Amtrak Military Children Discount

Dependent children (ages 2-12) of active-duty United States Armed Forces personnel are eligible for the discount. The person accompanying the dependent child does not need to be traveling at a military fare. You must present a valid active-duty military identification card (DD Form 1173) at the station before boarding.

Eligibility is specifically limited to:

• Children of active-duty military personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard)
• Children must be between 2 and 12 years old at time of travel
• Valid active-duty military ID required (without "Ret" or "Dec" designation)

The program does not extend to children of retired military, reserves (unless on active duty), ROTC, or military personnel of other countries.

You must present a valid active-duty United States Armed Forces identification card (DD Form 1173) at the station before boarding. The ID must be current and must not contain the letters "Ret" (retired) or "Dec" (deceased) in the lower left-hand corner.

Additional documentation that may be helpful includes:

• Birth certificates or passports for children to verify ages
• Military dependent ID cards if available
• Travel authorization documents if traveling during deployment
• Power of attorney if someone other than the military parent is traveling with the children

It's always recommended to carry multiple forms of identification when traveling with discounted fares to avoid any issues at boarding.

Yes, there are several restrictions to be aware of:

• The discount does not apply to sleeping accommodation charges
• Not valid for travel on certain Amtrak Connection services
• Not valid on the Canadian portion of services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada
• May not be combinable with other discount offers
• Subject to seat availability on preferred trains and dates
• Blackout dates may apply during peak holiday travel periods
• Advance booking may be required for certain routes

Always check the specific terms when booking your travel, as restrictions can vary by route and time of year. During high-demand periods like Thanksgiving and Christmas, availability may be limited.

No, the discount is specifically for children of active-duty US military personnel. It does not apply to:

• Children of retired military personnel
• ROTC personnel or their dependents
• Dependents of retired or deceased personnel
• Military personnel of other countries
• Reserve personnel unless on active duty

The discount is intended as support for currently serving military members and their immediate families. Amtrak does offer other discount programs that may be available to retired military families, including general military discounts for veterans and occasionally special promotions.

If you're a retired military family, check Amtrak's website for current veteran discounts and special offers that may provide savings for your travel.

The military children discount provides savings of approximately 10% off the regular fare, with children traveling at one-half the Adult Military fare. Here's how it works when booking:

• Online: Select the military children discount option during the booking process on Amtrak.com
• Mobile App: Choose the appropriate discount category when adding passengers
• Phone: Inform the agent that you're booking for military children
• Station: Request the military children discount when purchasing tickets

The discount is applied automatically during the booking process before payment. You'll need to provide information about the children traveling, including ages, and be prepared to show military ID at the station.

Remember that the person accompanying the children does not need to have military status or be traveling with a military discount themselves.

Amtrak has specific policies regarding car seats and young children:

• Child car seats cannot be secured to any seats onboard Amtrak trains or buses
• Passengers traveling with a child in a car seat may place the seat in a vacant seat only if it is not needed for a paying passenger
• Children under 2 years of age may be required to ride on the passenger's lap
• Child car seats may need to be stored in appropriate baggage areas
• Consider alternative travel arrangements if car seat use is essential
• Amtrak recommends checking with specific route policies before travel

These policies are in place because Amtrak seats are not designed with standard seatbelt configurations that can properly secure car seats. The smooth ride of trains generally doesn't require the same safety restraints as automobile travel.

For families with infants, many find the train experience more comfortable than air travel, with more space to move around and attend to children's needs during the journey.

Yes, the military children discount can be used for multiple children from the same military family. There's typically no limit to the number of children who can travel with the discount, as long as:

• All children are dependents of the same active-duty military member
• All children are between ages 2-12
• Proper military ID is presented for verification
• There is adequate seating availability on the desired train

For very large family groups or when traveling with extended family, it's recommended to:

• Book well in advance to ensure seat availability
• Consider Amtrak's group travel options for parties of 10 or more
• Contact Amtrak directly for assistance with complex family travel arrangements
• Verify that all children meet the age requirements at time of travel

Military families often use this discount for relocation travel, family reunions, and visiting relatives during deployment periods.

If you forget your valid active-duty military ID when traveling with the military children discount, you may encounter issues:

• You may be required to pay the difference between the discounted fare and the full fare
• In some cases, you may not be allowed to board with the discounted tickets
• Amtrak staff may offer a one-time courtesy but this is not guaranteed
• You may need to purchase new tickets at the full fare

To avoid these situations:

• Always double-check that you have your military ID before leaving for the station
• Consider keeping a digital copy of your ID as backup
• Allow extra time at the station in case verification takes longer than expected
• Have alternative payment methods available just in case

Amtrak's policy is clear that proper military identification is required to use military discounts, so it's essential to remember this important documentation.