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Amtrak selling tickets for 50% off to celebrate its 50th birthday

April 28, 2021
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3 min read
Amtrak new Acela locomotive
Amtrak selling tickets for 50% off to celebrate its 50th birthday
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Amtrak is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering one-way tickets at 50% off for routes all around the country.

The deals are available on coach class as well as Acela business class. The fares are available at amtrak.com/50th-anniversary-sale and you must book by May 5 and travel between June 2 and Nov. 13, 2021.

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During this promotion, you can find fares as low as $19 each way:

Screengrab from Amtrak

Note that there's a maximum savings of $50 per segment. This deal is valid for travel on all Amtrak routes except New Haven-Springfield Shuttle, Pacific Surfliner, Philadelphia (through Pittsburgh portion of the Pennsylvanian Keystone) and 7000-8999 Thruways (Amtrak's bus, van taxi, commuter train and ferry connectors).

“Since launching service in 1971, Amtrak has been continuously driving towards the future – setting ambitious sustainability goals, rolling out sleek new locomotives and extending access to new communities,” said Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn in a statement.

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Related: The brand new Acela high-speed rail fleet is coming

“To celebrate our 50th Anniversary and to welcome travelers back to Amtrak, we are offering deeply discounted fares of $50 or less per segment across our network for travel throughout the summer and fall.”

Related: Amtrak plans to expand new nonstop Acela service from New York

Amtrak made several passenger-friendly updates during the pandemic, like changing its boarding methods in stations like Washington and New York Penn Station, which is notorious for overcrowding. Amtrak says it cleans high-touch surfaces frequently, provides hand sanitizer for customers and will close Penn Station between midnight and 5:00 a.m. for complete disinfection.

Keep in mind that Amtrak will end blocked seats on its trains on May 23 and will no longer limit capacity, as TPG reported earlier this month.

Amtrak has limited bookings on reserved trains (like the Northeast Regional) to allow for more social distancing in seating areas, but this will end the same week that Delta Air Lines, the last airline holdout, also announced that it would sell all seats to capacity. This new policy will apply to the Acela (business and first-class), business class on Northeast Regional, Vermonter, Carolinian and Palmetto trains.

Related: Your ultimate guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards

Amtrak was founded in 1971, established by the Congressional Rail Passenger Service Act, servicing 43 states on 21 routes.

Featured image by ACELA
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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