As we all know, the current high value Amtrak redemptions for sleepers are fundamentally unsustainable. This is not a surprise but eliminates a big sweet spot of Amtrak. The post describes AGR moving to both earning and redemption based on price, similar to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards. I certainly will be booking sleeper travel ASAP and consider using the AGR to Choice transfer option more often.
https://lossan.octa.net/AgendaPDF/8478.pdf
(p. 27)
Amtrak Guest Rewards 2.0 will be simplified
– Improve program relevance across the country:
– Eliminate the travel award “zone chart” by aligning redemption point requirements
with fares.
– Amtrak Guest Rewards members will be able to book, modify, and cancel reward
tickets themselves on Amtrak.com or mobile.
– Make the program more relevant and attainable to more audiences by making
both earning and redemption a function of price.
Also news on the AGR credit card:
The Amtrak Guest Rewards team will launch two new co-brand credit
card products on September 12, 2015 with a new issuing bank.
Business Goal: Re-launch higher value AGR co-branded credit cards,
driving member engagement and long term growth in AGR revenue.
The AGR co-brand credit card drives:
– Brand attachment- Through expanded AGR rewards and benefits, new cardholders
grow their loyalty with AGR and deepen their affinity with the Amtrak brand
– Increased Amtrak travel- Annual lifts increase by 49% and rail revenue increases by
33% after a member acquires a credit card
– Revenue- Amtrak will benefit from the partnership through a revenue share model.
Thanks to Paul Druce on Twitter for flagging this from the LOSSAN agenda.