BOGO Sleeper Car Offer Tempting- Questions about First Amtrak Trip
Jun 4, 2019, 8:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
BOGO Sleeper Car Offer Tempting- Questions about First Amtrak Trip
I saw the BOGO Offer and am tempted to purchase tickets for my wife and I. The web site is not 100% clear, but I think I am looking at $320 for a sleeper accommodation one way between Emeryville CA and Grand Junction CO in early September. Looks like it's bunk beds for the 2 of us. Some questions:
- Is that a decent deal in the opinion of the veterans here?
- I selected 1 senior and one Adult. The final summary page shows:
- Senior $0.00
- 1 Adult $133.00
- 1 Superliner Roomette $187.00
for the $320 total. Is that correct?
- Any thoughts on trip insurance offered on the Amtrak site? Would I be better getting insurance elsewhere?
- Finally, I think this would be a nice ride for views. Any experience or advice on this particular route? I will do more research on this also, but any current thoughts are welcome
Jun 5, 2019, 1:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
It's a fantastic deal, Amtrak hardly discounts Sleepers and it's becoming increasingly hard to accumulate their points since they killed off Chase UR and SPG transfers.
If you don't have a Credit Card with trip insurance I would encourage you to buy the trip insurance.
The views on the route are beautiful, you'll be climbing up the Sierra Nevada's and going through the beautiful canyons of Utah. The trip east of Grand Junction to Denver is also spectacular. You might want to consider booking to Denver and taking the train the next day back to Grand Junction or flying from Denver to Grand Junction.
If you don't have a Credit Card with trip insurance I would encourage you to buy the trip insurance.
The views on the route are beautiful, you'll be climbing up the Sierra Nevada's and going through the beautiful canyons of Utah. The trip east of Grand Junction to Denver is also spectacular. You might want to consider booking to Denver and taking the train the next day back to Grand Junction or flying from Denver to Grand Junction.
Jun 5, 2019, 5:30 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
Thanks. I targeted Grand Junction because it was significantly cheaper than Denver and I will rent a car and drive down to SW Colorado. Plus, GCT arrival is 10amish, so get a full day in that area.
As for insurance, I am always leery of buying insurance from the travel provider website. I would have the coverage from CSP or Amex Plat.
As for insurance, I am always leery of buying insurance from the travel provider website. I would have the coverage from CSP or Amex Plat.
Jun 5, 2019, 8:38 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
It's misleading for Amtrak to call this Buy-one/Get-one as the thing you're buying, the roomette and the fee for the first passenger, is not the same as, and is significantly more expensive than what you're getting for free - the fee for the 2nd passenger.
Jun 6, 2019, 8:14 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
The way they price sleeping cars is you have a rail fare and an accommodation fare (on the old paper tickets they used to split it out).
On EMY-CHI for 2 passengers you might pay $1,000 for a roomette. This price is broken down as follows:
Railfare Passenger 1: $200 (this is typically what the coach price is)
Railfare Passenger 2: $200
Accomidation Charge, roomette 1: $600
With this buy one get one sale, you're still paying full price for the sleeper, you're just saving the railfare portion of the 2nd passenger. So instead of $1,000, you would pay $800 during a bogo sale. This is also why when you're booking a roomette for 1 person vs. 2, the price for 2 people is not 2x the price.
Jun 6, 2019, 10:06 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
I wouldn't say it's misleading if you understand how Amtrak prices rooms.
The way they price sleeping cars is you have a rail fare and an accommodation fare (on the old paper tickets they used to split it out).
On EMY-CHI for 2 passengers you might pay $1,000 for a roomette. This price is broken down as follows:
Railfare Passenger 1: $200 (this is typically what the coach price is)
Railfare Passenger 2: $200
Accomidation Charge, roomette 1: $600
With this buy one get one sale, you're still paying full price for the sleeper, you're just saving the railfare portion of the 2nd passenger. So instead of $1,000, you would pay $800 during a bogo sale. This is also why when you're booking a roomette for 1 person vs. 2, the price for 2 people is not 2x the price.
The way they price sleeping cars is you have a rail fare and an accommodation fare (on the old paper tickets they used to split it out).
On EMY-CHI for 2 passengers you might pay $1,000 for a roomette. This price is broken down as follows:
Railfare Passenger 1: $200 (this is typically what the coach price is)
Railfare Passenger 2: $200
Accomidation Charge, roomette 1: $600
With this buy one get one sale, you're still paying full price for the sleeper, you're just saving the railfare portion of the 2nd passenger. So instead of $1,000, you would pay $800 during a bogo sale. This is also why when you're booking a roomette for 1 person vs. 2, the price for 2 people is not 2x the price.
In the real world, BOGO means you pay for 1 roomette, and you get 2.
Jun 10, 2019, 9:52 pm
#8
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
I was tempted too. Last September, a FT friend and I did SEA LAX on a "BOGO" sale. Tonight, I didn't start searching till after 8 pm PT and, well, Amtrak's clock is on ET, so I snoozed and losed.
Jun 12, 2019, 8:28 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
I did purchase... 2 roomettes for 4 of us, Grand Junction to Emeryville. Looking forward to a new experience. Now I have to piece together the rest of the logistics. Think we will fly to ABQ and drive up through Santa Fe and into southern Colorado. make it to GJT, take train to Emeryville and spend the weekend in SFO and return home.
Jul 13, 2019, 11:27 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,072
Great place to fine days with better rates, that seem to price similiar to BOGO.
https://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php
it has been having issues and sends you to : AmSnag Verson 2.02
https://biketrain.net/amsnag/amSnag.php
it has been having issues and sends you to : AmSnag Verson 2.02