Skipping First Leg of Amtrak Codeshare
 

I've been playing around with the recent G fares from PHL to LAS. I noticed some availability with PHL-EWR by Amtrak and EWR-LAS on CO. Since I'm NYC based and would be taking Amtrak to get to PHL anyways, I'd rather just head directly to EWR. Has anyone had any luck skipping the first segment on the assumption that Amtrak and CO don't communicate?

Discussed extensively in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...ak-co-faq.html

Short answer is that you can't skip it, at least not on a round-trip itinerary.

Wait, the Ultimate ZFV thread suggests otherwise?

you can most definitely skip the Amtrak segment.

When the conductor on the train collects the tickets, he sticks them in an envelope and mails then into a central clearing house. From there they are scanned and recorded for tracking and Amtrak Guest Rewards. This process can take 1-2 weeks or so.

Sometimes a ticket doesn't get scanned properly and you have to contact AGR about the points. Even if Amtrak or Continental figured out that you skipped the segment it would take at least two weeks if not more for them to know.

Two weeks is good enough for me; I'd probably be using Amtrak to do a return to NY from PHL a few days later anyways. Thanks for the info.

This is the first I've heard of the Amtrak-CO codeshare program. It doesn't do me much good in DC, but fascinating!

This is incorrect advice and would best not be heeded. Scanning tickets from an envelope is not how CO knows whether or not you traveled on a CO codeshare segment operated by Amtrak. Read the ZFV thread; there are some nuances.

Agreed. Had a friend's return trip cancelled because he didn't utilize the Amtrak codeshare. This was in late March.

climbguy's advice ignores the fact that the systems know that the Amtrak train segment was never printed out at 30th street station.

There *might* be workarounds, but it's definitely in CO's best interests that there are some effective ways to communicate with Amtrak.

LAX

Absolutely agreed to both above. Overall...dont skip that segment if you dont want to risk getting your trip canceled.

I contacted Amtrak about where I could print out my tickets as I would be starting from another Amtrak station. For these codeshares, they're willing to print them from anywhere in the system.

I didn't ask whether they communicated the location of ticket issue to CO, but that seems like the only thing they have to go on to make sure you were on the train.

Good luck with it - let us know how it works. And I hope you have a backup plan.

yes you can get them printed at any Amtrak kyosk, however if you dont get it done at the 30th St Station in Philly, be prepared to have the flights All CXed on You. If you should get lucky and you are allowed to board at EWR then most likely your return will be Cxed