Once the value of a refund has been calculated, based on the rules applicable to the fare paid, passengers have two options to receive the refund value:
Refunds will be calculated for the total fare paid for each trip, as described below.
Passenger travel in a reservation is grouped into trips. A “trip” is a grouping of continuous travel. Example: A booking Wilmington - Washington - Chicago - Seattle with same-day connections is one trip. Refund rules are applied based on the scheduled departure for the first travel in a trip. When more than one type of travel is in a trip, the refund policy is applied to the entire trip based on the primary travel type in the trip which is determined in the following order:
Example: If a trip includes both reserved coach and sleeper. The sleeper refund policy applies to the entire trip.
Unlimited monthly tickets are refundable if returned for refund before month begins. If returned on days 1 - 10 of the valid month, 50% of the value is refundable. If returned on day 11 or later, no refund or exchange credit. Multi-ride tickets good for a fixed number of rides are refundable if the ticket is wholly unused. If one or more rides have been taken, no refund or exchange credit. Refund fee applies to all multiride refunds. Refunds may be restricted if the multiride ticket was paid with a tax-free transit subsidy.
Monthly ticket refunds are calculated based on the date of the refund request.
| Refund Request Date | Amount of Refund | Exchange Value |
|---|---|---|
| Before valid month | Full refund, less 10% refund fee | 100% |
| Day 1 through day 10 of valid month | 50% refund, less 10% refund fee | 50% |
| On or after day 11 of valid month | Non-refundable | None |
| Number of Rides (punches) Taken | Amount of Refund | Exchange Value |
|---|---|---|
| None | Full refund, less 10% refund fee | 100% |
| One or more | Non-refundable | None |
The refund policies for multi-ride tickets sold by Amtrak for other carriers (such as MARC and Shore Line East) are determined by the carrier.
The refund policy is that of the passenger ticket with which the vehicle or carry-on fee ticket is associated. Example: Sleeper and automobile on Auto Train. The sleeper refund policy also applies to the automobile ticket.
No refund or exchange credit is given if a passenger boards a train at a station beyond, or detrains at a station before, the station from or to which he or she was reserved, or if the passenger downgrades accommodations on the train. To receive a fare adjustment the passenger must change the reservation before the train departs the original boarding station of that train. This restriction will not apply if there is a service disruption.
Where applicable, refund fee is 10% of the total amount refunded, with a minimum amount of $5.00 and a maximum amount of $100.00 per refund transaction. Unless stated otherwise, if a ticket is refundable, the passenger may avoid any refund fee by accepting the full refund value of the ticket as an eVoucher or other exchange credit, good toward future travel within one year.
The above restrictions and fees will not apply to refunds requested by passengers if the train is two hours or more late (long distance trains) or one hour or more late (corridor trains) at the departure station.
An Amtrak ticket becomes non-refundable, not valid for carriage and has no exchange value, after one year from the date payment was made for that ticket (or other period if so endorsed on the ticket). An eVoucher or other exchange credit is valid for one year from date of issue, and may be renewed provided this is done before its expiration date.
eTickets and tickets purchased through other prepaid programs are considered "paid for" and subject to the refund policies of any component rail fare, passenger type discount, and/or promotional discount, even if paper value tickets have not yet been printed.
Passengers who downgrade accommodations or reduce the number in their party on board trains must obtain a Refund Authorization Form from the conductor; actual refundability, if any, will be determined by the rules that apply to the fare paid.
Cancellation or change of reservations does not generate a refund (except for eTicket reservations); the actual original unused or partially used ticket (not a photocopy) must be submitted.
Refunds of eTickets may be processed at ticket offices, by calling 800-USA-RAIL or through the Amtrak Refunds department. If paper value tickets were printed, they must be returned for any refund. Stations do not keep large amounts of cash on hand and refunds of eTickets or paper value tickets paid by cash may have to be sent to Amtrak Refunds, which will send a refund check. Paper value tickets purchased from a travel agency must be returned to that agency, except when there is a service disruption.
Most tickets purchased online can be canceled and refunded online.
Amtrak can process your unused ticket refund by mail. Send original tickets via certified mail with return receipt requested to:
Amtrak Refunds
Box 70
30th St. Station
2955 Market Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898
