May 23rd Ride #26 BOS –PHL.

A couple weeks ago, I cashed in some of my Amtrak Guest Rewards and got 5 coupons for space available upgrades. I am taking the Acela, so it means that I can try for an upgrade to 1st class. It’s about $100 more, and as a weekly commuter it would mean an extra $5,000 a year.

I take the train Friday evenings and Sunday evenings, when the train is usually very full, so I was viewing my coupons as more like lottery tickets.

My train leaves at 4:30pm, so at 3:45pm I got in line to see if I could get an upgrade. The ticket agent said that because of the holiday (Memorial Day), that there where plenty of 1st class seats available.

Even though the train was boarding in a couple of minutes, I decided to go up and take a look at Club Acela, which is the 1st class lounge. At South station, it’s above the ticket office. What struck me is how quiet it was. As you come up the stairs, there is some kind of attendant. My next impression was that the scene suddenly changed from being loud and crowded to being spacious and quiet. I usually run in into the station, print my ticket and then quickly get something to eat. The tables in the terminal are rarely available, and I end up eating standing up. Because you get fed in 1st class, I could now take my time.

There were other amenities, such as free coffee, free soda, Internet stations, fax machine, courtesy phone. There was also a nice conference room.

The upgrade coupons can also get you into Club Acela, which could come in very handy if you are stuck waiting. Almost like a get out of jail free card. I’ll soon be up to 10,000 rail Amtrak Guest Points which will put me up to Select Plus status, which will give me a pass that will let me hang out in the 1st class lounge for the rest of the year.

When I got into 1st class, the attendant came over, and asked me if I wanted something to eat. She brought me a soda and a very heavy glass full of ice. The attendant also asked me if I wanted some peanuts, which were in a little ceramic bowl which was also very heavy. On the airplane, everything is lighter than normal. On the train, it’s heavier than normal.

There are about 8 Japanese business types in suits. The four near me are playing some kind of card game with playing cards with some kind of Harvard crest on them. They are kind of rowdy in a restrained way. One of the card players ripped a piece of paper napkin into a strip about an inch wide, and hung it on his glasses. There is a bunch of Japanese writing on it. As soon as he hung it, two or three cameras appeared to take pictures.

Dinner was actually worth eating. I got a salad with smoked salmon. The portion was a little small, compared to a restaurant, but very satisfying.

I get in at about 9:20pm, and club Acela closes at 9:00pm. Maybe I can see the one at 30th Street on Monday when I come back.

The train was about 15 minutes late into 30th street.