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

Victoria M. Walker
Articles
Victoria M. Walker is a former TPG senior travel reporter. She previously taught multimedia journalism at Howard University and was the breaking news video editor at The Washington Post.
April 28, 2021
•
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.

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

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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 Amtrak new Acela locomotive. (Image courtesy Amtrak)
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.