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.

When traveling from NYC to Baltimore in 2022, I rode in first class on an Amtrak Acela train — 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 three-hour trip with lounge access, meal service, and more space, I didn’t think these perks 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 B-17

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.

I got to NYC’s Penn Station at around 8 a.m. for my 9 a.m. train to Baltimore on a Sunday morning.

Inside the Moynihan Train Hall

It was my second time leaving from Moynihan Train Hall. I found the $1.6 billion expansion of Penn Station to be well-lit, clean, and easy to navigate.

Since I arrived early, I made my way to the Metropolitan Lounge on the second floor, where first-class passengers get in for free.

A view of the lounge.

Much like an airport lounge, the space is a quiet waiting area for select Amtrak customers with comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks.

First-class passengers get in for free on the day of their trip, and business-class passengers can pay $50 to access the club.

The space was beautifully decorated and very clean. Only a couple of other people were there when I visited.

I made my way to the snacks and confirmed they were complimentary.

The snack counter in the lounge.

I was surprised and overwhelmed by the wide selection, which included Kind bars, cookies, popcorn, chips, and candy. Looking back, I wish I asked for a few more treats.

There were also free beverages like coffee, iced tea, and citrus-infused water.

I ordered water, an iced coffee, and a Kind bar. The server gave me an extra one.

The author’s refreshments in the lounge.

As I was waiting for my train in the peaceful, comfy space with my free refreshments, I thought it was nice, but I wouldn’t pay $50 for it.

When it was time to board around 8:40 a.m., I found my gate easily and got on the train quickly.

A first-class Amtrak Acela car.

In first-class Acela cars, there are two seats on one side and one seat on the other. My assigned seat was in a single row.

I was thrilled when I found that my seat was in a single row because I had a little more space to myself.

The author’s first-class seat. 

Before I sat down, I placed my backpack in the overhead bin to maximize legroom.

The chairs were big, so I thought they’d be comfy, but they were stiffer than expected.

The author tests the footrest. 

Below me, a footrest pulled out from the seat back chair. Next to my feet, there were two outlets to charge my devices.

While I didn’t think the chair was that comfortable, I was grateful it could recline slightly by pushing this button.

Seat controls on the train.

Similar to an airplane, a tray table pulled out from the back of the seat in front of me.

And above, I had access to two lights with two different settings, although I didn’t use them since my trip was during the day.

When the train began moving at 9 a.m., a train attendant brought me complimentary food and drink menus.

The first-class menu on Amtrak Acela.

For breakfast, I could choose between four options, including an omelet or an empanada.

I went with a fresh fruit plate and orange juice.

The author’s fruit plate. 

The orange juice came out immediately with a glass of ice. The shakiness of the train made it rattle, causing me to worry it might spill.

Three minutes later, my meal came out, and I was surprised to find that it included a croissant, too.

The fruit tasted cold and fresh. Every piece was just as juicy and flavorful as the last. The croissant tasted a little less fresh to me, but it was still warm and tasty.

Overall, I was satisfied with my meal, but the combination of the service, the food, and the seat didn’t feel worth an additional $152 to me.

The bathroom also seemed to be quite typical of a train bathroom in other classes, in my experience.

The bathroom in the first-class car.

I didn’t notice any special luxurious details that would make it feel more first-class.

Regardless, I was a fan of the big windows that provided awesome views of the cities, forests, and bodies of water between New York and Baltimore.

A peek out the author’s window during the ride.

When I arrived in Baltimore, I was glad I got the chance to try the first-class experience. But next time, I’ll save money and just book a regular ticket.