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Amtrak sale: Get up to 30% off tickets for summer train travel

May 10, 2024
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3 min read
Moynihan train hall
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Amtrak's summer sale is here: The rail operator is offering up to 30% off coach and Acela business-class fares through August, with one-way coach fares starting at $14.

You must book by May 16 for travel from June 1 through Aug. 30.

Deal basics

Carrier: Amtrak

Routes: Across the Amtrak network

How to book: Directly through Amtrak

Travel dates: June 1-Aug. 30

Book by: May 16

Sample routes

The following one-way routes were priced as listed at the time of publication. We cannot guarantee the below will be available when you book:

  • Boston to Providence, starting at $14 for coach and $46 for business class
  • Philadelphia to Baltimore, starting at $21 for coach and $53 for business class
  • Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, starting at $25 for coach and $60 for business class
  • Washington, D.C., to New York, starting at $39 for coach and $84 for business class
  • Los Angeles to Sacramento, starting at $60 for coach
  • Chicago to New York, starting at $85 for coach
  • Dallas to Los Angeles, starting at $100 for coach

Although this is advertised as a sale on one-way fares, you can stack two one-way fares for a round-trip journey. Based on a test search for this story, one-way sale fares were lower than marketed. For example, you can book an Acela from Washington, D.C., to New York June 10-13 for $126 round-trip; each one-way fare is on sale at $63.

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screenshot of Amtrak sale train DC-NYC
screenshot of Amtrak sale train DC-NYC
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AMTRAK.COM
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Discounted fares will be noted with a green sale indicator at the top. You cannot make changes to tickets booked with a sale fare, and you'll be charged a 50% fee for canceling before departure.

screenshot of Amtrak sale train DC-NYC
AMTRAK.COM

Sale fares are available to book with Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

Maximize your purchase

If you book this deal, use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, such as:

The information for the Amex Green, Amtrak and Amtrak Preferred has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

If you want to book a last-minute trip this summer, this deal is valid for train travel for trips across the country. The availability is along the Northeast Corridor.

Related reading:

Featured image by ANDREW LICHTENSTEIN/GETTY IMAGES
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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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • 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.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • 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.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $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.
  • Terms Apply.