I gave Amtrak first class another shot on a new train fleet. It was better in every way — but still not worth the price.

Business Insider's reporter booked first-class tickets on Amtrak Acela trains three years apart.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider I told myself I'd never upgrade to first class on the Amtrak Acela again.

But when the train line debuted a new Acela train in 2025, I decided to give it another chance.

My second ride was much better than the first, but I still thought it was too expensive.

There's only one Amtrak train with first-class seating .

I've ridden it twice.

The train line's first-class cars are exclusive to the Acela, a Northeast express service that has business and first-class cars (no coach).

In 2022, I took a $270 first-class Acela ride from New York City to Baltimore and thought it wasn't worth the upgrade.

But I love Amtrak — I've spent more than 150 hours traveling the country on its trains.

So in August 2025, when Amtrak debuted the NextGen Acela , a fresh new fleet for the same service, I was excited to see if the first-class experience had changed.

I booked a trip from Washington, DC, to NYC less than a month after the launch.

It cost $450 back then, but a recent search shows the same ride for $275 three weeks in advance.

The new train impressed me with its sleek, modern design, comfortable seats, and added amenities.

In the end, though, my verdict remained the same: Amtrak first class isn't worth the price.