Chicago Metropolitan Lounge

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Kinda hard to complain about a policy that hasn't even been officially announced yet. But if/when they do, I agree. Massive amounts of phone calls, emails, and tweets to Amtrak should be done. If I paid hundreds of dollars for 1st class tickets, then I deserve a comfortable place to wait for a hours long dwell in CUS.

Now has anyone heard about the policy for the other lounges? PDX, LAX, MIA?
 
I got the following reply from Amtrak Customer Relations

[SIZE=11pt]Thank you for your e-mail. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]There are no plans to deny sleeping car passengers access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago Union Station after June 2016. In fact, our brand new Metropolitan Lounge will be nearly finished around that time.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Thanks,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]xxxxxx[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Customer Relations Specialist[/SIZE]
in response to the inquiry:

I heard a rumor that sleeping car passengers arriving in Chicago will not have access to the metropolitan lounge after June 2016. [SIZE=10pt]If this is true, I would like to protest most strongly. [/SIZE]blah, blah, blah ....
 
I got the following reply from Amtrak Customer Relations

[SIZE=11pt]Thank you for your e-mail. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]There are no plans to deny sleeping car passengers access to the Metropolitan Lounge at Chicago Union Station after June 2016. In fact, our brand new Metropolitan Lounge will be nearly finished around that time.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Thanks,[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]xxxxxx[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Customer Relations Specialist[/SIZE]
in response to the inquiry:

I heard a rumor that sleeping car passengers arriving in Chicago will not have access to the metropolitan lounge after June 2016. [SIZE=10pt]If this is true, I would like to protest most strongly. [/SIZE]blah, blah, blah ....
Well, their reply could be a case of poor reading comprehension (not understanding to the "arriving" part).
 
I did noticed that the reply didn't directly address the issue. But still ...

In any event, I plan to carry a copy of the email with me when I pass through Chicago in July (coach -> sleeper outbound, sleeper -> coach return)
 
I did noticed that the reply didn't directly address the issue. But still ...

In any event, I plan to carry a copy of the email with me when I pass through Chicago in July (coach -> sleeper outbound, sleeper -> coach return)

I'll be looking forward to hearing about your experience as my trip in August is set up the same way.
 
Policy doesn't change based on people not feeling like the should "deserve" to have to wait in the coach area with the rest of the population. It changes if the policy loses money for the company. If folks decide that they're giving up sleeping car travel altogether because of this then yeah, you might see a change. Its a crappy change for sure, and I don't see the rationale other than 1. Overcrowding in the Metropolitan lounge or 2. Wanting people to use the Legacy club.
 
I saw the picture of what the new Metro Lounge is supposed to look like and it looked kind of interesting since it looks open, bright and it has the two different levels. It looks like it may be bigger than the current lounge so there may be a bit less pressure to limit the amount of people who have Lounge privileges.

I have a picture of the proposed lounge but can't get it to load.
 
Amtrak will deny access to the metro lounge for passengers who arrive in sleeper or who will continuing their trip in coach?. I can't see that happening. Suppose you arrive at CUS in a sleeper and must wait 30 minutes to be picked up. Do they expect you to wait outside??? Could this be a case of employees not reading or interpreting the rules correctly?
 
Don't be ridiculous, it's a huge station, with lots more options than "Met Lounge" and "Outside".

Speaking of the lounge, it has furniture in it. Pictures in the Amtrak Fans Facebook group.
 
...

Speaking of the lounge, it has furniture in it. Pictures in the Amtrak Fans Facebook group.
I think the picture on FB is of the existing Legacy lounge. The poster indicated that the new Metropolitan Lounge furniture arrives today (6/2. The poster also suggested that the lounge opening may slip into early July.
 
I found several Amtrak fan pages on Facebook. Is there one that is official or recommended?
None of the fan pages are official. One of my favorites is Amtrak Fans. Then, you you ride specific trains, you might want to look for group(s) for those trains.
 
...

Speaking of the lounge, it has furniture in it. Pictures in the Amtrak Fans Facebook group.
I think the picture on FB is of the existing Legacy lounge. The poster indicated that the new Metropolitan Lounge furniture arrives today (6/2. The poster also suggested that the lounge opening may slip into early July.
You are correct, sir. My reading comprehension needs a bit of a tuneup. :ph34r:
 
I've always been allowed to use the lounge. Problem is, other than storing luggage a quick snack and early boarding, I'd much rather be wandering around the station exploring .
 
I was catching the Cap Ltd out of Chicago last Thursday, decided to go in and check out the Legacy Club since the Met Lounge was pretty crowded (and I've always disliked it anyway) and I've been wanting to see the Legacy Club.

While I was in there having a beer an Amtrak employee came up and said hi, introduced himself as the Director of (I think he said Hospitality, but I could remember wrong). I mentioned I was traveling by sleeper on points but decided to hang in the Legacy Club and then he invited me to take a tour of the new Met Lounge.

The new lounge will be very cool and HUUUGE. Will be such a night and day difference from the current one. Looks to be a very relaxing place. He mentioned they hope to have wine tastings everyday, and I was also told they are looking for a vendor to maybe run a bar inside of it.

I was curious about the path to take passengers to the track and the door they will use empties right out into the south concourse. He mentioned that he thinks they'll be able to operationally change the Empire Builder to leaving on the thru track so it could also board form the south concourse.

What was really cool was the two guys who showed me around were just really PROUD of what they're doing there and really loved showing it off. I'm sure that my being an AGR member was just the excuse they were looking for to give someone a tour. On top of a better passenger experience (even for coach travelers when the waiting areas get expanded because of the new lounge) the improvements at CUS seem to be having an impact on employee morale. So many employees were talking up the new lounge to passengers with seemingly genuine enthusiasm.

Anyway, can't wait to see it completed. My tour guide said late June with a soft opening.
 
The attendant at the desk just told me that June 13 is moving day.
My tour guide said late June with a soft opening.
I think it's strange that in a span of 5 days people have heard opening dates of anywhere from 5 days to several weeks from now.
That's because it's Amtrak and Chicago, no surprises here!

When will it be Open? As they say in Mexico, "When it's Open! "
 
The attendant at the desk just told me that June 13 is moving day.
My tour guide said late June with a soft opening.
I think it's strange that in a span of 5 days people have heard opening dates of anywhere from 5 days to several weeks from now.
The guy in the know, probably one of the guys who gave Deni the tour, has said on FB that it will be late June or early July. The facility should be ready by June 13th, but they're going to take a week or so to get the staff "trained" on how to staff the new location.
 
While I was in there having a beer an Amtrak employee came up and said hi, introduced himself as the Director of (I think he said Hospitality, but I could remember wrong). I mentioned I was traveling by sleeper on points but decided to hang in the Legacy Club and then he invited me to take a tour of the new Met Lounge.
Was it Paul Sanders? He is a great guy.
 
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