Downeaster Cancellations
Jul 18, 2014, 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: RNO
Posts: 362
Downeaster Cancellations
I was scheduled to take the Downeaster in Business Class from Boston to Portland next Wednesday (late morning), but it appears that train has been cancelled (as has the 9am). It looks like my options are thruway bus service at either 8am or 2pm. Given the downgrade from Business class to bus:
Is there some kind of airline-style recompense (vouchers or points)?
Is there "original routing credit" for points?
Any other option I'm missing to get me from Boston to Portland? I don't suppose Amtrak would be willing to foot a 2 hour taxi ride or one-way car rental?
Is there some kind of airline-style recompense (vouchers or points)?
Is there "original routing credit" for points?
Any other option I'm missing to get me from Boston to Portland? I don't suppose Amtrak would be willing to foot a 2 hour taxi ride or one-way car rental?
Jul 18, 2014, 12:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AGR
Posts: 120
1. If Amtrak cancelled the train you can get a full refund. It should have been offered when Amtrak called you.
2. ? Is this segment paid with AGR points or part of a longer redemption ? If so, call AGR .
3. Very good bus service by Concord Coach between BOS South Station(Transportation Center) and Portland, ME(Transportation Center).There are other bus lines you can search for. Boston North station is only a mile and a half from BOS. Taxi or MBTA subway.
2. ? Is this segment paid with AGR points or part of a longer redemption ? If so, call AGR .
3. Very good bus service by Concord Coach between BOS South Station(Transportation Center) and Portland, ME(Transportation Center).There are other bus lines you can search for. Boston North station is only a mile and a half from BOS. Taxi or MBTA subway.
Last edited by dicksboat; Jul 18, 2014 at 12:44 pm Reason: Added
Jul 18, 2014, 1:00 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: RNO
Posts: 362
It looks like Concord is a nice option that's slightly less expensive than Amtrak's coach tickets but leaves from the much more convenient South Station (and at the same time the train was supposed to leave). Thanks for the suggestion!
Jul 18, 2014, 1:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: Amtrak Select
Posts: 333
In this situation I would opt for a cancellation on amtrak (for a full refund - you are in BC) and then purchase a Concord Coach ticket from BOS to portland. Concord Coach has great service and a very comfortable and clean ride up to Maine from south Station.
Jul 18, 2014, 1:46 pm
#5
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Concord (which runs from both Logan Airport and South Station) is faster, cleaner, cheaper and includes WiFi. Better deal than the train even if the train were running. I would take the refund and purchase the Concord ticket.
Jul 18, 2014, 2:54 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: RNO
Posts: 362
Thanks for the insight everyone! I've gone ahead and cancelled the Amtrak reservation. Does Concord sell out certain times? It looks like buying the tickets at the station is easier than buying online and printing.
Jul 18, 2014, 4:30 pm
#7
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Yes, but they run second (and third) sections all the time. There are no reserved seats, so the fact that you purchase in advance doesn't help anyway. You simply stand in line at the gate (at South Station) or the marked position at the curn (at Logan).
Aug 1, 2014, 8:06 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 87
Senior fare on Downeaster is $12.50 (half price been going on). We did a round trip in July at $12.50 each for each direction. Concord has no senior discount, much less a senior special. So, while Concord is cheaper for adults, it definitely is not cheaper for everyone all the time.
BOS is NOT ALWAYS the most convenient. If you are going to catch another train or going to the airport, it is more convenient. If not, BON may be the most convenient. It was for us.
Aug 1, 2014, 9:38 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: RNO
Posts: 362
I should've been more specific in that South Station was more convenient for our trip given our hotel location.
We just returned from this trip, and Concord did a good job. I should note that despite getting to the terminal 20 minutes before departure, there was quite a line for the bus (I believe this particular bus continued past Portland). We managed to get on, though I'm not sure everyone in line behind us did. I guess the lesson is to get there early!
We just returned from this trip, and Concord did a good job. I should note that despite getting to the terminal 20 minutes before departure, there was quite a line for the bus (I believe this particular bus continued past Portland). We managed to get on, though I'm not sure everyone in line behind us did. I guess the lesson is to get there early!
Aug 4, 2014, 8:09 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DTW/FNT
Programs: Delta (nee NW), Hilton Diamond. IHG (PT)
Posts: 4,823
That said, Amtrak is constrained by the number of cars it has and the number of cars an engine can pull --- typically if they put six cars on a train, they can get by with one engine. If they add a seventh car, they have to add another engine.
Adding additional sections does happen from time to time, e.g. around Turkey day and that practice predates Amtrak.
Bob H
Aug 4, 2014, 11:05 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: American Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Silver
Posts: 5,640
Amtrak WILL overbook. Eastern may have been an exception as that is not the mainstream procedure today. On current day airlines that have shuttles, its simply first come, first served, and anyone who misses a flight because it's overbooked will have to wait for the next one.
Amtrak will proactively add cars and/or extra trains for holidays (because they know that they can fill them and make more money) but for all other times of the year, you're SOL.
Amtrak will proactively add cars and/or extra trains for holidays (because they know that they can fill them and make more money) but for all other times of the year, you're SOL.