See Canada by Rail, Save Big

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

VIA Rail Canada announced discounts of about 25 percent for Sleeper Plus accommodations on its premiere long-haul train, the Canadian, that operates between Toronto and Vancouver. Take the entire trip for $750 in an upper berth or $1,131 in a sleeper cabin, or take just one segment starting at $200 and $300, respectively, for Edmonton-Saskatoon. Sleeper fares include all meals. Book by March 9 and travel through May 31.

As usual, you can find even lower last-minute fares on limited dates and routes through VIA Rail’s Express Deals promotions. Currently, for example, you can get a Sleeper Plus two-person cabin between Toronto and Vancouver for $514 per person on a few departures during March. Express Deals apply systemwide, not just on the Canadian: A coach seat between Toronto and Windsor is $49 (regularly $106).

Amtrak Specials

In the U.S., this is the last call for two of Amtrak‘s current promotions:

A 50 percent companion discount on the Palmetto between Fayetteville and Savannah or on the Crescent between Atlanta and New Orleans. Buy by February 21; travel June 1 to June 30. Both of these trips operate during daytime hours. As usual with Amtrak, these promotions include travel in either direction and travel between intermediate stations; they’re limited to coach only, and the usual seat limitations apply.
If you’re a regular user of the Acela Express and a member of Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program, complete at least three round-trips or six one-way segments by February 29 and get a “free” business class trip between July 4 and August 30. The fare for each qualifying segment must be at least $90.

Several discount promotions we mentioned earlier—to Seattle (and return) and on the Adirondack, Missouri River Runner, and Chicago-area trains—still have another two months to run.

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.