Acela Express Tickets Go On Sale: Amtrak Launches New ``Amtrak Guest Rewards'' Program With Major Travel Partners.Business Editors & Transportation Writers WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2000 Tickets for Amtrak's Acela Express Acela Express (often called simply Acela, leading to early confusion with the Acela Regional and Acela Commuter) is the name used by Amtrak for the high-speed tilting train service operating between Washington, D.C. - America's first high-speed train - went on sale today as the company also announced a new nationwide frequent rider program - Amtrak Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corp., authorized to operate virtually all intercity passenger railroad routes in the United States. Amtrak was created by Congress in 1970 in response to more than two decades of continuous operating deficits by privately run Guest Rewards - providing travelers with even more reason to choose Amtrak. Amtrak celebrated the first ticket sales with events in Boston, Providence, New York Providence is a town in Saratoga County, New York, United States. The population was 1,841 at the 2000 census. The Town of Providence is on the county's western border and is west of Saratoga Springs, New York. , and Washington, presenting special guests with honorary first Acela Express tickets and the first membership cards in Amtrak Guest Rewards. "Amtrak is fundamentally committed to giving our guests the best service in the travel business," said Amtrak Board Chairman Gov. Tommy G. Thompson. "That's why we're so proud to begin the sale of Acela Express tickets to the traveling public in conjunction with the introduction of our new rewards program. Amtrak is changing, and we really mean it when we say we're putting the guest at the center of everything we do!" The first passenger Acela Express train will pull out of Washington Union Station on Dec. 11 at 5 a.m., arriving in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of at 7:44 a.m. It will then depart at 8:03 a.m. and arrive at Boston South Station at 11:31 a.m. The train will make an evening return to Washington, as part of its regular daily service. When all 20 trains are delivered to Amtrak from the manufacturer, Acela Express will serve Washington and New York with 19 weekday roundtrips and New York and Boston with 10 weekday roundtrips. Weekends will feature fewer roundtrips. Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary Mortimer Downey was among those receiving one of the first honorary Acela Express tickets today. "Acela Express and Amtrak Guest Rewards are just two examples of the immense progress Amtrak has made over the past year as the corporation works to ensure business success and self-sufficiency by 2002," said Downey. "The corporation's focus on their guests is vital to growing ridership rid·er·ship n. The number of passengers who ride a public transport system. and revenue and developing rail travel as a transportation alternative for the American public." Amtrak Guest Rewards One of the most flexible loyalty programs in the travel industry, Amtrak Guest Rewards enables members to earn points for free travel on board Amtrak, transfer points for free flights on United, Continental, and Midwest Express, and beginning January 1, 2001, exchange points with the Hilton HHonors Hilton HHonors[sic] is the loyalty program of the Hilton Hotels Corporation. HHonors benefits at participating Hilton, Conrad, Doubletree, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Grand Vacations Club, Homewood Suites (R) program, and earn free stays with Hilton HHonors hotels, Westin(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R), St. Regis(R), Luxury Collection(R), and W(R) hotels as well as Marriott hotels, and free car rentals from Hertz. Additionally, members may redeem their points for scores of retail items from partner stores and restaurants. Also beginning January 1, 2001, members will be able to earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points by purchasing services through select program partners. Members earn two Amtrak Guest Rewards points for each dollar spent on Amtrak travel, making it easier and faster to earn points toward free travel and other program rewards. Between Washington, New York Washington is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 4,742 at the 2000 census. The town is named after George Washington, who passed through the town during the revolution. , and Boston, guests on Metroliner and Acela Express services will earn even more - 500 points for each travel segment. Members also receive 50 points per rental day starting January 1, 2001 when they rent a car from Hertz. Furthermore, members can earn points when they stay at any participating HHonors hotels including Hilton(R), Conrad International(R), Doubletree(R), Embassy Suites Hotels Embassy Suites Hotels is a chain of hotels, which specializes in suite-style rooms that is owned by Hilton Hotels Corporation. Embassy Suites is an upscale chain of all-suite hotels. All guest rooms of this chain feature a separate living area as well as a sleeping area. (R), Hampton Inn(R), Hampton Inn & Suites(R), Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Garden Inn is the name of a chain of hotels operated by Hilton Hotels Corporation. Hilton Garden Inns are considered to be upscale, mid-priced hotels that are designed for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel brand is similar to that of the Courtyard by Marriott brand. (R) and Homewood Suites(R), by Hilton hotels
In addition to the airline, hotel, and car rental partners, members may redeem their points for gift certificates with retailers and restaurants including Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Bath & Body Works, Bloomingdale's, Corporate Movie Club, Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer (NASDAQ: EBHI) is a clothing store chain. Headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and a subsidiary of Eddie Bauer Holdings (formerly Spiegel, Inc.), the company was founded in Seattle in 1920 as "Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop" by its namesake, Eddie Bauer (1899 – (R), Macy's, The Olive Garden  This article or section is written like an .Please help [ rewrite this article] from a neutral point of view. Mark blatant advertising for , using . , Red Lobster, The Sharper Image, SpaWish.com, TGIFriday's, and The White Barn Candle, Co. Amtrak guests begin earning points in Amtrak Guest Rewards simply by enrolling. To enroll, guests can call 800/307-5000 or pick up a form at select stations. Enrollment forms can be faxed or mailed to Amtrak, and the new member will receive 400 points for enrolling and traveling within 90 days. Guests can also enroll online at www.amtrak.com and earn 500 points. Members receive a permanent member ID number upon enrollment that can be used immediately to begin earning points. Following enrollment, members will receive an Amtrak Guest Rewards member ID card and welcome kit in the mail. Points are earned for tickets purchased through all Amtrak ticket outlets including ticket counters, in-station Quik Trak machines, online at www.amtrak.com, by calling 800/USA-RAIL, or through travel agents. Members can track their Amtrak Guest Rewards account through quarterly statements, online at www.amtrak.com, or by calling 800/307-5000 and using the automated voice response system. Newsletters will provide members with valuable information on the program including new partners and promotions. To redeem points for travel on Amtrak, members must call the Amtrak Guest Rewards Service Center. Members may transfer their Amtrak Guest Rewards points to participating airline and hotel programs by calling the service center or redeeming them online at www.amtrak.com. Acela Express America's first high-speed rail High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions include 200-320 km/h (125-200 mph) - depending on whether the track is upgraded or new - by the European Union and above 90 mph service, the 150-mph Acela Express is the alternative for business travelers who are tired of crowded shuttle flights and need a break from congested con·gest·ed adj. Affected with or characterized by congestion. congested ENT adjective Referring to a boggy blood-filled tissue. See Nasal congestion. highways. Service between Washington and New York and New York and Boston is competitive with the airlines in travel times and fares, but far exceed the competition in amenities. Each train accommodates up to 304 guests. There are 32 conference tables, located throughout the train, making impromptu business meetings comfortable. Each spacious seat has generous legroom leg·room n. Room in which to stretch the legs while seated. legroom Noun space to move one's legs comfortably, as in a car legroom n → , adjustable headrests, video news programming, three audio music channels, and an electrical outlet for laptops and other personal electronic devices. A new standard in passenger travel, Acela Express has First and Business Class reserved service with at-seat meal service in First Class. The pub-style cafe cars have television monitors, pay phones, and an extended menu selection. And as on all Amtrak trains, there is unlimited use of cellular phones and pagers on board. Regularly scheduled service will begin December 11 with one trip daily in each direction between Washington and Boston. The train will reach its top speed of 150 mph between New York and Boston Back Bay Station - 50 mph faster than today's train - completing that leg of the journey in three hours, 23 minutes. The Washington-New York journey will take two hours, 44 minutes, make six stops, and achieve a top speed of 135 mph. Acela Express will serve Washington, BWI BWI abbr. British West Indies Airport, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Newark, New York Newark is a village in Wayne County, New York, U.S., 30 miles (48 km) east by south of Rochester. The population was 9,682 at the 2000 census. The Village of Newark is in the south part of the Town of Arcadia and is in the south of Wayne County. , New Haven New Haven, city (1990 pop. 130,474), New Haven co., S Conn., a port of entry where the Quinnipiac and other small rivers enter Long Island Sound; inc. 1784. Firearms and ammunition, clocks and watches, tools, rubber and paper products, and textiles are among the many , Providence, and three stations in the Boston area - Route 128, Back Bay, and South Station. One-way fares for Business Class are $143 between Washington and New York and $120 between New York and Boston. Upgrades are available for First Class. Amtrak operates a 22,000-mile intercity passenger rail system, serving more than 500 communities in 45 states. For more information about Amtrak, including schedules, fares and reservations, visit Amtrak's Web site at www.amtrak.com. |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion