Amtrak Guest Rewards - Why doesn't AGR do "rulebuster" awards on their routes?

AGR does have limited blackouts - but I'm curious why they don't rulebust.

I'm looking at NYC to WAS for Thanksgiving & I can get a JFK-DCA-JFK for $167 all-in on DL (no elite status on DL for me anymore, so security would be a pain in the neck, but timewise, maybe the same, or an hour more to fly given ATC in NYC & airport timing) but NYP-WAS-NYP for th same time frames is running about $325 RT.

I'd love to use AGR points for this - even on a rulebuster level (even twice as many).

If any AGR people are reading this, maybe something to look into...Altough I realize the NEC demand is definitely there, so maybe more profitable not to offer the award ticket service.

They already do this for Select Plus members. I can redeem for a coach trip in the NE for 5500 points one way during blackout dates, for example. Looks like an Acela business one way rule buster would be 14,500 points.

They already do this for Select Plus members. I can redeem for a coach trip in the NE for 5500 points one way during blackout dates, for example. Looks like an Acela business one way rule buster would be 14,500 points.

Just to add, per the AGR website....

As another benefit of being a Select Plus member, Amtrak allows Select Plus members to redeem for travel during blackout dates; Acela blackout times still apply. If you are interested in traveling during a blackout date, please contact the service center 1-888-707-6600.

Blackout dates for 2011 and 2012

January 2–3, 2011; February 18, 2011; February 21, 2011; April 22, 2011; April 24–25, 2011; May 27, 2011; July 1–2, 2011; September 2, 2011; September 5, 2011; October 7, 2011; November 22–23, 2011; November 26–28, 2011; December 21–24, 2011; December 26–30, 2011; January 2, 2012; February 17, 2012; February 20, 2012; April 5–6, 2012; April 9, 2012; May 25, 2012; August 31, 2012; September 3, 2012; October 5, 2012; November 20–21, 2012; November 24–26, 2012; December 20–23, 2012; December 26–30, 2012 and January 2, 2013.

Description Item # Points
Acela Business Class 1057 14,500
Acela First Class 1058 18,500
Business Class 1 Zone 1059 11,500
Business Class 2 Zones 1060 18,500
Business Class Special Northeast Zone 1061 11,500
Coach Class 1 Zone 1062 9,500
Coach Class 2 Zones 1063 14,500
Coach Class 3 Zones 1064 18,500
Coach Class Special Northeast Zone 1065 5,500

When rule-buster comes along for all, I would venture to worry that award inventory restrictions will follow, and a host of other nightmares.

When rule-buster comes along for all, I would venture to worry that award inventory restrictions will follow, and a host of other nightmares.

Or how about for all classes of service? I'm sure AGR could command a very high premium for Rule Buster sleeper awards. However, it's ridiculous to have to pay 9.5x for Special route awards which are usually 1,000 points. Those are my two most common AGR awards respectively; Rule Busters are useless to me. :td:

When rule-buster comes along for all, I would venture to worry that award inventory restrictions will follow, and a host of other nightmares.

Agreed.. Rule-busters across the board would be a big step towards devaluing AGR. It would only be a matter of time before rulebuster would become the standard.....see DL, UA, and AA forums. AGR is an excellent value, especially for sleeper awards, so leave it alone.