However, I got a taste of luxury with my first first-class Amtrak ride in February ... I paid $241 for a seat on an Acela train from Philadelphia to New York City, a journey that typically ...

The flash sale ends Friday. Amtrak is one of the best ways to see the vast country, and the company is putting its USA Rail Pass on sale this month to help travelers do that on a budget.

However, the pass is not available to use on Acela trains, the Auto Train, the Maple Leaf line in Canada, or on the Thruway Bus Series 7000-7999. Beyond the USA Rail Pass, Amtrak offers two other ...