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I am just getting enough guest rewards for a 2-zone sleeper. So here is my question -- how much can you travel in the two-zones?
For example, if I wanted to travel to Seattle...
Would I be allowed to just take ONE train like the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle and that's it? Or would I be allowed with those points to take the CZ and then the CS up to Seattle?
zephyr Member # 1651
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I had a similar question when I planned my last trip. I wanted to use AGR points for a 2-zone bedroom to get my wife and I from Kansas City to Sacramento. My preferred routing was KCY to Galesburg (GBB) on the SWC, and GBB to Sacramento on the CZ (wanted to catch the detour).
I called the AGR line and was initially given an itinerary SWC to LAX and then up to SAC. I asked if I could take my preferred routing through Galesburg, and he said "I'll check and see if that was an acceptable routing." It was. Got the bedroom the entire way, even the short leg KCY to GBB.
So at least in my case, they appeared to have optional routings available. I suggest calling and asking. I'd be interested in what you find out.
Judy McFarland Member # 4435
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I have a suspicion it also depends on whether you can make a connection without spending an overnight - for example I doubt that would let you go LAX-EMY-CHI because that would require an overnight in EMY. However, I don't know for sure - let us know what you find out when you ask. I'm using AGR points on my trip to California in September.
It also occurs to me that since "rtabern" is traveling from Milwaukee (like I do) that he might inquire about traveling from Chicago (i.e. paying his way MKE-CHI). He might get a different answer. The CHI-EMY-SEA route will show up in a reservations inquiry, but if requesting MKE-SEA you may only see the Empire Builder route.
I Missed the Ma&Pa Member # 4300
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quote:Originally posted by Judy McFarland: It also occurs to me that since "rtabern" is traveling from Milwaukee (like I do) that he might inquire about traveling from Chicago (i.e. paying his way MKE-CHI). He might get a different answer. The CHI-EMY-SEA route will show up in a reservations inquiry, but if requesting MKE-SEA you may only see the Empire Builder route.
I was thinking the same thing, but I thought he might consider tweaking it just a bit more to say he's boarding at Naperville, and to use Hiawatha to a Metra train to get that far.
notelvis Member # 3071
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A general rule of thumb is whether the Amtrak website will show your route as one trip if you just type in your origin and destination. For instance, I was able to use Guest Reward Points a couple of summers ago from Kansas City to Portland via LAX.
As has been mentioned, call and ask. I've always managed to reach helpful people at the Guest Rewards number.
bmpbmp Member # 4537
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This past May, I took a 2 zone trip from Atl to Los Angeles that went like this:
Atl-DC-Chicago-Portland-Los Angeles. Notelvis is correct - if you can create a "one-trip" route on the website, you've got it made. The difficult thing with my trip is that I had to make the reservations about a month before my travel, and it was tricky finding the deluxe bedroom available in each of the trains.
I've got enough miles to do one more 2 zone trip...does anyone know if there's a 4-5 day "one-trip" route different from mine that I could take? I love the scenery.
notelvis Member # 3071
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I've always wondered if you could do Atlanta - Chicago via New Orleans as a one zone trip but have never looked into it. I have the points for a two-zoner right now and I'm thinking of something like flying from Atlanta to Denver, buying a coach roundtrip Denver to Glenwood Springs, and then moving into the sleeper on my points DEN-CHI-CHV-ATL.
You might could get something like LAX-EPO-SAN-CHI-MEM......that would be four nights on-board.
bmpbmp Member # 4537
posted
Thanks for the tip! I'll take a look at that routing and see if it works...that would be a great trip.
The trip in May, I was worried what would happen with the Coast Starlight...it ended up being so late, they kept us on the train, and we arrived in LA at 7am...so it worked out to be 6 nights. I guess sometimes, really bad becomes good!
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