Unconfirmed reports that Amtrak is eliminating or reducing some discount fares . Included are military, senior, AAA, allowed children. Anyone with more info ?
I would hate to lose my senior discounts, or AAA for that matter, but I would REALLY hate to lose the senior boarding, especially at cattle call places like Washington Union Station.
Self deleted
With ex-Delta CEO at the throttle, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Amtrak fare structure starts mimicing the airline yield managment system.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
oltmannd With ex-Delta CEO at the throttle, it shouldn't surprise anyone if Amtrak fare structure starts mimicing the airline yield managment system.
I thought Amtrak has been using a modified yield management fare system for some time.
According to Amtrak's webpage, the senior discount, at least, is still 15 percent off of the regular coach fare for most trains. It does not apply to the Acela Express, Auto Train, or upgrades.
Amtrak has 11 different discounts. It would be interestng to know how much these discounts cost the railroad in revenues. And whether all of them are justified.
Amtrak's webpage does not mention any change in the discounts.
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
Passenger counts going up so raise the fares. Classic Buisness sence.
JPS1I thought Amtrak has been using a modified yield management fare system for some time.
Yes, but relatively tame compared to airlines.
FYI-,
Yield Management is not in place on all Amtrak Trains, some use Fixed Price exclusively. Not sure why but one example are the Chicago to Milwaukee Hiawatha trains. I suspect they would make more money with yield management but for some reason either one or both DOT's (IL and WI) wants the train service to be Fixed Price. There are some other state sponsored trains that also do not use the Yield Management system though I suspect all the Long Distance trains use it.
It looks like in January, the 15 percent discounts will become 10 percent and there will be greater charges for cancellations. There will also be a limit of one half priced child per adult fare, which seems to me to be an unwise change. A mother with two children or a couple with three or more children may instead decide to go by car. I know this has happened in my extended family with regard to air travel.
My guess is that the Guest Rewards program will be the next victim. With airline programs they give you plenty of opportunity to earn miles but very few opportunities to use them. Amtrak has good opportunities to earn points and use them.
Well, I didn't know this. I am a Senior, AAA, Miltary, and NARP (RPA) Rail Passangers Assoc. So RPA is still a discount. Ride the Silver star a lot with no Dining car. Used to ride the SW Chief when living in Colorado and it was expensive to go sleeper. Lucky I still Have Amtrak Rewards which I use frequently.
Thanks
Just read yesterday that Amtrak is raising age for senior fare to 65 and you will get 10% off price instead of 15%. And 25% cancellation penalty for sleeper and Saver fares. Penalty will not apply if reservation is changed to a future date and not totally cancelled. Will not affect reservations purchased with Amtrak Guest Rewards, that has a different set of rules. Read this in e-mail sent by someone in railroading community who stays on top of news like this. Will start in Jan. Dont know about military or kids, only paid attention to senior fares and I dont have AAA. I hope they don't mess with Guest Rewards, have quite a few points accumulated over the years and they don't go away like airlines. Used to have them with TWA but when American took over, they put it on 3 year program don't fly within that time and they are gone. I really don't fly anywhere now but do take the train and don't want to lose those points. I also use the card for big items purchased and get extra points for that too.
Any fare changes to the Surfliner or just the LD trains?
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