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Watch your step moving from car to car while the train is in motion, as the vestibules can be slippery. Angela Adto Tepper, chief executive and founder of AZA Luxury Travel, says travelers should consider options like cancel for any reason coverage, as well as Medjet or COVAC GLOBAL memberships, which can fly you home in case of a medical emergency. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. The long-awaited guidance is welcome news for travelers who want to visit family and take vacations for the first time in more than a year. 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Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a change fee. Caf service is available on most trains but is suspended on two California lines: the Capitol Corridor between Sacramento and San Jose, and the San Joaquins service connecting the Central Valley to Oakland. A fare difference may apply for itinerary changes. we do know they will be important for travel. Once youre done getting your vaccine shot(s), protect that fragile document like a Faberg egg. Ive made a habit of giving every hotel room or Airbnb Ive stayed in during the pandemic a solid wipe down for my own sanity and security. Everything Id read so far about riding Amtrak in the time of COVID-19 seemed to rank long-distance train travel as safe, smart, and dare I say even relaxing. At first, the feeling was confusing and almost unrecognizable, but then it hit me: For the first time in seven months, I wasnt just going somewhere I was traveling. and Notify staff of the presence of a COVID-19 case and/or outbreak in the facility based on facility policy and procedure 6. It wasnt. Please enter a password. Amtrak has implemented many other innovations in part due to the pandemic, including gate & track push notifications sent to mobile devices and digital wallet payments made with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. 1. Tickets purchased onboard include a service fee built into the fare. This is what 6 experts say. terms and conditions Battery fire on Spirit flight to Florida sends 10 to hospital. and Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. ! " With that funding, Amtrak which is publicly funded and privately operated said Wednesday that it would be able to execute on many of those goals, including improving Northeast Corridor trip. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. That answer wasnt correct either. J. CDC, Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in . Upon reaching out to Amtrak, a spokesperson for the company said, "The health and safety of our riders and crew continues to be our number one priority. _ @ " $ # ,). Dont laminate the original, as you may need to document future booster shots on it. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. www.fda.gov 1 May 21, 2020 Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments . "Try to travel in a car with . Amtrak President Stephen Gardner told a House Transportation subcommittee that roughly 95% of its 17,000 employees have been fully vaccinated ahead of a Jan. 4 deadline. National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/tickets-id-safety-security/passenger-identification. The removal of some restrictions on Multi-Ride tickets on the Northeast Corridor is extended through December 31, 2023. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. The number adjusts as additional seats are sold, which gives passengers the chance to switch to a train that is less crowded without a fee, although a fare difference may apply. / : ; < = > ? It's been updated to reflect recent Amtrak procedures. Be sure to step over the gap between the train and platform. Other precautions include the removal of non-safety materials from seatback pockets, and automatic door open buttons that customers can tap with their foot to move between cars. Detours with locals. Read More: I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, Read More: I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Read More: Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, Read More: New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside, I flew Delta for the first time since it stopped blocking middle seats and found cracks showing in its mask enforcement here's what it was like, I rode Amtrak up and down the Northeast Corridor during the pandemic and found it surprisingly clean, cheap, and stress-free here's what it was like, Amtrak relaunches USA Rail Pass, a ticket that lets you travel the country for 30 days for $299, New York just debuted a $1.6 billion train hall to upgrade its notorious Penn Station, complete with skylight ceilings and a premium lounge see inside. While the science is clear that universal . For the foreseeable future, we will still be following coronavirus precautions and restrictions. Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. Youre in car 31 thats my car! A half hour before departure is recommended for most passengers, 60 minutes for those who need help with ticketing or baggage. Leave personal food items and baggage at your seat. The only reason I needed to leave my roomette was to use the restroom, a regularly cleaned compartment about the size of an airplane bathroom at the end of the hall. ncov/hcp/hcp-hospital-checklist. COVID-19, and more than 1,600 of those workers have died. Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term -43% off the standard annual rate, Access exclusive discounts, programs, & services, Double down with a FREE second membership. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the safety card found in most seat backs. COVID-19 has fast-tracked many innovations already in the works. Amtrak is suspending its COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees and now doesn't anticipate needing to slash service next year, the transit agency announced Tuesday. For the most part, the check in procedure went fairly well, except for the fact that the train would be running a couple of hours late before it even started. There was also a metal utility sink, molded plastic wall, and an airplane-sized bathroom with a handheld shower nozzle over the toilet. We have made upgrades to the Amtrak app, where customers can book, get boarding information, and check train status from a mobile device and receive real-time information before boarding. ), Nine other long-distance trains are reduced to operating five days a week, instead of daily. That answer wasnt correct either. Cancellation fees still apply to fares that have cancellation fees. Seamless gate service: To reduce crowds at departure boards, Amtrak app users automatically receive boarding gate and track information via push notification at select stations. Complete line list for The Best Train Trips to Take Across America . Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of booking a private room they all come with free meals, including select soft drinks and your first alcoholic drink, plus you have the option of eating off the dining car menu or going with something more casual in the caf car. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. You can check your airline's COVID-19 policies by choosing from a dropdown menu here. Employees are also required to wear masks at all times, unless in their private rooms. Blount McCormick says that for now, travel insurance is a must, as the status of the pandemic can change daily on personal, local and global levels. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Passwords are case sensitive, should be at least 10 characters long and should include 1 uppercase and 1 lowercase alpha character, 1 number and 1 special character. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. I love autumn, so this was a huge deal and a big surprise I relished every turning leaf, knowing it was the only glimpse of fall foliage I'd get this year. I felt pretty confident that Amtrak was on top of their pandemic protocols, a collection of new and enhanced cleaning and health safety measures that they developed with their full-time medical and health safety team who has experience on the frontlines of COVID-19. When we venture out again, travel will not look the same as it did in 2019. For someone like me with immune issues that put them in a higher-risk category for COVID-19, having this option offered an off-load of anxiety. Before you lock in a plane ticket or hotel reservation, make sure the destination you would like to visit is open to Americans. Since COVID-19 disrupted much of the world in March, Railway Age has followed developments, documenting transit's decline in the spring and its slow recovery in October. Since then, Amtrak has enhanced both its fleet and travel experiences to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. fully vaccinated people can travel again. Lena H. Sun and Lori Aratani contributed to this report. These 4 basic steps will help you prep for COVID-19, plus feel informed, forearmed, and less anxious. When I finally made it to the dining room the next day, after official breakfast hours were over, Sandy and Linda greeted me. _ @ " $ # ,). Add Stand back from the edge of the platform. _ @ " $ # ,). Pack your vaccine card with your passport , then check if you need an actual vaccine passport, too, 4. Not only are those places riskier for both visitors and locals, Moyse says, they are also likely to have more restrictions. For TTY service, call 1-800-523-6590. Prepare to get tested before, and potentially after, you travel, 5. Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. We will send password reset instructions. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. . Amtrak also requires its employees to either be vaccinated or take a COVID-19 test on a weekly basis. Up until this point, all of my anxiety about traveling during a pandemic had managed to drown out something I hadnt even considered: the excitement of traveling. Warren Webster, chief executive of the travel and media company Atlas Obscura, recommends protecting your vaccine card the way you would protect your passport: Take photos of it and save them on your phone. If Amtrak needs to change your reservation, it will contact you and offer you an alternative trip. And thats when I got to work. Passwords are case sensitive. The affected trains include the Southwest Chief (Chicago-Los Angeles), Coast Starlight (Los Angeles-Seattle), California Zephyr (Chicago-San Francisco), Empire Builder (Chicago-Seattle or Portland, Ore.), Crescent (New York-New Orleans), Texas Eagle (Chicago-San Antonio), Capitol Limited (Washington, D.C.-Chicago), Lake Shore Limited (New York-Chicago) and City of New Orleans (Chicago-New Orleans.). For passengers in private cabins, formal traditional dining with chef-prepared meals has returned to most long-distance trains. 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. First up:facial coverings. Amtrak has canceled about two dozen trains, blaming bad weather and COVID-19 cases among workers. That answer wasnt correct either. Do bivalent boosters work against XBB.1.5? The Pennsylvanian and Keystone lines covering Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and New . Amtrak's unique travel experience for families, individuals and groups, Tickets & fares, accessible travel service, security & ID requirements, Boarding information, station lounges, baggage & station services, Seating & sleeping, baggage info, train amenities, food & dining, Amtrak travel deals, promotions and other partner offers, Savings for Kids, Seniors, Military, Groups and More, Train vacation packages throughout North America, USA Rail passes, monthly passes and multi-ride tickets, Earn points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades and more, Discover member benefits, ways to earn or redeem points and more, Explore ways to earn points that can quickly add up to great rewards, Get even more benefits with an Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card. Editor's note: This article was originally published on June 9, 2020. We will send password reset instructions. Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Amtrak, which employs more than 20,000 people, is subject to the White House vaccine mandate that government contractors require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4, with . Amtrak will run more train service in Pennsylvania beginning on June 1 in coordination with PennDOT. Amtrak customers 18 years of age and older must produce valid photo identification when: To be valid, your identification must be current and in-force. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. COVID-19 has fast-tracked many innovations already in the works. Oh, look at that! Her voice sounded like she had just won the lottery. Amtrak is extending all elite tiers Select, Select Plus and Select Executive until February 28, 2022, a full year beyond the normal expiration. Watch your step when boarding and leaving the train. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. This fee cannot be waived. Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? _ @ " $ # ,). Refusing to wear a mask may lead to fines, denied boarding, being removed from the train and being barred from future travel. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Passwords are case sensitive. Review restriction information by looking up your destinations local government websites. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this same approach could be taken in relation to masking. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. This article was published more than1 year ago. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . If you are going to be traveling for long periods of time, pack food and a water bottle (that you can refill after passing through the TSA checkpoint) as a backup. Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. Passwords are case sensitive. However, this was not the case on my train. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . You may also want to pack refreshments for your trip, particularly if youre flying or taking a train. Making Reservations for Passengers with a Disability, Meal Service for Passengers with a Disability, Mechanical Bulletins for Private Rail Cars, Exchanging, refunding or reprinting Amtrak travel documents, Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit, Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired), Asked onboard trains by train crew members, other Amtrak or operating railroad employees, Asked any time by Amtrak police or any law enforcement officer, Guardian purchasing an unaccompanied minor travel documents or signing the release form, One piece of photo identification issued by a government authority, or, Two pieces of identification, at least one of which is issued by a government authority, Official government-issued identification (federal, state, city or county government or foreign government), Canadian provincial health card ID card with photo, Student identification (university, college or high school photo ID). Refusing to wear a mask may lead to fines, denied boarding, being removed from the train and being barred from future travel. Bryan Del Monte, president of the Aviation Agency, says travelers can expect a reduction in service when they start traveling again. CDC Notice on Facility Access. Amtrak's ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. On pure reflex, I shot to the window to watch as we rode over the Willamette River. This means you won't have to travel this . Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. That includes contactless boarding, enhanced disinfection through a partnership with Lysol, and onboard filtration systems that exchange fresh air every four to five minutes. privacy policy. I also bring my own pillow. (Amtrak declined to answer my inquiries on whether or not this violated their mask policy, but they did say that refusing to wear a mask in a public space will result in prompt removal from the train.). Amtrak's 50th Anniversary COVID-19 Innovative Adaptations As COVID-19 has greatly impacted the transportation industry, Amtrak has had to make some innovative adaptations. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. However, on the routes where the boarding announcements didnt sound as intense about COVID policies, passengers seemed less inclined to follow the rules. Private Rooms As long as the seat itself is available, seat assignments can be altered up until a passenger is onboard. The CDC recommends domestic and international travelers get a viral test one to three days before departure and three to five days after travel. They even had a decent selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Brandon Brown, an epidemiologist and a public health and medical ethics professor at University of California at Riverside, says vaccine passports are a helpful way to encourage people to get vaccines, and thus a way of protecting a travelers health (not to mention protecting other people a traveler encounters on a trip). At certain stations you might also see clear plastic barriers at the customer counter. The rail company will require all employees be either. But if youre returning to the United States from an international trip, you have to provide a negative test result or documentation of recovery regardless of your vaccination or antibody status. Be careful when crossing the gap between the train and platform. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the Amtrak app. One you have done your research and found out which test you need and when, figure out how you will be able to get it within the accepted time limit. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. Although its already twice the size of a roomette, the bedroom cabins are much more spacious than they appear online. By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . Please enter a password. It comes at a time when COVID-19 numbers are on the rise again and mask-wearing has been encouraged and even enforced again, with cities like Philadelphia reinstating its indoor mask mandate on Monday. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. These include things like cleaning every seat, private room, baggage rack, bathroom, button, caf car, dining car, and other publicly shared spaces with an EPA-registered disinfectant before the train leaves not to mention continuing to spray and wipe down all major touchpoints, including bathrooms, every couple of hours. A fare difference may apply to your new itinerary. Despite these rules, the woman directly behind me left her nose poking out over the top of her mask as she carried on an animated conversation with her traveler partner. FDA is providing a food safety re-opening checklist . Passengers purchasing tickets onboard trains from conductors must provide photo identification and be at least 16 years old. Customers can view where there might be empty seats to allow for greater distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amtrak encourages boarding with eTickets, which conductors scan from the app. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Customers can book, board, check train status and access information from the convenience and safety of a mobile device.