The National Railroad Passenger Corporation was created by Congress in 1970 to take over the passenger rail services previously required to be operated by private freight railroad companies in the United States. Those companies reported they had operated the services without profit for over a decade. The vast majority of passenger rail routes in existence at that time were shut down to focus the service on the most heavily used lines. The popular nickname Amtrak was created as a blend of the words America and track.

Amtrak provides a number of discount fare programs to entice prospective passengers and their families on their trains. Each of the eight deals listed below are subject to the following rules:
1. They must be purchased at least three days in advance
2. Discounted fares cannot be combined on one ticket
3. These fares are not valid for weekday Acela Express travel
4. They are not valid on some Amtrak Thruway bus services
5. Passengers traveling in Business class, First class or sleeping accommodation are not eligible for these discounts.

One: Up to two children under the age of 16 are eligible to receive a 50% discount on the lowest available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains with each fare-paying adult. Also, one infant under the age of two may ride free with each adult ticket purchased. Infants are not entitled to a seat. Only children traveling with an adult are entitled to a children's discount.

Two: Travelers over the age of 61 are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. On cross-border services operated jointly by Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada, a 10% Senior discount is applicable to travelers over the age of 59. You cannot use the senior discount on the Auto Train.

Three: Active-duty US military personnel, their spouses and their dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. This discount is also valid on the Auto Train. You must present a valid active-duty United States Armed Forces identification card to receive the discount. The military discount is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.

Four: The American Automobile Association (AAA) is the largest automobile association in the United States. AAA members, their spouses and their dependents are eligible to receive a 10% discount on the lowest available adult rail fare for Amtrak travel. You must present your AAA membership ID card when you pick up your ticket, and you must carry your card with you onboard the train. The AAA discount is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. AAA members traveling in Business class, First class or sleeping accommodation are not eligible for a discount.

Five: The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) is the largest national membership advocacy organization for train and rail transit passengers. NARP members are eligible to receive a 10% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. You must present your NARP membership ID card when you pick up your ticket, and you must carry your card with you onboard the train. The NARP discount is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.

Six: The Veterans AdvantageTM is a discount card program for veterans. Veterans holding a valid Veterans Advantage Members Card are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains. You must enroll with Veterans Advantage and receive a 10-digit travel discount code that can be used immediately to book your Amtrak travel. The Veterans Advantage is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.

Seven: The Student Advantage Card is the nation's largest student discount program. Students are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the best available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long. You must present both a valid Student Advantage Card and a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase and onboard trains to receive the discount. Each of these items must be valid for the current school term. For Auto Train service, Student Advantage cardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no discount on their vehicles. The Student Advantage Card is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. The Student Advantage discount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets.

Eight: More than 5 million students around the world will purchase an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) this year. To qualify for your ISIC, you must be age 12 or older and currently enrolled as a degree seeking student at an accredited institution. Students holding a valid ISIC are eligible to receive a 15% discount on the best available adult rail fare on most Amtrak trains all year long. You must present both a valid ISIC and a valid photo ID at time of ticket purchase and onboard trains to receive the discount. Each of these items must be valid for the current school term. For Auto Train service, ISIC cardholders receive a 15% discount off adult rail fare but no discount on their vehicles. The ISIC is valid only on the American portion of services operated jointly between Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada. The ISIC discount is not valid for any Rail Passes or Multi-Ride tickets.

Charles Self is the editor of the Amtrak Train Stations Across America website. At http://passengertraininfo.com/studentandveterandiscounts.aspx you will find additional information on Veterans Advantage, Student Advantage Card, and International Student Identity Card programs and Amtrak train stations.