Saver Fare vs. NEC 14 day advance = 25% off

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Joined
Jan 29, 2004
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Location
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I haven't seen any official notification but I guess the 14 day advance purchase = 25% off deal for NEC tickets is dead.
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It used to be the Saver Fare. Now the website frequently shows no Saver Fare at all. For example, right now, 2 MONTHS ahead of time the site shows no availability for Saver Fare CVS-NYP in mid-April. The cheapest is Value Fare = $190. Crazy.
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The previous normal was $67 which I purchased just last month, twice. On some days the Value Fare is $98 but not on my day.

Sometimes it seems like Amtrak is trying to drive away business with a stick. The fare will almost certainly become available at some reduction at some time in the future but why do they want to impose that inconvenience on the customer, ii.e. saying we will not sell you a ticket now but check back at some undisclosed time and we might change our mind?

I also find the new website very frustrating on my mobile devices, phone and tablet. And on any device I can't figure out how to modify the current reservation request (changing date) without starting completely over.
 
I see one train CVS-NYP on 4/16/18 - #176 for $74.

I do know they sell limited # of seats at the 25% off advanced purchase price.

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Recommend using AmSnag to get the "big picture" and to see what's going on with fares. As an example, for the whole month of April, it shows $74 coach fares are available on 13 of the 30 days. And for the 30 day period beginning 2 weeks hence it shows $74 coach fares available on 10 of those days.

Drawing conclusions based on a couple of 1 date looks leads to erroneous conclusions. Saver fares are still there - just not for every possible travel date.
 
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I do know they sell limited # of seats at the 25% off advanced purchase price.
Saver fares are the low bucket coach fares discounted by 20%. And they themselves are always advanced purchases as they are (supposedly) never offered for sale less than 14 days in advance of the present date - if offered at all. It's all outlined here: https://www.amtrak.com/book-early-save-20-percent-on-train-travel-across-america
It's up to 25% on the Northeast Corridor and Pennsylvania service (Keystone/Pennsylvanian,) according to Amtrak.
 
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I take the NER every Friday and Sunday. There is absolutely a noticeable reduction in the number of Saver fares; I'm really stymied as to what to do as my budget is dependent on $49 per ride for most of my trips. I am really hoping it's temporary and due to the reduction in service for the scheduled track project (I assume? I often take 158 and it isn't on the schedule after 3/10).

For instance, this is the time of year I would normally be buying tickets for April and May. On Fridays I take either 85 or 158. At some point one or the other always has a Saver. During the Fridays of those two months there is not one Saver fare available for either 85 or 173, which is my next choice without 158. I do this all year long and have for over five years and this is just totally abnormal to my experience.
 
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I suspect that Amtrak has reduced the number of saver fares available for some or all trains. I just checked a number of itineraries from my usual NEC station to WAS. Some days every train listed has saver fares. Getting further out, they all have saver fares available.

It's simply 'the early bird gets the worm'. Those who don't book terribly far in advance will pay higher prices, just like the airlines.
 
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