New Amtrak Promotions a Good Value This Winter

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

See recent posts by Ed Perkins

Amtrak‘s current list of special promotions is the longest it’s been in a while, and you have more than the usual time to take advantage of them.

The deals include:

$10 one-way fares between Boston and Portland, including intermediate cities, on daily Downeaster trains. Buy by January 28 for travel from January 1 through January 31.
20 percent discount on tickets to Whitefish, Montana, from most main cities on the Empire Builder route between Chicago and Seattle/Portland. Buy by February 13 for travel through March 31.
20 percent discounts on tickets between Kansas City and St. Louis, including intermediate cities, on the Missouri River Runner. Buy by April 28 for travel from January 3 through April 30.
20 percent discounts on tickets for several Illinois trains: the Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr between Chicago and Quincy; the Illini and Saluki between Chicago and Carbondale; and the Lincoln service trains between Chicago and St. Louis, including intermediate cities. Buy tickets by April 29 for travel from January 1 through April 30.
20% discounts on several Michigan trains: the Blue Water between Chicago and Port Huron; the Pere Marquette between Chicago and Grand Rapids; and the Wolverine between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac, including intermediate cities. Buy tickets by April 29 for travel from January 1 through April 30.

Per usual with Amtrak promotions, discounts apply only to coach fare; advance purchase (usually one or two days) is required; seats are limited and are not available on all trains at all times; and some blackout dates apply.

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