Deal alert: Amtrak flash sale on vacation packages
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.
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Flash sale details
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:
- $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
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.
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- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- 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 $80 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.
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- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.
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Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- 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 $80 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. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- 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 up to 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.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees