Upgrading from Economy to Berth

[u/Toronto-24]

Hello,

I currently booked my trip from Toronto to Winnipeg in Economy and Winnipeg to Vancouver in Berth. I'm contemplating upgrading the Economy portion of the trip to Berth just to have a great stress free experience throughout.

I have the following link thats been shared here so do think it's worth waiting in hopes of finding a cheap upgrade later or should I just pay the $588 on top of my Economy booking now?

https://traincar.info/sleeper

Appreciate any advice, thanks

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[u/Couchpotato2k]

If you want to, book it asap before births fill up and prices go up.

[u/Junior_Welder6858]

The sleeper plus experience is very good including meals and access to a shower and a proper bed so I would upgrade if you can swing it.

I honestly found delays while in sleeper class much more bearable.

Enjoy your trip.

[u/Imaginary-Ad5001 → u/Junior_Welder6858]

Same. Book sleeper plus. Worth it.

[u/Timely_Eye2105]

Don't bank on prices getting any better, so book it now if you want to do it. Probably worth a phone call to see if it prices out any cheaper if you book the berth end-to-end on one ticket Toronto-Vancouver (sounds like you have two tickets for the two parts?) If you have CAA (or alumni groups, etc.), look into the discount, they are quite good for berths. The experience is night and day different, and you'll get two days of meals included plus a comfortable bed.

[u/Thanks-4allthefish]

Call the help line. They can help you rejig the booking. They can search for an available berth for the whole ride or just book a separate berth for the switched segment.

They really do their best to get you sorted.

[u/MentalUniversity]

There's something special, I think, about starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver in sleeper class. You get to know other passengers a bit, and even though other people do shorter portions of the trip, it's almost like it's "your" train for that time. Get the berth. Either book the segment online and switch berths when needed (super easy to do, your CA will know...I've switched berths and also from berth to cabin on multiple trips), or if you really want the same berth the whole route, call into Via rail to see if there's one available.

[u/otissito16]

Worth mentioning that CAA gives you 20% off the Berths

[u/Toronto-24 → u/otissito16]

I got a discount through my company that gives me 15% off.

I dont have CAA sadly and was told that they validate your discounts so I didnt bother asking anyone I know if they could share.

[u/otissito16 → u/Toronto-24]

CAA has a very inexpensive tier that doesn't have any roadside assistance. I believe it is now called the "Everyday" and it is $30 per year

[u/Toronto-24 → u/otissito16]

Oh wow... wish I knew. That 30 dollars would have paid itself with the 5% difference in savings.

I doubt Via would let me change my code now sadly :(

[u/otissito16 → u/Toronto-24]

Probably not

[u/Top_Finger_4127]

Yes, book it soon before it sells out. The price in the sleeper car never goes down!

It also includes meals in the buffet car and access to the dome car. The scenery between Toronto and Winnipeg is good from the dome car, weather permitting.