Upgrades and Low Bucket 25% off fare

[Acela150]

I was on the phone with Amtrak trying to upgrade the reservation I have from RTE to PAO for tomorrow morning. They told me it's not an upgradeable ressy. It's the 25% off fare. I've done this before. Any ideas on if this is a bad agent or is it correct and I got lucky?

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

If you booked on one of these Special Fares currently being offered, you have to stay in the Coach

 

[the_traveler]

Yeah. The super low fares specifically say "... No upgrades allowed"

 

[Acela150]

It's alright.. Not a big deal.. Just thought I'd try.. I guess I got lucky the past few times.

 

[Anderson]

This was always the problem with the 25% off fare being the only one offered on the website: You could get forced into a non-refundable, non-upgradable, conditions-attached "special" fare.

(This had an ironic effect on my behavior: Specials like that are generally designed to encourage advance booking, but as a result I wouldn't even consider booking until I knew I was inside 14 days lest I get stuck with a bad reservation)

 

[amamba]

This was addressed by AGR insider on flyer talk. I think the E bucket on the NEC regional allowed upgrades. Check flyertalk to confirm.

 

[Acela150]

E bucket?? Which bucket is that? Lowest or second lowest?

 

[the_traveler]

Actually, the lowest "regular" bucket is D. E is the lowest of the low - aka the 25% off fare.

 

[The Davy Crockett]

I can't remember if I've used 'upgrade' coupons with the 'NEC discount', but I know I've used 'companion' coupons with said discount in the past.

If policy has changed, it could be part of Boardman's drive towards greater 'revenue enhancement.'

 

[Ted Bell]

I was on the phone with Amtrak trying to upgrade the reservation I have from RTE to PAO for tomorrow morning. They told me it's not an upgradeable ressy. It's the 25% off fare. I've done this before. Any ideas on if this is a bad agent or is it correct and I got lucky?

What does "ressy" mean?

 

[Ryan]

Reservation.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

 

[amamba]

I can't remember if I've used 'upgrade' coupons with the 'NEC discount', but I know I've used 'companion' coupons with said discount in the past.

If policy has changed, it could be part of Boardman's drive towards greater 'revenue enhancement.'

maybe that is what I am specifically remembering was allowed from Flyertalk - the use of the companion coupon with the E bucket.

That being said, its no surprise to me that the E bucket would NOT be allowed for upgrades since you can't do upgrades on a fare booked with AAA or NARP discounts.

 

[chakk]

I don't think this no-upgrade restriction applies to coach tickets with the senior discount, however.