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Amtrak's Acela First Class Gets Assigned Seating

May 30, 2018
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2 min read
Amtrak Acela High Speed Rail
Amtrak's Acela First Class Gets Assigned Seating
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Amtrak is joining the majority of the airline industry in one regard: assigned seating. The train's passengers can now select seats on the Acela First Class product.

After plenty of customers requested the feature, Amtrak decided to make their passengers' travels a bit more relaxing by ensuring the seat they choose. The company sent its Guest Rewards Select members a heads up on the new addition to Acela First Class via email, to which a loyal TPG reader tipped us off.

According to Amtrak's statement, the feature is currently available on "select" trains, but more will be coming soon in anticipation for their new trains, which are scheduled to be bookable in 2021.

Right now, Amtrak will automatically assign you a seat, but on the trains that allow seat selection, you can modify the assignment up until the train's departure on Amtrak's mobile app or with a ticket agent.

If you choose to select your own seat on Acela First Class, you'll have the options of "a single or double seat, a window or an aisle, or a two‑ or four‑person conference table."

The move from Amtrak will likely be popular with passengers, especially after several negative changes the train company has made in recent months, including ending discounts for students and AAA members and making negative changes to its cancellation policies.

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  • 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.
  • 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.
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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.
  • Terms Apply.