Coast Starlight Business Class amenities kit?

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spinnaker

Lead Service Attendant
Joined
Mar 23, 2018
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419
I thought I read somewhere that the Coast Starlight Business class comes with an amenities kit.

But the Starlight page makes no mention of that.

https://www.amtrak.com/routes/coast-starlight-train.

Does anyone know if the Coast Starlight business class comes with such a kit?

I know the Pittsburgh station offers a kit for $10 that includes a blanket and pillow. Does anyone know if such a kit is offered in Eugene? Is it worth the $10? Or is there a place in Eugene where I can pick up one of those roll up travel blankets? I had a nice one and ended up giving it away to a homeless person. But not sure if I would want to drag it with me anyway just for the starlight part of my trip.
 
"In Business Class, you'll enjoy a fully refundable ticket if canceled prior to departure, 25% point bonus for Amtrak Guest Rewards members, seating in a dedicated car, free Wi-Fi, two bottles of water, an onboard credit good for food and beverage purchase or afternoon wine tasting, and access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles and Portland."

https://www.amtrak.com/routes/coast-starlight-train.html
 
The website needs updating. Afternoon wine tastings departed with the Pacific Parlour Cars. No, you don't get an amenity kit. I think you can buy something like that in the cafe. You do get a pillow, though, in Starlight business class. A good attendant will offer you one and give you water, your onboard credit coupon, and a WiFi password, written on something other than the coupon. The others, you gotta ask.
 
"In Business Class, you'll enjoy a fully refundable ticket if canceled prior to departure, 25% point bonus for Amtrak Guest Rewards members, seating in a dedicated car, free Wi-Fi, two bottles of water, an onboard credit good for food and beverage purchase or afternoon wine tasting, and access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles and Portland."

https://www.amtrak.com/routes/coast-starlight-train.html

Yes I can read that. I posted the same link that you did. What I am looking for is if what I have mentioned in youtube videos and other sources is true and that the webpage simply doesn't mentioned it.
 
The website needs updating. Afternoon wine tastings departed with the Pacific Parlour Cars. No, you don't get an amenity kit. I think you can buy something like that in the cafe. You do get a pillow, though, in Starlight business class. A good attendant will offer you one and give you water, your onboard credit coupon, and a WiFi password, written on something other than the coupon. The others, you gotta ask.

Thanks. That is what I was looking for. Glad to see BC at least includes a pillow. Should I wait to board before purchasing a blanket.? Or would you get one in the station, if available?

Now that I think of it, the video did mention a pillow in BC. But I thought another mentioned blanket, ear plugs and sleep mask. But I might be confusing that with another train.
 
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I usually stop at Walmart, or similar, on the way to the station if I need a blanket or towel or eyeshades or whatever. If I need to buy something, I buy it at the first opportunity because you never know if there will be another. There are probably stations where you can buy blankets, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.
 
There are probably stations where you can buy blankets, but I can't think of one off the top of my head.

Pittsburgh. It is where I saw it first. Big sign right up on the ticket counter window. It is where I got the idea.

I will be in Eugene all day so I will have plenty of time. I will have to seek out a Walmart. The problem is, I will be on a bicycle so security with leaving the bike is an issue, especially in Eugene. They do have greeters so maybe they will let me roll the bike inside and keep an eye on it for me.
 
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I've rolled my bike into the store with me a few times. I've gotten a lot of odd looks, but was only shooed out once. The trick, I think, is not to look like a homeless person :). Never asked a greeter to watch it, but it's worth a try. The people at Walmart are friendly. Too bad it's not Girl Scout cookie season – I bought a box of cookies at a table set up outside my local Walmart and politely asked if they would watch my bike for a couple of minutes. They did – mission accomplished. Plus cookies.
 
Where you probably saw that was Amtrak is adding amenity kits to BC for the Lakeshore Limited. This doesn't apply across the system yet.
 
From "Julie" at amtrak.com ...this applies to any passenger. Don't know how it plays out for BC.

Perhaps your voucher can be used towards this purchase in the SSL...

The Passenger Comfort Kit is now available to enhance your passenger travel experience. The kit includes an inflatable pillow, earplugs, blanket, and eye shade in a keepsake tote and can be purchased for $10.00 from the Lounge or Café car while onboard.

When I used BC on the Coast Starlight a couple of years ago, we were presented upon boarding the voucher, 2 bottles of water and wifi info. Since it was not an overnight trip we weren't expecting nor received a pillow or blanket.
 
Starlight BC does not offer an amenity kit. Many years ago, sleeper pax got a kit, but Business is a relatively new addition and I don't think ever had it.
 
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When the blankets were sold as individual items in the lounge car, travelers reported that there was a limited supply and it was best to buy one soon after you board. The same may be true of the amenity kits.

Other travelers suggested bringing a beach towel or bath sheet from home, which could also be useful off the train, and using that for a blanket instead of buying an Amblanket.

Re buying one at Walmart, Target or a similar store -- surely they have bike racks for cyclists. If not, there should be signposts or similar you could use for securing your bike. If you don't see anything suitable, I would ask a greeter or at the information desk where to lock your bike. (I do not understand your concern about security being an issue "especially in Eugene," though. Biking is popular there, but Eugene is not a high-crime city.)
 
t.

Re buying one at Walmart, Target or a similar store -- surely they have bike racks for cyclists. If not, there should be signposts or similar you could use for securing your bike. If you don't see anything suitable, I would ask a greeter or at the information desk where to lock your bike. (I do not understand your concern about security being an issue "especially in Eugene," though. Biking is popular there, but Eugene is not a high-crime city.)
Bike racks and locks do nothing but slow a thief down. They really only prevent someone from just easily riding away. They don't prevent anyone with a bit of determination from taking the bike Eugene has a huge bike theft problem.
 
No guarantee that there will be any amenity kits available on board to purchase on your travel date. So I would recommend purchasing in advance at Walmart,etc. But if the SSL attendant has some for sale I would grab one for posterity. I take mine with me whenever I travel, in case I don’t like my hotel’s pillows.
 
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