Check for discounts before booking. I can say for certain there are no long-standing discounts for media or former Peace Corps volunteers riding on Amtrak, but there are cheaper rates for children, military personnel, AAA card holders, students, seniors and a whole host of other people. The company also frequently has deals on certain lines, and there’s also a guest rewards program that allows you to earn points as you ride (sort of like frequent flyer miles). Check before you book to see if you qualify for a discounted ticket.2. Expect employees to be angry with Amtrak but not with passengers. I don’t know what’s going on at Amtrak’s corporate office, but the employees on the trains are not happy about it. While the staff aboard the Sunset Limited was very polite to the passengers, when passengers voiced concerns or had problems with something on the train, I heard the staff tell them that they should call the corporate office and say something about the issue. The employees would go on to say that they’d tried to address the issue themselves with headquarters, but that “they don’t listen to anything we say.” So expect problems and don’t expect staff on board to be able to do anything about them. And don’t take it personally if they seem overworked or frustrated. It’s not you, it’s the company they work for.