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Deal alert: Amtrak flash sale on vacation packages

July 19, 2022
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3 min read
Amtrak Coast Starlight (Los Angeles - Seattle) made a technical stop at Moorpark Station
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Just in time for late-summer holiday planning, Amtrak has announced a flash sale on vacation packages with its partner Railbookers.

Travelers can save up to $500 for two people on select vacation packages around the country. These package tours include rail travel combined with local lodging and tours.

To take advantage of these flash sale prices, you must book tickets by July 22.

Flash sale details

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
The Grand Canyon is a stop on one of the rail tour packages. (Photo by j.j. raia/Getty Images)

Railbookers deals with Amtrak are for package tours of durations of at least three days.

You must book tickets by July 22. The deal applies to any of the tours currently listed on the Railbookers website.

Tour options listed on the Railbookers website feature vacations that include Amtrak as your primary mode of transportation.

The train trips are supplemented with buses to shuttle passengers to tourist destinations, with pre-booked tours and guides included in many of the spots.

Lodging is on the train in sleeper cars, as well as in hotels at some of the destinations as part of the tours. Dining is included both on the train and at the destinations.

The tour savings are as follows:

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  • $300 per couple on any three-to-six-night rail vacation.
  • $400 per couple on any seven-to-nine-night rail vacation.
  • $500 per couple on any 10-plus-night rail vacation.

One example tour package is the Railbookers Grand National Parks vacation. The 13-day journey traverses the U.S. from Chicago to Los Angeles, with side trips organized to Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. The trip prices begin at $4,049.

The deals are also valid on rail travel packages in Canada and Europe, offering savings possibilities for further travels.

Related: Amtrak revs up Northeast and long-distance service ahead of summer rush

Other ways to save on Amtrak

(Photo by Jim Sugar/Getty Images)

Beyond flash sales, Amtrak offers many ways for passengers to save, both with regular discounts and temporary promotions.

Amtrak regularly runs special deals on its website, particularly related to new routes and schedules. For example, Amtrak is now running a 50% off deal for tickets along the new Vermont route that TPG recently covered.

For new Amtrak deal alerts, sign up to receive emails from the Amtrak Guest Rewards program (essentially a frequent flyer system for the rails). You'll also receive information about rewards points for free travel and discounts.

Bottom line

If you’re planning more extensive travel, Amtrak Rail Passes can be great deals, both for commuter travel as well as long-distance trips across the U.S., with national and California-specific products.

Amtrak vacation packages, like the Railbookers offer above, provide regular discounts with hotel, rental car and tour partners.

Joining the Amtrak Guest Rewards program is another good way to score discounts, not only in terms of redeeming frequent traveler points, but also getting access to member-only discounts and deals.

Related: Amtrak waives change fees through October

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
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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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • 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.
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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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