That answer wasnt correct either. (2 minutes) Amtrak said it would suspend its Covid-19 vaccine mandate for employees, a reversal from last week's policy stance that the rail . 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. The CDC recommends domestic and international travelers get a viral test one to three days before departure and three to five days after travel. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. Since not all routes have the reserved seating option, customers are able to see seating availability to get a sense of how busy their train will be. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. Prepare to get tested before, and potentially after, you travel, 5. The railroad said in an email to . The journey was smooth, . 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). It has also temporarily suspended operation of the Silver Meteor train, which runs between New York and Miami. If you want to change your reservation, Amtrakis waiving all change fees for bookings made by April 30, 2022. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. That answer wasnt correct either. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. Blame the coronavirus pandemic, the railroad says. Id spent the day watching the outside world flicker by like a silent film, a few minutes at a time. terms and conditions Enter the email address or member number associated with your account. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. Once youre done getting your vaccine shot(s), protect that fragile document like a Faberg egg. When I finally made it to the dining room the next day, after official breakfast hours were over, Sandy and Linda greeted me. Tickets Charge your electronic devices and get them ready to show your eTicket to the conductor or station personnel. Listen to article. One unexpected highlight of my train trip was the food both tasty and filling. 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. 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. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Tips: Advice column | Coronavirus testing | Vaccinations | Vaccine passports | Sanitizing your hotel | Updating documents | Summer trips |Travel vouchers | Ask us your travel questions, Flying: Pandemic packing | Airport risks | Staying healthy on planes | Fly or drive? How can I fill out this form, and get in touch with u? By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the When we venture out again, travel will not look the same as it did in 2019. Watch your step on station stairs, escalators and train platforms. 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.). 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. Refusing to wear a mask may lead to fines, denied boarding, being removed from the train and being barred from future travel. ! " "Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.". Dont forget to read the fine print to make sure you are protected for exactly what you need. Review restriction information by looking up your destinations local government websites. Customers can view where there might be empty seats to allow for greater distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. While airlines, ride-sharing services, and other forms public transportation have been announcing its own policies, it remains unclear whether the U.S. Department of Justice will file an appeal to halt the order. ! " Fee waivers: Amtrak is waiving all change fees for any changes made by December 31, 2023 on fares that have change fees. Notify patients/residents and their families, as appropriate, of the presence of a COVID-19 case and/or outbreak in the facility based on facility policy and procedure 7. When searching for travel, customers will see the percentage of seats sold next to each route as customers make reservations. And thats when I got to work. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. Welcome aboard. By clicking Join, you acknowledge you have read and agree to the program terms, including the binding arbitration agreement, in the Coronavirus and Travel: What You Should Know, Many restrictions ease with lower COVID-19 case numbers, What to Do if Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed, How to keep your trip on track with bad weather and staff shortages disrupting travel, The Latest TSA Security Procedures During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Youll need a mask, and patience, when passing through airport screenings this winter. But be warned: Travel insurance doesnt cover everything. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness 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. The sudden dropping of mask regulations on public transportation comes just weeks before the current mandate was set to expire on May 3. In short: people want different options for travel, and Amtrak threads the needle, accommodating varying needs. 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. This fee cannot be waived. Every other table had a sign on it, instructing passengers to leave the booth empty in order to maintain social distancing. Though it was a shared space . 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. Amtrak has undertaken heightened security measures for the benefit of our customers. You asked: Can I get a refund if the airline changed my flight time? 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. Virginia native Larry Bleiberg is president of the Society of American Travel Writers, a frequent contributor to BBC Travel and the creator of CivilRightsTravel.com. That answer wasnt correct either. After taking Amtrak's Coast Starlight train from Portland to Los Angeles during the pandemic, one traveler shares her experience of the 30-hour journey. 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. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model. 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. Cancellation fees still apply to fares that have cancellation fees. The tablecloth dining will return June 23 to the six trains serving the western United. Our timing was impeccable and lined up with the sunset. News Airlines United Airlines Amtrak Joe Biden. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. www.roadsbridges.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. By combining our safety efforts with the guidance of our medical director and partnership with George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, we want our customers to have a renewed sense of confidence. 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. In my pre-pandemic life, I traveled for work two to three times a month a far cry from the one-mile radius I had confined myself to in Brooklyn between March and August. Before you lock in a plane ticket or hotel reservation, make sure the destination you would like to visit is open to Americans. To keep station crowds to a minimum, Amtrak is also urging passengers not to arrive too far in advance. Let's try a different question. Don't forget to share your train travel experience with us after your trip. _ @ " $ # ,). The rail company will require all employees be either. And at any given meal time, I found that only three out of five tables were ever occupied. Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. Amtrak is no longer limiting capacity. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. 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. Here is how they should work: You will upload proof of your vaccination, plus any required coronavirus test results or health waivers, into a mobile app (or if you dont have a smartphone, there will be something you can print out). Pack your vaccine card with your passport , then check if you need an actual vaccine passport, too, 4. Be careful when crossing the gap between the train and platform. Child under 2 must either sit in laps or in seats: + Passwords are case sensitive. Amtrak wants you to have sweet dreams the next time you travel so much so that it's sweetening . Your password must be at least 8 characters long, include at least 1 alpha character, and include at least 1 number or special character (- ? / : ; < = > ? Over the past few months, Ive taken four trains over three Amtrak routes, Wunderman told me. Passengers purchasing tickets onboard trains from conductors must provide photo identification and be at least 16 years old. SEATTLE (AP) In another hopeful sign that the travel industry is bouncing back in Washington state after pandemic-induced lows last year, Amtrak says it will restore daily service on 12 long distance routes across the country, including two that run through Seattle. 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. But it has made it easier to determine if youll find the train crowded once youre aboard. Customers should not travel when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms . Laser1987/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Pre-Departure Checklist Review this handy guide and make your trip as trouble-free as possible Baggage Policy & Service Pack or ship your luggage according to our baggage guidelines and make the most of our service. Review the policy for unaccompanied minors. Add As a result, you will be allowed access to foreign countries, cruise ships, flights and more. However, the room was almost remarkably dated nostalgic even. Somewhere after Santa Barbara, golden hour set in, and the tracks brought us nearly to the edge of cliffs running along the Pacific Ocean. ), Nine other long-distance trains are reduced to operating five days a week, instead of daily. The details come ahead of the holiday travel season, with many. It's been updated to reflect recent Amtrak procedures. Its really understanding where am I going, what do I want to get out of this trip and what will be the expectations for me? says Elizabeth Blount McCormick, the president of international travel management company Uniglobe Travel Designers. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Please enter a password. Add an ID tag to all your bags. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. By signing in to your account you acknowledge you have read and agree to the updated terms and conditions, including the binding arbitration agreement. Private rooms, available on long-distance and overnight routes, are another option for customers hoping to keep their distance from others while onboard. We have useful tips and information for travelers like you to make your first rail journey as enjoyable as it could be. At certain stations you might also see clear plastic barriers at the customer counter. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. At the time, it also limited bookings, switched to cashless onboard payments, and promoted physical distancing on trains. This will give customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. Passwords are case sensitive. 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. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Every ride counts as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member. We have studied, analyzed, and made improvements to the Amtrak travel experience from beginning to end, focusing on the safety and health of our people and travelers.". Amtrak became the latest company to require vaccinations for employees on Thursday, joining several airlines that have mandated the jab. The policy change comes a day after Tampa's U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled in a 59-page decision that the "mask mandate exceeds the CDC's statutory authority and violated the procedures required for agency rulemaking." Let's try a different question. ! " 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. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. @Amtrak and @SharonDevol It looks like the COVID check form is having problems on your website, as it continuously says it is having trouble finding our reservation, and your main 1-800 number is giving a busy signal every time I try to call today. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . That answer wasnt correct either. And while safety and sanitization were largely prioritized no matter which train I rode, the experience wasnt uniform. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your train is due to depart. To maximize space between passengers and manage flow, Amtrak is encouraging customers to arrive 30 minutes before departure (60 minutes if they need ticketing or baggage assistance). Earn points toward reward travel, upgrades and more. www.roadsbridges.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Free online workshop! Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. _ @ " $ # ,). Use seat backs and handrails while walking through the train. Amtrak is extending all elite tiers Select, Select Plus and Select Executive until February 28, 2022, a full year beyond the normal expiration. If you reply YES to any of the questions in the checklist, stay home (with pay) and follow the steps below: Call your supervisor and. Amtrak began selling all seats on its trains in May after limiting capacity at half for most of the pandemic. Enter a valid Guest Rewards number or email address. Should there be an annual coronavirus booster? National Railroad Passenger Corporation, https://www.amtrak.com/content/amtrak/en-us/planning-booking/policies/coronavirus. For the foreseeable future, we will still be following coronavirus precautions and restrictions. Let's try a different question. . Call the COVID-19 CareLine at 1-800-720-9616. After a year of bad news, travelers finally have something to look forward to again. U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak told a U.S. House of Representatives panel on Thursday it expects to be forced to temporarily cut some service in January because of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. terms and conditions Passwords are case sensitive. For TTY service, call 1-800-523-6590. CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels provide information about the amount of severe illness in the community where you are located to help you decide when to take action to protect yourself and . Watch your step when boarding and leaving the train. There are many ways your actions can help protect you, your household, and your community from severe illness from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. The affected routes include some trains in the Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route. Vaccine passports are on the way, but developing them wont be easy. We will send password reset instructions. Amtrak will run more train service in Pennsylvania beginning on June 1 in coordination with PennDOT. If you or a loved one are experiencing anxiety related to the coronavirus pandemic, help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Oh, look at that! Her voice sounded like she had just won the lottery. Get flash sales, Amtrak Guest Rewards promotions and account updates sent directly to your inbox. This is how to plan a good one. 5. Brown says even if a test is not required for your trip, its always good to know your health status before you venture out and interact with others. On pure reflex, I shot to the window to watch as we rode over the Willamette River. In fact, I had taken my inaugural journey on the bucket-list route back in early February, riding south from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo and then, a few days later, catching the train down again to the end of the line in Los Angeles. Amtrak has temporarily dropped its mandate for all employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19, a requirement that the rail service had said would likely result in cuts to service. Lets leave the covid origin mystery to scientists, Covid, flu, RSV declining in hospitals as tripledemic threat fades. "We've made and continue to make incredible investments so that we can come out of this pandemic as a new and improved Amtrak," the company's site reads. The railroad entity told. School and child care screening Take the school and child care screening online. Youre vaccinated and ready to travel. Riding Amtrak for the first time? Ridership is still down leaving inter-city trains with scores of open seats from which to choose. That answer wasnt correct either. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Due to COVID relief funding, Amtrak will sustain and restore operations and recall the more than 1,200 furloughed employees through the remainder of FY21 and into FY22. However, my room did not have any signs of being newly cleaned, prompting me to do a thorough inspection and ultimately wipe everything down. ncov/hcp/hcp-hospital-checklist. It was our very first time on any Amtrak train. Passwords are case sensitive. www.fda.gov 1 May 21, 2020 Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food Establishments . This means you won't have to travel this . 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. Detours with locals. The Pennsylvanian and Keystone lines covering Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and New . Complete line list for Join AARP for just $9 per yearwhen you sign up for a 5-year term. and 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. The change fee waiver does not apply to a previously purchased fare rebooked for the same train, date and origin/destination at a lower fare. Oct. 26, 2020 6:30 AM PT. TripIts Moyse warns travelers that shirking local restrictions such as mask-wearing is not just a health risk, but a financial one. Get a FREE subscription to AARP The Magazine. Please enter a valid station, city, or address. _ @ " $ # ,). 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. Weve sent you an email with instructions to reset your password instead. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. It turned out to be a rough night, full of rattles and rumbles. The curtain of my cabin was closed, and not wanting me to miss the view, Linda hopped on our cars intercom to make an announcement. 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. Bad weather and employee COVID-19 cases led Amtrak to reduce its trains' schedule between New Year's Eve and Jan. 6. . You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. . 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. Please enter a password. Tickets purchased onboard include a service fee built into the fare. Dec. 14, 2021 5:46 pm ET. 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. 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. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. and Instead of eating in the dining car, I took advantage of Amtraks new room service option and had all my meals delivered right to my room at a time of my choosing. As with airlines, federal regulations require all Amtrak passengers to wear masks at all times aboard trains and in stations, regardless of vaccination status and state and local laws. Amtrak customers 18 years of age and older must produce valid photo identification when: Exchanging, refunding or reprinting Amtrak travel documents Purchasing documents with a stored eVoucher or Transportation Credit Traveling as a Pass Rider (active or retired) Storing baggage at stations Checking baggage (including firearms) AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. A half hour before departure is recommended for most passengers, 60 minutes for those who need help with ticketing or baggage. Per new CDC guidance, fully vaccinated domestic travelers (who have had their final shot for at least two weeks) do not need to get a coronavirus test before or after trips, and they do not need to self-quarantine after travel. TSA Will Not Enforce COVID Mask Mandate on Planes, Public Transit After Judge's Ruling, U.S. Airlines Quick to Drop Mask Mandate After Federal Court Ruling, These Are the U.S. Amtrak is issuing travel guidelines that aim to reassure customers that several added cleanliness and convenience measures have been implemented on their trains as the country begins to reopen during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Since my journey seemed to vary from what I had read about other pandemic Amtrak experiences, I decided to reach out to travel writer Ali Wunderman, who had journeyed overnight on Amtraks Empire Builder train, which runs from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. again. 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. Jen Moyse, senior director of product at TripIt, says that as travelers choose destinations to visit, they may still want to avoid places with increasing or high levels of infection. It is worth noting that masks are not mandatory in the dining car when seated for meals, nor are passengers required to wear masks elsewhere while they are eating or drinking. The funding is pending President Biden's signature on the final bill. App users will also receive boarding gate and track information at select stations so they can head directly to their train. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. 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. During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Food Safety Checklist. Amtrak app: The Amtrak app makes contact-free travel easy. We will send password reset instructions. @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` < | > ~. On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light that fully vaccinated people can travel again. Amtraks Coast Starlight is a Superliner, a fancy term that basically means its a double-decker train which, as I would find out, is great for views, but can get a little rocky in your private room. This is what 6 experts say. 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. By Mary Forgione. (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.).