Best use of miles/points for luxury train rides?
#1
Original Poster


Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 263
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!
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!
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Durham NC USA
Programs: Lifetime AA Plat
Posts: 35
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
#3
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures




Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,885
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.
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.
#4
Original Poster


Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 263
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!
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!
#5

Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Asia
Programs: RVT 1K
Posts: 885
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.
Thats pretty nice, but spendy, I wonder if the have something like this in Europe, maybe shorter journeys at a lower cost.
#6
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures




Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,885
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.
http://www.orient-express.com/web/lu...ns_cruises.jsp
Click UK Day Excursions if you only want to sample.

