"Other Rail Programs"
#1
Original Poster




Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,642
"Other Rail Programs"
So, there's an Amtrak forum (and has been for a while). Since (at a minimum) I know of VIA (Canada), Brightline (US), and Eurostar (UK/EU) having programs (I forget if DB/SNCF have them as well) and Virgin formerly havi g had one, might it be worth having a generalized rail forum (or two)?
#2




Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Etoile, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 8,995
It's funny this is coming up as a topic just now. Only today was I researching the web to get my head around how "Railteam" in Europe works. The simple summary is: when you have a status card of one of the member railway companies of Railteam you have access to the lounges of member companies. It's like an airline alliance with lounge access privileges for status members of all member airlines. Member railway companies are Deutsche Bahn of Germany, SNCF of France, SBB of Switzerland, BB of Austria, NS of the Netherlands, SNCB of Belgium, and Eurostar covering the France/Belgium/Netherlands-London route as well as routes between Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne.
However, that is the simply summary. In practice it's much more complicated, but there is little information about it. Some of the rail companies require an international ticket, others any ticket, others no ticket, others don't let you in at all, and some other restrictions and special rules for specific extra lounges.
I was hoping to find some information here.
However, that is the simply summary. In practice it's much more complicated, but there is little information about it. Some of the rail companies require an international ticket, others any ticket, others no ticket, others don't let you in at all, and some other restrictions and special rules for specific extra lounges.
I was hoping to find some information here.
#3
Community Director




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, MH Platinum, BA Silver and sinking, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 9,285
Rail travel is quite extensive within Europe, so we do have a European Rail forum: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/euro...il-travel-654/
Other specific rail-related questions have generally been hosted in their respective country forums.
I'd be interested in your feedback on whether the information in there is useful, and what improvements we could make.
Other specific rail-related questions have generally been hosted in their respective country forums.
I'd be interested in your feedback on whether the information in there is useful, and what improvements we could make.

