Coast Starlight onboard upgrades?

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spinnaker

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Mar 23, 2018
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419
I remember seeing a thread around here on general information about onboard upgrades. I don't recall it answering my specific information. So here goes.

I will be traveling business class from Eugene to Sacramento. I went with business class because it was just a bit too much to go with a roomette since I will also be taking the CZ and the CL all the way to Pittsburgh.

I will be traveling beginning of July. What are the chances of getting a roomette upgrade during that time of year on the Starlight? Assuming a roomette is available, will there be a significant savings over pre-booking?
 
The roomettes if they are available will be sold by the conductor at full price, no discounts. You have a better chance of getting a lower price by using AMSNAG to monitor the price changes and scoop up one when or if the room drops momentarily to a lower bucket.
 
Or you can call Amtrak Reservations from the train, but it will still be at the then current bucket. Years ago, you got a deep discount for onboard upgrades. That is no longer the case.

If you want an upgrade, you should book in advance to get the lowest fare.
 
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Or you can call Amtrak Reservations from the train, but it will still be at the then current bucket. Years ago, you got a deep discount for onboard upgrades. That is no longer the case.

If you want an upgrade, you should book in advance to get the lowest fare.

Nope I will stick with business class. I guess I can survive one night. Price is at $340 now. It was just over $200 when I booked the trip. I thought that was too much then.
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I could swear I read some place that business class on the starlight includes an "amenities kit" but not seeing that now. Does anyone know if they give them out for the starlight and if it includes a blanket an pillow at least?
 
Prices often go down considerably as it gets closer in. I would highly recommend setting up an Amsnag fare watch just in case.
 
Prices often go down considerably as it gets closer in. I would highly recommend setting up an Amsnag fare watch just in case.

Just did. Thanks.

I wish I would have know about that when I booked last year's EB and this year's CZ trip. Then again I probably would not wan to wait.

Has anyone used that to rebook at a lower price?
 
Prices often go down considerably as it gets closer in. I would highly recommend setting up an Amsnag fare watch just in case.
Just did. Thanks.

I wish I would have know about that when I booked last year's EB and this year's CZ trip. Then again I probably would not wan to wait.

Has anyone used that to rebook at a lower price?
I haven't used it to rebook at a lower price, but I did use it to snag a cheap Family Bedroom a couple weeks out from my trip on the Sunset/Eagle. My dad and I were booked for a roomette, which would have been fine, but the price dropped on the FB, and we decided we'd cash in an e-voucher and treat ourselves to the larger room. So glad we did.
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Or you can call Amtrak Reservations from the train, but it will still be at the then current bucket. Years ago, you got a deep discount for onboard upgrades. That is no longer the case.

If you want an upgrade, you should book in advance to get the lowest fare.
Nope I will stick with business class. I guess I can survive one night. Price is at $340 now. It was just over $200 when I booked the trip. I thought that was too much then.
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I could swear I read some place that business class on the starlight includes an "amenities kit" but not seeing that now. Does anyone know if they give them out for the starlight and if it includes a blanket an pillow at least?
Business Class passengers receive two bottles of water, a $6 voucher to apply toward food purchases, and an Amtrak-owned pillow to use during the trip. The Business Coach attendent will come by your seat to collect the pillow prior to arrival at your destination station.
 
So if I understand it right a biz class pax LA to SLO gets 2 bottles of water and the $6 food voucher and a biz class pax LA to PDX get the same for the longer trip?
 
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So if I understand it right a biz class pax LA to SLO gets 2 bottles of water and the $6 food voucher and a biz class pax LA to PDX get the same for the longer trip?
You bet! I honestly wonder if someone could book their BC ticket as like 10 segments on the same train, and receive 20 bottles of water and $60 worth of vouchers...
 
Probably could. But I bet the combined price would be much more than $60 extra, compared to the one thru ticket. And besides, who’s got a bladder big enough to hold 20 bottles of water?
 
Probably could. But I bet the combined price would be much more than $60 extra, compared to the one thru ticket. And besides, who’s got a bladder big enough to hold 20 bottles of water?
Depending on the circumstances, it is theoretically possible that the price did might be less than the value of that many vouchers and bottles of water. But in most cases, probably not.
 
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