HI all. This is my first post. As a railfan I took a trip on Amtrak last year from Michigan to Conn. I took the Capital Limited from Chicago to Wash DC. I took a roomette and enjoyed it very much. In my case I just loved the trip and did not care about on time performance. I went out to the Amtrak site this year to try and take the same trip. Lo and behold it doesn't appear that sleepers are available on the train any more. Can anyone shed some light on this?
Depends on the date. The Superliner sleepers ($274/roomette) on the Capitol Limited are usually sold out several weeks in advance, but they are still available later in April, for example. You could also take the Lake Cities to NYC and get a Viewliner roomette for $246.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Thanks for your answer. The reason for my question is that I tried the Amtrak web site and looked at the "amenities" section of the info on the Capital Limited. The little bed icon that signifies sleeping cars was missing. I also tried to book something this coming July with the same result. Do they only sell sleepers over the phone or am I missing something?
Again, the website indicates (all the way over to the right for the train you want to take) a button: "Buy Rooms"
As of 3:30 p.m. Central Time, the roomettes on the Capitol Limited are sold out for April 7th, 8th, and 10th. They are available on April 4th, 5th, 6th and 9th for $173, $324, $274, and $224 respectively.
When you wait until the last minute, you run the risk of not getting the accommodation on the train that you desire, especially during holiday and vacation periods. Easter is Sunday. Moreover, if you wait until just a week or so before your desired travel date, even if you can get an accommodation, you will probably pay more for it. Amtrak uses a seat mile yield model that is patterned after the model used by the airlines.
If your primary objective is to take train ride and, furthermore, your travel dates are flexible, you can get some really good deals during the off season. For example, three years ago I took the Texas Eagle from Dallas to Chicago and the Empire Builder from Chicago to Portland during the first week of December. My fare, which included sleeping car accommodations, was approximately half what I would have had to pay during the summer. Moreover, because the train was not as crowded as it gets during the busy periods, the crew was able to pay closer attention to the passengers.
Some suggestions: do check the "Rail Deals" thingie on www.amtrak.com . Some short-notice bargains show up frequently. I think you can only access the "deals" Mon-Thu. Really worth looking into. Also, a lot of times "groups" book a lot of the sleeping car space (especially on my "Empire Builder"), then have drop-outs. They have to make their cancellations about 30-days before travel commences. Don't give up! A friendly local station agent will help by checking his computer. Do chop up your VISA, AmEx, and Discover cards! Get an Amtrak "Guest Rewards" MasterCard. You gain rail points for EVERY purchase, whether it be a six-pack or kitty litter or a new car (from a desparate dealer). Great way to go ("free") and no annual fee. I have had some great, long-distance, free "First Class" trips.
Hays
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