I traveled first class on Amtrak for the first time. The most luxurious perk wasn't even on the train.
I traveled first class on Amtrak for the first time from Philadelphia to New York City.
The Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge came with many perks including free snacks and comfy seating.
I also enjoyed a complimentary meal and personalized service from a first-class attendant.
I've never flown in first class — the closest I've come was a free upgrade to Delta Comfort Plus because all the basic economy seats were full.
However, I got a taste of luxury with my first first-class Amtrak ride in February.
Amtrak ridership hit record highs in the fiscal year 2024 with 32.8 million trips, a 15% increase from 2023. In a statement, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said that the ridership record "shows that travelers throughout the US want efficient travel options, and we are committed to meeting that demand."
I occasionally take Amtrak for medium-distance trips when I don't have access to a car, but I've always sat in coach.
For my inaugural first-class trip, I paid $241 for a seat on an Acela train from Philadelphia to New York City, a journey that typically takes around 1 ½ hours.
An Amtrak representative told Business Insider that first-class passengers "enjoy priority boarding, premium amenities, complimentary onboard food and beverage services, and privileged access to station lounges" across the US.
Here are the most luxurious perks I enjoyed.
When booking my first-class trip from Philadelphia to New York City, I was surprised to find that I could select my seat.
When booking my ticket, a diagram on Amtrak's website showed the direction of travel so that I could choose a forward or backward-facing seat on the train.
I chose to sit in 5F, a single window seat facing forward.
An Amtrak representative told Business Insider that seat selection — which is not typically available for Amtrak coach seats — allows for "seamless boarding while taking the guesswork out of finding your seat."
With my first-class ticket, I gained admission to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in Philadelphia's 30th Street Station.
Seven cities in the US have Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, DC. Admission is included with a first-class ticket.
In select locations, business-class passengers can buy a day pass for $50.
The lounge featured comfortable seating, which can be difficult to come by in train stations.
Train stations like Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and New York City's Penn Station don't have much seating available in the public waiting areas.
In the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge, the armchairs and couches felt reminiscent of a hotel lobby.
I spent nearly three hours there, and the time flew by since I had cushy places to sit and a decent WiFi connection.
There was also a kitchenette stocked with complimentary snacks and drinks.
A coffee machine produced espresso, iced coffee, and hot chocolate. A water dispenser also offered still, sparkling, and hot water.
Insulated from the rest of the station, the lounge maintained a quiet, library-like atmosphere.
Train announcements were displayed on information screens instead of blasting through loudspeakers, and people kept their conversations and phone calls at a respectful volume.
The exclusivity of the space also meant it wasn't very crowded.
First-class passengers could board their trains directly from the lounge through private elevators.
Unfortunately, the elevator to my specific track was broken, so I had to join the regular boarding line outside the lounge.
My first-class seat appeared wider than a coach seat.
While the seat had more space to spread out with no seat next to it, I didn't notice a significant improvement in comfort. It felt more or less the same as the coach seat I'd sat in earlier in the day for my trip to Philadelphia, which had been perfectly comfortable.
Almost as soon as I sat down, a first-class attendant came to take my meal order.
Even though the trip was only scheduled to last about one hour and 22 minutes, it included a full meal from the first-class menu. Having someone take my order made me feel like I was at a restaurant and added to the luxurious experience.
I ordered a roasted root vegetable salad, which tasted fresh and well-seasoned.
The salad was a mix of arugula, spinach, purple potatoes, parsnips, chickpeas, tomatoes, and king mushrooms with a curry dressing.
It came with a warm roll and a small tiramisu in a jar, and I enjoyed the meal with a glass of cranberry juice.
I also got to eat my dinner with real silverware.
The silverware was stamped with the Acela logo.
After the meal, the first-class attendant came around and offered warm towelettes.
The lightly scented, moist towelettes were a refreshing end to the meal service.
I enjoyed the whole first-class experience, but the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge was my favorite perk by far.
I generally agree with my colleague Joey Hadden's previous assessment of Amtrak's first-class experience: The perks are cool, but not necessarily worth the higher price tag of $241 for a one-way ticket. The first leg of my journey, from New York to Philadelphia, cost just $19 for a coach seat.
If anything, the fact that first class doesn't feel like a significant upgrade is a testament to the comfort of Amtrak's coach cars.
The one exception, in my opinion, is the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge. While I may not book an expensive first-class ticket again for a shorter trip, I'd consider getting a lounge day pass for the luxury of having a quiet, comfortable, well-stocked waiting area.
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