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  4. I travelled first-class on an Amtrak Acela train and thought the perks were cool — but not worth the $270 price tag

I travelled first-class on an Amtrak Acela train and thought the perks were cool but not worth the $270 price tag

Joey Hadden   

I travelled first-class on an Amtrak Acela train and thought the perks were cool — but not worth the $270 price tag
The author rode first class in an Amtrak Acela and enjoyed the experience, but didn't think it was worth the extra money.Joey Hadden/Insider
  • I recently booked a first-class ticket on an Amtrak Acela traveling from New York City to Baltimore.
  • For $273, I got free meal service and access to the Metropolitan Lounge at NYC's Penn Station.

I recently spent three hours in first-class on the Acela Amtrak train from New York City to Baltimore, and while it was a pleasant experience, I don't think it was worth the $273 ticket price.

I recently spent three hours in first-class on the Acela Amtrak train from New York City to Baltimore, and while it was a pleasant experience, I don
The author enjoys a first-class Amtrak ride.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Acela is an Amtrak express train on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating.

Acela is an Amtrak express train on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating.
A view from my seat in first class.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

Two weeks before my trip, I booked a standard Amtrak Acela ticket for $121, and spent an extra $152 to upgrade to first-class. (Amtrak did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on its pricing.)

Two weeks before my trip, I booked a standard Amtrak Acela ticket for $121, and spent an extra $152 to upgrade to first-class. (Amtrak did not immediately respond to Insider
A car on an Amtrak Acela stopped at Penn Station in Baltimore.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Amtrak

Insider paid for the trip, per our reporting standards.

Even though the fare I booked was about $100 cheaper than the same tickets in upcoming weeks, according to a quick Amtrak search, I didn't feel the perks of first-class — including lounge access, meal service, and more space — were worth an additional $152.

Even though the fare I booked was about $100 cheaper than the same tickets in upcoming weeks, according to a quick Amtrak search, I didn
The author takes in the views with a refreshment.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I got to NYC's Penn Station at around 8 a.m. for my 9 a.m. train to Baltimore on a Sunday morning.

I got to NYC
Outside of NYC's Penn Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It was my second time leaving from Moynihan Train Hall. I find the $1.6 billion expansion of Penn Station to be well-lit, clean, and easy to navigate.

It was my second time leaving from Moynihan Train Hall. I find the $1.6 billion expansion of Penn Station to be well-lit, clean, and easy to navigate.
Inside the Moynihan Train Hall.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Since I arrived early, I made my way to the Metropolitan Lounge on the second floor.

Since I arrived early, I made my way to the Metropolitan Lounge on the second floor.
An entrance leading up to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The Metropolitan Lounge is a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers with comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks.

The Metropolitan Lounge is a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers with comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks.
A view from the front of the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

First-class passengers get in for free on the day of their trip, and business-class passengers can pay $50 to access the club.

First-class passengers get in for free on the day of their trip, and business-class passengers can pay $50 to access the club.
Rows of seating in the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I thought the space was beautifully decorated and very clean. There were only a couple of other people there at the time of my visit.

I thought the space was beautifully decorated and very clean. There were only a couple of other people there at the time of my visit.
A view of the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I made my way to the snacks and confirmed they were complimentary.

I made my way to the snacks and confirmed they were complimentary.
The snack counter in the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was surprised and overwhelmed by the wide selection, which included Kind bars, cookies, popcorn, chips, and candy. Looking back on it, I wish I asked for a few more treats.

I was surprised and overwhelmed by the wide selection, which included Kind bars, cookies, popcorn, chips, and candy. Looking back on it, I wish I asked for a few more treats.
Snack options in the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

There were also free beverages like coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.

There were also free beverages like coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.
Beverage options in the lounge.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I ordered water, an iced coffee, and a Kind bar. The server gave me an extra one.

I ordered water, an iced coffee, and a Kind bar. The server gave me an extra one.
The author's free snacks.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As I was waiting for my train in the peaceful, comfy space with my free refreshments, I thought it was nice, but I wouldn't pay $50 for it.

As I was waiting for my train in the peaceful, comfy space with my free refreshments, I thought it was nice, but I wouldn
The author's view from her seat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When it was time to board around 8:40 a.m., I found my gate easily and got on the train quickly.

When it was time to board around 8:40 a.m., I found my gate easily and got on the train quickly.
The boarding process.      Joey Hadden/Insider

In first-class Acela cars, there are two seats on one side and one seat on the other.

In first-class Acela cars, there are two seats on one side and one seat on the other.
A first-class Amtrak Acela car.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I was thrilled when I found that my seat was in the single row because I had a little more space to myself.

I was thrilled when I found that my seat was in the single row because I had a little more space to myself.
The author's first-class seat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Before I sat down, I placed my backpack in the overhead bin to maximize legroom.

Before I sat down, I placed my backpack in the overhead bin to maximize legroom.
The author's backpack in the overhead bin.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The chairs were big so I thought they'd be comfy but they were stiffer than I was expecting. Below me, a footrest pulled out from the seat back chair.

The chairs were big so I thought they
The author tests the footrest.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Above me, I had access to two lights with two different settings, although I didn't use them since my trip was during the day.

Above me, I had access to two lights with two different settings, although I didn
Both lighting options in an Amtrak Acela.      Joey Hadden/Insider

While I didn't think the chair itself was that comfortable, I was grateful that it had the option to recline slightly by pushing this button.

While I didn
Seat controls on the train.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Next to my feet, there were two outlets to charge my devices.

Next to my feet, there were two outlets to charge my devices.
Outlets on the train.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The train began moving right at 9 a.m., and it felt faster and even more bumpy than previous Amtrak rides I've taken.

The train began moving right at 9 a.m., and it felt faster and even more bumpy than previous Amtrak rides I
The author looks out the window.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Similar to an airplane, a tray table pulled out from the back of the seat in front of me.

Similar to an airplane, a tray table pulled out from the back of the seat in front of me.
The tray table in the upright position.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Once I put mine down, a train attendant brought me complimentary food and drink menus.

Once I put mine down, a train attendant brought me complimentary food and drink menus.
The first-class drinks menu on Amtrak Acela.      Joey Hadden/Insider

For breakfast, I could choose between four options including an omelet or an empanada. I went with a fresh fruit plate and orange juice.

For breakfast, I could choose between four options including an omelet or an empanada. I went with a fresh fruit plate and orange juice.
The first-class menu on Amtrak Acela.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The orange juice came out immediately with a glass of ice. The shakiness of the train made it rattle, causing me to worry it might spill.

The orange juice came out immediately with a glass of ice. The shakiness of the train made it rattle, causing me to worry it might spill.
The author's tray table with orange juice on it.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Three minutes later, my meal came out, and I was surprised to find that it included a croissant, too.

Three minutes later, my meal came out, and I was surprised to find that it included a croissant, too.
The author's fruit plate.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The fruit tasted cold and fresh. Every piece was just as juicy and flavorful as the last, which surprised me. The croissant tasted a little less fresh to me, but it was still warm and tasty.

The fruit tasted cold and fresh. Every piece was just as juicy and flavorful as the last, which surprised me. The croissant tasted a little less fresh to me, but it was still warm and tasty.
The author enjoys her meal.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Overall, I was satisfied with my meal, but the combination of the service, the food, and the seat didn't feel like it was worth an additional $152 to me.

Overall, I was satisfied with my meal, but the combination of the service, the food, and the seat didn
The author's tray.      Joey Hadden/Insider

The bathroom also seemed to be quite typical of a train bathroom in other classes, in my experience. I didn't notice any special, luxurious touches that would make it feel more first-class.

The bathroom also seemed to be quite typical of a train bathroom in other classes, in my experience. I didn
The bathroom in the first-class car.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Regardless, I was a fan of the big windows that provided awesome views of the cities, forests, and bodies of water in between New York and Baltimore.

Regardless, I was a fan of the big windows that provided awesome views of the cities, forests, and bodies of water in between New York and Baltimore.
Somewhere between Delaware and Maryland.      Joey Hadden/Insider

When I arrived in Baltimore, I was glad I got the chance to try the first-class experience. But next time, I'll save my money and just book a regular ticket.

When I arrived in Baltimore, I was glad I got the chance to try the first-class experience. But next time, I
An Amtrak stopped at Baltimore's Penn Station.      Joey Hadden/Insider

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