New Discounts on Rail Travel Still Make Cents

Amtrak, in “liberalizing” its discount rail fare program for seniors for 1992, has both giveth and taketh away. Overall, there is more giveth than taketh away.

First, the senior discount age has been lowered from 65 to 62 years.

But now the discount is only available on rail travel Monday through Thursday. Previously it was any day of the week.

Also the senior discount has been lowered from 25% to 15%. That sounds bad but works out better for seniors when you get to the fine print. Seniors will now be able to get a discount on already-discounted fares.

The former 25% discount was only available on the full coach fare. The new 15% discount is available on the lowest-available coach fare. That can amount to a bigger savings since there are usually two or more lower fares than regular coach.

“Amtrak offers a wide range of fares in every market,” said Robert E. Gall, vice president of marketing and sales, “and even if the lowest fares are unavailable, seniors will get a discount off the next highest fare.

“Liberalizing Amtrak’s senior citizen fare should make train travel the most economical form of transportation for many mature travelers,” Gall noted.

In effect, more seniors are getting a better discount but are limited to weekday travel. That’s not bad considering the main concept of giving seniors discounts is that seniors have the flexibility in time to travel in slack periods.

It does not mean discount fare seniors are kicked off the trains on weekends. If, for instance, you depart from Los Angeles for Chicago or the East Coast on a Thursday, you continue right through to your destination so long as you do not interrupt the trip with an overnight stop Friday or Saturday. Then you would have to wait until Monday to resume your trip.

With the better discounts for more mature travelers also come a bit more work.

Amtrak’s lowest round-trip coach fares, such as the All Aboard America or $7 Return Fares are offered to all ages and usually sell out quickly. Since the senior discount is computed on the lowest-available fare, it will be important to book space well in advance.

What is well in advance? It depends on the season and the popularity of the route and destination. At least four to five weeks ahead is wise for off-season trips.

For midsummer trips to San Francisco, long-haul trips to the East or popular attractions like National Parks, several months or more in advance is advised. (Amtrak accepts reservations up to 11 months in advance).

Also, the low All Aboard America, $7 Return Fares and some other promotion fares are not available on every route or have other restrictions. You’ll have to check these out with your travel agent or Amtrak reservations clerks.

And, in doing so, tell the reservations clerk you want the lowest senior fare. Amtrak says its agents are trained to ask, but it pays to check for sure.

The senior citizen discount may not be used on Metroliner service or the Auto Train, both in the East. Seniors may upgrade to first-class club service or sleeping accommodations, however there is no discount for these services.

Finally, the senior discount fares will not be available on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Dec. 26, 29, 30 and 31.

For more information and reservations, call Amtrak’s 24-hour toll-free number (800) USA-RAIL or your travel agent.

Amtrak’s new senior fares will not affect prices on most of the senior escorted tours offered. Most of these are based on group rates, which are lower than the individual senior discount fare.

On individual package trips that travel agents sell and that use Amtrak for all or a portion of the travel, however, seniors should ask if the new senior discount applies. This is especially true for package trips planned before Amtrak announced the 1992 senior program.

For example, Los Coyotes Travel of Buena Park had set up a series of two nice short trips featuring Amtrak Superliners as integral sightseeing elements. There are daily departures now through March. These were priced before the new discounts took effect.

They are a four-night Santa Fe Winter Rail Bargain that includes Amtrak’s Southwest Limited each way to Lamy, N.M., transfers to Santa Fe, two nights at a deluxe hotel near the historic plaza and plenty of time for sightseeing and shopping.

The second is a three-night San Francisco Winter Rail Bargain that includes daylight runs on the Amtrak Superliner to and from Oakland, transfers to a Union Square hotel in San Francisco, half-day local sightseeing and a half-day tour into Redwood Country.

The first costs $259 per person, double; the second $289 per person, double. But Jeff Boyd, sales manager, said he would apply the new Amtrak senior discount to the rail portion for those age 62 and over for Monday through Thursday departures. That’s about $10.

For more information: Los Coyotes Travel, 8350 Los Coyotes Drive, Buena Park 90621. Or phone (800) 448-9566.