Using Upgrade Coupons
 

Can anyone explain why it's not possible to use an upgrade coupon online? It is so much easier for me -- and I assume others -- to deal with reservations online rather than having to make a phone call. Is this just a way of discouraging their use?

I have tried asking this question to Guest Rewards, and have just received an answer restating their policy.

The coupon is somewhat of a kludge upon the reservation system. I don't think the reservation system is equipped to handle upgrades, so each one must be done manually, with a manual reissue and repricing to get the points to post correctly.

The coupons are currently electronically issued, which makes it a lot easier to use than the previous iteration of them, where they would mail them to you, and you had to physically surrender them at a ticket window in order to use them.

I think this is just Amtrak IT. There's a lot of things we wish we can do with Amtrak.

But I for one like the call in system, if only by the fact I know not everyone will do it, meaning I can always secure upgrade space when calling in at the 48 hour mark. Feel space won't be as freely available if all people had to do was click a few buttons

You have to call in. No other way around it.