WASHINGTON and MIAMI — Rail passengers who are able to lock down travel plans in advance can benefit from two pre-Black Friday sales now underway at Amtrak and Florida’s Brightline.
Amtrak Winter Sale
Through this Wednesday, Nov. 15, Amtrak is offering “flash sale” advance purchase fares for travel Dec. 4, 2023, through March 15, 2024, with discounts in coach and in Acela business class.
The landing page lists sample “as low as” fares by region. Although there are no blackout dates, the accompanying “Terms and Conditions” advisory notes, “Seating is limited and may not be available on all trains, dates, or departures.” Cancellations are permitted prior to departure, but there is a 50% cancellation fee for these fares, as opposed to a 25% fee to cancel a recently re-defined “value” fares and no cancelation charge or change fee for the “flex” version [see “Amtrak to implement two-tier fare structure: Analysis,” News Wire, Oct. 18, 2023]. When attempting to book, the cancellation penalties for each category are clearly indicated during the fare selection process.
On the Northeast Corridor and routes with plenty of capacity and frequency, the limited-time fare offering’s discount is often not substantially lower than the other levels. Where seats are limited, such as between Chicago and Washington, D.C., the sale fare is only sporadically offered in December. After March 15, 2024, the $70 winter sale fare rises to $104 on the Capitol Limited and $83 on the Cardinal.
Interesting bargains can be had on the Empire Builder, where each of the train’s sections are priced as separate trains. For example, between Chicago and St. Paul on the first day of the sale (Dec. 4), the Seattle section (train no. 7) coach fares are $34 sale, $40 value, and $43 flex, while the Portland section (train no. 27) coach costs on the same date are $64 sale, $76 value, and $83 flex. On the Friday before Christmas, both sections are already 70% sold out and only a $179 flex fare is offered.
No upgrades to business class or sleeping cars are permitted, and the sale is not offered on the Ethan Allen, Vermonter, Hiawathas, San Joaquins, Pacific Surfliners, or 7000-8999 numbered Thruway bus service.
Brightline’s ‘Bright Friday’ Sale
Until Nov. 27, Brightline is lowering Orlando-South Florida “Smart” fares to $59 “while supplies last” for travel now through February 2024. The $59 fares were only available for the rest of this week on Thursday from Orlando to Miami on three trains and none in the other direction; the lowest fare on any train through the weekend is $99. While there are blackout dates where the low fares aren’t offered, a spot check indicates few have been implemented in 2024. Brightline has quietly added a 16th round-trip, so most dates have many $59 choices available.
On Thanksgiving Day, Smart fares for all trains are $39 for adults and $19 for children 2 through 12, in line with the standard 50% kids discount.
Full refunds are given for cancellations or changes as long as passengers make the change four minutes prior to the scheduled departure.
But they have a shortage of seats to sell on the LD trains. Makes no sense.