Amtrak: Woops, Missed My Train
Photo by jpmueller99
… and it was no big deal. What a refreshing experience.
I was supposed to take a morning train on Amtrak’s New England corridor (the one that runs up from DC through New York to Boston) for a quick trip last week. I’ll spare the sad details, but I was running very late last week, and ended up arriving at the train station just in time to see my train pull away.
If I were traveling on an airline, I would be in trouble. Changing an airline ticket these days can set you back upwards of $150 plus change in fare; missing a flight outright can lose the ticket’s entire value. Not exactly consumer friendly.
Amtrak, however, was an entirely different story. Since I had not yet picked up my ticket, I could refund the ticket entirely, despite the fact the train had already left; the only cost associated with getting on the next train was that I had to pay the difference in cost. Effectively, they refunded my ticket and bought me a new one on the next train. A $20 difference.
Comfortable Options
Traveling on Amtrak’s New England Corridor really is a comfortable experience. Consider:
- The trains on the New England corridor all have power outlets on the window, meaning you can simply plug your laptop in and remain charged.
- The seats also feel a bit more comfortable than your normal airplane seat
- The food in the cafe train isn’t that bad.
- No airport security, no hectic crowds, no assigned seating
Honestly, the only major advantage that air travel has is the speed. All-in-all, a pleasant trip.
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