Deal alert: Save $200 on Amtrak USA Rail Pass until Jan. 20

Jan. 11, 2023

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3 min read

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Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

If you’re a frequent Amtrak traveler, you may be familiar with the USA Rail Pass, which affords 10 rides over 30 days to more than 500 destinations.

Now through Jan. 20, users can save $200 and buy this pass for $299, which is less than $30 per segment.

Deal basics

Carrier: Amtrak.
Routes: Valid for travel on all Amtrak trains excluding the Auto Train, Acela, Thruway bus connections (7000-7999 series) and the Canadian portion of trains jointly operated by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada on the Maple Leaf route.
How to book: Directly through Amtrak.
Travel dates: The pass is valid for use 120 days following purchase. Once you complete your first travel segment, your pass expires in 30 days. There are no blackouts or time of day restrictions for travel.
Book by: Jan. 20, 2023.

Note that a travel segment refers to any time you board and disembark an Amtrak train. So, if you make one connection on your trip, that will count as two segments.

Sample routes

Travelers can only use the USA Rail Pass for travel in coach seats on trains en route to Amtrak domestic destinations, minus the exclusions above.

Use the Rail Pass on its more than 30 domestic train routes in more than 46 states, including:

Vermonter: St. Albans, Vermont; Burlington, Vermont; Springfield, Massachusetts; New York; Washington, D.C.
Sunset Limited: New Orleans; Houston; San Antonio; El Paso; Tucson; Palm Springs, California; Los Angeles.
Missouri River Runner: St. Louis, Washington, Sedalia, Independence and Kansas City, Missouri.
Michigan Services: Chicago; Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Detroit and Pontiac, Michigan.
Capitol Corridor: Auburn, Sacramento, Emeryville, Oakland and San Jose, California.

As mentioned, you only have 30 days to complete travel, starting from the first travel date. Also, travel is limited to four one-way trips between two cities and to all cities in between over the same route.

Amtrak Guest Rewards members can earn 2 points per dollar spent on each USA Rail Pass purchase. The points will be credited to your account after your first travel segment. You cannot redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards points for a Rail Pass.

Note that you can modify your trip before the scheduled departure time of a booked segment. However, you must rebook it within the 120-day period or 30 days of the first used segment, depending on what is applicable.

Alternatively, you can cancel a segment and credit it back to the pass as long as you cancel before departure.

Maximize your purchase

Use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel).

Bottom line

The USA Rail Pass is on sale through next week, so you have a little time to contemplate your purchase.

If you’re planning on traveling a lot in a condensed period of time, especially to Amtrak-friendly destinations, this is your chance to save money on back-to-back trips.

Featured image by BARRY WINIKER/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.