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A friend and I will be taking our first NE Corridor trip in July from BWI to NYP. We will be traveling BWI - NYP on a Saturday afternoon, returning to BWI leaving NYP around noon on a weekday.
I have purchased coach seats. Would business class upgrade be worth it? (does business class just guarantee seats together?)
If we decided to try an Acela train one way, can we usually upgrade on the day of travel or do these trains often sell out?
Thanks for any suggestions. Andy
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I don't know about the Regional train that you're ticketed on, but on the Acela trains I was able to upgrade to First Class about 24 hours prior to departure with no problem. But it's a really popular service, so if you really want to do it, I would reserve it now.
And just to make sure you understand it (because I didn't until someone explained it to me), "Business Class" on Acela is actually coach. They don't offer a class called "Coach" on Acela----it's Business Class or First Class. In First Class, the seating is 2 + 1 and in Business it is 2 + 2. In First Class, you get a VERY nice meal delivered to your seat. They use "real" plates and glasses (not disposable stuff), and it's just a neat thing to do.
Someone with more NEC experience can chime in and answer your questions better than I can, but I am really glad I chose to go First on my Acela trips last summer. They are very, very, very popular trains that get very, very, very crowded!!!
train lady Member # 3920
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Business class doesn't gaurantee seats together. We have found that the conductor will sometimes try to seat couples together by asking singles to move to another seat. We always travel bc from DC to CT mainly because there is more room (fewer seats than in coach).Also there seems to be fewer families with small children in business class which does make it a bit quieter, the conductor will help us get our bags off and the rest rooms are a bit cleaner.We have never taken Acela because it doesn't stop wee we are getting off.One suggestion..depending on the time take some sandwiches along. For some reson the club car sells out quickly and also you can stand in line for a very long time.Week ends tend to be quite crowded.
MDRR Member # 2992
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Hi Andy, traveling to NYP on a Sat. afternoon is a good time to experience the Acela as not terribly crowded and thus price not greatly more $$$. Especially #2220 @ 4:20pm out of BWI. As to the return, If you a are thinking of going Business class just to get seats together, not necessary. Just avail yourself of a red cap in NYP to preboard you and you will have first choice of seats. No charge for red cap, tip suggested.
Also suggest upgrading tickets in advance if interested as tickets are priced using yield Mgemt. and thus prices rise as train fills.
sojourner Member # 3134
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I second MDRR's advice: (a) take ACELA on Saturday, it is the least costly and crowded day of the week to take it, and if you want to upgrade to first class, you can; note that only first class ACELA passengers have ACCESS to the ACELA lounge in NYC, so when you get in you could go there to freshen up, they do have nicer toilets, free computer access (and it's less likely to be being used by others on a Saturday) and newspapers and TV, free coffee and cold drinks and pastry in the morning, potato chips later in day, also you can leave your luggage there if for some reason you don't want to go to your hotel right away; also you may see a political or media celebrity, though that is less likely on a Saturday. (b) Take the Regional from NY on your weekday trip; no need for any business class but do use the redcap as MDRR suggests to preboard you, and tip him $1 a bag is usual; also there is usually a "quiet car" if you are interested, he will put you on that one.
One more bit of advice: buy your ticket asap; the sooner, the cheaper. Also, if you wait to within 3 days of travel, you cannot use Triple A or other discounts (and if you upgrade to first class then, you will lose your Triple A discount). If possible, buy it on line or on the phone with your credit card and, if possible, pick it up at BWI station closer to or even on day of travel--I am not familiar with that station so someone here can advise you of how busy it is and how long in advance you will need to get your ticket--probably you can use machines there to pick up tickets (with the same credit card with which you purchased them), but I'm not sure. Try to avoid making any last minute changes on your return trip as that will mean dealing with live ticket agents in NY Penn Station, where lines can be very long (OTOH machines pickups there are usually fine).
Enjoy your trip!
MDRR Member # 2992
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BWI does have the ticketing machines as Sojourner mentioned... very easy to use. They also usually have 2 ticket agents on duty, lines are short and move quickly based on my limited experience.
a meyer Member # 4954
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Thanks to all for the info. and tips!! Now I just need to check our schedules and decide if we want to try the Acela on this trip.
a meyer Member # 4954
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I forgot to ask, If I upgrade to Acela Express First Class, are the meals included in the price like on First Class LD trains?
I noticed the Amtrak website does not specify if meals are included in the First Class price.
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