Amtrak Guest Rewards - so close to S+... how to get there

As my travel plans stand now, I will be about 300-400 points short of hitting select + for this year.

Short of going on another trip is there anyway to get those extra rail points?

I dont think that buying points buys rail points....

If I buy 2 tickets to a destination (as I am traveling with someone else) do I get both points as they were both bought at the same time with my guest rewards number from a kiosk?

Anything I am missing?

Thanks for the assistance!
Rick

Short of going on another trip is there anyway to get those extra rail points?

[...]

If I buy 2 tickets to a destination (as I am traveling with someone else) do I get both points as they were both bought at the same time with my guest rewards number from a kiosk?

Anything I am missing?

No, no, and no. And you're right, buying points would not qualify. An MR would probably be worth it if you're that close and have the time to spare. Just ride four short segments (the maximum number of points-earning segments allowed in a day) and you'll get 400 points total.

ok, so for the multiride...do I still have to get off the train and get the next train? or can i just use 2 separate tickets for each half, staying on the same train?
Thanks

AGR closed a same-train loophole that used to exist. Now one must ride each segment separately.

400 rail points is painless if you can find a connecting itinerary--most Thruway buses count as well. If you're in an area with frequent corridor service, I'd do a pair of quick out-and-back rides to save time.

Sorry, no shortcuts to rail points unless you were targeted in the Fall fr a double EQP promo or want to take the risk of begging AGR to make an exception for you.

Another favorite trick of mine is to tack on a quick turn before or after a longer trip, time permitting. For instance if I'm doing a BOS-PHL trip I'll precede it with BOS-PVD-BOS or finish with PHL-PAO-PHL, which gets me extra rail points with minimal lost time...as I'm scheduled to travel anyway.

Yes, do a MR to close out S+ for the year. Find a short hop and do two round trips, the same day if you can. Each leg will earn 100 points and you will have your 400 points lickety split.

Just make sure they are all different train numbers.

Last year I was 300 or 400 points short but ended up Sel+. With the delay it takes for points to post and for the status to kick in, you might just want to wait and hope they bump you up to Sel+ in Feb.

Last year I was 300 or 400 points short but ended up Sel+. With the delay it takes for points to post and for the status to kick in, you might just want to wait and hope they bump you up to Sel+ in Feb.

Of course this is an option...

BUT, if they don't, you are stuck at Select until you can earn the rail points to get to Select+ in 2012, which you have to do to make Select+ for 2013. We're talking about a day's effort to get S+ now, so if you like the S+ benefits, again, I'd say go for it.

Sorry, no shortcuts to rail points unless you were targeted in the Fall fr a double EQP promo

Any idea how people got targeted for this?

Any idea how people got targeted for this?

In the past, members who were in the 6000-7500 rail point range (I'm just guessing at those numbers) in the Fall would be targeted for a double EQP promotion. This would usually coincide with a general double points promotion available to all members. I received the promo once, many years ago, and it was enough to send me on an Acela points run to get S+.

In the years since, others have reported receiving the same offer.

Another favorite trick of mine is to tack on a quick turn before or after a longer trip, time permitting. For instance if I'm doing a BOS-PHL trip I'll precede it with BOS-PVD-BOS or finish with PHL-PAO-PHL, which gets me extra rail points with minimal lost time...as I'm scheduled to travel anyway.

Taking the Acela BOS-PHL for 500 points, or springing for F for an extra 250 points seems alot more pleasant than wasting the time and money to ride BOS-PVD-BOS or taking a regional for the long trip if that is what you are doing.

Taking the Acela BOS-PHL for 500 points, or springing for F for an extra 250 points seems alot more pleasant than wasting the time and money to ride BOS-PVD-BOS or taking a regional for the long trip if that is what you are doing.

Agreed and one step ahead of you. I've done BOS-NYP-WAS all in Acela F, preceded by a BOS-PVD-BOS on the Regional. That hits your max of 4 segments a day and earns 1700 rail points plus bonuses.

For the hypothetical BOS-PHL, I'd do BOS-NYP-PHL-PAO-PHL if I had the time, with the first two segments as through-fare Acela. Only
the first segment need be upgraded for 750 rail points; the second Acela segment nets an extra 100-200 points depending on how the fare breaks down.

When you cut it close and know you need some points runs, combining with existing travel works best for me.