I spent 60 hours on overnight Amtrak trips. Here are 3 things everyone should know before booking a ticket.

In October 2021, I took two overnight Amtrak trains for the first time.

I traveled from NYC to Miami in a $500 roomette, which is a 20-square-foot enclosed private space with a foldout table, two chairs that fold out into a bed, and an additional bed that pulls down from the ceiling.

On my way back to NYC, I spent 30 hours in the next level up, a bedroom accommodation. It cost $1,000 for twice as much space as the roomette, with a private bathroom.

Reflecting on the trip, there are three things I wish I had known beforehand — and I think all first-time overnight Amtrak riders should know these things before booking.

When I booked my Amtrak rides, I could have saved money for future rides had I joined the train line's rewards program.

After my trip, I learned that Amtrak has a loyalty program that rewards passengers with two points for every $1 spent. Points may be used for tickets, hotels, shopping, and dining, and it's free to join.

I spent $1,500 on my overnight train tickets. So if I had signed up, I would have earned 3,000 points toward my next Amtrak adventure. I missed out this time, but next time I book, I'll be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.

I am 5-foot-3 and of average build, and I felt cramped in the roomette's 25 square feet of space. I didn't have enough room to do anything besides sit or stand.

If I were taller or larger, I imagine I would have felt even more cramped, especially if I shared the room with another person. This makes the upgrade to a bedroom worth it, in my opinion.

Although it's only 20 additional square feet, I thought the bedroom felt much more spacious than the roomette. I had enough room to get my body moving by dancing around. This felt freeing and satisfying, and, if I wanted to, I think I could have even done some body-weight exercises or practiced my karate moves.

The bedroom also had enough space for a sofa where I could stretch out and put my feet up, whereas the roomette only had two single seats.

Having my own bathroom was another bonus in the bedroom, and I think it's a great amenity when traveling with others.

Since I was a solo traveler, I had the choice between the top or bottom bunk in both rooms. During my first ride in the roomette, I was excited to try out the top bunk because I thought it would have better views of the passing landscape.

And it did, but to me, the elevated morning views weren't worth the shaky night. The bed was strapped to the ceiling. As I tried to sleep, I felt constant bumps. As a result, I woke up several times and ultimately missed out on a good night's rest.

After my shaky experience in the roomette's top bunk, I decided to sleep on the bottom bunk in the bedroom for my ride home. I still felt bumps in the night, but it wasn't nearly as shaky as my experience in the roomette.

So I recommend sleeping in the bottom bunk — especially if you're prone to motion sickness like me.

During my first overnight Amtrak trip, I made some mistakes, but hopefully, these reflections will help you avoid them and have a more comfortable, spacious trip while getting the most for your money.