Acela [business class seat assignment]
May 17, 2019, 3:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Palm Springs ca
Programs: aa lifetime platinum
Posts: 747
Acela [business class seat assignment]
I am travelling soon on Acela business class ,ticketed and bought online with the app.i am going from Phily to nyc and noticed that there are no seat reservations or even a way to pay for them
is it a free for all like southwest?
i dread this only because I am somewhat disabled. I have Parkinsons and I move slowly is just about it and also balance issues trying to find a seat on a moving train may be a potential problem I am an experienced and enthusiastic traveler but reality bites and now I have to ask questions in advance.should I just not panic ? Should I bring a first aid kit.....
is it a free for all like southwest?
i dread this only because I am somewhat disabled. I have Parkinsons and I move slowly is just about it and also balance issues trying to find a seat on a moving train may be a potential problem I am an experienced and enthusiastic traveler but reality bites and now I have to ask questions in advance.should I just not panic ? Should I bring a first aid kit.....
Last edited by marbles dad; May 17, 2019 at 3:35 am Reason: Myoclonic jerk
May 17, 2019, 5:31 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 34
I wouldn’t characterize it as a free-for-all but it is open seating. What you should do is speak with the attendant at the top of the stairs at 30th Street. That person can arrange for you to get on the train to one of the accessible seats. Acela isn’t like the regionals with slobs sleeping across two seats. So you should be able to get a seat pretty quickly.
May 18, 2019, 7:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AGR
Posts: 120
There are Amtrak employees at both Philadelphia and NY Penn called RedCaps that are there too help passengers with boarding situations . Please contact Amtrak and pre arrange assistance or arrive early to do so. A RedCap can board with you too help find a seat. The RedCap can request that the conductor hold the train until he assists you onto the train. The passengers at PHL usually are allowed on the platform before the arriving trains. This allows for the boarding group to spread out on the platform and make the boarding less hectic.
May 19, 2019, 10:00 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
Redcaps are here for people in your situation. @dicksboat's advice is spot on.
If you really want a seat, upgrade to F. That's the only way to be guaranteed one.
But business class is not a free for all. A redcap will make the situation super easy. I've seen people of all abilities travel comfortably on the Acela
If you really want a seat, upgrade to F. That's the only way to be guaranteed one.
But business class is not a free for all. A redcap will make the situation super easy. I've seen people of all abilities travel comfortably on the Acela
May 21, 2019, 10:01 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 439
Redcaps are here for people in your situation. @dicksboat's advice is spot on.
If you really want a seat, upgrade to F. That's the only way to be guaranteed one.
But business class is not a free for all. A redcap will make the situation super easy. I've seen people of all abilities travel comfortably on the Acela
If you really want a seat, upgrade to F. That's the only way to be guaranteed one.
But business class is not a free for all. A redcap will make the situation super easy. I've seen people of all abilities travel comfortably on the Acela