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Plan Your European Train Trip This Summer With Eurail's New App and Discounts

May 08, 2019
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2 min read
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Plan Your European Train Trip This Summer With Eurail's New App and Discounts
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Sure, low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet offer tons of cheap flights throughout Europe. But train travel still has a lot of advantages.

Train stations are usually centrally located in major cities, and thus easier to reach than airports, and you rarely have to worry about baggage limits or slogging through security. Best of all, you can actually enjoy the scenery, whether you're whizzing across the French countryside or chugging through the Swiss Alps. And now Eurail, the company that made it easy to design an entire journey through Europe by train, is celebrating its 60th anniversary by releasing new app features and discounts.

Eurail's Rail Planner app (admittedly not the most eloquent name) has a new look and easy-to-navigate interface. With the "Trip Planner" feature, you can now search train routes and only be shown trains that accept the Eurail pass. Once you find the route you want, you can save it to the new "My Trip" feature, which organizes your trip as a day-by-day itinerary. You can also map out your trip, making it easy to visualize the routes you're taking.

Plus, the app now tells you if an additional reservation is needed. For trains in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, the app makes it easy to book a seat in advance and receive a confirmation by email.

Earlier this year, Eurail underwent a revamp that included simplified passes, the addition of three new countries — Great Britain, Macedonia and Lithuania — new rules and more discounts. Now, you can choose a One Country Pass or a Global Pass that gives you access to train routes in 31 countries.

There are even ferries, accommodations and attractions that offer discounts to Eurail pass holders, and the updated app makes it easy to search by country and see where you can save by showing your pass or pre-ordering online. In Italy, for example, you can get 10% off the rates at Generator Hostels and 20% off fares on SNAV ferries, which go to Capri, Ischia and Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast as well as the Eolian Islands off the coast of Sicily.

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  • 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.