In most cases, tickets that meet requirements can be either be exchanged for a refund voucher good for the full ticket amount or for cash. Money refunds are subject to a 10 percent service charge.
Standard ride fares are refundable before the travel date. Partial refunds can be issued if one-way tickets are only partly used. Upgrades such as first and business class can be changed and refunded separately if made more than one hour prior to departure. Sleeping car charges can be refunded if cancelled more than one week before travel.
Amtrak customers may purchase multi-ride tickets, which provide a series of round trips within a certain period. Once the ride period has begun, refunds are issued for a fraction of the full price and are highly dependent on the date the cancellation is made. For example, a cancellation made in the first few days of the ride period will return 75 percent of the total value. One made more than halfway through the month is not eligible for a refund.
Discounted tickets typically do not carry the same redemptive values as full price purchases, if any. Verification on policies should be made before purchase. Tickets bought through travel agencies and other outlets not operated by Amtrak also have their own policies.
Once a refund has been presented in the form of Amtrak credit, it must be redeemed within one year of the date in which it was issued. The value becomes invalid if it is not used or renewed before this date.
