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Could one of you take a look at this news release:www.wandrian.com/press.htm#amtrakrailagent and explain to me the value proposition for Wandrian.
If I'm a Brit who wants to travel in the US on Amtrak this summer, and I go to my travel agent to get the tickets, my travel agent has an option of getting them thru Wandrian and paying a commission or going to Amtrak.com and getting them w/o commission, right?
Posts: 518 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Wandrian probably receive a small commission for each ticket booked. Similarly your travel agent receive their cut. If it's easy, I avoid the middle man wherever possible - their commission come out of your pocket.
Regarding your second question, the current situation (or my most recent experiences) is this: - If you're only doing a short trip, or a couple of short trips, it's easier and cheaper for you to order your tickets online and then print them at an Amtrak station (either an Amtrak ticket machine or collect from a ticket window). - If you're doing more than a few trips, it's worth getting an International Rail Pass. You have to order these before you leave for the US supposedly, though I have bought one in New York Penn station. If you order before you go, you need a travel agent who will charge you a booking fee. You must have a ticket for each train you wish to travel on: for this you need to use the Rail Pass. This means you can't order any tickets for travel on-line - but you can go to a station and "purchase" them there. Obviously you run the risk of the train being full if you do it that way.
It's easier just to pay the booking fee unless you're going off-season and are flexible with your plans.
Geoff M.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Amtrak is a member of the ARC, or Airlines Reporting Corporation. Travel agents have long been able to print tickets using existing ticket printers any travel agent has on premises.
I'm not sure what the health is at present of Amtrak Vacations. What I do know is much to the dismay of a one time customer of such, the tickets for the rail travel portion of the tour package were printed on airline ticket stock.
But I must wonder; is Amtrak getting ready to withdraw from ARC and will be offering this Wandrian system as an alternative?
Posts: 9980 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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