CHICAGO — Amtrak business-class passengers no longer receive free admission to Chicago Union Station’s Metropolitan Lounge, although a $35 day pass is available.
Enlarged and reimagined at a new location within the sprawling facility in 2016, the Metropolitan Lounge’s primary function has been to serve transferring long-distance sleeping car passengers. It is a multi-level place to relax, offering snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
The change became effective Oct. 1 — in part, Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari tells Trains News Wire, because “the new Amtrak Midwest railcars have significantly more seats in business class than we’ve been offering on the Amtrak Midwest network.”
The Siemens Venture business class cars, featuring 1-2 seating, have about twice the capacity of the half-car business sections of Horizon and Amfleet I cafes now operating on routes out of Chicago. So far, the new cars have carried only coach travelers [see “Venture business class cars debut …,” News Wire, April 13, 2023]. That is likely to continue until Venture cafes are delivered beginning in 2024.
Lounge access varies nationwide
Amtrak Guest Rewards members with Select Plus (at least 10,000 annual tier qualifying points) and Select Executive (20,000+ points) status may use a premium lounge on the day of travel, even on a coach ticket, though a Chicago Metropolitan Lounge agent recently insisted that a Select Plus member required a separate day pass.
Any Guest Rewards participant can also redeem a “complimentary” day pass for 1,500 points.
Business class passengers may still use the smaller, unstaffed lounges at St. Louis and Portland, Ore. Policies elsewhere include:
— Los Angeles Union Station’s Metropolitan Lounge is available to business class passengers for $25
— Northeast Corridor business class passengers may buy day passes at Metropolitan and Club Acela staffed lounges for $35 at Boston and Philadelphia, or New York’s Moynihan Train Hall for $50. According to Amtrak’s website, business class customers don’t have a Metropolitan Lounge option at Washington D.C. Union Station.
— In addition to St. Louis, unstaffed lounges at New Orleans; St. Paul, Minn.; and Wilmington, Del., may be used by sleeping car passengers, complementary single-visit pass holders, and Select Plus and Select Executive Guest Reward members.
Chicago’s Metropolitan Lounge is busiest from mid-morning to mid-afternoon for westbound passengers, and again late afternoon into the evening for travelers making eastbound connections. With a few exceptions, Michigan, St. Louis, and downstate Illinois departures with business class generally aren’t scheduled when most long-distance trains are loading, but late inbounds from the west can make the lounge a busy place.
