I traveled 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/Business Insider

• I booked a first-class ticket on an Amtrak Acela traveling from New York City to Baltimore in 2022.
• For $273, I got free meal service and access to the Metropolitan Lounge at NYC's Penn Station.

When traveling from NYC to Baltimore in 2022, I rode in first class on an Amtrak Acela train.

Acela is the train line's express route on the East Coast with only business and first-class seating.

Two weeks before my trip, I booked a standard Amtrak Acela ticket for $121 and spent an extra $152 to upgrade to first class.

While it was a pleasant, 3-hour trip, I didn't feel the perks — including lounge access, meal service, and more space — were worth an additional $152.

"Much like our airline peers, Amtrak pricing strategy is influenced by several factors — demand, departure, seasonality, route, city pair, class of service, and other market conditions," a representative for Amtrak told Business Insider.

Here's an overview of my ride, including all the first-class offerings I received — and why they ultimately weren't worth the added price.