Amtrak is testing in-seat delivery, online ordering from the cafe car
Feeling peckish on your next Amtrak ride? You might not even need to leave your seat to grab a snack or drink.
That's because the rail line is trialing a new order-at-your-seat service on select trains in the Northeast.
This new online cafe ordering capability allows you to place an online order from the cafe car and then either pick up your items from the cafe itself or have them delivered directly to your seat.
Related: Amtrak to simplify fare structure, eliminate Saver seats
You'll need to input your car and seat number in order to receive a food delivery, so be sure to note where you're sitting before you place your order.
While the prices of the online menu are the same as in the cafe car itself, this new convenience does come with an added cost. All online orders are subject to a $0.50 transaction fee, and those placed for delivery come with an additional $2 convenience charge.
If you're ordering a bunch of items and don't want to walk to the cafe car, this new service could definitely come in the clutch.
However, having a $2.50 bag of Rold Gold pretzels delivered to your seat for an additional $2.50 in fees might not necessarily make sense — especially if you're paying out of pocket.
That said, this service is definitely most convenient for someone ordering hot food from the cafe car. You can preorder your meal and only get up from your seat once it's ready, eliminating the need to wait in the cafe car while the attendant prepares your food.
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"Our customers who are traveling with family, have reduced mobility, and are seniors report that the at-seat delivery option is important and has improved their onboard experience," Fred Gazzolo, Amtrak's vice president of product development and customer analytics, said in an exclusive interview with TPG.
For now, this new Amtrak service is exclusively available on select Amtrak Acela trains operating in the Northeast.
If you're on one of the eligible trains — currently including trains 2160, 2163, 2170, 2250, 2253 and 2254 — you should receive an email about this new feature a few hours before departure. If you don't, you can always try going to one of these websites to see if you're on an eligible train: cafe1.amtrak.com, cafe2.amtrak.com or cafe3.amtrak.com.
The online ordering system exclusively accepts major credit cards, and the transactions are processed securely via Square. It wasn't immediately clear whether these online transactions post to your credit card statement as a dining purchase, but I'll be sure to test it the next time I'm on an eligible train.
As someone who now frequently takes the Amtrak between New York and Philadelphia, I'm a big fan of this new development. Even though I rarely stop in the cafe car on these short trips, I like having the option of in-seat delivery.
Related: Your complete guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards
I'd love to see this functionality rolled out to more trains, and it'd be great if the ordering system were integrated with the mobile app.
Of course, the company is still just in testing mode, so it's possible that these improvements are already on Amtrak's radar.
"We’re in the midst of a 90-day pilot program that ends in mid-January. We are encouraged by the early feedback we are hearing from our customers and will make a full decision on future rollout following a thorough post-pilot evaluation," Gazzolo said.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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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.