Reservations must be made when required, and tickets are not transferable. In order to ensure the quality of travel and safety for its passengers, Amtrak may refuse to carry passengers:

• Who have not paid the applicable fare.
• Whose conduct is objectionable (e.g., under the influence of alcohol or narcotics).
• Whose personal hygiene makes them offensive.
• Who pose a health or safety hazard to other passengers or employees.
• Who refuse to comply with safety rules or with instructions of Amtrak personnel.

Amtrak employees or other authorized carrier representatives may remove such a passenger from the train at any inhabited place, as necessary under the circumstances, for any of the above reasons.

Once the value of a refund has been determined, as described in the following paragraphs, passengers have two options on how to receive the refund value:

1. Passengers may receive the full calculated refund value in the form of a non-refundable exchange voucher valid for future travel purchases.  (Note: this option is not available online.  See below for details on where to obtain refunds.)
2. Or, passengers may receive the calculated refund value, less a 10% refund service charge in the form of cash, check or credit to credit card, depending on the form of payment that was used for the ticket(s) being refunded. The maximum amount imposed by Amtrak on this 10% refund service charge will be $100 per refund transaction on any single reservation (Passenger Name Record).

Refund Calculations

Refunds will be calculated separately on each component of the total charges, as described below.

• Rail fare: Most tickets are refundable before travel begins. In most cases, partially used regular (full) one-way fare tickets may be returned for a partial refund. Some discount tickets are non-refundable once paid for.
• First Class seat charges on Acela Express / Metroliner trains; Business Class seat charges on other trains: Refundable if reservations are cancelled at least one hour prior to departure. If not cancelled by one hour prior to departure, the seat charge amount will not be refundable but it may be applied to future Amtrak travel purchases.  The First/Business Class non-refundability penalty will not be imposed if the customer chooses to cancel travel on account of the train being late one hour or more at the boarding station.
• Sleeping car accommodation charge: Refundable if sleeping car reservations are cancelled at least seven days prior to departure. If cancelled fewer than seven days prior to departure, but before actual departure, the accommodation charge is not refundable but may be applied to future travel purchases by issuance of a non-refundable exchange voucher. If not cancelled before actual departure ("no show"), the accommodation charge is neither refundable nor may it be applied to future travel.  The sleeping car non-refundability penalty will not be imposed if the customer chooses to cancel on account of the train being late two hours or more at the boarding station.
• Vehicle (automobile, van, motorcycle and bicycle) accommodation charge: refundable at any time.

Time Limits

An Amtrak ticket becomes non-refundable, not valid for carriage and has no exchange value, after one year from its date of issue (or other period if so endorsed on the ticket). An exchange voucher is valid for one year from date of issue, and may be renewed provided this is done before its expiration date.

Advance Payment and Prepaid Tickets

When purchased through either Amtrak's advance payment or prepaid programs, tickets are considered "paid for" and subject to the refund policies of any component rail fare, passenger type discount, and/or promotional discount, even if the actual tickets have not yet been printed.

On-board Refunds

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 ticket purchased.

Must Return Original Tickets

Cancellation or change of reservations does not generate a refund (except for unticketed advance payment reservations); the actual original unused or partially used ticket (not a photocopy) must be submitted.

Where to Obtain Refunds

Most refunds can be processed at Amtrak ticket offices, depending on the type of ticket and the form of payment. Exceptions do exist; please ask for details. Tickets purchased at a travel agency must normally be returned to that agency; however, Amtrak will process travel agency ticket refunds caused by a downgrade or a service disruption.

 Most tickets purchased online can be cancelled and refunded online.

Mail Refunds

Amtrak can process your unused ticket refund by mail. Send original tickets via certified mail with return receipt requested to: Amtrak Customer Refunds, Box 70, 30th St. Station, 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2898

The Rivanna Chapter assumes no libility for nor guarantee of the transportation provided by Amtrak.