Contents
The Offer
- Amtrak is offering a free companion when booking a roomette.
- Book by February 6 for travel January 29 – April 17, 2025 by using the Fare Finder above or by entering code C105 on the Amtrak app.
Our Verdict
Can be some good value to be had.
Hat tip to DesmondLovesPenny
Caveat emptor. Amtrak is offering this promo for a reason.
Will this applies to points booking too? maybe i ll do a dummy booking and find out in a bit 🙂
You cannot add a code and use points – the option disappears. So no.
In general Amtrak deals never apply to points, including fare sales.
Roomettes are fun for a long train ride. There are some amazing deals on them on certain days. I rode from DC to Tampa for $280 last year. Plus, you get to use the shower in the car, and there is a private toilet and sink in your roomette.
I thought taking the train might be fun like in Europe. A test booking showed a route from Colorado (Denver Union Station) to Washington (Spokane) was 3 trains, 64 hours, and $1960 in the roomette). Seattle was only slightly better.
It would be a unique experience but come’on. I could fly first class for 1/4 of the price and 3 hours. I must be at the way wrong origin station.
The cheapest price for a roomette between Chicago and Emeryville is about $632. Going from Denver to Spokane by train isn’t ideal.
Fun, but not like in Europe.
To start with, booking the cities you choose will be disastrous, as you found, unless they happen to be on one of Amtrak’s few routes. If you found a trip scheduled to take 64 hours on 3 trains, you are likely to discover that it takes longer, much longer, as Amtrak waits on sidings for the freights which have de facto priority on the single-track trip.
Time on the train cannot be compared with time on a plane, either in quantity or quality.
The fun parts include breathtaking scenery from certain segments on certain routes (Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Empire Builder) and the potluck of social possibilities with fellow riders.
For reasonable fares, DoC readers might consider the BoA Amtrak cards with their valuable signup bonuses.
Happy travels!
Traveling cross country in a roomette with my kids on the California Zephyr from Emeryville to Chicago will always be a core memory for us. You get to see things from the rails that the interstate never passes, and the viewing car was my favorite spot.
If you’re sensitive to diesel exhaust, stay home. But if you love meat and potatoes and Americana, it’s a memorable trip.
Heaven for me is sitting in a roomette watching the scenery every daylight hour. It can be hard to sleep with the train rocking and jolting all night though, and the bathrooms are SMALL and kind of gross. Never order the Amtrak hamburger or french toast, both are terrible. Bring Pepto-Bismol and Dramamine for sure. Love Amtrak!