Amtrak Announces More Flexible and Affordable Fares

Image: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. (photo via Laser1987 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Image: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. (photo via Laser1987 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 2:50 PM ET, Fri October 27, 2023

Amtrak has introduced a new, simplified fare structure with more flexible and affordable options based on extensive customer research to better meet customer needs.

The simpler fare structure launched this week builds on other recent improvements Amtrak has made to the booking experience.

“This streamlined fare structure with more affordable and flexible fares is part of Amtrak’s continued commitment to upgrading the customer experience at every step along their journey,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris.

The new structure reduces fare types from three categories to two, providing a more consistent booking experience with fare types that are clearly differentiated and easy to understand.

Flex: For customers wanting a more flexible travel option, these tickets are fully refundable if canceled and can be changed without fees before departure.

Value: For customers who know their travel plans and want a more affordable option, these tickets are lower in price than Flex tickets non-changeable with a 75% refund if canceled.

In addition to simplifying the fare structure, the benefits of the new approach include the following:

  • Flex fares start at lower prices than previously offered.
  • Occasional sale fares at an even deeper discount will be non-changeable, with a 50% refund if canceled.
  • Refunds of credit card purchases will be made to the original form of payment, rather than as an e-voucher.
  • These changes to Coach and Acela Business tickets make it easier for Amtrak customers to choose the ticket type that best fits their travel needs.
  • Non-Acela Business and First-Class tickets were already fully refundable and changeable with no additional fees. Tickets purchased prior to the launch of the new simplified fare structure remain subject to the fare rules and conditions in effect when the ticket is purchased.

Example: One-Way Trip Between Washington, DC and Philadelphia

PRIOR FARE:

Cheapest Saver Ticket: $19

Only Flexible Ticket: $127

Starting Price Difference for Full Flexibility: $108

CURRENT FARE:

Cheapest Value Ticket: $18

Cheapest Flex Ticket: $20

Starting Price Difference for Full Flexibility: $2 Note that with travel on select trains between 7 p.m. – 7 a.m., the cheapest Night Owl fares for this trip are $9 for Value and $10 for Flex.

These improvements build on other recent pricing enhancements Amtrak has made to make travel more affordable, including:

  • Ultra-low “Night Owl” fares as low as $5 – $20 on select Northeast Corridor (NEC) routes.
  • Enabling Amtrak Guest Rewards members to redeem tickets with points on more fare types.
  • Updating the children’s discount so that children (ages 2-12 years old) can travel for 50% off with an accompanying adult (previously limited to one child discount per adult fare).
  • Expanding passenger discounts – such as senior and military to apply to all fares, including sales.
  • Improving Share Fares allows groups of 3-8 people traveling together to receive discounts ranging from 17% to 60%.

Other Changes include:

  • If a Flex ticket is changed, the new price may differ from the original purchase price. While there are no change fees, a change could result in a fare adjustment that would either be refunded or charged at the time of ticket change.
  • Not applicable to room product types.
  • Self-service reservations (Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile app and Amtrak kiosks) are limited to eight persons per reservation. However, there is no reservation maximum when booking over the phone (1-800-USA-RAIL).

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