Hello Reader,

ALL ABOARD, for this week's newsletter!

Watch Out For Amtrak Scams

Last week, I came across a scam Facebook page that claimed to offer discounts on Amtrak tickets ranging from 30% to an absurd 330%. While getting paid to travel is amusing—who wouldn’t want that?—it’s likely that the 330% figure was simply a typo. Regardless, this was not a legitimate offer.

The scammers can also be found on other social media platforms.

Scammers create fake pages that try to mimic Amtrak to deceive travelers. I have also encountered similar scams that advertise free or heavily discounted Amtrak gift cards in the past.

Here are a few red flags to watch out for:

• Deals that seem too good to be true, e.g., discounts of up to 330% or free or cheap gift cards if you play an online game.
• The offers and games are not located on the official Amtrak website. If you can’t find the game or offer on Amtrak’s official website, it could indicate that something is amiss. Check the web address—if it doesn’t include “Amtrak.com” or if you did not get to it from the Amtrak website, you are probably on a fake website.
• Trains and logos don’t match Amtrak’s branding. Scammers often use low-quality, outdated images or artificially generated pictures. The AI watermark is visible in the example above.
• Recently created Facebook pages or social media accounts with little activity may indicate a scam. Amtrak has been on Facebook for years.

Also, check that any phone numbers on non-Amtrak pages are accurate. Some scammers use numbers that closely resemble Amtrak’s to appear legitimate.

Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant and help friends and family recognize these tactics. Together, we can avoid falling victim to these schemes.

New Amtrak Schedules on Travels With Kev

In the last few weeks, I have added two new train schedules and guides to the site: the Keystone and Empire Service.

Kev's Floridian Review

I finally expressed my thoughts on the Floridian. The article is available​ on Patreon for free; you do not need to be a member to read it.

What Kev Has Been Up To!

My parents often spend the holidays—and sometimes even longer—with my sister. This tradition began after my dad retired when my sister and her family lived in Nebraska. Now that they’re in Florida, my folks have embraced the snowbird lifestyle—but not this winter.

In October, my mom had emergency eye surgery, which prevented her from flying. Thankfully, it looks like she’ll be able to travel again soon. For now, though, they are preparing for a few winter months in Wisconsin.

This week, I have been planning a trip to fly both of them to Florida, with a same-day return for myself. Unfortunately, train travel is not an option for this trip.

My next train trip will be to Chicago, but I haven’t yet decided where to go for my regional journey. Should I take a day trip or stay overnight somewhere? What are your thoughts? Do you have any suggestions?

The train is the main event for this trip—the destination is just a bonus.

Concluding this email

Thanks for your time, and keep an eye out for those scammers!

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

Happy planning and safe travels!

Kev Monteith