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I WAS PRICING TICKETS FROM CHI TO STL FOR 2 SENIORS, AND AM CONFUSED AS TO THE DIFFERENT PRICES. VALUE IS $45.90. FLEXIBLE IS $119.00, AND PREMIUM IS $87.90. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE THAT I CAN DISCERN IS THAT THE FLEXIBLE IS 100% REFUNDABLE. IS AN INCREASE OF $73.10 WORTH THE BET THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO CANCEL? OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING? CLARIFICATION PLEASE. THANKS.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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Amtrak, like many other modes of transport, have a bucketing system. That means, for example, there are 25 flexible tickets at $75, another 25 at $100, and another 25 at $119. When the lower buckets sell out then you get the next available bucket - $119 in this case. A quirk of this is that the premium bucket fares are still unsold, while the non-premium are sold, resulting in that apparent illogicality.
As for refundable, Amtrak says this about premium seats:
quote: Refundable Seats - Premium Service
Acela Express First class and non-Acela Express Business class tickets are fully refundable without a fee if canceled before the scheduled departure from the origin. If not canceled before the scheduled departure from the origin ("no show"), the ticket is refundable less a 10% refund fee.
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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On Cascades trains it's very common to see Business Class fare that are cheaper than Flexible fares. I think the Flexible fare is the highest priced bucket for Coach fares.
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