Amtrak Vacations Avaliações 79

I booked a Amtrack vacation package to go to New Orleans from 05/28-06/2. I always wanted to go on a train ride to a destination. This was on my bucket list. The morning on my departure date, around 2 am. I received a text stating my train to New Orleans was canceled, due to a derailment on their route. I call Amtrack to see what was going on, I was informed to contact Amtrack vacations, so I called them. I ask are they going to find an other train, or other means to get to my destination. They told me that I would have to fine my own way there. Not very good customer service in their part. So I had to find a last minute air fare to New Orleans. Then on the morning of the day I was to take the train back to Chicago, I received an other text at around the same time 2 am, tell me this train was canceled due to an other derailment. I find it very improbable that there where 2 derailment. Again Amtrack Vacations would not assist me in finding outer means of transportation. Their customer service is not up to par, very disappointing with Amtrack and Amtrack vacations. This trip was on my buck list. I always wanted to take a Train vacation. I did receive a full refund for the way there and back. The money wasn't an issue. But not even trying to help me with other means to get their or back, not excepable. I most likely won't ever use Amtrack, or Amtrack vacation in the future.

Now that I’m retired and travel alone, I wanted to push the Amtrak limits in a coast-to-coast trip from Washington, D.C.’s Union Station to the Canadian northwest, ending in Jasper, then Banff, and then Calgary. So, I started sniffing around the internet for opportunities on Amtrak, favoring segments in a private sleeping car.

For the cross-country trip on Amtrak I looked at all of the moving parts and decided to respond to the invitation I received after I submitted an inquiry into cross-country Amtrak trips. Those moving parts included figuring out which trains would travel to my intended destinations, identifying hotels that could accommodate me on my way, and booking excursions available to rail passengers along my route.

Within an hour of sending my inquiry I got a response from Amtrak Vacations and its representative, Kevin Guadagnoli. Amtrak Vacations is not the same as Amtrak: working with Railbookers, a travel agency that specializes in creating customizable train vacation packages, Amtrak Vacations makes its mark by offering experienced advisors who have direct booking access to rail travel throughout North America (so it includes both U.S. and Canadian rail services).

Once we established the goal of my trip (my being in Canada for the first week of July), we spent about an hour on the phone connecting a series of dots: I asked for a sleeper accommodation throughout the trip; done. Kevin knew schedules and partners – this became important because the trip included nights off the train – so we needed hotel options – and local excursions that the trip would allow for.

It’s clear from the results that Kevin knew what he was doing. He had some particular challenges that I was clueless about, most notably the fact that Seattle and Vancouver both were host cities for the 2026 World Cup. This likely drove up the cost of accommodations – indeed, in one instance a perfect hotel would work but only if I was able to stay for two nights. Kevin got the okay from me to make this change, and within a day he built an itinerary unlike any other, calling it The Canadian Rockies by Rail - June 2026.

The itinerary was custom-built around my goals. I would depart Washington D.C.’s Union Station at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, in a roomette bound for Chicago’s Union Station. The train would arrive in Seattle on July 1, and head to Vancouver, B.C. (on a coach seat) departing at 1800 and arriving at 2200. There Kevin booked me a room at the Fairmont Waterfront and scored a 48-hour hop-on hop-off tour bus that I could use for the two days I will be staying in Vancouver.

From Vancouver the sleeper car will take me to Jasper, where I will spend July 4 and 5 at the Crimson Jasper. I’ll be taking the Icefields Parkway Discovery Tour from Jasper to Banff and spend the next two nights at the Hotel Canoe & Suites, where I’ll take a Mountains, Lakes & Waterfalls tour in and around Banff. On the last day of my itinerary, I’ll board a one-way shuttle from Banff, ending at the Mariott on site at the Calgary Airport.
I studied travel insurance options (typically I’ll insure my trips with Crum & Forster’s Travel Insured International) and elected to take Kevin’s recommendation for trip coverage through TripMate, underwritten by General Global Assistance ($1,089). Including this coverage, the total invoice for all travel, including rail, insurance, lodging, and excursions, was $12,234.85.
Practice points: Shortly after I paid for the trip, I received an email from the Railbooker’s transfer point person, who needed to know where I would be staying at the end of the rail trip – in Calgary. I booked the hotel (31,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) and my return flight on United from Calgary to D.C. (first class cabin, 17,000 miles plus $661.49). With that detail nailed down, I’m ready to board at the end of June.

My thanks to Amtrak Vacations, Kevin Guadagnoli, Railbooker’s transfer-point person, and Amtrak!

We had the incredible luck to deal with Victoria Peterson in customer service after Amtrak experienced an equipment change that left us without a room on our cross-country trip, despite having booked months earlier. This was an issue that was not AV’s fault but Victoria took the problem on as if it were her own and went way above and beyond to be sympathetic, helpful, problem-solving and just plain kind throughout all the (many) back and forths to get us a resolution.
We had a less than stellar experience with our initial booker but Victoria more than made up for that. I feel so much more confident heading out on the trip knowing that if we have an issue, Victoria will be there.

I have been working with Amtrak Vacations for several months now, and I just spoke with Hilary. She was beyond helpful. She clarified a few confusing items in my booking for me, as well as realized a promo needed to be applied, which resulted in savings for me. I am very appreciative!

Ms. Sammi is a wonderful customer service agent, she is polite & professional, she help me to get the best deal for my train vacation. We really appreciate her!

David L.

I had booked a trip earlier this year to New Orleans. Found out by accident this week that the departure times changed but I was not notified! The original booker and a follow-up did not really help me, and insisted the departure time had not changed. I contacted a different agent by phone, Hilary K, who totally understood my concern, looked into it with Amtrak, and found that yes, the departure times HAD changed! She did not know why I was not re ticketed, as my trip was coming up shortly, but then contacted Amtrak and verified that I would be receiving corrected e tickets, which I did shortly thereafter. Hilary was a pleasure to deal with, and I would certainly recommended her!

Hilary Klein was really super nice and one of the most help agents from anywhere that I have spoken with in a good while.

Working with Hilary K, today to make several modifications to our Glacier Park rail tour, was effortless! Hilary answered every question and addressed all of my concerns. All necessary changes were make with efficiency and expediency. I recommend Hilary to anyone needing any sort of assistance with your Amtrak vacation plans. She is well traveled and an excellent resource for all things related to Amtrak!
Patty T

I am writing to publicly thank Amtrak travel service agents Victoria and Hillary for being so understanding of a reservation problem, which they both worked with empathy and diligence to help me resolve to my satisfaction . Victoria notified me of a less-than-obvious vehicle resevation add-on fee, and showed concern for me as a customer by notifying me well in advance of my travel. I am so grateful to both Victoria and Hillary for their timely notification and assistance to resolve the reservation issue now, instead of later, when I would've had to manage this in the middle of my vacation. I appreciate you both for your situational awareness, as well as your care for your customer's overall travel experience.

Railbookers do a wonderful job for our clients! They have a friendly team and great itineraries. We look forward to working with them on future custom itineraries.

Hilary Klein was amazing to work with, very thorough and professional.

We have had some issues with our booking. I called numerous times for assistance to no avail. Then I got to speak to Sammi and she took care of the problems right away. She deserves a raise and a promotion!!!

Hilary did a wonderful job of helping me upgrade my accommodations on very short notice. Although it took awhile to accomplish, she stayed with me the entire time. I don't think this would have happened if I was doing a chat. I much prefer actually talking directly with someone, not through a chat.

I was lucky to connect with William Borchert
Senior Customer Support Specialist for Railbookers. He is a real professional with a wealth of knowledge.

He provided outstanding customer service, worthy of recognition, as he wholeheartedly exceeded the standard of service.

I have spent over 45 years in the travel and hospitality industry, starting as a bellman and advancing to executive roles. William made me feel that the expectations my wife and I have for this trip were important to him as well!

Thank you,

James Patrick

Derek stuck with me and shaped the perfect vacation!

I spoke with others who never even called me back.

Hilary was so helpful with my needs and so knowledgeable about questions that I had. Definitely an asset to the Amtrak Vacations staff.

I have to say that I had the pleasure of working with Steve Mains at Railbookers and he was most excellent. He spent a great deal of time with me on two separate phone calls, looking for answers to my rather detailed questions and he gave me perfect information both times! I highly recommend asking for him specifically if you want great customer service!

Great customer care from Hilary Klein! Corrected mistakes made on booking originally with ease and confidence. Thanks for all your time and work!

Sammi turned a difficult situation from sour to sweet because of her desire and attitude to help. She did everthing possible to help.

I called to book trip for two clients. Heather very pleasantly and efficiently made the booking, even calling me back to get credit card info for one person. The next day I called again to correct one of the birth dates. This time Hilary made the birth date change quickly, which was a great relief to me as I wasn't sure if could be made. The only complaint is that I submitted info on the website to get a quote and never got a response.