Best use of miles/points for luxury train rides?
 

Hello,

I'm interested in taking a luxury train journey - doesn't really matter as much where in the world. Wanted to ride for the sake of riding in a 1st class train car, and be able to sleep overnight, enjoy gourmet dining, and absorb the natural scenery.

Anyone have any suggestions on the following:

1) what would be a very nice train ride (approx 3-5 days) that would afford the above experiences? (please include destinations, and name of train line, if you can)

2) with what airline/hotel/credit card program could i book such a trip

i know that with marriott points, you can book on the orient express. anyone ever ridden? would you be able to offer any feedback?

other than marriott, any other programs that i could redeem for something like this?

thanks for your suggestions!

Train
 

You can get an Amtrak credit card and a Continental credit card, then transfer over all the Continental 1:1. Lux cabins on Amtrak start around 20K within one zone, LA to Seattle, for example. www.amtrak.com

While Amtrak sleeper compartments are not uncomfortable I do not expect very many people would consider them luxurious. I imagine cabrits is looking for something like this...

http://www.grandluxerail.com/

These cars travel as part of Amtrak trains but are operated by a separate company, and I do not see any option to redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards points for travel on GrandLuxe Rail Journeys.

nice train!
 

mia,

that's kind of along the lines of what i'm looking for - thanks! i was looking up a 2-day journey from LAX - ORD, and it costs $2,000 one way! i never had any idea this stuff was so pricey!

anyone know how to covert miles/points to redeem on this (or similar) train-line?

thanks again!

Thats pretty nice, but spendy, I wonder if the have something like this in Europe, maybe shorter journeys at a lower cost.

You'll notice this was formerly American Orient Express. The European Orient Express is here...

http://www.orient-express.com/web/lu...ns_cruises.jsp

Click UK Day Excursions if you only want to sample.