Acela Express First Class Seat Assignment (WHOA!)
May 1, 2018, 2:39 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,108
Just found out this was a thing again. (I remember booking an assigned seat back in 200x, but not being able to tell which way the train is going.)
Somehow pretty much every other HSR system and pseudo-HSR in the world (Shinkansen, ICE, Eurostar, TGV, AVE, Thalys, RailJet, CRH, etc) has figured this out. I can't imagine what's so special about the Acela (other than legacy IT) that would make it an outlier. Most of those other systems also have a variety of seating configurations to deal with, and often offer a mix of reserved and open seating.
I hope this makes it to Acela Business. (I find First largely a waste of money.) The mad dash to board and difficulty getting a seat from an intermediate station are my two biggest peeves about the Acela.
Somehow pretty much every other HSR system and pseudo-HSR in the world (Shinkansen, ICE, Eurostar, TGV, AVE, Thalys, RailJet, CRH, etc) has figured this out. I can't imagine what's so special about the Acela (other than legacy IT) that would make it an outlier. Most of those other systems also have a variety of seating configurations to deal with, and often offer a mix of reserved and open seating.
I hope this makes it to Acela Business. (I find First largely a waste of money.) The mad dash to board and difficulty getting a seat from an intermediate station are my two biggest peeves about the Acela.
May 2, 2018, 8:59 am
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The whole thing is remedied by following the typical air GDS where the display shows that there is space available and then one proceeds and selects a seat. In the Acela situation, one looks at a given train, the display shows F availability and one may then select and complete a reservation if one wishes. People who face a window seat on the 2-seat side have a decision to make.
Jun 4, 2018, 5:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 110
They should really consider rolling this out across the board.
Fortunately enough for me, I have always been in a flexible enough situation to get on either before penn in Newark going N or in Stamford going South which Typically gives me first pick once everyone disembarks in Penn. Well worth the surcharge in my opinion.
i have seen how nasty some people can get that paid for F but didn’t get the seat they “wanted”. Their prices aren’t exactly cheap so I could see how it would warrant that type of behavior.
i am just thankful I have the flexibility on where to board as well as what times.
FWIW - I always use first on the Acela as its business travel, but it’s 100% a complete waste of money and more of a status thing for most people in that cart.
Fortunately enough for me, I have always been in a flexible enough situation to get on either before penn in Newark going N or in Stamford going South which Typically gives me first pick once everyone disembarks in Penn. Well worth the surcharge in my opinion.
i have seen how nasty some people can get that paid for F but didn’t get the seat they “wanted”. Their prices aren’t exactly cheap so I could see how it would warrant that type of behavior.
i am just thankful I have the flexibility on where to board as well as what times.
FWIW - I always use first on the Acela as its business travel, but it’s 100% a complete waste of money and more of a status thing for most people in that cart.
Jun 28, 2018, 7:06 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
I've had one experience with this so far, and the system assigned a table seat, even though there were plenty of other singles available. I changed it pronto.
May 12, 2021, 8:14 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
Yes. Once you apply the upgrade, a seat is assigned, and you get the confirmation e-mail with PDF attachment. Then, you can go in and change your seat on the website or app.
I've had one experience with this so far, and the system assigned a table seat, even though there were plenty of other singles available. I changed it pronto.
I've had one experience with this so far, and the system assigned a table seat, even though there were plenty of other singles available. I changed it pronto.
But that gets to the question of what's the BEST first class seat on Acela for a single traveler? I think it starts with a single seat. Then front or back of middle. Then which side (minor, IMO).
May 13, 2021, 4:33 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
Love assigned seats. The worst part of Adele First is feeling you have to rush out of the lounge and down to the train to claim your seat ahead of others.
But that gets to the question of what's the BEST first class seat on Acela for a single traveler? I think it starts with a single seat. Then front or back of middle. Then which side (minor, IMO).
But that gets to the question of what's the BEST first class seat on Acela for a single traveler? I think it starts with a single seat. Then front or back of middle. Then which side (minor, IMO).
May 13, 2021, 4:54 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum (3MM), QF Lifetime Gold, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, Ex-Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 7,541
6F looks pretty good to me.
Does the food and beverage ordering/service go front to back or back to front?
Last edited by nologic; May 13, 2021 at 8:15 pm
May 13, 2021, 9:10 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,401
At the moment it has been back to front, and with the reduced capacity, there has only been one attendant in first class. but it's a bit more scattered on the train since unlike a plane, passengers are getting on and off at various stops. With the seat blocking, 15A was my favorite seat, since the facing seat was blocked and so you get the large (and more stable) table to yourself, the facing seat to put your bag and you get served first. But since the blocking is coming to an end, I will go back to the single seats.
May 15, 2021, 3:51 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
At the moment it has been back to front, and with the reduced capacity, there has only been one attendant in first class. but it's a bit more scattered on the train since unlike a plane, passengers are getting on and off at various stops. With the seat blocking, 15A was my favorite seat, since the facing seat was blocked and so you get the large (and more stable) table to yourself, the facing seat to put your bag and you get served first. But since the blocking is coming to an end, I will go back to the single seats.
