Buying Amtrak w UR points?
Mar 17, 2017, 10:26 am
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Just for the sake of completeness, there are two options that would in theory assist with indirectly paying for Amtrak travel with UR points, though I wouldn't recommend them unless you have absolutely no other use for UR points:
- Redeem UR points for cashback to your Chase account at a penny per point. Since the redemption value is so low with this method, it's not a very good use of UR points but is possible.
- Transfer UR points to Marriott Rewards, then transfer those to Starwood Preferred Guest, and finally from SPG to Amtrak Guest Rewards (with no 5K per 20K transferred bonus as with SPG-to-airline transfers). Major caveat is that it takes 3 Marriott points to convert to 1 SPG point, so I can't imagine any scenario where this would be a good way to either get AGR points or redeem UR points - but in theory you could do it.
Oh, one other thing - if you have the Sapphire Reserve card, there are limited data points here of Amtrak ticket purchases (and onboard food) triggering the $300 annual travel credit.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...el-credit.html
I wish you could use the travel portal to directly book on Amtrak though.
- Redeem UR points for cashback to your Chase account at a penny per point. Since the redemption value is so low with this method, it's not a very good use of UR points but is possible.
- Transfer UR points to Marriott Rewards, then transfer those to Starwood Preferred Guest, and finally from SPG to Amtrak Guest Rewards (with no 5K per 20K transferred bonus as with SPG-to-airline transfers). Major caveat is that it takes 3 Marriott points to convert to 1 SPG point, so I can't imagine any scenario where this would be a good way to either get AGR points or redeem UR points - but in theory you could do it.
Oh, one other thing - if you have the Sapphire Reserve card, there are limited data points here of Amtrak ticket purchases (and onboard food) triggering the $300 annual travel credit.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...el-credit.html
I wish you could use the travel portal to directly book on Amtrak though.
Mar 17, 2017, 6:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: flyover country
Posts: 2,435
I wish you could use the travel portal to directly book on Amtrak though.
Mar 21, 2017, 6:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA, AGR, DL, MR, WoH, UA
Posts: 951
I've asked this elsewhere, but didn't get a response: Has anyone tried calling in to book Amtrak with points?
This is the work-around for Southwest (and Chase issues their affinity card!).
I have lots of AGR points laying around and no train trips in the offing, so I have no reason to try this.
This is the work-around for Southwest (and Chase issues their affinity card!).
I have lots of AGR points laying around and no train trips in the offing, so I have no reason to try this.
Aug 4, 2018, 2:54 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843