Amtrak will start selling tickets to 100% on May 23
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Amtrak will end blocked seats on its trains on May 23 and “will no longer be limiting capacity,” according to a website update and a company spokesperson.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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.
On Wednesday, the Atlanta-based carrier confirmed that it’ll once again resume selling its flights to 100% capacity beginning on May 1, ending its year-long middle-seat block.
Related: Amtrak’s ambitious new route map
In recent months, Delta has extended the passenger-friendly policy in month-long increments. Now, armed with studies that suggest the risk of inflight transmission is low and combined with the rapidly growing vaccination rates, the airline believes that it’s time to end the seat block.
Amtrak says when customers are searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option and will adjust as customers make reservations. However, customers can book on a train that is less crowded, the company said.
Related: Amtrak’s new lounge
This update comes as Amtrak trolled the airline industry on Twitter on April Fools Day for not blocking seats.
Related: Amtrak’s new high-speed train cars
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.
It also extended elite status and the expiration date on Amtrak Guest Rewards points and expanded reserved seating options for Acela business class customers.
Featured photo by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.