You must pay a 25% fee if you cancel a reservation less than 14 days before departure on reserved services. Amtrak's Business class is a step above coach with added perks and comfort for the business traveler. Earn more Amtrak Guest Rewards points by doing things differently. I even saw the train guy pick up a napkin off the floor and re use it. The first class car was the last car on the train. For the last eight years, Ive been a travel blogger. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both). What Does Amtraks Northeast Regional Business Class Include? Business class trains typically have fewer stops and arrive at their destinations faster than coach trains. Business class on Amtrak offers larger seats, more legroom, and access to the Acela Club. The journey on the Pacific Surfliner train takes about 5 hours. Learn how your comment data is processed. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Unfortunately, no food items are free, so anything food-wise that you purchase must be paid for. With stops, the 150-mph train makes the trip in two hours and 55 minutes. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. The lower overhead noise allows for more natural conversations and fewer distractions. These extra perks can take the stress out of traveling on a crowded train. Business class offers more comfortable seating, more legroom, and other amenities that can make your trip more enjoyable. There was no on-board service for business class passengers. So what makes them different from regular coach seats? A ticket for my 10-year-old would cost $80 round-trip. To decide if upgrading to Amtrak Business Class is worth it, think about your needs as a businessperson. Business class passengers are able to buy food at the cafe. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. Amtrak Guest Rewards members earn 2 points for every dollar spent on rail travel. Most trains have two different types of accommodations for passengers, each with a separate entrance. Even after this, the food was delicious and the experience was enjoyable. In some cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland, and St. Louis, a business-class ticket even comes with complimentary access to Amtrak's Metropolitan Lounges. Dining at the hotel is similar to that of Amtrak Flexible Dining, with several options available. You can get online and do work or browse the internet during your ride. Whether or not it is worth it to get business class on Amtrak depends on a variety of factors. The Coast Starlight business class is exactly like Coach, except the seats have been finished differently. If she doesnt mind the drive to Solana Beach, Id probably recommend UTC or Del Mar/Carmel Valley area. The fares also have no change fees, are fully refundable, and earn 25 percent more Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Most often, it is at the rear of the train, farthest from the engine, for the quietest ride. Amtrak has updated its Business Class amenities to create a new level of luxury and experience for business class travelers. If you are a frequent traveler or if you are planning a long trip, business class may be worth the extra cost. Thank you for your positive feedback. Yes! Boarding a plane after an earlier flight makes the boarding process much easier and eliminates the need to plan ahead of time where your seat will be. Amtrak Northeast Regional business class does not include lounge access in any station, however business class customers have access to a discount at 2 stations. Hello, the trains that go long distances are almost always, I love your website an YouTube videos. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Upgraded Points, LLC uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site and p. rior to applying for any credit card offers found on UpgradedPoints.com, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. For more information on our advertisers, see here. If they continue to talk, make contact with an Amtrak worker. The original payment is refunded to the original form of payment, and no fees are charged if the payment is canceled more than 15 days before the departure date. Rob is married to Allie and together they have been traveling the world for the past 5 years. Celia Fernandez. Theres a chance the restrooms are on the other side of the cafe, so the seat map orientation is correct. Amtrak does offer a more premium Business Class seat on longer distance trains like the Vermonter, using a 1-2 configuration rather than 2-2. Change sides to enjoy the view. A friend of mine lived in Renaissance apartments there and they are nice though I think maybe on the pricier side for the area. There is a rack for larger bags near the stairs. They're a bit wider, a bit more legroom, but they're similar. You may find different types of business class services operating different routes, and while this review will specifically focus on the Northeast Regional, having an understanding of what seat may be operating your train is important. At the larger stations, such as New York Penn Stations Moynihan Train Hall, business-class riders can buy a day pass for $50. Thanks for reading! The cafe car is 10 feet away. On the Amtrak Guest Rewards website, you can spend 10,000 points for 4 upgrade vouchers, which you can then keep in your account to use on any eligible train. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. For $25, a business class customer can purchase a day-pass to the Metropolitan Lounge at Philadelphia 30th Street Station and Boston South Station. Some conductors will set up on seats directly behind you and leave your radio set to be loud, which I find irritating because their squelch set is usually too low to minimize static. Furthermore, there is a far end to the restroom, making the experience odor-free and door slamming soundless. Also, are there taxis waiting at the station in case one is needed to get to a hotel? "The best upgrade scenario in the Northeast would be from Acela Express Business Class to First Class, where there are fewer seats, at-seat food and beverage service, and lounge access in major stations still, this upgrade would only be worth it on the lower end of the range Amtrak is accepting bids for (the "poor" range)." Business-class travel is a popular way to get to your destination, but it can be expensive. I park at Solana Beach, which, like you said, is free. Is it Amtrak business class worth the upgrade? This will also make traveling on our trains more convenient and comfortable for them. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. Luckily, there are ways to upgrade your travel without breaking the bank. Before boarding the train, passengers should download any large files that are required by Amtrak. Any advice on this would be GREATLY appreciated! The cost of getting the best experience is high. Can anyone suggest a row with a good view? You'll enjoy more legroom, complimentary newspapers, power outlets and enhanced food and beverage service. Note that it is likely to be out of your sight on a luggage rack but so far this hasnt been an issue for me. In business class, you must purchase food from the cafe. Rail maintenanceis a huge reason Amtrak is so expensive. For business travelers, and those looking for a little more legroom, having a business class product is key, and Amtrak offers 1 on every Northeast Regional service. Typically these stations are much less crowded than their big-brother counterparts, so having a priority boarding queue really isnt necessary. You could take advantage of the lounge at the Los Angeles train station with a long layover, only if traveling in business class. You may reserve or be able to use unreserved seats in an Amtrak coach. This means that if you have a business class ticket and are unable to travel, you can get a full refund. Its just as comfortable as business class, with plenty of space and some nice adjustable headrests, but there isnt enough room to charge your device in-flight. No coffee is made. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Is this train all the way ? The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been influenced, provided, or reviewed by the credit card companies mentioned. Those trying to connect or when service is out of sync across the country may find it frustrating. On the Pacific Surfliner, business class includes and upgraded car with tables. Thanks for the review! See also: One Block from the Beach in Santa Barbara. When youre checking out with your complimentary beverages, simply show the attendant your business class paper ticket or mobile boarding pass and theyll waive the charges. Amtraks business class consists of a few different tiers. So I wouldn't if I were you X xyzzy Conductor Joined Sep 20, 2011 Messages 1,147 Location NC Dec 15, 2015 #3 This means that standing during a journey in coach is a possibility, especially if traveling during peak hours. There is a lot of WiFi on trains operated by Amtrak and certain long-distance trains. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. At the time of this writing, a Pacific Surfliner ticket from Solana Beach Station to Santa Barbara Station costs $40 plus an extra $20 for Amtrak business class, each way. There's enough room for the average adult to even fit a weekender duffle between their feet and the seat. The Vermonters business class car does not appear on the Northeast Regional website of Amtrak. On most of Amtraks routes, business class comes with roomier seats, and which means more space to stretch out. Whenever i travel i also upgrade to Business Class just because it makes for such a far better experience and i enjoy my trip a lot more. And although Amtrak doesnt list dimensions for its business-class seats, it feels like theres much more room between rows in the premium car. There are tables in the cafe car where passengers can sit and eat. All Rights Reserved. Jamie first got hooked on miles and points during a high school choir trip to Europe, where he flew in Lufthansa first class (thanks to his dads then US Airways miles) because economy was sold out. I paid $168 for a 10-hour Amtrak business-class ride from New York City to Niagara Falls. They passed out a heartier snack pack (dried fruit, chips, some kind of cereal bar) along with soda or wine just once during my journey from Solana Beach to Goleta. Blogging Couple Travels The Globe While Earning $60,000+ Menands native files love of travel as Alex Stats: Two Thirds of Business Travelers Would Pick Iceland Facing Economic Challenges Due To WOW Air Business or pride? We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. It used to be one of the best business class trains on amtrak. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Save on Parking Fees When You Stay at East Miami Hotel. Im confused, after checking the Amtrak website pagesFor northbound travel from Solana Beach to Santa Barbara, must one change trains at Union Station in Lis Angeles? This bonus value is an estimated valuation. The Napa Valley Wine Train takes riders through the picturesque wine country northeast of the Bay Area. Members of Amtrak Guest Rewards will receive a 25% bonus points for riding in business class. In first-class, the seats are arranged in a 2-1 configuration, with passengers having the option of preselecting them. This six-car train has a first class compartment that is either the first or last car. Both sides of the aisle will have two seats. Part of the reason is that it receives less foot traffic from people passing through, as its at the end of the train. Is it Amtrak business class worth the upgrade? The first is the cost. Due to the pandemic, Amtrak has made the decision to make all business class tickets refundable. While thats not the case on Amtrakfor that perk, you need to be a rider in first class on Acela, Amtrak's high-speed trainbusiness-class passengers on most routes do receive unlimited non-alcoholic beverages in the caf car. Enjoy! This felt better as there was a difference between Coach and Business Class. What's more: Business class is also usually located in the caboose, so you won't be bothered by passengers wandering through, looking for the caf car. When heading north from San Diego, sit on the left side of the train to enjoy the ocean views which disappear around San Clemente and reappear in Ventura. The seat locations in regard to window openings do not appear to be accurate in reality. It has been several years since i have been up North. To receive these drinks, you must visit the Cafe Car, which is usually located in the center of the train. When you purchase a business class ticket, heres what is included: Hot Tip: Amtrak Guest Rewards program offers 3 status levels, and weve created guides for each: Select, Select Plus, and Select Executive. Business class may use its own car, which is separated from the coach cars by the cafe or bar car. Before booking any ticket be sure to familiarize yourself with the best ways to find cheap tickets on Amtrak. 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