I am considering (have not yet decided) basically hitching a ride with my mother as she makes her pilgrimage from New Jersey to her brother's home near Sarasota, and having her leave me in Northern Florida (probably Jacksonville), so that I might then take a train back to Philadelphia. The basic fare is fairly reasonable, although the ways of Amtrak are very strange and, in addition to telling me that I can take Silver Service non-stop for 96$, they saw fit to inform me that I can take Silver Service to DC, spend 4 hours in Union Station, get on a regional rail train for Philly, and spend 113$ instead.
The real issue is that the upgrade to a roomette is extremely painful-327$ to 394$ depending on the vagaries of Amtrak-and it's a very long ride to sit in coach. The roomette charge seems to be the same whether it's for one person or two, which annoys me a bit, as meals are included, and Amtrak does not seem to discount any of their upgrades, or at least if they do, they are not admitting it. My question is this. Does anyone know if there is such a thing as a discount for an Amtrak upgrade, and how would one go about getting one? As things stand, if I decide to do this, I will probably just grit my teeth and sit in coach, unless I have to go straight to work from the train, in which case I'll have to go with the upgrade, or I won't be fit to deal with the public. By the way, I absolutely hate to fly, and will do it only when I can't avoid it.

I'm not aware of any discounts for "upgrades" - at least we've never been able to get any and I don't recall seeing any.

Hi Persimmondeb,

I just took the Silver Meteor Miami-New York City and believe I paid $298 for my roomette, while interestingly enough I paid about $360 Washington-Miami on the way down. These things often depend on the day of travel and the relative fullness of the train at the time of booking. I can't help with discounts but here are two suggestions I've seen that allow one to save sometimes: try altering the date of travel within your range of flexibility to see if you can lower your price, and since there are two trains Jax-Phila: Silver Meteor AND Silver Star, try both. A roomette is definitely worth it for the distance you're travelling, you'll appreciate the privacy and greater comfort. If it helps you justify the cost, don't forget that your meals in the dining car are included in the price (and that there will be juice and coffee available in your car at all times).

Have Fun! DAN

Thanks, Dan. I saw something on another site that suggested that if you book a regular coach seat, it is sometimes possible to purchase an upgrade on board, and that they will charge you the lowest applicable fare, IF THEY HAVE ANY AVAILABLE, which might be a big if. Has anyone had any luck with that? I know I'll be happier with a roomette, and it would probably make a difference between a trip I'd actively enjoy, and one that was kind of a pain. I do figure that I would probably spend 60$ easy in the dining car, too, so the included meals are a draw. I'm not one to nibble on pepperoni and fruit all the way to Philadelphia because I'm too cheap to pay for meals, unlike some of my relatives.

Watch for indications of a forthcoming strike.

They give AARP and AA discounts. Also when we took the auto trasin we called and got a better price over the phone. Don't know if that would be the case on the regular train.

Good luck

Thanks travelbug, I will try calling them before I book if I decide to do this. It is my experience that there are sometimes deals that you have to ask for. Unfortunately, I am not eligible for either AAA or AARP, being a non-driver under 50, but I'm still hopeful that some kind of discount will turn up. Hopefully they won't go on strike. If they do, it's Greyhound for me, or letting my mom drive down by herself. She would like some company, but she is still fine making that kind of drive alone, and it's not like I can spell her at the wheel.

I have to agree with dfr and Daniel Williams, in that there are no discounts for upgrades oin Amtrak. All of their discounts apply only to the rail fare section of the fare.

travelbug44-

Ha-Ha! Cheers to you! I'm not sure they give an AA discount but they do give an AAA discount.

I know of no discounts either, but twice my friend did the on board upgrade you mention - she was lucky rooms were open and once she paid the difference and another the guy just gave her the sleeper (for a big tip) because he said heck, he had plenty of empty ones - maybe you would be so lucky

It is horribly expensive - my student is currently on a 30 dy Amtrak pass across the US and the sleeper cars were ridiculous, so on three legs that are all around 22-28 hrs or so, he is sleeping in his chair

on the route home through Canada - he is paying around $300 upgrade to a sleeper car for the entire trip across - granted, it is a 4 bunk room with private bath, but he doesn't mind as long as he gets to be horizontal - and for that price it includes his 3 meals, 2 snacks, and all his drinks - and 24 hr access to the observatory.

maybe Amtrak should take a lesson from the Canadian rail, although I shouldn't say that b/c I don't know there financial health either -

Amtrak is talking about going on strike end of January. I can't imagine the gov't won't step in, but who knows.
If that is near when your travel is, have an alternative plan ready.

Check their special offers weekly, you might get lucky, but don't count on it.

How long is the ride? Is it overnight? Amtrak seats are semi-comfortable, maybe you can rough it? You don't have to sit in coach all the time, you can walk up and down, maybe observation car, dining car.

It is overnight, and it's 16 to 18 hours. Not impossible to sit up for it, but a long haul nonetheless. My mother did it about ten years ago, and said she was okay, but couldn't sleep, and had to take a lot of Aleve because she was so stiff. Not the best if I have to work that day!