Northeast Regional BUSINESS CLASS: Worth or Waste?

[@Tubes12AX7k]

I replied on your other video regarding business class - it's worth it if you're traveling for business and your company is paying for it. Most of my business trips are 2 days - basically up, meet some people at a site, and then back home right after meeting. I usually have a roller bag, computer bag, possibly an umbrella, too. The reserved seating and available luggage space reduces the hassle with trying to find a spot. The next thing I'm looking for is an electrical outlet for my laptop, which I'll be plugging in as soon as I'm settled in my seat. If I'm able to grab a Quiet Car, I'll do that instead so I can catch a short nap or work quietly. The quiet, reserved space, and fewer hassles or surprises are what you're paying for. Having the availability of dinner or a decent snack with an adult beverage from the Cafe car is also appreciated, if I couldn't grab dinner before getting on the train. Overall, it's worth it. And Amtrak makes sense if it goes to your destination and the alternative is 2-3 airline legs.

[@stephenkeever6029]

I agree with your assessment, however I have occasionally upgraded to business class on the Northeast Regional when coach class is nearly full so I’m not so packed in.

[@LonestarTrips]

That’s definitely another valid reason to go with business class. I found that the business class car was about a third to a half full, which was way less crowded than coach.

[@blackalgorithmist000]

Same here business class is a less populated coach class......not sure about other routes

[@davidjackson7281]

I believe Amtrak's Coast Starlight may have begun testing out a dining room service option for Business Class passengers. This could be somewhat of a positive game-changer. It would definitely get me to ride the train more with such a classy amenity without requiring to book a room.

[@LonestarTrips]

I’ll have to look into that. I definitely want to get back to the west coast sometime this year, and it would be interesting to see how business class stacks up against a room, especially with the potentially included meals.

[@davidjackson7281]

@@LonestarTrips Searching Amtrak's website the test is only from March 9 - May 8. An example of fares on 3/9 for 13 hours from MTZ -LAX is 55 coach, 169 business, 357 roomette. On 5/9 Business without three meals is 87 so the 3 meals are 82. Such a deal.

[@MichiganCentralLines]

@@davidjackson7281 looking at this trip, I believe you are seeing a multi segment trip where you would get business class on an Amtrak California service train. The cost starlight does not currently offer a business class. Only long distance trains with single level equipment do generally. In Michigan on the pere marquette, they often use Superliners so the business class is the same exact seats, just curtained off, obviously you get the pop if you like though 😂

[@rachelkirichu1470]

Thank you for the video! I've had a bad experience on a train before and have been avoiding out of fear, but up until now I have to take one. Seems silly but videos like these help me prepare

[@whosweptmymines3956]

I just took the NE Regional from Newport News VA to Providence RI and back in Business. Both were 12-14hr trains and I was quite glad to be in business class. It's very calm. On the way back the seats were 2+1, so I changed my seat to the 1 seat side and that was great!

[@johnchambers8528]

I agree for a short ride business class is not worth it. However on longer trips like the Pennsylvanian to Pittsburgh I found it to be worth the difference in fares. The additional legroom and free non alcoholic drinks make the ride more comfortable.

[@jamesschock4296]

Thank you for your trip reports Lone Star. I think yours are by far the best rail reviews and trip reports out there 😀! Your voice and delivery are just outstanding! Hope to see you on the rails soon.

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you so much! It's comments like these that really keep my motivation flowing. I do my best to deliver fun and informative videos, and it's always great to see them appreciated by the community.

[@jamesschock4296]

Your very welcome. I am a select plus Amtrak member and really enjoy rail travel. I think your reports are spot on. Keep up the 👍 great work!

[@LonestarTrips]

@@jamesschock4296 I'm glad you think so, and I have no plans of stopping anytime soon. Also, I just received Select status for this year, and I can't wait to use the benefits on travel later this year.

[@jamesschock4296]

Yeah the lounge access is pretty awesome. I'll look forward to your next reports for sure. I live in Illinois so we are lucky with good rail availability.

[@LonestarTrips]

@@jamesschock4296 Haha lucky you! Chicago was a big stop for me while I was travelling last summer, and even across the multiple days I was there, I still didn't get everything. I'll be sure to head back up there at some point in the future.

[@MrKB209]

Thank you for video. My daughter and I are flying from California to New York City and then headed to the Baltimore region. Some how it makes more sense to catch the train rather than fly because their are no straight flights to BWI on the day we depart from NYC. This helped a lot.

[@taylorsmith4758]

Not the NEC, but taking the Palmetto from Charleston to DC and opted for business class. Over nearly 10 hours, more legroom and a quieter environment should be worth it.

[@LonestarTrips]

On Amtrak’s long distance routes, business class is more worth it. That extra leg room can definitely make or break an experience, especially on longer rides.

[@taylorsmith4758]

@LonestarTrips I did 10+ hours in coach on the Vermonter. Doable, but the last couple of hours were kind of rough. Business class was in a café combo car. Less supply and fares were very expensive.

[@GlaciaGalaxy]

I get off at new london when i travel to see my husband i was telling you about in the livestream! Though i usually get in about 9-10 pm so not alot of views, i stay for about 2 weeks at a time.

[@electroscribe]

On the Amtrak Cascades, getting a reserved seat and not having to stand in a long line was worth the extra $ - to me, anyway. But that was before NTSB kicked the Talgos off the rails. Their business cars had more room and a line of single seats on one side off the aisle. Haven’t tried it in a conventional trainset.

[@jessicaburdell7779]

Indeed it definitely may take quite a bit of chunk out of my paycheck, but, personally, considering the pros of reserved and half empty seats (most especially for an introvert like myself) and that of free beverages, instead of having to raid the BWI station vending machines, I'm definitely going to be upgrading to business class myself on my way to Trenton to work my shifts out of Flemington and Ringoes, at least coming down to the Jersey area. No need to really use anything else but coach pretty much on my way home.

[@JuanWayTrips]

Definitely not worth it! Seems like that Amtrak keeps it that way because if it offered 1-2 seating (like business class on other routes) it would cannibalize business class tickets on Acela (also in 2-2).

[@ezrapreiss4882]

great vid!

[@LonestarTrips]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@downhillking2]

Thank you for your clear, instructive video. I for one, appreciate knowing my travel options which can compare to other routes on the Amtrak network.

[@willgibson9718]

Can you please make a video about coach class train to providence from Old Saybrook? I have taking that train from providence to Old Saybrook At 2014 My birthday is on this Tuesday!! 0:01

[@LonestarTrips]

Happy early birthday! Unfortunately most videos need to be planned out well in advance, as I’m not located in the Northeast, but I will have more coach class rides on the Northeast regional in the future!

[@johnburke1317]

Nice video

[@LonestarTrips]

Thanks!

[@n.s3667]

Hello, I will be traveling to the United States and for the first time I will use the train from New York to Boston, it has the Acela and Northest option, is there much difference from one train to another? because in terms of travel time there is not much difference

[@LonestarTrips]

The Acela is the upgraded service of the Northeast Regional. It only includes Business and First Class seats, travels a bit faster, and doesn't stop at all stations. The northeast regional is Coach and Business class, takes a little longer, but is usually significantly cheaper. I recommend the Northeast regional unless you really want a premium experience, in which case first class on the Acela is the way to go.

[@kacamac]

Hey Providence my home! I really wish they didn't go for a single story brutalist style for our new station, it's kind of ugly imo but whatever, guess they just don't want to build them like they used to.

[@willgibson9718]

I have taking that train from providence to Old Saybrook At 2014 Any video tomorrow?

[@LonestarTrips]

There will be a vid tomorrow! We’ll be taking a look at Japan’s new E8 Shinkansen trains.

[@willgibson9718]

@@LonestarTrips my dad birthday is today

[@LonestarTrips]

Wish him a happy birthday for me!

[@willgibson9718]

@@LonestarTrips see you tomorrow

[@RichardWilliams-o2u]

A 60 mile trip on a 400 mile line is not enough to evaluate Business Class. If one is travelling Washington to Boston, it may be a worthwhile upgrade,

[@taichanie]

I might come from a different position of privilege. But for me I'd be more then happy to pay an extra $16 to stand a better chance of having a window seat and not having anyone sit beside me as well as board further away from people not to have a mad rush.

[@pheidolefan]

In my trip it was actually cheaper than coach lol

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

The ct DOT shoreline route are using M8s from MTA for test at the time of your recording. CT DOT already is ordering.

[@LonestarTrips]

I was actually able to ride on one of the MTA branded M8s when heading down to New London, and I have to say they’re much nicer than the old rolling stock. Glad to see that CT Rail is upgrading their fleet finally.

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

@@LonestarTrips indeed.

[@broyofroyo1207]

Maybe take a trip on the ferry at new London, ferries would help grow your channel, I would love you to include ferries into your channel, please do it

[@LonestarTrips]

I’ll see what I can do!

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@LonestarTrips okay ✅

[@davidjackson7281]

The California Bay Area has a robust ferry system you may want to do a video on also.

[@broyofroyo1207]

@@davidjackson7281 maybe

[@davidjackson7281]

@@broyofroyo1207 You request a ferry report on your area and then have the audacity (lol) to opine on my request. Who are you to wish "maybe"? Sounds like you fear him switching to mine first, ha ha ha! We have many nice ferry lines here and I love the Staten Island Ferry!

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I wouldn't bother going with business class if i were you

[@downhillking2]

I couldn’t figure out how to subscribe; i’m having a bad day.

[@LonestarTrips]

KZbin says you're already subscribed, but I appreciate that you'd want to sub twice over!

[@carlsmith5545]

Lol!! America needs to finally obtain something they should of had decades ago, Highspeed rail. Instead they're decades behind. If you think the slow and lethargic american trains called Amtrak is great, wait till you finally get a taste of bullets. Highspeed bullet trains and maglev super train technology, the new american dream...

[@Ven100]

Calm down. The only commercially operational maglev is the Shangai airport maglev.

[@tankman_tv9332]

​@@Ven100this dude is everywhere he thinks he's so great and powerful by spamming this in *every single damn train related comment section* but he's not, he's an idiot and making a fool out of himself. I'm surprised youtubers haven't deleted this idiot's comment, but hey, free humiliation...or everyone just ignores him because no one wants to hear bullshit spammed by a patriotic European...he doesn't grasp the fact that the EU doesn't have perfect trains either, nor does China. (It's actually far from perfect)