Travel Update 05-06

The Governor's Travel Control Board wishes to update agencies on the Amtrak policy on refunds.

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
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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When possible tickets should be exchanged for the full value for future travel. When a refund (less 10%) is received the full value of the ticket is not a reimbursable expense unless the Board grants an exception.

As the appointed Travel Coordinator for your agency, it is your responsibility to disseminate this information to all appropriate personnel within your agency. If you have any questions, please contact Kelley Shaw, State Travel Coordinator at (217) 782-4705.