Pullman Rail Journeys cheaper than Amtrak

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How do I book. Are there pictures. Whats the web page. I want to go from NO to Chicago. Looked at video anf this is awesome. Would love to get one of those double beds. So excited. Always wanted to visit Chicago. Will price be higher coming back from Chicago?
 
SarahZ said:
Even the southbound rates aren't too bad.

How do they board the Pullman cars? Since it isn't Amtrak, I assume I couldn't use the Metropolitan Lounge? Is there a separate semi-kindergarten walk?
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In New Orleans the Pullman staff met with us about an hour before departure, took my bag to my room, told us they would come board us as soon as Amtrak was coupled up and ready. About 45 minutes prior to departure we could board. I suppose some would say "mini kindergarten walk" but I would call it "VIP escort" lol. Same thing... Just feels fancier ha.
 
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
 
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FriskyFL said:
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
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I don't disagree, but I wonder if Amtrak even looks at what Pullman is charging.
 
MrFSS said:
FriskyFL said:
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
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I don't disagree, but I wonder if Amtrak even looks at what Pullman is charging.
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If Amtrak isn't paying attention to the competition, be it Pullman, airlines, busses, or oxcarts, then something's definitely wrong.
 
FriskyFL said:
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
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There really isn't that much sleeper traffic NOL-CHI, it's mainly Memphis-Chicago. So Amtrak really doesn't need to care and if someone ditches them for Pullman, they can get more money from the Memphis fares.
 
SarahZ said:
Even the southbound rates aren't too bad.

How do they board the Pullman cars? Since it isn't Amtrak, I assume I couldn't use the Metropolitan Lounge? Is there a separate semi-kindergarten walk?
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I've taken private cars from Chicago half a dozen times on the Empire Builder. I just walk out the central doors, walk down to the track the Empire Builder is waiting on, tell the Amtrak person holding back the coach passengers that I'm in the private car as I walk by him or her, and board my car. No Metropolitan Lounge, no kindergarten walk, no ticket. Pullman might be more formal, though.
 
I agree that Amtrak should keep track (no pun intended) of what the competition charges but also keep in mind that Amtrak is charging the Pullman folks for hauling the train, servicing and switching and layover in NOL so maybe this Revenue more than makes up for any unsold rooms on the CONO???
 
How can they be considered competition", when they, in fact, are collaborators, being serviced by Amtrak?

That said, yeah, you'd almost thonk that the carrier contract could specify that passenger carriage fees can not be set at less than the haulage service provider's, Amtrak.
 
I presume that food is completely catered and served within the Pullman cars. I also presume there is NO contact with the CONO - no passage to the CONO from Pullman or vice versa.

For what it's worth, vacationsbyrail.com doesn't reflect the discount - still charging $740 per person for every trip on the calendar.
 
VentureForth said:
I presume that food is completely catered and served within the Pullman cars. I also presume there is NO contact with the CONO - no passage to the CONO from Pullman or vice versa.
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Would seem unlikely, given the fact that CONO runs w Superliner consist, and Pullman uses collection of restored heavyweight and streamlined equipment. Useless there's a transdorm in the mix?
 
Maybe I wasn't clear. The Pullman cars are completely isolated from the rest of the Amtrak consist, only being tugged along for the ride and provided HEP. There is no mixing of crew or passengers between the CONO and the Pullman Journey cars.
 
Pullman is a private rail car being hauled at what I presume are standard private rail car haulage fees. What they charge to let people on their private cars is their own business.
 
SarahZ said:
Even the southbound rates aren't too bad.

How do they board the Pullman cars? Since it isn't Amtrak, I assume I couldn't use the Metropolitan Lounge? Is there a separate semi-kindergarten walk?
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Metro Lounge
 
jis said:
That's correct. The Hudson Express private car between New York and Albany will be boarding out of Club Acela at Penn Station. Just got email on that today.
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Is that a regularly run car, and how do I get more info? I would love to do that.
 
tonys96 said:
Where does the food for these cars come from? Where eaten?
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The food is cooked on board in an on board kitchen. They have a full dome dining car that is usually in the mix.

When I rode it was pretty light and they only has a sleeper and the adirondack club. The adirondack club has a small but fully functioning kitchen and a dining room with 3 booths so it can function as a diner.

Pullman menus are available on their website.
 
FriskyFL said:
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
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I doubt the average Amtrak customer is even aware of the Pullman setup. Why would they be unless they had an interest in railroading?They aren't even aware they are being overcharged for two in a sleeper, let alone there might be a much better and cheaper option hanging on the rear....
 
Train person said:
FriskyFL said:
How does Amtrak revenue management allow this to occur? Unless all Amtrak sleeper accommodations are fully booked on these dates, Pullman should never be allowed to undercut Amtrak fares.
Click to expand...
I doubt the average Amtrak customer is even aware of the Pullman setup. Why would they be unless they had an interest in railroading?They aren't even aware they are being overcharged for two in a sleeper, let alone there might be a much better and cheaper option hanging on the rear....
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I am the average Amtrak customer and I surely did not know.
 
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