Reading Time: 11 minutes How To Get Cheap Amtrak Tickets: How I Find Amtrak Discounts
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Traveling by train can be a fun and affordable way to see the country. But did you know there are lots of easy ways to save even more money on your Amtrak tickets?
We live in St. Louis. We’ve taken Amtrak many times to go to Kansas City and Chicago. We have also taken the kids to the train stop to watch the trains.
One of our favorite things to do on Amtrak is to do day trips an hour away with the kids. We leave in the AM and come back in the PM. We’ve even ridden bike for a day then taken Amtrak home.
You already know that at ChaChingQueen we love sharing tips and tricks to save time and money. So today we will share our tips to save money on Amtrak tickets.
This guide will show you our simple ways on how to get cheap Amtrak tickets. You’ll also discover the best times to book, best deals, and all the insider secrets for scoring big discounts on Amtrak.
Get ready to keep your hard-earned cash while still enjoying an amazing journey.
Table of Contents
Amtrak Ticket Options
Before looking at ways to save on Amtrack tickets, let’s go over the different ticket types Amtrak offers:
Amtrak Flex Tickets let you get a full refund and make changes to your ticket with no extra fees. The flexibility costs more upfront. If you’re certain about your travel plans and won’t need changes, you can likely save by getting a Value Ticket instead.
Amtrak Value Tickets are cheaper upfront, but you only get 75% back if canceling. You also can’t make any changes to these tickets once booked. Value Tickets work great if you’re committed to your travel plans. Just know you’ll pay a 25% fee to cancel, and no changes are allowed. Be careful though. You can not change Value Tickets.
Knowing which type of ticket aligns with your potential need for changes or refunds can help you select the most budget-friendly option.
You can get 50% off of a Pogo Pass by using promo code CHACHING at checkout, making it just $49.99 ($39.99 for Kansas City). This discounted entertainment pass is a great way to enjoy entertainment for FREE all year long!
Book on the Amtrak Website or App
One of the easiest ways to save is booking your tickets directly through Amtrak’s website or app. Not only will you get access to the latest schedules and rates, but Amtrak regularly offers exclusive web discounts just for booking online.
These could be percentage offs, dollar amount discounts, or special webfare rates lower than the standard fare. Always check for online promos before buying!
Related: 24 Free Travel Hacks You Can Do On Your Phone
Let Travel Aggregators Find Cheapest Amtrak Tickets
Don’t go straight to Amtrak’s site, let travel aggregator sites like Omio and Wanderu do the legwork to find the cheapest Amtrak fares across multiple sellers. These sites continually scan for deals, discounted rates from third-party vendors, and promotions.
They often turn up lower prices than what Amtrak publicly advertises. The key is comparing final prices across a few sites to ensure you get the absolute lowest rate after any booking fees.
Be careful though. These site aggregators may not always offer lower prices than Amtrak’s own site, especially after factoring in additional booking fees​. That is why I strongly recommend checking Amtrak’s site for the best deals and discounts (in addition to third party sites).
Don’t assume Amtrak’s site is more expensive.
Related: Discover the Cheapest Airlines and Save Big on Your Next Flight!
Explore Amtrak’s Special Deal Page
Amtrak’s Deals page is the first place to look for discounts on train ticket prices. This page is updated frequently with limited-time promotions, flash sales, buy-one-get-one discounts, and heavily reduced regional fares.
I’ve seen 50% off fares for Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner route and even free rides for kids advertised there! Checking this page often is a must for catching the latest money-saving deals before they expire.
Take Advantage of Amtrak’s Discount Qualifications
One of the best ways to get cheap Amtrak tickets is simply qualifying for one of their many discount programs. Passengers like students, military/veterans, seniors, children, and those with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares that can mean huge savings.
Even if you don’t fall into those categories, look under Amtrak’s Everyday Discounts for deals like job discounts, regional offers, and loyalty perks from programs like Amtrak Guest Rewards. Don’t pay full price until confirming your discount eligibility!
Search for Amtrack Discount Codes and Coupons
Before checking out, always do a quick search for valid Amtrak promo codes or discount coupons from third-party sources like RailServe and WorthEPenny.
These can offer limited-time discounts of 10-50% off just for using a simple code. It’s an easy way to instantly slash your fare.
Time Your Booking for Discounted Amtrak Fares
The time you book your Amtrak tickets can make a huge difference in how much you pay. Ticket prices fluctuate based on demand and how far in advance you purchase. By strategically timing when you book, you can capitalize on the biggest discounts available.
Related: When to Get the Cheapest Flight: It Is Not Tuesday!
Advance Bookings For Cheapest Amtrak Rates
One of the best ways to get cheap Amtrak tickets is booking your travel as early as possible. Amtrak incentivizes early bookings by offering heavily discounted fares, sometimes over 50% off the regular adult price.
For example, a one-way ticket from New York to Washington DC could cost $90 if purchased a month in advance. But if you wait until a week before, that same ticket may jump up to $130 or more. Advance bookings of just 2-4 weeks can mean paying half price or less!
Capitalize on Off-Peak Pricing for Off-Price Savings
Aim to travel during off-peak times like mid-week days and late nights when fewer people are boarding trains. Thanks to lower demand, fares are cheapest during these off-peak hours and days.
For example, taking an 11pm train instead of an 8am route could mean saving $20 or more per ticket.
Score Night Owl Deals for Late-Night Travels
Speaking of late night trains, be on the lookout for Amtrak’s “Night Owl” discounted fares for overnight travel. These deeply discounted tickets can be as cheap as $5 each way on some routes like the Northeast Corridor.
If you don’t mind sleeping on the train, it’s a very affordable way to travel long distances.
Use Amtrak’s Fare Calendar
Utilize Amtrak’s fare calendar to identify the cheapest travel days. This tool can help you plan your trip for the lowest possible fare by showing fare variations across different days.
We have a lot of flexibility so we use the Amtrak Fare Calendar to save on tickets whenever we take the train.
Buy Amtrak Tickets at the Station
Sometimes purchasing tickets directly at the station can lead to unadvertised deals or last-minute discounts. It’s worth checking if you’re flexible with your travel plans.
Related: Discover 11 Secrets to Booking Last-Minute Flight Deals
Stack the Savings with Amtrak Promotions & Programs
In addition to Amtrak’s deals and discounts, you can stack on even more savings through promotions and rewards programs:
Join the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program
The Amtrak Guest Rewards program is a game-changer for frequent train travelers looking to save big. As a free loyalty program, it rewards you with points for every dollar spent on Amtrak tickets and travel.
Those points quickly add up and can be redeemed for complimentary tickets across Amtrak’s network.
Here’s how it works: For every dollar you spend on Amtrak fares, you’ll earn 2 Guest Rewards points. So a $100 ticket earns you 200 points right off the bat.
Over time, as you continue riding Amtrak, those points accumulate, allowing you to redeem them for free travel rewards like discounted or complimentary tickets for future journeys.
Earn and Redeem Bonus Points
As an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you’ll frequently have opportunities to accelerate your points earnings through bonus promotions. This allows your points balance to grow even faster.
Throughout the year, Amtrak offers limited-time bonus point events and opportunities to earn double points on ticket purchases or other travel spending like car rentals. You may get bonus points for riding certain routes or for taking advantage of travel partner offers.
Stack with Everyday Amtrak Discounts
In addition to Guest Rewards, Amtrak also offers everyday discounts that can slash your ticket costs upfront.
Children aged 2-12 get 50% off tickets while infants under 2 ride for free. Seniors enjoy 10% off most fares. Military members and veterans get 10% discounts. Passengers with disabilities qualify for 10-50% discounts depending on the route.
These standing discounts can provide huge savings upfront when combined with redeeming Guest Rewards points for affordable Amtrak travel.
Amtrak’s Share Fare Deals
When traveling in groups, you can score deep discounts just by booking together.
For example, Groups of 2 or 3 people get 17% off all tickets. Groups of 4 get 30% off. Groups of 5 get 39% off. Groups of 6 get 47% off. Groups of 7 get 54% off. And groups of 8 or more people get a whopping 60% off!
These savings are based on my own experiences. I didn’t search every fare at every point in time, so your savings using Amtrak’s Share Fare may be more or less. The point is that the savings add up the more people in your group. This is great for families like ours to save on Amtrak fares.
These share fare deals apply to both Coach and Acela Business Class tickets across Amtrak’s national network. For families or travel buddies, it’s an easy way to save big just by booking together.
Follow Amtrak on Social Media
Amtrak sometimes posts exclusive deals and flash sales on their social media channels. Follow them on platforms like Twitter and Facebook to stay updated on these offers.
Unlimited Travel with Amtrak Rail Passes
For those planning multi-stop train adventures, Amtrak’s rail passes offer unlimited travel within a certain period that can provide great savings over buying individual tickets.
The USA Rail Pass allows 10 segments of travel over 30 days, while regional passes cover more localized routes.
It’s important to note that the pass is valid for coach travel only, and the validity period is 120 days after purchase, starting 30 days after the first segment is traveled.
As long as you plan to maximize the number of segments allowed, these flat-rate passes virtually always undercut the cost of point-to-point tickets and can save up to $100.
More Tips for Riders to Save Big On Amtrak Tickets
Utilize Companion Fare Discounts
Sometimes, Amtrak offers companion fare discounts where you can get a second ticket at a reduced price when booking for two passengers.
Keep an eye out for these promotions from Atrak as they can lead to substantial savings.
One-Way Ticket Flexibility Saves Money
Skip the round-trip fares and book one-way Amtrak tickets instead. Not only are one-way fares priced around half the cost of a round-trip, but they offer invaluable flexibility.
If your plans change, you can adjust separate one-way tickets without penalties or losing money.
Book each leg of your journey individually for savings and freedom.
Multi-Ride Passes Deliver Steep Discounts
If you frequently travel between the same cities, look into an Amtrak multi-ride ticket. These bulk passes provide hefty discounts compared to purchasing individual tickets.
For example, a 10-ride ticket between Los Angeles and San Francisco could save hundreds versus buying 10 separate one-way fares. It’s an awesome loyalty perk for devoted riders.
Amtrak Split Ticketing Hack
This hack involves booking multiple segments separately instead of a single ticket for a long journey. Sometimes, this can result in a lower overall fare. Tools and websites that assist with split ticketing can help you find the best deals.
Related: Save Time and Money with These Expert Approved Travel Sites
Split the Cost of Sleeper Cars
On overnight routes, consider splitting the cost and booking a sleeper car with travel buddies. While sleeper fares are pricier than coach seats, splitting that cost 2-4 ways makes it much more affordable for amenities like private rooms, included meals, and added comfort.
Discover Discounted Routes and Scenic Rides
Don’t just automatically pick the shortest route when browsing Amtrak’s network. Compare various connecting routes between your origin and destination, some may cost significantly less than the direct option, or offer better overnight accommodations.
You can also seek out scenic routes like the Adirondack Line through NY that roll through national parks and beautiful landscapes, enhancing the experience at no extra cost.
Use Rewards Credit Cards
Put any travel rewards credit cards to use when booking Amtrak tickets. Cards like the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card earn bonus points on train purchases that can be redeemed for future free travel.
General travel rewards cards may also offer bonus points or cash back categories for transit purchases.
Related: Say Goodbye to Coupons and Hello to The Best Cashback Apps!
Leverage Business and First-Class Deals
Occasionally, Amtrak offers deals on upgrades to business and first-class seats. These can include additional perks like extra legroom and complimentary food and beverages, sometimes at a small premium over standard coach fares.
Related: 23 Top Travel Tips From Frugal Frequent Flyers (With Video)
Amtrak Senior and Student Discounts
Amtrak offers discounts for seniors (typically 10% off) and students. Make sure to check the eligibility criteria and apply these discounts when booking tickets.
Amtrak Employee and Family Discounts
If you know someone who works for Amtrak, they might have access to discounted or even free travel passes that they can share with family and friends. These discounts are not widely advertised but can be substantial.
Check for Regional Discounts On Amtrak Tickets
Different regions sometimes have their own specific discounts and promotions. For example, California often has special offers for travel within the state. Look for these regional promotions on Amtrak’s website or regional tourism sites.
Save Big on Your Amtrak Adventures
Traveling by train with Amtrak can be an affordable way to see America, and with some smart tricks, you can make those tickets even cheaper. Plan ahead and book your Amtrak trips early for the biggest discounts.
Look for deals during less busy times like weekdays and late nights. Stack multiple deals and discounts, consider unlimited travel passes for longer journeys and don’t forget to join Amtrak’s loyalty program to earn free future travel.
With a little effort, your memorable rail adventures can be kind to your wallet too. Embrace the joy of the journey and the joy of the savings when you ride the rails with Amtrak.
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AI was used for light editing, formatting, and readability. But a human (me!) wrote and edited this.
