I paid $975 for Amtrak's business-class and then a first-class roomette on a 32-hour trip. Only one upgrade was worth it.

I took Amtrak's business class and a private roomette on a 32-hour trip in June.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderProlonged delays added 10 hours to my travel time during a recent New York to Chicago Amtrak trip.The perks of a first-class private roomette made the trip very enjoyable despite the delays.I found the business-class seat to be identical to a cheaper coach ticket.I'm no stranger to long-distance train travel aboard Amtrak. Recently, it has been my preferred mode of travel as jet fuel costs push airfares to unpredictable heights.During a recent trip from New York to Chicago in mid-June, I chose to book a two-leg Amtrak trip to compare the business-class seats from New York to Washington, DC, and the first-class private roomette from Washington, DC, to Chicago. I chose the longer two-leg option over booking a direct trip so I could compare both the upgrades on a single trip.My Amtrak ticket, priced at $975 total, included a business-class seat from New York to Washington, DC, and a private roomette for the longer 18-hour section of the trip from Washington, DC, to Chicago.I found that one of the two upgrades was worth the extra cost, much more than the other.See the best perks that came along with my nearly $1,000-ticket.My journey to Chicago began bright and early in New York's Moynihan Penn Station.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderI started my travel morning in the sun-lit halls of New York Penn Station's Moynihan Train Hall.My private roomette booking gave me access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderWhile business class passengers do not usually have access to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge unless they purchase a $35 day pass (priced at $50 for the flagship New York lounge I went to) and have a same-day Amtrak ticket, first-class private room passengers have access to the lounges prior to their departure at no additional cost.The lounge truly wowed me.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderAs soon as I stepped into the Metropolitan Lounge, my ticket paid for itself.I found the space, which opened in 2021, nicer than some airport lounges I have been in, and regretted not arriving earlier to spend more time there.I quickly grabbed my complimentary breakfast at the lounge.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderNearly as soon as I got to the lounge, I started looking for the complimentary food.The menu had a few options, including sandwiches, pastries, fruit, and yogurt. Additionally, the café also had various coffee and espresso options, soft drinks, juices, and teas.I found a perfectly relaxing spot in the lounge.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderArriving at the lounge during the not-so-crowded early mid-morning, I was able to claim what felt like a luxurious space for one.With more than enough sitting room and even a screen showing the current status of departing trains, the space, which was visually separate from the rest of the lounge by sheer curtains, was the perfect quiet spot to relax before my trip.My breakfast far exceeded my expectations.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderI went with a warm egg-and-cheese sandwich on a croissant and a pumpkin doughnut for my breakfast.The sandwich was cheesy, buttery, and tasty, and felt much more elevated than I had expected. The doughnut was similarly elevated and tasty, with nut toppings that added a nice artisanal quality.The latte was silky and smooth, and the coffee quality was beyond what I expected.The lounge has lockers to store belongings.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderShortly after getting to the lounge, I noticed the lockers where passengers could store their belongings.While I would've preferred the spaces had a way to lock them for extra protection, I trusted the lounge crowd enough to leave some of my less valuable luggage while exploring the space.The very private and spacious restrooms were also nicer than I expected.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderGoing into the lounge's restrooms, I expected a typical public-bathroom experience. Instead, I was greeted by a much more spacious and private space.I felt comfortable in the restroom, where I had some privacy and space to do my skincare and fix my hair before my long trip.I also noticed that the restroom had a lockable door leading to a small, separate nursing room, which felt like a thoughtful detail for mothers traveling on Amtrak.Having access to the lounge was the standout perk of my trip — and made the price worth it.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderAs I walked to my train, I began plotting how I'd book my next trip to ensure I got access to the lounge again.I boarded the first leg of my trip after a refreshing morning.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderThe first section of my trip was the 3-hour trek to Washington, DC. I felt very refreshed and ready for the trip after my time in the lounge.I was let down by the business class seat.Kristine Villarroel/Business InsiderWhen I boarded the business class car, I struggled to see the differ

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