Amtrak Guest Rewards - Strange Point Expiration

Just noticed that something very strange happened to my AGR points.

I transfered 10000 points from SPG to my Amtrak account (which has been dormant for at least a year or two) in early August and then redeemed 9000 of those points for award tickets.

For some reason, the remaining 1000 points expired in October - despite only being in the AGR account for less then 3 month. I was under impression that points only expire after 36 month of inactivity - not 3.

Probably a mistake, will call AGR tomorrow to find out.

I was under impression that points only expire after 36 month of inactivity - not 3.

Probably a mistake, will call AGR tomorrow to find out. Inactivity is not what causes AGR points to expire. Might be a mistake on your part. :eek:

Though the wording is a bit unclear (see Section D in the link below), I believe that if it's been 36 months since you've earned points on Amtrak, your points will expire.

https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=info&loc=TandC.html

Hmm, the wording is that Amtrak travel must have been "purchased, recorded or reported " within the last 36 month. Would travelling on an award ticket qualify ? After all, it was recorded (although not necessarily purchased) .

Fortunately, I also took a short paid trip on Amtrak in August, but never bothered to claim the points - it was a very small amount and I didn't have my AGR number with me when buying the ticket. Will try to get that credited to the account - if I actually manage to find the ticket number.

Inactivity is not what causes AGR points to expire. Might be a mistake on your part. :eek:

Though the wording is a bit unclear (see Section D in the link below), I believe that if it's been 36 months since you've earned points on Amtrak, your points will expire.

https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=info&loc=TandC.html

Hmm, the wording is that Amtrak travel must have been "purchased, recorded or reported " within the last 36 month. Would travelling on an award ticket qualify ? After all, it was recorded (although not necessarily purchased) .Very good question.

An award ticket is certainly recorded/reported to your account activity. You earn 0 points on a transaction with a value of $0, but the transaction is still recorded or reported.

A few years ago, an award ticket would not have reset the clock, but then AGR changed that rule.

The question is, have you actually taken that trip. Recording the point loss to "buy" the tickets doesn't count, as the rest of the sentance says that you "must honor the reservation." And if you did take that AGR trip, did it post to your account with zero dollars?

The August trip of course doesn't help, since you forgot to include your AGR number on the reservation there is no way for them to have known that you did take a trip. It's now too late to get the points for that trip if you took it within the first 3 days of August, as you have a 90 day window to report the missing trip. If you took the trip after that point, then you need to hurry and report it.

Even if you did take the trip on one of the first few days of August, you may at least be able to get them to restore the expired points because you can prove that you took a trip, but don't expect to get the points for the trip.

A few years ago, an award ticket would not have reset the clock, but then AGR changed that rule.So the AGR website is incorrect?

It sounds like "purchased, recorded or reported" should be "purchased AND recorded or reported".

So the AGR website is incorrect?
It sounds like "purchased, recorded or reported" should be "purchased AND recorded or reported".

Ther are two parts of the rule:
D. Point Expiration
1. Subject to the terms of this TOC, Points earned under the Program will not expire as long as the Program continues and the Member travels on Amtrak using their Membership Number within a 3-year period.
2. If no Amtrak travel is purchased, recorded or reported within a 3-year period, or if you do not make and honor an Amtrak travel reservation within this timeframe, your points will expire. You can view all Point and Travel activity by logging into "My Account" on this Site.

Ther are two parts of the rule:I know.

And travelling on an award ticket satisfies both rules, as they are currently written.

Duplicate post.

And travelling on an award ticket satisfies both rules, as they are currently written.

Right, but it's unclear whether the OP did indeed travel on an award ticket (i.e., future travel or booked for others).

It would be nice if AGR displayed an expiration date online.

Yes, I actually traveled on the ticket. Here is what my transaction history looks like for the year:


Posted Date Type Description Travel Date Points
09/29/2009 Bonus Expiring Points Oct 2009 -1,000
08/20/2009 Amtrak Travel Travel: NEW YORK-PENN. STATION - WASHINGTON D.C.
Ticket Number:
Transaction Amt: .00 08/14/2009 0 view details
08/14/2009 Redemption Order Nbr: Item(s);
Northeast Zone - Coach -9,000 view details
08/12/2009 Bonus Sheraton Exchange 10,000


So the trip taken on the award ticket posted on the 20th of August - and the points still expired at the end of September.

Right, but it's unclear whether the OP did indeed travel on an award ticket (i.e., future travel or booked for others).

It would be nice if AGR displayed an expiration date online.

Yes, I actually traveled on the ticket. Here is what my transaction history looks like for the year:

So the trip taken on the award ticket posted on the 20th of August - and the points still expired at the end of September.

Have you called AGR to inquire?
I think you should get the expiration reversed.

Yes, I actually traveled on the ticket. Here is what my transaction history looks like for the year:

[CODE]
Posted Date Type Description Travel Date Points
09/29/2009 Bonus Expiring Points Oct 2009 -1,000


Don't you love the use of the word "Bonus" when the actuality is the deduction of points? [It reminds me of the way BA uses the word "enhancement" to describe the imposition of new fees and/or the reduction of service.]

Finally called them today, the agent agreed that it was very strange that the points expired. She setup an escalation to have the account review and to have the points returned to the account. I will know for sure in 7-10 business days, but looks like they will most likely be returned.

She couldn't see any reason why they would have expired - must have been some kind of a glitch.

Have you called AGR to inquire?
I think you should get the expiration reversed.