I have a $200.00 voucher from Amtrak for being bussed SEA-PDX. I'd like to use part of it for a Surfliner trip SAN-SBA in Business Class the end of this month.
Is there a way to make a reservation for this trip online? I seem to recall that the system always asks you to pay upfront. Is there an option for doing so aside from using a credit card?
Since Amtrak is now using e-tickets I'd like to be able to avoid a trip to the SBA station.
Frank in sunny and soon warm SBA
yukon11 Member # 2997
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This is only somewhat or distantly related, Frank, but interesting.
I am becoming more concerned about using a credit card to purchase anything, in person, whether at a store, restaurant, or train station. Maybe even a smart phone that you can use to conjure up the bar code for your Starbucks coffee will become subject to this technology. It is called the RFID credit card:
From what I've read, you don't even have to take the credit card out of your wallet. A special RFID receiver, in the passenger next to you in line, can get your credit card info.
Another article on how you may be able to tell if your credit card has RFID:
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The "chip" cards are far more common in Europe than they are here. I've had a couple of experiences where a store or restaurant didn't want to process my "chip less" card.
My new passport also has an RFID chip. I was told by a U.S. Immigration officer at the Vancouver airport that the special wallets/passport cases being sold to prevent ID theft are without value.
I do know that there must have been quite a bit of credit card fraud in the UK during the Olympics. I charged two National Express coach tickets from LHR to Southampton online and that generated a hold being placed on my Chase Mastercard.
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