Amtrak First Class is the most premium cabin offered to passengers who prefer comfort for their journey. This cabin is only available on Acela trains and can be accessed on certain routes.
Travelers are provided with many amenities, such as complimentary food and beverages, station lounge access, free seat change, wifi, and much more.
People can also find individual charging outlets on their seats. Multiple variations in seats can be booked under the Amtrak Acela First Class cabin with personal shower and restrooms.
Additionally, travelers can earn up to a 50% bonus on the guest rewards program. They can find more innovative features in the NextGen Acela.
Availability of Amtrak First Class
Amtrak First Class is exclusively available on Acela train service, which runs along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC, and Boston, with intermediate stops including Baltimore and New York City.
This service offers the most premium experience, with a First Class cabin that has different amenities from Business Class.
It can be booked through the official website or app, and at the time of reservation, they can redeem points earned under the Amtrak Guest Rewards program as coupons to pay for the ticket.
While passengers belonging to a certain category will be able to use their specific discounts, such as the Amtrak Military Discount.
Amenities on Amtrak First Class Tickets
Travelers can access numerous amenities, both on board and at the station, attached to the Amtrak First Class cabin.
The perks offered are similar to Business Class, but in an upgraded version with special menus, high-speed wifi, priority boarding, multiple seating options, and much more.
They can also find larger overhead spaces to keep their luggage, while private rooms provide personal restrooms and shower areas.
- Spacious Seating: The First Class cabin is often configured into one-by-two seating, which makes the legroom extra and seats much more comfortable than other cabins.
- Seat Selection: Passengers buying First Class tickets will get complimentary seat selection on Acela trains, which helps provide them with their preferred seats.
- Seat Changes: Along with seat selection, changing seats at the time of departure is also possible at no extra cost. However, it is certainly subject to the availability of their desired seat.
- Priority Boarding: As this is the most premium cabin, passengers with these tickets will be provided with the advantage to board the train at priority before other travelers.
- Complimentary Food and Beverages: Meals and drinks (including alcoholic ones) will be covered in the price of the ticket. Freshly prepared food with a great variety will be served at their seats, and they can also access the train’s onboard cafe without any extra charges.
- Free Amtrak Wifi: Travelers will be able to use the available complimentary wifi connection at the station and during their journey. The range of connection can be slightly unreliable in the First Class cabin rather than in other cabins.
- Charging Ports: In this cabin, passengers can find both individual USB outlets and charging ports on Amtrak Acela trains. These outlets are set up considering the number of passengers in the seats.
- Service: Dedicated train attendants take orders from passengers and serve food to them at their seats. Additionally, customized services can also be sought from them.
- Other Features: Reading lights, footrests, and large, accessible bathrooms are also available.
Amtrak First Class Passengers Station Experience
The First Class passengers will have a premium experience at the station with lounge access that helps them relax before boarding the train and start their journey. Moreover, with priority boarding, they will be assisted with their baggage handling.
Amtrak First Class Lounge Access
Amtrak Station lounge access is provided on the following stations to First Class passengers with multiple amenities like complimentary food, quieter sitting areas, high-speed wifi, and more.
- Boston – South Station,
- New York – Moynihan Train Hall,
- Philadelphia – William H Gray III, 30th Street Station and
- Washington, DC – Union Station.
People traveling on Amtrak First Class will receive extra attentive services and priority assistance in handling their luggage, especially passengers who need special assistance. There are specific accessible seats on Acela trains to navigate these passengers with ease and help them settle before the crowd enters.
Amtrak First Class Food Menu
Amtrak First Class includes complimentary meals in the dining car or private rooms, with a seasonal menu featuring various cuisines and beverages like wine, beer, and spirits available.
Passengers in private sleeping rooms receive complimentary meals throughout their journey and have access to an exclusive lounge.
On routes with traditional dining cars, meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while other trains may offer a separate cafe car with a different selection of snacks and meals.
MENU SPECIFIC:
- Seasonal Menus: The menu features different foods that are available in a specific season, along with the basic menu to choose from.
- Vegan Options: Travelers who cannot consume animal-based products will get a variety of vegan food options in meals, without any extra charges.
- Kids’ Meals: A separate menu for kids has been designed for younger passengers with little spices, and even infant foods can be requested, like milk or cereals.
On long route journeys, traditional dining options at Amtrak Acela trains include breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a seasonal food menu. Travelers can either order food to their private spaces or go to the car cafe to eat food, while most of the time breakfast is served on their seats by the staff.
Types of Private Rooms on Amtrak First Class
There are five types of rooms available for purchase: Roomette, Bedroom, Bedroom Suite, Family Bedroom, and Accessible Bedrooms.
However, the capacity of these rooms is limited, and it can be difficult to book them during the vacation or festive season. Hence, travelers are advised to book tickets in advance when booking a room.
- Roomette: It is a small space option with two seats that convert to berths for sleeping. People can access a window, linens, private restrooms, and showers in their cabin.
- Bedroom: A bedroom is twice the size of a roomette. It features a sofa and a chair that can be converted to upper and lower beds for sleeping. The room has bigger windows, sinks, a shower, a restroom, and upgrades from a roomette.
- Bedroom Suite: This is the largest room option, made by adjoining two bedrooms, that can accommodate four people at once. There are two sofas and two chairs, significantly with conversions into four beds. Each suite includes two big picture windows, newly upgraded bedding, pillows, towels, linens, two in-room sinks, restrooms, and showers.
- Family Bedroom: A Special bedroom designed for a family of four with ample space for two adults and two children, aged 2 to 12 years. This room features 4 seats, which convert into two upper and two lower beds. Two windows, upgraded beddings, a private restroom, and a shower can be located in this room.
- Accessible Bedrooms: These rooms are located at the entry level of the train for disabled people to provide enough space for their wheelchairs. Upper and lower beds can be made of the available two seats for sleeping. A big window, an accessible in-room sink, a restroom, and access to a private shower are easily accessible.
Difference Between Amtrak First Class and Business Class
Both Amtrak First Class and Amtrak Business Class are the premium cabins offered on trains, but the key difference happens to be in their services and availability.
As the First Class cabin is only offered on Acela trains, while business class can be found on other trains of different routes.
| Features | Amtrak First Class | Amtrak Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only on Acela Trains. | Many Corridor routes and Acela also. |
| Seating | More space, better configuration, extra comfort | Comfortable space more than coach but less than First Class. |
| Food and Drinks | Complimentary Food and beverages, including alcoholic drinks. | Light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages on board, like tea, coffee. |
| Lounge Access | Sometimes included but not on Acela. | Free Access is provided. |
| Rewards bonus | 25% bonus points | 50% bonus points |
| Pricing | Highest Fares | Lower than First Class |
Tips for Amtrak First Class Passengers
Amtrak First Class passengers can keep these things in mind while traveling to have a comfortable and premium experience.
- Arrive Early: Travelers must consider arriving at least 2 hours before their boarding to have a stress-free check-in at the station.
- Lounge Access: With Amtrak First Class tickets, complimentary lounge access is provided, and passengers can use that to relax and eat before departure.
- Food Service: As food and drinks service is free, they must utilize and enjoy their journey with snacks and meals. People with specific food preferences can also select from seasonal and vegan menus.
- Use discounts: Travelers must redeem the available discounts to reduce the overall cost of their tickets. Category offers like Amtrak Senior discounts, group discounts, etc, are also available to use.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards: Points earned as rewards can also be used for paying by selecting “Pay with points” while booking the tickets through the official website or app of Amtrak.
Conclusion
Amtrak offers a premium cabin option to travelers on Acela trains with upgraded amenities from the business class.
People can select from the available five rooms according to their preference and the number of passengers. Lounge access is provided free of cost at many stations around the United States.
Moreover, the First Class passengers will get to access the train earlier than others with priority boarding. Although there might be some restrictions applied to sleeping accommodations, running discounts can be availed while making reservations.
FAQs
Yes, Amtrak has First Class seats, but they are only accessible on Acela trains and on their routes.
Amtrak First Class is exclusively available on Acela trains, which operate along the Northeast Corridor between Boston, MA, and Washington, D.C., with stops in major cities like New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
You can book First Class tickets directly through Amtrak’s official website, mobile app, or at the station ticket counter. You can also redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards points or apply eligible discounts, such as military or senior discounts, at checkout.
Passengers get priority boarding, lounge access, complimentary food and beverages (including alcohol), dedicated attendants, extra legroom, free Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and spacious overhead storage. Private restrooms and showers are available in room accommodations.
Yes, all meals and beverages, including alcoholic drinks, are included in the First Class fare.
Yes, Amtrak’s First Class menu features vegan options and a special kids’ menu with mild flavors. Infant meals like milk or cereal can also be requested at no extra cost.
The available private room options include Roomette, Bedroom, Bedroom Suite, Family Bedroom, and Accessible Bedroom. Each comes with beds, linens, restrooms, showers, and windows, varying by size and comfort level.
