If you are thrifty or want to travel more, you probably want to save money on Amtrak. In this article, I’ll share some tips and tricks I have discovered over my years of travel.
We cannot save money on every trip, but it’s always worth checking whether there’s a way to save on Amtrak. One important thing is to be flexible with your travel plans. Also, booking tickets as early as possible is usually the best practice.
Let’s see if we can help you save some money so you can travel more.
1) Save money on Amtrak by getting their emails
Stay up to date on the latest Amtrak deals.
Subscribing to Amtrak’s email updates is a great way to stay informed about their latest promotions and offers.
Additionally, Amtrak Guest Rewards members receive exclusive offers. Furthermore, you also get to stay updated with the latest Amtrak news.
While we all receive many emails, this one is worth your time. Another one you might enjoy is the Travels with Kev email.
2) Save money on Amtrak by getting a travel buddy
While I am a solo traveler, having a travel buddy can save you money. It can be fun to share your experience with someone else, and the bonus is that you can save some cash.
This tip is more useful if you are sharing an Amtrak sleeping accommodation. When booking a room on Amtrak, there is one room rate, and both passengers pay a rail fare, so if you share a room, you can split that room rate.
When booking a room for two people, the price shown on the screen is for both, provided you searched for two people.
Another Way Two Passengers Can Save Money
If you want a little more room and are considering booking two roomettes, it can sometimes be cheaper than booking a single bedroom. You will need to contact Amtrak or visit a staffed station to determine if you can secure rooms adjacent to each other, or at least near each other, if you choose this option.
This tip could also work in reverse: one bedroom could cost less than two roomettes.
While the bedroom has more room for luggage and other items, two roomettes provide each person with more personal space. This way, no one has to climb into an upper bunk. Additionally, if you position them side by side, you can move back and forth for the best views.
3) Save money on Amtrak: with Amtrak Share Fare
Amtrak Share Fares are discounts that save up to 60% off tickets for groups of eight passengers traveling together on the same reservation. Additionally, deals are available for groups of three or more. Here’s how the deal works:
- First Passenger – regular price (or lowest available fare)
- Second Passenger – regular price (or lowest available fare)
- Third Passenger – 17% off all tickets
- Fourth Passenger – 30% off all tickets
- Fifth Passenger – 39% off all tickets
- Sixth Passenger – 47% off all tickets
- Seventh Passenger – 54% off all tickets
- Eighth Passenger – 60% off all tickets
Fares are available on coach seats for most Amtrak routes, including the Northeast Regional, Empire Builder, Auto Train, Downeaster, Palmetto, and California Zephyr. The offer is also available in Acela Business Class.
Discounts are applied automatically when qualifying travel is selected on the Amtrak Share Fare page or when using code V291 in the Amtrak app or on the website. A 2-day advance purchase is required to get this deal.
Call 1-800-USA-RAIL to make reservations for 9 to 14 travelers. For reservations with 15 or more, please complete a Group Travel Request.
4) Save money on Amtrak with Amtrak’s online deals
Amtrak’s online deals include seasonal and limited-time offers, as well as exclusive discounts on select trains.
The Amtrak website offers a variety of short-term and long-term deals. For more information, visit the Amtrak deal page.
5) Save money on Amtrak with Multi-Ride Passes
Select routes, such as the Hiawatha, offer flexibility and savings with multi-ride passes. Passes range from monthly to 10-ride passes, and in a few areas, a student can purchase a 6-ride pass. It’s similar to bulk ticket buying. These tickets are non-transferable, meaning they can only be used by the original purchaser.
For more information, check out this page on Amtrak’s Multi-Ride Passes.
6) Save money on Amtrak with Multi-City Tickets
Multi-city tickets allow you to book trips or parts of your journey together, even if they are not on consecutive days. You also do not need to depart from the city you arrived in.
In other words, if you plan a journey from the Sturtevant Depot to Charleston, SC, but want to spend a few days in Philadelphia, you can book it on one ticket, even with days between trains.
In my experience, this works better when connecting on a long-distance train on the East Coast.
It’s worth a try, even if it doesn’t guarantee savings. It can still help you stay organized with fewer tickets.
7) Join The Rail Passenger Association
Members receive a 10% discount on Amtrak rail fares when purchasing tickets at least 3 days in advance (the discount does not apply to upgrades, such as room upgrades).
The Rail Passenger Association (RPA), formerly known as the National Association of Rail Passengers (NARP), is a nonprofit organization that promotes passenger rail services across the United States.
RPA’s mission includes developing and fighting for both regional rail and Amtrak.
Yearly or monthly memberships are tax-deductible, plus you receive a 10% discount on Amtrak rail fares and with other companies. This reduction applies only to rail fares, not to upgrades such as room, business, or first-class.
Further down in the article, it provides a more detailed description of how the PRA/NARP discount works.
8) Save money on Amtrak with the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program
Amtrak’s loyalty program allows you to earn free rides (after redeeming points)!
Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) is a multi-tiered rewards program that offers complimentary Amtrak travel.
Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) awards you two points for every dollar spent on Amtrak travel. You can also earn points by shopping with partners or by joining organizations such as the Rail Passengers Association (RPA).
Like airline rewards programs, your points help you advance through tiered status levels. Perks include free upgrades, companion coupons, and bonus points. Click the link for more details on the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.
To ensure you earn all your points, always log in to your account and include your Amtrak Guest Rewards number when booking.
Please note that your points will expire if your account remains inactive for two years. Reset the clock by booking and traveling, or by using other methods Amtrak suggests to keep your account active. For more information, see how to preserve your Amtrak Guest Rewards Points.
For another great way to use your points, see point 13.
Ways to Accumulate Amtrak Guest Rewards Points
You can double-dip with several options when using an Amtrak credit card; details are in the next section.
- Buying or transferring points
- If you’re short on points for your next trip, you can purchase extra points to travel when you want.
- Partners and surveys
New AGR members earn 500 bonus points if the first Amtrak trip is within 90 days of joining.
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9) Get the Amtrak Credit Card
Earn points from shopping and paying bills.
If you plan a cross-country trip or ride the regional routes, the Amtrak Mastercard will help you accumulate points faster for free adventures.
Typically, Amtrak offers 20,000 bonus points for spending $1,000 within three months of activating a new card (click the link below).
Bonuses of the card include:
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases*
- You can earn 2 points per $1 spent on dining and travel, including transit and rideshare
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other qualifying purchases*
- Round-trip companion coupon upon account opening and card anniversary*
- One-class upgrade upon account opening and card anniversary*
- Station lounge pass upon account opening and card anniversary*
- 20% rebate on Amtrak onboard food and beverage purchases in the form of a statement credit
- 5% point rebate when you redeem points for Amtrak reward travel*
- Earn tier status faster with 1,000 TQPs (Tier Qualifying Points) each time you make $5,000 in qualifying purchases*
- Your points don’t expire as long as your account remains open*
- There is no limit to the number of points you can earn as long as your account remains open.*
- No foreign transaction fees**
If this piques your interest, check out how to get an Amtrak Mastercard.
* For more details, check out the Terms and Conditions for the Credit Card Rewards Program in the Summary of Credit Terms section at the time of application. Please refer to the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program terms and conditions at Amtrak.com/guestrewards for details regarding expiration, redemption, forfeiture, and other limitations on Amtrak Guest Rewards Points.
10) Do You Qualify For Everyday Discounts?
Anytime discounts are available for qualified passengers, but they do not apply to upgrades.
Some trains offer savings above the percentage listed below.
- Seniors receive 10% off (65+).
- Children ages two and under are free, but their names must be on an adult’s ticket. Children ages 3-12 are 50% off and must travel with an adult 18 years or older.
- Active-duty military members and spouses receive 10% off, but must present a valid military ID.
- Veterans from any branch receive 10% off base tickets *New as of August 2019*
- Military kids ages 2 to 12 receive 50% off, plus an additional 10% off (the best deal out there!).
- People with a disability and a companion (when booked together) receive 10% off.
- U.S. federal Employees have a discount program, but you must book through a federal employee travel management company or a corporate booking tool. They are not bookable on Amtrak.com.
- Groups of 20 or more people receive a discount that may not be available to book online.
11) Student Discounts!
Amtrak offers students ages 17-24 the chance to save 15% on purchases made 1 day in advance with our national student discount. This discount makes it easier for adventurous spirits to enjoy themselves wherever they go and reduces travel-related stress. There are some terms and conditions for receiving your discount.
12) Use Amtrak’s Points & Cash Program
Amtrak’s Points & Cash program lets you combine Amtrak Guest Rewards points with cash to book travel, offering flexible payment options.
You need at least 100 points to participate, and the feature is available exclusively on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app. This program allows you to tailor your spending and maximize your rewards. For more details, visit Amtrak Points & Cash.
13) Choose the Right Coach Fare
Amtrak offers two types of coach fares: Value and Flexible. These options let you save money on Amtrak or gain more flexibility.
- Value fares are more affordable but have limited flexibility for changes or refunds.
- Flexible fares are pricier but fully refundable, making them ideal if your plans might change.
Booking your tickets as early as possible gives you the best chance to secure value fares before they sell out. Learn more about these options in my Amtrak Coach Fares guide.
How Discounts Apply To Your Reservations
Coach reservation discounts count toward the total ticket cost but do not apply to Saver Saver Fares or sales.
Business-class and room accommodation discounts are more challenging to understand because the discount percentage applies only to the rail fare (coach ticket price) that everyone pays, not to the upgrade cost.
For example, when booking a business class ticket on the Lincoln Service between Chicago and St. Louis.
Without a discount, a business class ticket costs $52. That ticket includes a $31 rail fare and $21 for the business class upgrade; the $21 cut comes off the $31 rail fare (a saving of $3.10), making the $52 business class ticket cost $49.
With rooms, let’s look at the train, The City of New Orleans. Although they all operate similarly, a coach seat costs $135, a roomette costs $269, and a 10% discount coach seat costs $122, while a roomette costs $256.
Each person pays a rail fare and a one-room cost for room accommodations. In the City of New Orleans, the roomette costs $269 for one person and $404 for two people without a discount. In this example, each person pays $108 for the train ride and $135 for the room. So, $108 (first rider) + $108 (second rider) + $135 (room price) = $351 for two people.
Room reservation includes all scheduled dining car meals on the train.
The prices provided are for illustrative purposes only and are subject to change without notice.
Booking Tips To Save Money
Flexibility is key
When booking, consider checking a few dates before or after your target date; leaving a day earlier or later may save you money on Amtrak tickets.
Flexibility is not always possible, but the savings can be worth the inconvenience.
Buying tickets as early as possible often helps secure room and coach seats. When considering coach-class tickets, ensure you select the option that best meets your needs.
The best thing to do is to check at different times to get a feel for ticket prices and see when to book.
Kev’s Notes on How To Save Money On Amtrak
I love train travel, and I love a good deal—many of these tips and tricks I have used to save money on Amtrak.
Before my first Amtrak trip, I signed up for AGR and earned points after the conductor scanned my first ticket. Because I travel frequently, make online purchases, and complete surveys, I have received several complimentary trips from the points I’ve earned, including a free coast-to-coast ride with roomette accommodations.
NARP/PRA is a cause I support, fighting for passenger rail both nationally and regionally, but the discount is a handy benefit. Over the years, I have taken an average of 100 train rides, and the 10% discount has saved me more than my membership fee.
I hope this helps you save money on Amtrak tickets. You can use that money to get something special from the café car.
Safe Travels!
Kev
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Note: The information given was current at the time of publication.
Disclaimer:
Please read all restrictions and fine print carefully to fully understand the suggested programs. Travels with Kev is not affiliated with Amtrak; the information provided here is intended as a guide only. Any deals or offers mentioned are subject to change at Amtrak’s discretion.
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