http://www.msnbc.com/news/830894.asp?pne=msn
Savings on track
Type a magic code into your computer and Amtrak�s prices are presto! 35
percent cheaper
By Brad Tuttle
ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL
Nov. 7 � With long security lines and frequent flight delays, it�s getting
easier and easier to pick the train over the plane on shorter journeys.
Here�s something that may tip the scales further in favor of the locomotive:
a winter sale from Amtrak knocking an easy 35 percent off normal rates.
EVEN WHEN a plane�s only in the air an hour, the total travel time
(including the trip to the airport, checking in, waiting in security lines,
taxiing to and from runways, etc.) lasts at least four hours or so. The same
city-to-city trip may take about the same amount of time on the train, with
half the frustration.
Price is obviously another consideration when picking between trains and
planes. On longer journeys nowadays, buying a discounted nonrefundable
airline ticket is more often than not less expensive than a similar trip on
the train. That is, unless Amtrak is hosting one its occasional sales.
One-way passage from New York to Boston normally costs $64, but type in a
special code and the price drops down to $41.60.
Amtrak tickets bought now through Dec. 13 for travel to Feb. 28 are being
discounted 30 percent for customers booking via phone or travel agent, and a
full 35 percent off for those bold enough to book on the Web themselves.
(It�s actually really easy. There�s no reason you shouldn�t reserve tickets
yourself and save the extra 5 percent.)
SOME SAMPLE TRAIN TICKETS
One-way passage from New York to Boston normally costs $64, but type in a
special code and the price drops down to $41.60. Amtrak tickets between
Philadelphia and Washington are $45 on most days, but plug in a code and the
rate comes down to $29.25. The discounts are good on longer trips too:
Chicago to Seattle, normally priced at $134, run $87.10 with purchase on the
Web. Children aged 2 to 15 pay half the adult fare (and yes, that�s half the
already discounted fare).
So what is this amazing money-saving code? Just a few easy characters on
your keyboard: H234 for purchases on the Web. (If purchasing on the phone or
via travel agent, mention the code H233 for 30 percent savings.)
There are some blackout dates for these great prices. Namely, the
Thanksgiving holidays (Nov. 26 to Dec. 2), Christmas and New Year�s (Dec. 19
to Jan. 5) and President�s Day weekend (Feb. 14 to 17). There are a few
other restrictions too, like reservations must be made three days before
travel. Also, discounts are not available on certain high-speed trains such
as Acela and Metroliner. But the sale prices are up for grabs on the
majority of trains in the coming months.
For reservations at the best price, go to www.amtrak.com and be sure to type
in the promotional code H234. Tickets can also be booked via phone (although
not quite as cheaply) at 800/USA-RAIL with the code H233.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Leo: "We spent millions of dollars developing a pen that could write in
space. Do you know what the Russians did?"
Josh: "Used a pencil?"
Leo: "Used a pencil."
~The West Wing~
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