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You can now book tickets for a luxury train ride across the American West

June 23, 2021
3 min read
You can now book tickets for a luxury train ride across the American West
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Want to take a scenic ride this summer and discover our nation's national parks without worrying about fully booked hotels and the ongoing car rental shortage?

Consider a journey with the luxury train operator Rocky Mountaineer, which is preparing to launch its first route in the U.S. in August.

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Tickets are now on sale for one of the most exciting train rides on Earth — the Rockies to the Red Rocks — which traverses the American West from Moab, Utah, to Denver, Colorado, with options to extend your trip in either direction to Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah.

You can ride the route as early as Aug. 11 with a seven-night itinerary that starts in Las Vegas and includes a self-drive section with stops at Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Lake Powell before boarding the Rocky Mountaineer in Moab.

The classic version of the train ride, however, either starts or ends in Moab with two days on the Rocky Mountaineer and a single overnight at a hotel in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

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Travelers will cross the Continental Divide, get a glimpse of the surreal sandstone arches and rock formations at Arches National Park and enjoy endless Rocky Mountain views. Because the train only travels during the day, you won't miss any of the scenery when you bed down in a hotel at night.

Guests on board can expect SilverLeaf Service (think: glass-dome coaches and an outdoor viewing area for enjoying the passing views of the Colorado River and Ruby Canyon, among other landmarks) plus attentive hosts who will regale you with stories about the area and gourmet meals inspired by the region. You can also splurge on SilverLeaf Plus service for access to a renovated lounge car, premium alcoholic drinks and additional courses during select meals.

Best of all, you won't have to deal with any crowds or traffic while riding the rails.

Rockies to the Red Rocks packages start at $1,100 per person when booking two guests, with a discount of $150 per person for August departures celebrating the new route.

A flexible cancellation policy also means you can get a full refund should your plans change, but you must cancel at least 30 days prior to departure. You can also move your travel dates as far out as 2023 or change the names on your reservation, as long as one original name remains.

Make the most of your train trip this summer by booking with a credit card that earns bonus points on travel, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, both of which earn 3x on travel (on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases per account anniversary year on the Ink Business Preferred).

Featured image by Arches National Park. Photo courtesy Rocky Mountaineer.
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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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
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Cons

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  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
    75,000 points
  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.