posted
I was booked on the Sunset Limited (Train #1) to depart Tallahassee, FL for New Orleans, LA on Sunday night (September 28) at 9:01PM. Knowing that long distance trains sometimes run late I called the AMTRAK 800# three times and each time was told that the train was running 1 1/2 hours late due to a problem with a freight train. The last time I called (at 9PM) I was told that the train would depart NO EARLIER THAN 10:15PM. I arrived at the station, which is not manned at that hour and is in a less than good part of town, at 10:01PM to find that the train had just left!
I called AMTRAK and the agent I spoke to said that I was probably not going to get a refund but should send the ticket to an address in Philadelphia.
Am I really out the $160+ for the rail fare and accomodation? Any suggestions?
This is the first long distance train I've tried to take in quite awhile. I often take the Surfliners in So. California and love the experience.
Frank in SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I don't mean to be critical, however, arriving just 14 minutes before the train's supposed departure was cutting it too closely. Having said that, I do think Amtrak should give you a complete refund as you were told that the train's new departure time would be no earlier than 10:15 pm.
Posts: 524 | From: Toronto Ont. Canada | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
It was a "real" person each time. "Julie" turned me over to an agent each of the three times I called. It was only after I'd missed the train and spoke to the fourth agent that anyone suggested being there thirty minutes before the projected arrival time.
I agree that 15 minutes isn't a lot of time but after the third agent said that the earliest departure would be 10:15PM and the implication was that it would be later we didn't want to hang around the dark station longer than necessary.
My ticket and cover letter will go out to Amtrak later today.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Well, I arrived at the station 7 minutes before #4 left the other day! I think that Amtrak should refund you, or if at all possible, let you switch your tickets over to another date. Good luck!
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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posted
Well, if the human didn't say "...but please be aware that trains can make up time and arrive earlier..." then you should be in line for at least a refund. I know "Julie" does say that (hence the question).
Geoff M.
Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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posted
Here's an update. By checking my credit card balance online I noticed that AMTRAK credited my MasterCard with $163.00 two weeks ago. So far I haven't heard anything from them about it.
I'm happy to see that they did the right thing.
Thanks for the comments.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I guess I am overdoing it just a little bit but I treat train departures not unlike a plane departure. I'm not crazy...I don't show up 90 minutes before hand, but like the comfort and peace of mind in showing up at least 30 minutes before 'scheduled departure' just in case there is a problem getting there or once I arrive. For a cross-country train, at least one hour.
Posts: 497 | From: Clarksburg, West Virginia | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I would normally do the same if I had not been assured by a "real" person of the delay. What got me was the "no earlier than" assurance. I guess I'll know better next time!
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
One last comment on this. I still have had no word from AMTRAK about this. Not even a form letter. If I had not checked my credit card balance on line and my statement I would not know what the disposition of my request for a refund was. Is this customer service? They had my home phone, my e-mail address and my snail-mail address. I guess I should be happy to have just gotten my money back. Thanks to all who responded to my original post.
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
It's not likely that Amtrak will contact you regarding a refund, usually they'll just recredit the card and leave well enough alone. Last September, 2 of my trains were cancelled due to Hurricane Isabel, when I went to the station to get my refund (Amtrak refunded any tickets effected by this) I was given a small slip that said I was refunded and about 4 days later, a quick check to my credit card showed I was in fact refunded.
Posts: 113 | From: Buffalo, NY | Registered: Sep 2002
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