As part of its ongoing mission to enhance the traveler experience, national passenger railroad operator Amtrak will soon be making some improvements. After conducting extensive customer research and analysing passenger feedback, the railway giant is gearing up to introduce a new, simplified fare structure that offers more flexible and affordable options.
Set to take effect later this fall, the less complicated pricing model will build upon other recent improvements Amtrak has made to its booking process in an effort to better meet customers’ needs.
“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 Roger Harris, President of Amtrak.
The revamped pricing structure divides available fare types into two distinct categories, simplifying the customer’s decision-making process and streamlining the booking experience, since the ticket types are more starkly separated and the differences more easily understood.
Amtrak’s Two New Fare Types:
1. Flex: For customers who prefer a flexible travel option, in case they need to make changes before their planned train trip takes place, these tickets can be cancelled for a full refund or altered without incurring any extra fees prior to the scheduled departure date.
2. Value: For passengers who are fully confident in their travel plans and prefer the most budget-friendly option, these fares are priced lower than Flex tickets, but cannot be amended. They are however, still eligible for a 75 percent refund, if cancelled.
The overhauled fare structure also introduces several added advantages, including:
- Affordability: Flex fares will frequently be made available at starting prices that are lower than what’s standardly listed.
- Special Discounts: Occasionally, sale fares will be offered at even more deeply discounted prices, although these will be non-changeable and will only qualify for a 50 percent refund, if cancelled.
- Refund Procedure: Refunds for credit card purchases will be credited back to the original form of payment, making the process more straightforward than relying on eVouchers.
In addition to making pricing more transparent and traveler-oriented, these updates aim to improve the booking process, ensuring an even smoother journey from start to finish. These imminent changes are also part of a broader effort by Amtrak to make rail travel more affordable and accessible.
Other improvements the rail company is making include:
- Ultra-affordable “Night Owl” fares, priced as low as $5 - $20, available on select Northeast Corridor (NEC) routes.
- Enabling Amtrak Guest Rewards members to redeem loyalty points for tickets for more fare types.
- Updating the children’s discount so that all children (between two and 12 years old) can ride the rails for 50 percent off when traveling with an accompanying adult. This benefit was previously limited to one child discount per adult fare.
- Expanding passenger discounts—such as senior and military—to apply to all fares types, including those already on sale.
- Improving Share Fares, which allow groups of three to eight people traveling together to enjoy discounts ranging from 17 to 60 percent.
Although a specific start date has not yet been released, it should be noted that any tickets acquired before the implementation of the new fare structure remain subject to Amtrak’s existing fare regulations and terms.
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