Since I must accept that the Journal has been filling the knotholes in its paywall, here are the "privileges" the airlines wish to modify or eliminate:
Eliminate the existing 24 hour "grace" to cancel without penalty an otherwise non-refundable ticket.
Reduce passenger remedies for "tarmac delays".
Reduce response time to provide wheelchair services to passengers who need such.
Eliminate requirement to honor fares posted in error at their sites.
Eliminate requirement to post a flight's on-time performance and "denied boarding" incidence.
"Sit back, relax, enjoy your flight, and if there is anything we can do to make your flight more enjoyable (bearable?), please let us know".
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Beside tarmac delays, I think the most egregious practice is bumping low-fare passengers to seat higher-fare passengers.
I assume I received a senior discount when I booked my upcoming Coast Starlight trip, this summer. If so, I can't recall what percentage discount that was granted. I may well be wrong, but I thought that AAA members receive a small discount when they book with Amtrak.
Richard
PS -I think I read where passengers with sleepers do not get a senior discount. Is that true? Only senior discounts in coach?
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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I thought Amtrak's Senior Discount was always 10% on the base fare, and the AAA Discount was always 5% (so long as you book three days in advance). On Amtrak, you always paid the same upgrade fee if you want a sleeper.
As for the airline changes, that belongs in another forum :-)
-------------------- Jeff Posts: 1 | From: Dallas | Registered: Feb 2018
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While of course we gather here first and foremost to discuss Amtrak affairs, sometimes it is necessary to draw comparisons with other modes. In this case, the airline reference was to show that in "the Recession is over" era, the airlines are doing away with concessions they granted to travelers.
Hotels are also tightening up. Where during the Recession, major brands would allow penalty free CX until 6P day of arrival. Now it's 24 and even 48 hrs. Further, some simply business hotels now require a deposit with any rate.
But lest we forget what Gordon Gekko holds; "Greed is Good".
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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A sleeper fare had two components, the rail fare and the accommodation fee. The rail fare was discounted for AAA and Seniors, but not the accommodation fee.
-------------------- Railrev Escondido, CA Posts: 99 | From: Escondido, California | Registered: Jul 2003
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Discounts will be reduced or dropped for veterans, AAA members, students, disabled passengers, & the senior discount age will be raised to age 65.
How about a compromise? Have a 5% discount for all the above groups which would include sleeper fares & accommodation fees. Ten percent discounts for disabled veterans.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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