Any success in getting a refund for a lost but unused Amtrak Railpass?

Question

I lost or was stolen a national 15 day railpass before getting to use it at all. It's worth 450 USD but Amtrak refuses to refund anything of that. They won't even issue a new pass as a replacement and tell me that I have to buy another one.

This pass that can only be used by me (there is a name on it and you need to produce photo ID before boarding), so Amtrak is pocketing the money without delivering any service associated with that pass.

Does anyone know a way to get a refund for that, or succeeded in getting something back?

Answer 1

The previous responders are right - there is no transportation company or transit authority that will refund or replace a lost pass - and even the most free-market oriented airlines require ticket repurchase in order to travel.  The red-meat conservative boilerplate that one of the responders threw into his post has no relevance to this issue.

Answer 2

there is no way to get a refund for your tickets, i am sorry to say.  i also work for a railroad as a conductor and i know for a fact that neither i nor the railroad can give a refund to anybody with a missing ticket.

Answer 3

Personally, I think you're up the creek without a paddle.  I don't know of ANY transportation company that will refund a ticket, regardless if it has your name on it.  Sorry.

Answer 4

You know the old saying, "You can't sue city hall."  I hate to say it but it sounds like you're out some rather significant bucks.  It probably won't do any good to write any of your federal representatives, but you may have some satisfaction in doing so.

And people wonder why AMTRAK is another fine example of another failed government program?  I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it.

As far as commuter mass transit AMTRAK is viable.  As a long distance transit system it is relic that should be done away with.  For crummy service, worse customer service and even worse on time performance AMTRAK excells!

Millions of our tax dollars are squandered each year trying to keep this landlocked "Titanic" afloat.  The northeast corridor does produce revenue, as well as the Coast Starlight on the west coast.  The rest is a giant money pit.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you have many who can commiserate with you, and I thought perhaps by pointing this out you may be able to derive some solace from these words.

Good luck.

Addendum: j poshepny.......I stand corrected on customer service, but only as it applies to ticket refunds.  But, as for the rest...........?

Answer 5

Hoghead,

It is usually Policy in Transportation NOT to give you a refund when you lose a Ticket, it isn't Amtrak's Fault.   So this isn't bad Customer Service and this perfectly normal.

Lazy Garden,

According to Page 131 in the Amtrak National Timetable "Your Tickets have Value.  Please Safeguard them as you would with Cash.   Amtrak disclaims liability for lost, stolen, misplaced or destroyed tickets.  In order to travel you will need to repurchase the tickets.

Answer 6

It's probably bad record-keeping.

Amtrak probaly won't give you another because they don't really know that you bought one.

Also, they won't refund it if you have used even one cent on it.