In a couple of weeks we'll begin our second trip around the country. This time the long way around. We will board three of our trains along the way, so to speak, rather than at the origination. The Crescent in PHL, the SL in NOL and the CS in OXN. Should we worry about our bedroom reservations? Rodger
Posted by Geoff M (Member # 153) on :
It might help if you tell us where you booked the accommodations from! Assuming, for example, that you booked the Crescent from New York, and you're boarding in Philly, I'd suggest getting your accommodation changed accordingly otherwise your room might be treated as a "no show" and be sold to somebody else.
Just out of interest, what is your full routing?
Geoff M.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I too surmise, Mr. Change, that you plan to board trains at stations other than from where ticketed, i.e. you have a Bedroom reserved on #11 Coast Starlight ticketed from Los Angeles, yet you plan on boarding at Oxnard.
I STRONGLY suggest you inform Amtrak of your intentions. Even though the accomodation is paid, it will be offered for resale, and with the paucity of Sleeper accomodations, it would be gone before the train arrived in Oxnard.
Posted by CHANGEATJAMAICA (Member # 3737) on :
Gentlemen: My apologies if my question was misleading. Everything is "Kosher". The reservations and tickets read: BOS/PHL #2253 F/C PHL/NOL #19 B/1910 NOL/LAX #1 E/0130 OXN/SEA #14 E/1430 SEA/CHI #8 E/0830 CHI/ALB #48 B/4810 ALB/BOS #448 B/C My original question stemmed from experience in the airline industry for over 30 years where "duplicate" seat assignments while not necessarily being the rule were not alway the exception. And possession being 9 points of the law I was wondering if any one had the experience of boarding at a downline station (as reserved and ticketed) and had someone already in the reserved bedroom. Again I apologise for any misunderstanding. Best regards, Rodger
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
A reserved room won't be sold to someone else, if that's what you mean. Amtrak doesn't oversell rooms the way airlines oversell seats to make up for no-shows.
But as others have pointed out, if you don't board at your designated station, then the room is up for grabs.
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
I have also never had a problem with that. I did have a funny experience once many years ago on a VIA Rail train. I boarded at the train's origin point. I was watching the scenery from the rear facing vestibule and returned to my room as we departed a small online station. As I walked down the sleeping car's aisle, I noticed an attractive young lady about to put her suitcase in my room. I explained that this was MY space and she defiantly produced her ticket. It was for the same room number but in the next car. I guess some might see that as an opportunity but I was only concerned with possessing my space.
Posted by royaltrain (Member # 622) on :
I once had an interesting experience in Chicago boarding the SW Chief. I entered deluxe bedroom "E" only to find a young couple occupying my space. When I examined their ticket it said something like E4. In those days Amtrak used to designate their economy rooms (later standard and now roomette) with an "E" before the room number. They did not want to leave and I had to summon the sleeping car attendant who promply evicted them. I guess they were unhappy having a horrid little economy room for two, and thought it unfair that one person (me) should have all that space in a deluxe room.