Very Good Redemption Experience
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, IHG Spire Elite, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle, HH Silver
Posts: 806
Very Good Redemption Experience
As I am moving to a state with no Amtrak ( ) I decided to burn some of my AGR points on a BOS-NYP trip last week.
Having dealt with numerous uncooperative airlines (DL, can you hear me?) I was expecting hassle, lack of availability, etc, etc, especially since I was calling two days in advance.
But no. The agent asked me when I wanted to go, reserved a seat, and emailed me a confirmation number. I picked up the ticket at a QuikTrak and was off on my silver steed.
This is the way all award redemptions should be- quick, easy, and convenient. Good job Amtrak!
Having dealt with numerous uncooperative airlines (DL, can you hear me?) I was expecting hassle, lack of availability, etc, etc, especially since I was calling two days in advance.
But no. The agent asked me when I wanted to go, reserved a seat, and emailed me a confirmation number. I picked up the ticket at a QuikTrak and was off on my silver steed.
This is the way all award redemptions should be- quick, easy, and convenient. Good job Amtrak!
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Glad you had such a good experience! AGR is very responsive in terms of award availability (no capacity controls, as has been stated [except the blackout dates, forgot about those!]), not charging fees, awarding credit in a timely manner, offering friendly customer service, and allowing for liberal routing rules and multiple travelers in bedrooms on award tickets. ^
At least you may still enjoy the Alaska Railroad.
At least you may still enjoy the Alaska Railroad.
Last edited by GoAmtrak; May 25, 2005 at 4:53 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
I would consider the 47 blackout dates to be a very stringent form of capacity control.
Add to that the fact that weekend travel (Friday/Sunday) is blacked out in the NE Corridor and that's about another 75 dates. That's a third of the year in total.
Add to that the fact that weekend travel (Friday/Sunday) is blacked out in the NE Corridor and that's about another 75 dates. That's a third of the year in total.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Originally Posted by nerd
I would consider the 47 blackout dates to be a very stringent form of capacity control.
Originally Posted by nerd
Add to that the fact that weekend travel (Friday/Sunday) is blacked out in the NE Corridor and that's about another 75 dates.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
Originally Posted by soitgoes
You can travel on those days of the week, but it costs twice as many points. That is quite annoying, I agree.
From:
https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/i...loc=TandC.html
D. Claiming Rewards
2 (iv) for travel taking place on all other reserved services entirely within the Northeast Corridor (Boston/Springfield - Virginia Beach), all Fridays and Sundays are also blacked out for departures on Reward redemption travel.
2 (iv) for travel taking place on all other reserved services entirely within the Northeast Corridor (Boston/Springfield - Virginia Beach), all Fridays and Sundays are also blacked out for departures on Reward redemption travel.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
How about that. It does seem to forbid award travel in the NEC on Fri/Sun. I had been told by an AGR rep that I could use the standard 5,000 point one-zone award on the weekend when the 2,500 NE award wasn't available. That wouldn't appear to be allowed basted on the T&C; I think there was some confusion in the past few months in the AGR service center that resulted from the policy changes in the NEC.
Originally Posted by nerd
How do you do this? The Guest Rewards T&C's just says that all reserved weekend travel in the NEC is blacked out.
#8
Join Date: May 2002
Location: In the home of the "brave"?
Programs: Whatever will get me out of Y and into C or F!
Posts: 3,748
Originally Posted by GoAmtrak
At least you may still enjoy the Alaska Railroad.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Originally Posted by HeHateY
Funny, isn't it, that the Feds can and do fund a state-owned (isn't that a tad bit Marxist?) railway in the USA, but think the one in the lower 48 should "go screw"?
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG 75K, IHG Spire Elite, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hertz President's Circle, HH Silver
Posts: 806
Originally Posted by nerd
The Guest Rewards T&C's just says that all reserved weekend travel in the NEC is blacked out.
Do you think that they are being a bit more flexible in the NEC with the Acela Express problems? Or was I just lucky?
I will do my best to take a ride on the Alaska RR once I get up there.
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 413
I also just made some NEC award trips on Sunday 5/8 and 5/15 without even a mention of a Friday/Sunday blackout by the customer service rep. I am certainly not complaining!
Amazingly, I have yet to have a problem with Amtrak rewards (granted, I know the blackout dates) versus a near 100% rate of various problems with airline rewards.
Amazingly, I have yet to have a problem with Amtrak rewards (granted, I know the blackout dates) versus a near 100% rate of various problems with airline rewards.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
Originally Posted by lawchild
I did notice that there were a slew of blackout dates printed on the ticket (mostly holiday periods, I think).
Do you think that they are being a bit more flexible in the NEC with the Acela Express problems? Or was I just lucky?
Do you think that they are being a bit more flexible in the NEC with the Acela Express problems? Or was I just lucky?
I believe the valid-through date is printed in a larger font than the blackout dates, so if they don't notice the expiration date, it's almost a given that they won't pay attention to the blackout dates.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by HeHateY
Funny, isn't it, that the Feds can and do fund a state-owned (isn't that a tad bit Marxist?) railway in the USA, but think the one in the lower 48 should "go screw"?
The Alaska Railroad is a very well run railroad and speaking from experience, a MUST visit if you are a visitor (or resident ) of Alaska. Cheers!
John (former Fairbanks resident)