NEWS



National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Intercity
210 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Fax: 312 655-2565



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				       ATK-96-59
March 27, 1996						       Contact: Marc Magliari			   							   	       312-655-1338

AMTRAK PARTNERS WITH VISA, AVIS AND CHOICE HOTELS TO OFFER SAVINGS

	CHICAGO -- Amtrak is offering a new fare that is made even better by discount packages with travel partners Visa U.S.A., Choice Hotels and Avis Rent A Car.  The Amtrak Explore America Fare offers travel for up to 30 days with unlimited stopovers in up to three regions and is improved by the first-ever provision of discounts from travel partners in a unique "trip journal."

	The discount coupons are enclosed in a booklet which allows passengers to keep track of their travels and is designed for Amtrak conductors to use their distinctive punches to indicate which train is ridden in each segment of the trip.  A special trip journal has also been prepared for kids, who can travel for half-fare if they are between 2 and 15 years old.	

	Additional discounts are available for Amtrak customers who use their Visa cards, including:
	 	A 5 percent discount on upgrades to Amtrak on-board sleeping accommodations;
	 	A 10 percent discount off the rack rate or room upgrades at more than 1,300 Choice Hotels, including Clarion Hotels, Quality Inns, Sleep Inns, Rodeway Inns and Econo Lodges;
	 	Up to $10 off a weekday car rental from Avis, or $20 off a weekend rental, a free weekend day or a free upgrade.

	In many cases, the fare is hundreds of dollars less than comparable regular coach fares.  For example, a Spring trip from Boston, to Washington, D.C., to Miami, to New Orleans, to Chicago, to Detroit, to Cleveland, to Buffalo and back to Boston would cost $158 with the Amtrak Explore America Fare.  The regular fare is $563.

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	The Amtrak Explore America Fare for two regions in the Spring is $198, while the Spring fare for three regions is $278.  Spring fares are in effect from now until June 16. Summer fares are $50 higher and apply if travel is for the period June 17-August 18.  All travel must be booked by May 15.

	Discounts from the Amtrak Explore America Fare are also available for the elderly or for students who hold an Amtrak "Student Advantage" card.   

	    Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for details on this fare.

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