the "specials" may be different as well). In 2002, I did a trip LAX-EMY (long stopover)-PDX-CHI (long stopover)-LAX, and there was only one nationwide menu at that point.
Feb 9, 2012, 6:32 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PA
Programs: Airtran A+ Elite, SPG Preferred Plus, Hilton HHonors Gold, AGR
Posts: 139
Yes, it's all one go, since Amtrak generally doesn't allow overnight stopovers on award travel. By the time he's finished, jftino should have the dining car menu pretty much memorized.
My problem is on the third day remembering what my room number is on this train, vs. the previous two.
My problem is on the third day remembering what my room number is on this train, vs. the previous two.