Elevate Your Travel Experience

The Bidding Process

Business Class

Enjoy an enhanced experience for your trip, including the following amenities:

  • A dedicated car or section on the train
  • Extra legroom
  • A 25% point bonus for Guest Rewards members
  • Reserved seating (available exclusively on Northeast Regional, Palmetto, Carolinian, Vermonter)

Acela First Class

The ultimate experience when traveling in the Northeast. Acela First Class offers an array of premium amenities, including:

  • Single, double and conference table seating
  • At-seat service with complimentary meals and beverages
  • A 50% point bonus for Guest Rewards members
  • Complimentary lounge access 
  • Priority boarding
  • Reserved seating

  • What is Amtrak BidUp?

    Amtrak BidUp is an online auction that gives you the chance place a bid to upgrade your reservation into our premium classes of service: Business Class and Acela First Class.

  • How do I know if I'm eligible?

    You can check the eligibility of your trip any time by entering your reservation number and last name above. The primary passenger on any eligible trip will be invited to bid for an upgrade via email or Amtrak app push notification four days before scheduled departure.

  • Which classes of service can I bid for an upgrade?

    Amtrak BidUp allows you to place a bid for an upgrade from Coach to Business Class and from Acela Business Class to Acela First Class. Bidding for an upgrade for reserved accessible seating and bidding for an upgrade to a private room will be offered at a later date.

  • When can I place a bid?

    For upgrades to Business Class or Acela First Class, you can place your bid up to two hours before scheduled departure.

  • Can I place multiple bids?

    If there are multiple upgrade options on your trip, you can place a bid for each class of service available. Prior to departure, only one of your offers will be accepted and one upgrade will be awarded.

  • When can I cancel or modify my offer?

    For upgrades to Business Class or Acela First Class, you can modify or cancel your bid at any time up until two hours before scheduled departure.

  • How do I modify or cancel my bid?

    Modify or cancel your offer by using the link in the BidUp email you received to access your submitted offers.

  • When will I know if my offer was accepted?

    For upgrades to Business Class or Acela First Class, winning bids will be awarded one to two hours before scheduled departure.

  • What happens if my bid is accepted?

    Once awarded an upgrade, you'll be notified and receive a new ticket via email. Your ticket will also be refreshed on the Amtrak app. At this time, your designated credit card will be charged. Check out the full terms and conditions here.

  • How will my credit card be charged?

    While you may notice an authorization on your credit card at the time you place your bid, your credit card will not be charged until your upgrade has been awarded. If your bid is not accepted, there will be no charge to your credit card.

  • What if I bid for an upgrade and then need to modify or cancel my trip?

    If you choose to modify or cancel your trip before your bid is awarded, your bid will automatically be canceled and your credit card will not be charged. Once your bid has been awarded, your trip can not be modified or canceled.

  • If I'm upgraded, can I seek a refund on my trip?

    No. Once your bid is awarded and your ticket has been upgraded, your ticket is fully non-refundable, non-changeable, non-transferable.

  • Will I earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points if I’m upgraded?

    Yes. If you are an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you'll continue to earn two points per dollar spent on your trip. Upgrades to Business Class will receive a 25% point bonus while upgrades to Acela First Class will receive a 50% point bonus.

  • Can I bid using my Amtrak Guest Rewards points?

    No, at this point in time, Amtrak Guest Rewards points cannot be used as a payment option to bid for an upgrade.

  • Can I bid up my reservation that I booked with Amtrak Guest Rewards points?

    No, Amtrak Guest Rewards redemption reservations are currently not available for bidding. However, Amtrak is hoping to offer BidUp for reservations paid with points in the future.

  • Can I upgrade only some of the passengers on my reservation?

    No, BidUp upgrades apply to all passengers on the reservation.

  • How can I opt out of BidUp communications?

    You can unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any Amtrak BidUp email. You can also opt out of push notification in the settings of the Amtrak app by clicking on ‘Settings’ and opting out of ‘Travel Offers’).

  • Does my travel insurance transfer to my awarded upgrade?

    Before you place a bid, check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage. If you selected Allianz Travel Protection when purchasing your Amtrak ticket, you can contact them directly here.