Several years ago I had the opportunity to travel in style on the Amtrak Coast Starlight one way from Los Angeles to Seattle. The trip takes about 35 hours and you can go in either direction on any given day. I did it on Amtrak points and with the current offer for the Amtrak card from Bank of America, here’s what you get when you meet the minimum spend of $2,500.
- 40,000 BONUS POINTS After making at least $2,500 in purchases within 90 days of account opening
Superliner bedroom on points
The one-way ticket for two people in the Superliner Bedroom accommodations with full private bath in your room, side chair and big picture windows costs 28,428 points. I called today to make sure the credit card offer of 40,000 points still covers the listed amenities below. The typical bonus is only 20,000 points.
Included in the one-way fare for two, you also get access to:
- All your meals (the food is pretty good)
- Access to the Sightseer Lounge Car with really comfortable seating and open views of the mountains and sea. I’m seriously considering doing it again. This time from north to south to see the sights we missed the last trip while sleeping.
Keep in mind that you can sit in your room, dining car or Sightseer Lounge car. Break up the trip by enjoying all three experiences. The views are great from wherever you are.
Family bedroom
There is also a Family bedroom. option that fits four with a shared bathroom in the same car. That is about $1120 and includes all meals for all four of you it that is your choice. I certainly like the one credit card option much better than paying over $1000 for a memorable experience.
And the options are morning or evening departure from Los Angeles most days and a morning departure Seattle. You can choose which scenery you’d like to see and what you’d like to skip by choosing one of the three choices.
My trip
I left from Los Angeles in the morning and rode up along the California coast most of the first day with the ocean right beside us. Slept through Northern California and was awake again for the mountains of Oregon and Washington on Day 2.
On the train, you are away from civilization most of the time and riding through pristine forested mountains. You don’t get these views from 36,000 feet or driving along an Interstate Highway. This is America at its best. Here’s my routing and schedule.
Remember you want the Coast Starlight train, not one of the ones that has you jumping from train to train or on the bus part of the time. Hunt around the Amtrak website for more info. It’s just as easy to navigate as most airline websites.
Check out Amtrak.com and the Coast Starlight trip. Here is the link to the current 40,000 point offer from the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard that covers the one-way ticket cost for two and leaves points left over for future Amtrak travel.
I can assure you that the comfort level is terrific, you’ll actually see America and the staff is friendly and polite. Try something a little different. You won’t regret it
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