Adam's Amtrak Upgrade, Lounge Pass, & BOGO Giveaway
Updated: May 20
Pictured: Amtrak Norfolk - Image by Adam
4/23/23 Update:
All the upgrade vouchers are still available
There are 2 more lounge passes available & 2 are considered tentatively claimed.
The BOGOs are tentatively available since the person who claimed them hasn't booked yet after more than a week, so someone else can claim them as long as they book travel prior to the person who tentatively claimed them >1 week ago not using them.
Tentatively claimed means that there is someone who claimed them but there is no ticket yet, so there is still a chance that they will become available again if travel isn't booked. If you'd like something that's been tentatively claimed in the event that they're not used, let me know.
This year I'm offering former closed clients on a 1st come, first serve basis the option of selecting Amtrak upgrades or a companion certificate (buy one, get one heavily discounted) on Amtrak for 1 way or round trip travel. I'm also giving away 4 lounge passes available for use for departure or arrival where lounges are available, each of which can provide access for at least 2 people.
Top Reasons To Consider Train Travel
If you haven't done travel travel much in life, I invite you to reconsider. In this comparative I go over some of the positive elements of train travel vs flying & driving. Here are some of the reasons why those in SE VA should consider train travel:
Skip the parking fees & the search for parking (especially in areas within a typically 3-hour drive like DC from SE VA), in high population density high-cost areas with well-operating mass transit systems. Examples of high parking fees at hotels I've stayed at include: $63/night at DC hotels The Willard & the Grand Hyatt Washington; $76/night at The Peninsula Chicago; $120/night at Ritz Carlton Central Park
With a generous complimentary bags policy including 2 checked bags, 2 carry-ons up to 50 pounds each, and 2 personal items up to 25 pounds each, you'll typically be able to pack more than comparable flights at no charge.
If wanting to carry a bike, which can be a great thing to have in many cities, there are options starting at free. Folding bikes under 34" x 15" x 48" are free in lieu of carry-on baggage. Bicycles/bicycle trailers may be checked in a bicycle container for $10, in lieu of a piece of baggage. "Carry-on bicycle service" is storage in designated racks, and the fee is only $20 on the Northeast Regional (& free on some routes). US airlines charge anywhere from $30-$100 for a bike domestically for most passengers.
Lower costs than many flights, especially for direct travel.
There are more train stations than commercial airports in many locations along train routes, reducing the time required to get to a station and allowing for options to get closer to your actual destination along train routes. For instance, in SE VA, we have 3 commercial airports: 1 in Newport News, another in Richmond, and another in Norfolk. We have train stations in each of those locations, and additional stations in Williamsburg, Petersburg, Ashland, & a 2nd station in Richmond. In the DC-Baltimore area, there are 3 commercial airports and 12 train stations.
There are many more direct options than Newport News Airport. From the Newport News Airport, there are no direct flights to anywhere except for Charlotte, NC which runs all year, and 2 routes to Florida (Orlando & Fort Lauderdale) that ends on April 16.
Get closer to the center of the city than many airports. For instance, DC's Union Station is only a .8 mile walk to the US Capitol building, while walking from the closest airport (Ronald Reagan Washington National) would take 4.6 miles. A drive from Dulles Airport would take 27.9 miles. Richmond Airport to Capitol Square is a minimum 7.6 mile drive, while Richmond Main Street Station is a .5 mile walk. A drive from Baltimore Airport to the Inner Harbor is 11.7 miles, while a walk from Baltimore Penn Station to the Inner Harbor is 1.6 miles. If looking to take a train to Baltimore just to fly out of BWI, there's even a free shuttle from another station 2.4 miles away.
Avoid traffic on high-traffic days/times and get to your destination faster than driving in some cases on direct routes at times of heavy traffic. With Acela trains from DC to Boston, you'll more often get to your route faster
Amtrak has roomier & more comfortable seats than flying in the same class
Dual outlets at every seat
Many trains offer free basic wifi.
While it's suggested to get to the train station at least 30 minutes before your train departure, you're advised to get there 2 hrs before domestic air travel, & in some cases, 2 hrs may not be enough if lines are long and you don't have anything to expedite your transit through security.
Avoid depreciating your car, especially if it's a newer higher-end vehicle.
Be more productive or more relaxed on the train than you would be while driving.
Be 13 times safer than you would be driving if you're a typical driver.
Have a lower environmental impact than you would have driving or flying.
Experience a more interesting view that you get to enjoy more than many driving routes since you don't need to tend the wheel, and a view throughout the journey, unlike many commercial plane routes.
Go here for more
When Is Train Travel Optimal?
When travel time would be similar to or less than driving or flying (especially direct routes in high traffic times, i.e. SE VA to DC or Baltimore on Friday afternoons on peak holiday weekends), factoring in arrival time prior to departure, time from the station to your destination, time to get to the station, etc. For instance, if you're looking to go to DC from Williamsburg, flying there would either require backtracking to Norfolk Airport to fly to DCA airport closest to DC, potentially hitting traffic on a bridge on the way to Norfolk. You could alternatively go to Richmond Airport, but you're still looking at a 45 minute drive assuming no traffic.
When costs (to/from destination & at the destination, including parking fees, tolls, & vehicle depreciation) would be less by train than both driving and flying. For instance, in a recent 4-night stay at the Grand Hyatt Washington for the cherry blossom festival, if I hadn't had Hyatt globalist status, which provides free parking including hotels that offer valet parking, I could have paid $63/night for valet parking. When I stayed at the Willard, we paid $63/night for valet parking the first night and it took me a very long time to find parking for substantially less elsewhere for the remainder of the stay despite me having better resources than most with finding discounted parking off-site. While we had in-and-out privileges, because of the location where things were walkable or accessible with Uber or mass transit, with traffic within city and many parking fees if you could find parking, we never had a good reason to take my SUV out of the hotel.
When somewhere is close enough to drive to but where you'd prefer to be freer/safer than you would be at the wheel.
When taking positioning train travel to a place like DC or Baltimore to fly out of there, especially when the combined cost would be substantially less than flying out of somewhere without large airports like SE VA and doing international travel, especially to locations with direct travel from larger airports that isn't possible directly from SE VA. Baltimore has a free shuttle from the Amtrak BWI station and BWI airport. There is also solid mass transit from DC stations to DCA & IAD, though not as easy of a transition as the BWI station to BWI airport. With positioning travel, be sure to leave plenty of lag time in between in the event of delays. For instance, you could go by train from Newport News to Washington for as low as $34 round trip in economy, saving you a few hundred dollars on a round trip international itinerary in some cases, and sometimes saving you time vs the lowest cost options out of SE VA, especially in cases where you'd be positioning for a direct flight.
When wanting to take your car (or van, motorcycle, SUV, small boat, jet ski or other recreational vehicle) to/from FL & DC but not put all those miles on it via the auto train.
Details of all Awards
The first people eligible who respond will receive the coupons on a 1st come 1st serve basis. These may not be sold. They may be used by closed clients solo or with closed clients accompanying family/friends. Once you have claimed award(s), bookings should be made within 1 week (even if for travel months out). If that doesn't occur, others may claim and book as long as they book within 1 week of claiming or prior to the 1st person who claimed them & didn't book within 1 week, whichever is later.
Details of Companion Coupon (potential to save >$400 per coupon)
The companion coupon has more value potential than the upgrade coupon and is ideal for:
Travel involving multiple legs (since the upgrade coupon is only for 1 leg)
Travel in excess of 12 hrs (since the upgrade coupon is capped at 1 leg)
While a typical seat is going to be close to buy one get one free, it's not exactly a buy one get one free, especially if getting a room or roomette since typically rooms and roomettes are not exactly double the cost if 2 people are using a room or roomette instead of 1. Grounded Life Travel shared about how they purchased some roomettes for 2 using BOGOs that would have been:
$677 if not using a BOGO where they paid $432 with a BOGO deal
$1012 if not using a BOGO where they paid $527 with a BOGO deal
$1028 if not using a BOGO where they paid $563 with a BOGO deal
2 one way coupons available (or for 1 person round trip)
Expires 8/12/23
"Coupon valid for one (1) free companion rail fare with the purchase of one (1) regular (full) adult rail fare. Free companion and paying passenger must reserve at the same time and travel together at all times.
Each coupon is valid for travel as one (1) one-way reservation.
Travel blackouts apply: November 22-23, 2022; November 26-28, 2022; November 21-22, 2023; November 25-27, 2023.
Valid for travel on all Amtrak service except train/Thruway series 7000-8999.
Free companion offer is not combinable with any discount, coupon, or Amtrak Guest Rewards® redemption travel.
The Coupon# is unique to your coupon and valid for one use only...
Offer valid for Coach class or Acela Business class. Upgrade to Business class or Acela First class is available upon full payment of applicable accommodation charges.
Offer also valid for private rooms including Roomettes, Bedrooms, Bedroom Suites and Accessible Bedrooms; offer excludes Family Bedrooms.
Other restrictions may apply.
Details of 12 Hour Upgrade Coupons on 1 Leg
5 one way upgrade coupons available (or for a few people round trip)
Upgrades available may only be confirmed within 12 hrs of departure
1 Expires 8/12/23 11:59 PM
2 Expire 11/19/23 11:59 PM
2 Expire 2/29/24 11:59 PM
"Coupon valid for one (1) space-available, one-way, One-Class Upgrade.
Valid only from Coach class to Business class, or from Acela® Business class to Acela First class, on a single travel segment or leg.
Not valid for upgrade to sleeping car accommodations.
Not eligible for use with 10-trip, monthly or other multiride tickets.
Subject to availability; upgrade not available on all trains at all times.
Upgrade may be combined with corporate, senior, disabled and military discounts.
Upgrades cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons.
Not valid on Amtrak Guest Rewards redemption travel.
Travel blackouts apply: November 22-23, 2022; November 26-28, 2022; November 21-22, 2023; November 25-27, 2023.
Offer is not valid on the following services: Adirondack®, Auto Train®, California Zephyr®, Capitol Limited®, Cardinal®, City of New Orleans®, Crescent®, Empire Builder®, Keystone Service®, Lake Shore Limited®, Silver Meteor® (since only coach & rooms), Silver Star® (since only coach & rooms), Southwest Chief®, Sunset Limited®, Texas Eagle®, and train/Thruway series 7000 – 8999.
This Coupon# is unique to your coupon and valid for one use only...
Other restrictions may apply."
Lounge Locations & What's Offered
Amtrak lounges are available at select Amtrak locations.
The best lounge by far is the one located in New York. Here's a full review of it. That review includes the statement: While not a full-service restaurant, the (complimentary) food and drink options compete well with any airline lounge. I was there at 9:30 am and options included:
bagels
yogurt
muffins
pastries
oatmeal
breakfast sandwiches (warm)
wraps
hardboiled eggs
salads
chips
popcorn
sliced fruit
whole fruit
avocado toast
packaged snacks (like Kind Bars and chocolate)
By comparison, the same author did a review shortly after at the Amtrak Club Acela Lounge Washington, DC, and said, "Let’s just say the Amtrak ClubAcela Lounge at Washington Union Station (WAS) does not hold a candle to the swanky Metropolitan Lounge at New York Penn (NYP). That said, I still appreciated a quiet place to work after my Acela journey to Washington." Eventually, Amtrak will build a beautiful new Metropolitan Lounge in Washington Union Station, as it has in New York, but for now the ClubAcela will have to do… Food and drink items are very limited. In terms of snacks, there was only Chex Mix, pretzels, potato chips, and peanuts available... In a little galley area, bottled water and orange juice was available as well as a coffee machine and soda dispenser featuring Pepsi products."
One traveler's ranking of the North East corridor & midwest lounges was:
Moynihan (New York)
Chicago
Philadelphia
Boston
Washington
"Philadelphia and Boston are a tie because they have the same items and I felt like I had the same experience. Moynihan is absolutely amazing. "
Details of Lounge Passes
These passes are best used by someone that is traveling in coach or business class since 1st class, roomettes, rooms, and bedroom suites all have complimentary lounge access. The best lounge by far is in NYC for an experience similar to some airline lounges.
"Each pass valid for single use at one club one day.
Valid for bearer and one guest, or bearer's spouse/domestic partner and children under the age of 21.
Same-day Amtrak ticket required.
Buying or selling this pass is prohibited and will invalidate the pass."
Expiration dates:
11/19/23 (2 passes)
2/29/24 (2 passes)
First Class Passengers, Rooms, Roomettes, & Bedroom Suites receive complimentary lounge access & complimentary meals.
If getting a first-class ticket (only available on Acela trains, which go from DC to Boston with stops in between), it comes with lounge access (in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, & DC), at-seat service with complimentary meals and beverages while on board your train.
Rooms, roomettes, & bedroom suites receive complimentary lounge access & complimentary meals.
Route Maps
SE VA Amtrak Route Map
Image courtesy Amtrak
Here's a bigger version of that:
Image courtesy Amtrak
Image courtesy Amtrak
Acela Routes (faster with business & 1st class) are more limited:
Image courtesy https://www.amtrak.com/acela-train
The lines in red are train tracks, while the lines in green are bus routes. In case you're unaware, Amtrak uses busses as well as trains to get people where they need to go at times, especially if train tracks alone can't get someone there or won't get them there as fast as a combination of trains & buses will.
Image courtesy Amtrak
Stations in SE VA
In SE VA, Amtrak has stations in:
Ashland Norfolk Newport News Petersburg Williamsburg Richmond
Stations in DC/Baltimore
Stations around DC & Baltimore with direct routes from SE VA include:
Alexandria (VA)
Baltimore (MD)
Baltimore BWI (MD)
DC
Fredericksburg (VA)
New Carrollton (MD)
Quantico (VA)
Woodbridge (VA)
Example Direct Routes Compared to Car Travel Times
Pricing Patterns
Among the routes I checked, with coach, pricing can be 6 times higher close in (& typically high % capacity) vs a date far out (& typically low capacity).
With business, pricing typically isn't typically more than 3x higher close in (& typically high % capacity) vs a date far out (& typically low capacity).
The difference in cost between coach and business can be anywhere from around 50% higher cost (typically close to departure) to around 4x higher (typically far out).
The difference in cost between business & 1st can be anywhere from around 57% higher (typically close to departure) to around 3x higher (typically far out).
With roomettes & bedrooms, pricing can decrease or increase close in vs far out.
Maximizing
The best way to maximize an upgrade, perhaps, from SE VA would be a far-out booking (to reduce costs) that pays the standard rate for business class from Newport News to DC, spends a few hours exploring in DC, then uses an upgrade for the travel segment from DC-NYC in Acela class from business class (which is a starting price of $71 for that leg 1 way) to 1st class (which is a starting price of $243 for that leg 1 way). Upon arriving in NYC, a maximized itinerary would then include a free stop in Amtrak's flagship (best) lounge (which comes with 1st class tickets, roomette tickets, and bedroom tickets) for a free meal for 2, then staying within the city at a location with high parking costs that wouldn't be applicable since you'd be arriving in the city by train.
A viable option to maximize with the BOGO certificates would be to get a bedroom from Richmond Staples Mill Road (RVR) Station to anywhere between DC & NYC (typically $360-$510 for 1 person, or a distant multi-leg location whether in coach, business, 1st class, or another room, roomette, or bedroom suite.
The higher the $ rate difference, the better the value from the coupon you'd be getting. For instance, an upgrade from Acela Business to Acela 1st, especially if on a long route, can get you significant savings.
That said, book further out in order to get reduced costs as prices go up as the trains get more full. The pricing pattern is much more consistent than flights. If the train is 0%-10% full, pricing will be the lowest by far.
Direct travel is also ideal for the upgrade coupons which are per segment & direct travel takes less time. One exception would be if looking to go from business class to 1st class on Acela in DC and further North East, where you may want to just pay outright for business class on the ride to DC, then get an upgrade from business class to 1st class on Acela. The Companion Coupons are for travel even if there are multiple segments.
Rather than just looking at options from the station nearest you, also consider options departing from more distant stations to expand your travel options and cut out some time in some cases. For instance, driving from Newport News to New York often takes 6-8 hrs from the Newport News Amtrak station to the NYC Amtrak station. If you were to take the train from Newport News, you could get there in slightly under 8 hrs in coach or business class on the fastest direct route. If you were to drive to the Richmond VA Staples Mill Road Station, you could typically get there faster even when you factor in the extra drive time & you'd have the option to choose coach, business, a roomette, or a bedroom.
Examples of Low-Value Redemption & Low Out of Pocket Cost: Coach or Business Class BOGO or Upgrade
Whether using a BOGO coupon or an upgrade coupon, because the prices of coach or business class are so low booked far in advance, you won't get much value that way. 1-way pricing examples from Newport News:
$9+ in coach & $25+ in business to Richmond
$17+ in coach & $49+ in business to DC
$22+ in coach or $62+ in business to Baltimore
Examples of Mid-Value Redemption & Low-Mid Out of Pocket Cost: Coach or Business Class Upgrade or BOGO
$24+ in coach or $70+ in business to Philadelphia
$32+ in coach or $92+ in business to New York
$37+ in coach or $105+ in business to Boston
You'll get higher value for these in some cases depending on dates and itinerary. For instance, the below example to NYC would get a higher value than any of the above:
Image courtesy Amtrak.
Examples of High-Value Redemption ($243) & Low Out of Pocket Cost ($71) via Upgrade:
Acela Business (which is a starting price of $71 for that leg 1 way) to Acela 1st Class (which is a starting price of $243 for that leg 1 way) Upgrade Coupon between DC & NYC when booked far in advance - see more details under "Maximizing" heading including free lounge access in NYC that comes with 1st class. 1st class also comes with a free meal per passenger. Boston would be a similar cost example starting at $74 in business 1 way or $255 in 1st 1 way.
Miscellaneous
The closest options in SE VA with direct travel with roomettes & bedrooms as options is Richmond Staples Mill Road Station & Petersburg's Station.
If it says "Mixed Service" that means that you'll be going on both a train & a bus.
While Amtrak has observation cars on some routes, none appear to be on the East Coast.
The DC to Richmond high speed rail may be operational by 2025.
For current highest speeds around VA, Acela itineraries that start in DC will be fastest, such as 6h 33m from DC to Boston.
Below I'll go over starting pricing (before any discount) & timing options for 1-way direct travel from:
Newport News (coach & business only)
Richmond (coach, business, partial 1st, roomettes, & bedrooms)
DC (coach, business, or 1st)
Examples from Amtrak Newport News (with often similar pricing from Williamsburg), 1 passenger can go direct 1 way to the following as of 4/7/23, not factoring in any discounts from above:
Direct Option from Newport News (North East) | Coach 1 Way Base Price | Business 1 Way Base Price | Lowest Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
Williamsburg (though you're likely better off driving unless you don't have a car) | 8 | 24 | 19 mins |
Richmond Main Street Station | 9 | 25 | 1h 12m |
Richmond Staples Mill Rd | 9 | 25 | 1h 45m |
Ashland, VA | 11 | 32 | 2h 2m |
Fredericksburg, VA | 15 | 44 | 2h 44m |
Quantico, VA | 16 | 46 | 3h 10m |
Woodbridge, VA | 16 | 46 | 3h 24m |
Alexandria, VA | 17 | 48 | 3h 39m |
Washington DC - Union Station | 17 | 49 | 4h 6m |
New Carrollton, MD | 19 | 54 | 4h 42m |
BWI Airport (Baltimore) | 20 | 58 | 4h 57m |
Baltimore Penn Station (within city) | 22 | 62 | 5h 12m |
Aberdeen, MD | 43 | 83 | 5h 41m |
Newark, DE | 49 | 95 | 6h |
Wilmington, DE | 24 | 70 | 5h 59m |
Philadelphia, PA | 24 | 70 | 6h 22m |
Trenton, NJ | 28 | 80 | 6h 54m |
Iselin, NJ | 31 | 89 | 7h 18m |
Newark Airport, NJ (EWR) | 40 | 100 | 7h 29m |
Newark Penn Station, NJ | 32 | 92 | 7h 34m |
New York, NY | 32 | 92 | 7h 56m |
New Rochelle, NY | 32 | 92 | 8h 48m |
Stamford, CT | 32 | 92 | 9h 7m |
Bridgeport, CT | 32 | 92 | 9h 7m |
Going further from Newport News examples below:
Direct Option from Newport News (North East) continued | Coach 1 Way Base Price | Business 1 Way Base Price | Business 1 Way Base Price |
|---|---|---|---|
New Haven, CT | 32 | 92 | 10h 3m |
Old Saybrook, CT | 36 | 103 | 10h 35m |
New London, CT | 36 | 103 | 10h 54m |
Westerly, RI | 36 | 103 | 11h 27m |
Kingston, RI | 36 | 103 | 11h 41m |
Providence, RI PVD | 36 | 103 | 11h 51m |
Boston, MA BBY (too far for single segment 12 hr upgrade from Newport News, but not from Richmond) | 37 | 105 | 12h 43m |
Boston, MA BOS | 37 | 105 | 12h 48m |
Small Sampling of Examples from Richmond Staples Mill Road (RVR) Station 1 Way:
Destination | Coach | Business | 1st (indirect) | Roomettes | Bedrooms | Minimum Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington DC | 12-79 | 34-101 | | 191-211 | 236-404 | 2h 33m |
Baltimore | 17-86 | 48-141 | | 215 | 260-428 | 3h 24m |
Philadelphia | 23-153 | 66-196 | | 248 | 293-461 | 4h 37m |
New York City | 32-215 | 92-275 | | 297 | 342-510 | 6h 7m |
Boston | 37-244 | 105-312 | | NA on direct | NA on direct | 10h 23m |
Boston Indirect | | 139 | 342 (business from RVR-WAS, 1st to Boston) | | | 10h 11m |
Boston Indirect 2 | | 272 | 319 (business from RVR-WAS, 1st to Boston) | RVR-NYP Roomette, then choice of business or 1st class. w/ business class $355, w/ 1st, $496 | | 11h 59m |
Boston Indirect 3 | 137 | 198 | | RVR-NYP roomette, NYP-BBY Coach $319, Business $380 | | 13h 31m |
Charlotte, NC | 43 | 80 | | | | 7h 20m |
Charleston, SC | 68 | 128 | | 282 | 634 | 6h 59m |
Savannah, GA | 78 | 147 | | 300 | 683 | 8h 54m |
Jacksonville, FL | 90 | | 352 | 1237 | 11h 35m | |
Orlando, FL | 102 | | 392 | 1403 | 15h 15m |
Small Sampling of Examples from Washington DC Union Station:
Destination | Coach | Business | 1st | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Boston, MA BBY Acela | | 74 | 255 | 6h 33m+ |
Boston, MA BBY | 36 | 107 | | 7h 43m+ |
New York, NY | 20 | 92 | | 3h 16m+ |
New York, NY Acela | | 71 | 243 | 2h 46m+ |
Philadelphia, PA | 10 | 57 | | 1h 50m+ |
Philadelphia, PA Acela | | 50 | 173 | 1h 30m+ |
In case you'd like an extended journey on a train, here's a 74 hour- 77 hour example to Los Angeles from Norfolk, with a 2h 37m transfer in Washington & a 6h 5m transfer in Chicago:
Image courtesy Amtrak.
For some of the longest journeys by train, here are a few Miami to Seattle examples:
Image courtesy Amtrak.
Image courtesy Amtrak.
For a long direct route, here is an example from Chicago to around San Francisco:
Image courtesy Amtrak.
Here's a National Geographic article that covered that route.