Amtrak Promotion Code, Coupons & Discounts: 2009 Amtrak Codes

Amtrak operates intercity passenger trains in the USA, including long-distance trains plus high-density corridors in the Northeast, Illinois, California, and Pacific Northwest. This page lists the latest Amtrak promotion codes and travel discounts and is updated frequently with new promotion codes. Most discounts are valid for all railroad passengers and can be booked online at Amtrak.com. However, some coupon codes are intended for specific organizations or memberships and may require proof of eligibility.

Legal Notes: This page is Copyright © RailServe.com and may not be reproduced in whole or in part on any website, message board, or other medium. RailServe.com assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or eligibility of discounts.

Standard Passenger Discounts

These discounts apply to most Amtrak travel and cannot be combined with other promotions. Tickets must be purchased three days in advance for Student Advantage, Veterans Advantage, AAA, or NARP discounts.

Student Advantage: Save 15% with a Student Advantage card.
International Student Identity Card: Save 15% with an ISIC card.
Veterans Advantage: Save 15% with a Veterans Advantage card.
AAA: Save 10% with American Automobile Association membership.
NARP: Save 10% with National Association of Railroad Passengers membership.
Children: Kids 2 to 15 years of age ride 50% off the standard adult fare on most trains.
Seniors: Travelers 62 years of age and over receive a 15% discount on most trains.
Military: US military personnel, plus their spouses and dependents, receive a 10% discount.
Disabilities: Disabled passengers, plus one companion, receive a 15% discount.

Rail Passes

USA Rail Passes: 15, 30, and 45-day passes for travel anywhere on the Amtrak system.
California Rail Pass: 7 days of rail travel in the state of California during a 21 day period.
Multi-Ride Tickets: Discounts for multiple rides within a single period, including ten-ride tickets, monthly tickets, and other route-specific discounts.

14-Day Advance Purchase Discounts

Discounts of up to 25% are available for travel on Northeast Regional through December 16. Reservations must be made at least 14 days prior to travel and apply to coach class only. For sample fares and full terms, see Amtrak.com's Northeast is Going for a Great Price promotion page. If booking online at Amtrak.com, the discount will be reflected in the fares on the 'Select Departure' page. No promotional code is required.

Important Note: You must select the Adult fare type to receive the advance purchase discount. If you select any discounted fare type (i.e. AAA, Student Advantage, etc.) or enter a promotion code, you'll receive the discount from the full fare instead of the advance purchase fare.

Weekly Specials

Discounted fares (typically 20-25% off) are available each week on Amtrak.com's Weekly Specials. Every Tuesday, a new set of discounted trains/routes/dates are posted. To receive the discount, you must make your reservation online at Amtrak.com between Tuesday and Friday. Weekly specials often include select trains on the Northeast Corridor, Empire Service, Chicago-area routes, and partial segments of long-distance routes nationwide during non-peak periods (i.e. Fridays and Sundays are always excluded). Weekly special fares are only available one to five weeks in advance, are non-refundable (exchanges still permitted), and must be booked online at Amtrak.com's Weekly Specials.

Weekend Getaway Fares

Discounted weekend fares are available on the Northeast Corridor between Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, and intermediate points. These special fares are valid on Northeast Regional and Keystone service only, not Acela Express, and require round-trip travel. Travel must originate and return on Saturday (anytime), or originate Saturday and return Sunday (departure before 11am). Tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of travel.

Weekend fares are available online and by phone. If booking online at Amtrak.com, please note that the 'Select Departure' and 'Select Return' pages will display the full fares and not the weekend special fares. Once you select the departing and returning trains, the discount will be automatically calculated and displayed in your cart. No promotional code is required. For a listing of all discounted weekend fares, please refer to Weekend Getaway Fares at Amtrak.com.

Important Note: You must select the Adult fare type to receive special weekend fares. If you select any discounted fare type (i.e. AAA, Student Advantage, etc.) or enter a promotion code, you'll receive the discount from the full fare instead of the special weekend fare.

Kids Ride Free Coupon

The "Thomas & Friends: Holiday Express" DVD released November 3rd includes an Amtrak coupon for one free child's fare (age 2-15) on all Amtrak routes except the following: Northeast Regional, Acela Express, Auto Train, Carolinian, Downeaster, and Piedmont.

The coupon is valid for travel between January 1 and April 30, 2010.

Tickets must be purchased by February 28, 2010.

Blackout dates are Jan. 3-4, Feb. 12, Feb. 15, Apr. 2, and Apr. 4-5.

Click Here to Purchase the DVD for $9.99 (save 40%) !

Promotion Codes (Amtrak Coupon Codes)

Most of the promotion codes below require a three-day advance purchase; apply to adult, child, and senior fares only; may not be combined with other discounts (i.e. AAA 10% off); exclude Acela Express; and, are subject to blackouts during peak travel periods (2009/2010 Blackout Dates: Nov. 24-25, Nov. 28-30, Dec. 17-23, Dec. 26-30, Jan. 3-4, Feb. 12, Feb. 15, Apr. 2, Apr. 4-5). Most promotion codes may be used for reservations online (Amtrak.com), by phone (1-800-USA-RAIL), at a staffed station, or with a Quik-Trak machine. However, some discounts apply only to phone reservations as noted in the promotion code restrictions. To use a promotion code online at Amtrak.com, enter the four-character code in the "Promotion Code" field after selecting the desired train. A limited number of seats may be available at the discounted fare, so you may try an alternate train/date if the promo code is not accepted.

Unless otherwise specified below, you must select the Adult, Child, or Infant fare type to receive the promotional fare. If you select any other discounted fare type (e.g. AAA, Student Advantage, Senior, Military, etc.), you will not receive the promotional fare.

Note: Discounts have been compiled from a variety of sources including Amtrak, tourism websites, and word-of-mouth. If placing a reservation online at Amtrak.com, you may find that a promotion code is accepted for origins/destinations not specifically identified below. However, it is suggested that you confirm eligibility with Amtrak prior to booking. To suggest additions or changes, please contact RailServe.com.

These Amtrak promotion codes were revalidated on November 20, 2009.

NEW ENGLAND Amtrak Promotion Codes

SAVINGS TIP: Do not use the NORTHEAST REGIONAL promo codes if booking at least 14 days in advance AND traveling on or before December 16. The promo code savings will replace the 25% advance purchase discount.

Buy-1-Get-1-Free on Downeaster trains between Portland and Boston
Promotion Code: V773 Source Link: Amtrak Downeaster
Expiration: Book by December 28, 2009. Travel by December 31, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive a free companion ticket. Valid only on southbound trains 686, 688, 694, 696, and 698 (afternoon/evening departures from Portland) and northbound trains 681, 683, 691, and 693 (morning departures from Boston). Three day advance purchase required.
Seniors save 50% on Downeaster trains between Portland and Boston
Promotion Code: V543 Source Link: Amtrak Downeaster
Expiration: Book and travel through August 2010. May be extended.
Restrictions: Valid for seniors (age 62+) only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 20% on Northeast Regional and Downeaster trains to Boston MA
Promotion Code: V221 Source Link: Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Expiration: Book by December 12, 2009. Travel by December 15, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 20% on Northeast Regional trains to/from Westerly, Kingston or Providence RI
Promotion Code: V174 Source Link: Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 20% on Northeast Regional trains to/from select Connecticut destinations
Promotion Code: V266 Source Link: Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau
Expiration: Book by March 28, 2010. Travel by March 31, 2010.
Restrictions: Valid on Northeast Regional service to/from Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Old Saybrook, New London, and Mystic, Connecticut, plus Shuttle service to/from Hartford, Connecticut. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 20% on Amtrak travel within New York State (plus Montreal)
Promotion Code: V122 Source Link: I Love New York
Expiration: Book by November 20, 2009. Travel by November 23, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid for travel on Empire Service, Adirondack, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited, and Maple Leaf routes within the state of New York, plus Montreal and St. Lambert, Canada. Discount is not valid on Northeast Regional service to/from New York City. Three day advance purchase required.
$12 fares between any two Vermont stations on the Vermonter route
Promotion Code: V189 Source Link: Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing
Expiration: Book and travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid on the Vermonter train for travel between the following Vermont stations only: St Albans, Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, Randolph, White River Junction, Windsor, Bellows Falls, and Brattleboro.
High school juniors/seniors save 50% off companion fare for campus visits
Promotion Code: Register at CampusVisit.com for the code
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only for high school juniors/seniors visiting a college or university with one parent/guardian companion. High school student ID required to pick up tickets. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Not valid on Acela Express of Auto Train. Three day advance purchase required.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Fall 2009 Double Points Promotion
See Amtrak Guest Rewards section below.

MID-ATLANTIC Amtrak Promotion Codes

Save 40% off companion fare on Northeast Regional trains to/from Newark NJ
Promotion Code: V558 Source Link: Arrive Magazine: January/February 2009
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 40% off companion fare on Northeast Regional and Keystone trains to Philadelphia PA
Promotion Code: V553 Source Link: Official Visitor Site for Greater Philadelphia
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Valid on Northeast Regional and Keystone service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 40% off companion fare on Northeast Regional trains to/from Wilmington DE
Promotion Code: V256 Source Link: Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 40% off companion fare on Northeast Regional trains to/from Baltimore MD
Promotion Code: V828 Source Link: Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 40% off companion fare on Northeast Regional trains to/from BWI Airport Rail Station or Washington DC
Promotion Code: V722 Source Link: Arrive Magazine: January/February 2009
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Valid on Northeast Regional service only. Three day advance purchase required.
High school juniors/seniors save 50% off companion fare for campus visits
Promotion Code: Register at CampusVisit.com for the code
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only for high school juniors/seniors visiting a college or university with one parent/guardian companion. High school student ID required to pick up tickets. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Not valid on Acela Express of Auto Train. Three day advance purchase required.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Fall 2009 Double Points Promotion
See Amtrak Guest Rewards section below.

SOUTHEAST Amtrak Promotion Codes

Save 20% on Silver Service to Orlando area stations
Promotion Code: V145 Source Link: Orlando Preferred Visitor Magicard
Expiration: Book and travel by December 16, 2009. For travel between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2010, use new code V436.
Restrictions: Code may only be used by phone: 800-USA-RAIL. Valid on adult rail fare only.
Save 20% on Sunset Limited between Houston, New Orleans, and intermediate stops
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Amtrak "Discover New Horizons"
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Three day advance purchase required. Valid for travel between Houston, Beaumont, Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Iberia, Schriever, and New Orleans only.
High school juniors/seniors save 50% off companion fare for campus visits
Promotion Code: Register at CampusVisit.com for the code
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only for high school juniors/seniors visiting a college or university with one parent/guardian companion. High school student ID required to pick up tickets. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Not valid on Acela Express of Auto Train. Three day advance purchase required.
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers save 20% (or 15% on sleepers) to port cities
Promotion Code: See Norwegian Cruise Line Amtrak Specials for the code
Expiration: Book by December 28, 2009. Travel by December 31, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only in conjunction with a NCL cruise itinerary and for arrival at the port city at least one day prior to cruise departure. Code may only be used by phone: 800-USA-RAIL. Valid for adult and child coach fares, business class, and sleeper accommodations. Valid on all routes except Acela Express, Auto Train, Illinois Zephyr, Lake Shore Limited, Lincoln Service, and Keystones. Three day advance purchase required.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Fall 2009 Double Points Promotion
See Amtrak Guest Rewards section below.

MIDWEST Amtrak Promotion Codes

Save 40% off companion fare on Lake Shore Limited to/from Chicago
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Amtrak "Save 40% on the Lake Shore Limited"
Expiration: Book by November 30, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only between Chicago and the following cities: Boston, New York, Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, Framingham, Worcester, Springfield, and Pittsfield. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Three day advance purchase required.
Save 50% off companion fare between St. Louis, Kansas City, and intermediate stops
Promotion Code: V665 Source Link: Missouri Department of Transportation
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Three day advance purchase required. Valid on train numbers 311, 313, 314, and 316 only.
Save 20% on Sunset Limited between Houston, New Orleans, and intermediate stops
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Amtrak "Discover New Horizons"
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Three day advance purchase required. Valid for travel between Houston, Beaumont, Lake Charles, Lafayette, New Iberia, Schriever, and New Orleans only.
High school juniors/seniors save 50% off companion fare for campus visits
Promotion Code: Register at CampusVisit.com for the code
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only for high school juniors/seniors visiting a college or university with one parent/guardian companion. High school student ID required to pick up tickets. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Not valid on Acela Express of Auto Train. Three day advance purchase required.
Red Hat Society members save 20% on most routes in the Midwest
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Red Hat Society Travel Discounts
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid for Red Hat Society members only (membership is $20/year) -- member ID required to pick up tickets. Discount available for Internet reservations only. Three day advance purchase required. Valid only on the following Midwest routes: Ann Rutledge, Blue Water, California Zephyr, Carl Sandburg, City of New Orleans, Empire Builder, Heartland Flyer, Hiawatha, Illini, Illinois Zephyr, Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Pere Marquette, Saluki, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, Wolverine, and associated Thruways. When booking at Amtrak.com, please note that the 'Select Departure' and 'Select Return' pages will display the full non-discounted fares. Once you select a qualifying train, the discount will be automatically calculated and displayed in your cart.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Fall 2009 Double Points Promotion
See Amtrak Guest Rewards section below.

WEST Amtrak Promotion Codes

Cascades: Eugene - Portland - Seattle - Vancouver
Pacific Surfliner: San Luis Obispo - Santa Barbara - Los Angeles - San Diego
San Joaquins: San Francisco - Sacramento - Bakersfield
Capitol Corridor: Auburn - Sacramento - San Francisco - Oakland - San Jose
Save 15% on all Capitol Corridor trains
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Amtrak.com "Save 15% on Capitol Corridor"
Expiration: Book and travel by December 16, 2009.
Save 25% on Capitol Corridor trains to Oakland Raiders games
Promotion Code: H811 Source Link: Capitol Corridor: Oakland Raiders
Expiration: Book by November 22. Travel the day of any home game.
Save 25% on Amtrak Cascades to/from Vancouver, British Columbia
Promotion Code: None Required Source Link: Portland Oregon Visitors Association
Expiration: Book by December 31, 2009. Travel by January 31, 2010.
Restrictions: Three day advance purchase required. Valid for travel to/from Vancouver on 500 series Cascades trains only -- this discount does not apply to Amtrak Thruway buses.
Save 20% on Pacific Surfliner & San Joaquins to/from Santa Barbara County
Promotion Code: H792 Source Link: Santa Barbara Car Free Project
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Three day advance purchase required. Valid for travel to/from the following Santa Barbara County stations only: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Surf, Solvang, Santa Maria, and Bellton.
College Faculty/Staff Save 15% on Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquins & Capitols
Promotion Code: V526 Source Link: Amtrak California, UC, and other colleges
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid for employees at participating universities only (see list below). Faculty/staff ID required to pick up tickets. Three day advance purchase required. Participating universities: Cal State (Fresno & Bakersfield), Fresno City, Cal Poly, University of California (Merced, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Davis, Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Diego, and Riverside campuses), University of the Pacific, University of San Diego, San Diego State, and Santa Barbara City College.
High school juniors/seniors save 50% off companion fare for campus visits
Promotion Code: Register at CampusVisit.com for the code
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only for high school juniors/seniors visiting a college or university with one parent/guardian companion. High school student ID required to pick up tickets. Must purchase one adult fare ticket at full price to receive discount. Not valid on Acela Express of Auto Train. Three day advance purchase required.
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers save 20% (or 15% on sleepers) to port cities
Promotion Code: See Norwegian Cruise Line Amtrak Specials for the code
Expiration: Book by December 28, 2009. Travel by December 31, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid only in conjunction with a NCL cruise itinerary and for arrival at the port city at least one day prior to cruise departure. Code may only be used by phone: 800-USA-RAIL. Valid for adult and child coach fares, business class, and sleeper accommodations. Valid on all routes except Acela Express, Auto Train, Illinois Zephyr, Lake Shore Limited, Lincoln Service, and Keystones. Three day advance purchase required.
Red Hat Society members save 20% on most routes in the West
Promotion Code: Click 'Book Now' at Red Hat Society Travel Discounts
Expiration: Book by December 13, 2009. Travel by December 16, 2009.
Restrictions: Valid for Red Hat Society members only (membership is $20/year) -- member ID required to pick up tickets. Discount available for Internet reservations only. Three day advance purchase required. Valid only on the following West routes: Amtrak Cascades, California Zephyr, Capitols, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder, Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and associated Thruways. When booking at Amtrak.com, please note that the 'Select Departure' and 'Select Return' pages will display the full non-discounted fares. Once you select a qualifying train, the discount will be automatically calculated and displayed in your cart.

Amtrak Guest Rewards

Amtrak Guest Rewards is a complimentary program that awards points for Amtrak travel, hotel stays, car rentals, and other purchases. To earn points, you must first sign-up for a Guest Rewards account and provide your member number with every reservation. Points are redeemable for free Amtrak travel and gift certificates and can be easily transferred to rewards programs at many airlines and hotels.

Double Points on All Amtrak Travel
Earn double points for all Amtrak travel between September 14 and December 19. To earn bonus points, you must be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member and register prior to travel. Register online or call 1-800-307-5000 (option 2) and use promotion registration code 91409.
Refer-A-Friend and Earn 500 Bonus Points
Enter up to five e-mail addresses of potential Amtrak Guest Rewards members. If a referral joins the program and travels within 90 days, you earn 500 points and the new member earns 1,500 points. Referrals must be submitted on the Refer-A-Friend Page by December 31, 2009.
Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard with 16,000 Bonus Points
Earn two points per dollar on Amtrak purchases and one point per dollar on all other purchases. Receive 16,000 bonus points after your first purchase. Visit Amtrak Guest Rewards to apply.

General Amtrak Reservation Tips

Book Early: Amtrak uses four price levels ("buckets") for coach seating and five for sleeper accommodations. With the exception of peak travel times (i.e. Thanksgiving week) when only the highest price bucket may be offered, a percentage of coach seats and sleepers are typically available at lower price buckets when tickets first go on-sale 11 months prior to departure. As a train approaches sell-out, Amtrak's yield management system will automatically move to the next higher fare bucket. This can cause fares to increase significantly as you approach the departure date. It is suggested that you book as early as possible to receive the lowest fare, especially given Amtrak's flexible refund policy (see below).
Wait to Pick Up Tickets: When booking at Amtrak.com or 1-800-USA-RAIL, your tickets will be held for pick up (unless you are departing from an unstaffed station). Although you can pick up your tickets from a staffed Amtrak station or Quik-Trak ticketing machine at any time prior to departure, it is suggested that you wait until close to your departure date for the greatest flexibility in changing or canceling your reservation. Most Amtrak reservations are 100% refundable until the tickets are physically printed (sleeping accommodations are ineligible for refund within 7 days of travel). Once tickets are printed, however, most refunds are subject to a 10% service charge (or full credit toward future Amtrak travel) and must be mailed-in or redeemed at a staffed Amtrak station. For more information, see Amtrak's Refund Policy.
Avoid Sell-Outs: If you attempt to make a reservation and find that coach or upgrades (business class, first class, sleepers) are sold-out on the desired train, it is suggested that you try the next morning as soon as possible after 4AM ET. Amtrak's reservation system is updated overnight with cancellations, so tickets may become available. If coach is available but upgrades are sold-out, you may wish to make the coach reservation and keep checking with 1-800-USA-RAIL to see if upgraded accommodations can be added. If an upgrade still isn't available prior to departure, you may still be able to upgrade from coach onboard by checking with the conductor regarding no-shows or last minute cancellations.
Sleeper Accommodation Pricing: All sleeper accommodations are priced in addition to coach fares and are based on the number of rooms, not the number of passengers. For example, if the coach fare between Points A and B is $100 and a roomette is $250, two passengers could share a roomette for $450 ($100*2 + $250). Both passengers would also be entitled to free meals in the dining car. Note that you are charged the same price for the accommodation regardless of the number of passengers. For more information, see Amtrak's Sleeping Accommodations Page.