Hello Reader,

ALL ABOARD, for this week's newsletter, we chat about reviews and how I use them to make better travel choices.

Additionally, NS is doing track work that can affect you if you plan on riding the Crescent.

Can You Trust Reviews? A Traveler’s Guide to Reading Between the Lines

When planning a trip, have you ever wondered: Should I trust this review? Or how can I use reviews to make better travel decisions?

Reviews can be a treasure trove of information—or a minefield of misinformation.

Whether booking lodging, choosing activities, or deciding on transportation, reviews often influence your choices.

But should they? And how can you tell the trustworthy ones from the rest?

Here are some strategies to help you figure it out and a look at how I view them.

What to Watch For

Not all reviews are created equal, and not all "reviewers" use the same scale. Expectations and misconceptions can affect what people write.

I’ve noticed that some people rate places they’ve never been to while others leave spammy or nonsensical reviews.

Remember, anyone can write a review, and while it is ethical to be truthful, you are not legally required to (until it becomes defamatory).

Watch out for these red flags:

• Generic or vague language: Reviews that say “It was amazing!” or “terrible experience” lack detail and provide little insight.
• Extremes of praise or criticism: Over-the-top reviews—either glowing or bitter—can be suspect. Real-life experiences often fall somewhere in between.
• Suspicious posting patterns: Multiple five-star reviews posted within a short period may indicate a push to boost ratings, while clusters of negative reviews could suggest an agenda.

Reading Between the Lines

I like to analyze the tone and context of reviews to get a clearer picture.

Here’s my approach:

• Is the reviewer reasonable? Reviews riddled with bitterness or personal attacks might say more about the writer than the experience. Issues sometimes arise, but a reasonable reviewer might note whether and how the writer and the business resolved them. However, it seems people do not update reviews as much as they should.
• What’s their track record? Check if the reviewer has written balanced feedback across different platforms. Someone who only posts one-star rants or only gives five stars to favorites might not be reliable.
• How old is the review? Businesses and services can change, so a review from years ago might not reflect the current experience.
• Grammar can matter. Poor grammar can often indicate botched writing or that someone did not take the time to be thoughtful and thorough. (I mean more than just a simple typo or two)

Tips for using reviews wisely

Here’s how to use reviews effectively without relying too heavily on any single one:

• Find patterns: Instead of focusing on outliers, identify recurring themes. If several reviewers mention poor Wi-Fi, it’s likely an ongoing issue.
• Read across platforms: Compare reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, or other platforms to get a fuller picture.
• Focus on what matters to you: If a review mentions a loud nightclub nearby, but you’re a night owl, that might not be a dealbreaker. If you prefer quiet, look for lodging further from the city center.

Final thoughts

So, can reviews be trusted? The answer is: sometimes.

Reviews are a tool, but they aren’t the whole story.

By reading between the lines, spotting patterns, trusting your instincts, and using your critical thinking skills, you can utilize them to guide your decisions without allowing them to dictate your choices.

After all, travel is about embracing the unexpected—even if it’s at a place with less-than-perfect ratings.

Track work affects the Crescent service

Track work by Norfolk Southern will affect the Crescent service from Monday to Thursday, January 7 to February 27, excluding February 17. Amtrak updated its schedule times and ticketing on Amtrak.com to reflect these changes.

Train 19 (New York to New Orleans): Service will terminate in Atlanta.

• Alternate transportation:
• Bus 3119: Operates between Atlanta and New Orleans, serving all scheduled stops.
• Bus 3019: Operates between Atlanta and New Orleans with no intermediate stops.

Train 20 (New Orleans to New York) Service will originate in Atlanta.

• Alternate transportation:
• Bus 3120: Operates between New Orleans and Atlanta, serving all scheduled stops.
• Bus 3020: Operates between New Orleans and Atlanta with no intermediate stops.

For updated schedules, visit Amtrak.com.

What has Kev been up to?

We made it to 2025, and I hope it is full of happiness and as much travel as you want.

Being a church organist, you can probably guess I’ve been busy this holiday season! Christmas Eve Mass was particularly memorable. The congregation sang beautifully, and I had the opportunity to let the organ truly shine. I even pulled out a few stops that the congregation hadn’t heard in a while—it was a special moment for everyone.

I bought some Hiawatha tickets this week using the updated app and website. Overall, the app seemed faster and smoother than before. However, it took a few minutes for the ticket to appear in the app after I purchased it through the website.

One thing that caught me off guard was that to view the QR code, you need to tap on your reservation when you open the My Trips section. It wasn’t immediately apparent, but once I found it, everything worked perfectly.

The other thing I like about the app updates is when you are in the My Trips area and on the train, they give you an estimate of your remaining time on the train. It at least did that for regionals.

The one big issue I had, which is not Amtrak exclusive, is if you have a text size bigger than standard, you see train numbers. Many apps have a similar issue of cutting off text if you enlarge the font size on your phone.

Concluding this Newsletter

Are you interested in how I plan trips? Are there topics you would like me to cover? If so, please reply to this email. I am considering making some changes to the newsletter.

I want to thank all of my supporters. Because of these wonderful people, I can help and serve more people. If you want to join them, check out my support page.

Thanks so much for being here and part of this incredible journey with me!

Happy planning and safe travels!

Kev Monteith