jackal

I guess the days of Amtrak.com offering connections in LAX and PDX on KWD-CBS searches are over...

I'm planning on redeeming one last two-zone award for DEN-MSP, but I'd like to go west first and do the CZ-CS-EB route. Amtrak.com is only offering for me to go east to CHI and then connect to a Thruway bus to MSP (yuck). At least that way, it would only be a one-zone award...

I can tease out the SAC/PDX routing if I start in SLC but not anywhere east of there.

Any ideas on how to accomplish this? It seems Amtrak is much tighter with routing rules these days...

I can book from SLC and just buy a pair of coach seats from DEN to SLC, but losing out on two meals and not moving into the room until late at night is sub-optimal.

Any secrets anyone has found to do this would be appreciated in these last few days before it no longer matters and everything is ruined...

jackal

I called AGR today now that they're open and DEN-MSP requires a forced overnight in CHI, and she was not showing the CZ/CS/EB routing option. The forced overnight requires two separate redemptions, too.

I went ahead and booked SLC-MSP.

I then HUCA'd to see if I could extend the start of the trip to DEN. Shockingly, the agent said yes and confirmed it. So it seems that changing an existing trip may allow one to play a little looser with the routing rules.

Go forth and book before the AGR 2.0 hammer hits!

nerd

Probably enough information right there for AGR to find your redemption transaction and fix the mistake that they made.

fairviewroad

I'll have to admit I laughed out loud at this post, but I hope for jackal's sake that AGR leaves well enough alone...

jackal

If y'all would stop bumping the thread...

serpens

In my experience (sample size of one), AGR left alone an invalid redemption. I booked the itinerary in ignorance and innocence, and later called to tweak it. The AGR agent who took my later call put me on hold, then came back, explained why it was not a valid redemption, and said that I could leave it as is or modify it, but if I changed anything, it would need to be brought within the then-current rules. I left it unchanged and so did AGR.

If anyone cares, it was trip where I left one zone and then re-entered it.

AGR Insider

Don't worry, I know well who jackal is. We're glad that folks are making those final zone-based redemptions before the new structure takes effect for new, modified, and cancelled bookings tomorrow. That's why we gave about five months' notice!


Cheers,
Anthony

jackal

Aren't you supposed to be busy with implementation and supervising agents handling all these cancellations today? Pay no attention to these invalid bookings discussed here.

P.S. I know who you are, too.