MilesBuzz! - AMTRAK IS launching its first nationwide frequent-traveler program

Todays Wall Street Journal notes that AMTRAK is launching its first nationwide frequent-traveler program, as part of an effort to boost rail ridership or risk restructuring or liquidation.

See:
http://www.msnbc.com/news/496026.asp
http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/

[This message has been edited by doc (edited 11-29-2000).]

Looks like you can convert AMTRAK points to CO and UA miles... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

And lots of different type of Hotel points too. If you take the train then may as well sign up and get a few more points out of it.

And you get 500 points for signing up and traveling within 90 days.

The good news is that you can now earn miles on Amtrak. The bad news is that you can use those miles for travel on Amtrak. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

500 Amtrak points would be how many Hilton or United miles? I searched the Amtrak guest rewards page but I couldnt find it.

Looks like a lotta folks are going to make their first "rail run" soon

hehe

Originally posted by kempis:
500 Amtrak points would be how many Hilton or United miles? I searched the Amtrak guest rewards page but I couldnt find it.I posted my findings on the other "Amtrak" thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum1/HTML/003771.html

I am interested to read of the conversion of my old NW miles into AS/UA miles on a 1=1 which seems to be possible by all reports.

Possible draw back, you earn points based on dollars paid not distance travelled.

I can see it comming, "Track runs, any suggestions?"

It's kinda' already here! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000743.html

First "trak" run! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

It seems like a lot of hype and press releases to me. Nil details, info, timing, facts etc to date. These railroad guys are still mired in the 1800's. The last time I checked it was impossible to price an Amtrak ticket from Wilmington DE to Washington DC on the website. It took 30 min to get a human (not too bright) voice on their 800 number.

IMHO anyone thinking they will come up with a actual operating nice human and/or computer system to credit or transfer miles, points or other credits may be interested in a bridge I still have for sale.

Wilmington (De) to Washington $41 regular, $81 Metroliner, took less then 15 seconds on the web site.

I don't see this as a means for people to go out of their way to accumulate Amtrak points, but for those of us who have to take the train a few times a month it's good to finailly get something back for it. It makes no sense to get on a train for a dollar based point scheme, when there are so many better plane trips you can get on for less money with 500 minimum miles, online booking bonuses, etc.

cordellli - I agree, but it could be a superb transfer bank. And unlike a Latin Pass etc, you know Amtrak are going to be around for a little while!

------------------
~ Glen ~

cordelli-

Thanks for the nice update. I last checked in the early spring and all it gave then was "sample fares". It now allows far better checking, but will only list one fare at a time for any single train chosen.

ps: it gave me $73 for a random M/L. They must be using yield management.

So far the lowest level award would be one free Amtrak ticket at 2,500 points - not a rich program or huge incentive in itself by any means - but, hey, if you're taking the train anyway! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Maybe they should also offer a new Amtrak points earning Visa/MC/Amex or whatever credit card so you can earn free travel on the train witout travelling on the train! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Assuming the point redemption is 2,500 and you only get one point per dollar spent -

I travel from New York to Washington on the train. If I only take metroliners, that averages $122 (because I can't get the AAA discount online for the metroliner, they tell you the trains are full pick a regular train) or $244 round trip. I would need ten round trips, plus the sign up bonus to get the 2,500 miles.

With a week's notice I can fly down and back for an additional $30 each trip. The flights will get me 1,000 miles for flying, 1,000 for booking online, 275 for paying for it with a compubank card, and the status bonus miles from the airline. Each flight, for just an additional $30 (and the extra hassles in flying that route) nets more miles into my account then ten trips on the plane, not even counting all the extra bonus miles some airlines are throwing at us this year. It's conceivable, without any effort at all, to get 3,500 or more miles per trip on the airline, just for spending a few dollars more and putting up with the extra efforts from the air trip.

I don't see it as any incentive. I take the train because from my office in New York I can leave and take either the train or plane and arrive in DC at about the same time with all the trips to the airports, check in, etc, in that case the plane is less hassle (assuming both are running on time, which neither the airlines are LGA have been doing latley, or Amtrack has been very good at recently). So like Doc says, it's not any incentive in and of itself, nor do I see it as being able to generate any business for them. I just think it's a nice thing for those of us who don't have a choice and do take the train every now and then. But on a pure points system, 3,500 (air) beats 244 (train) just about every time.

I travel between New York and DC almost weekly (and pay for it out my own pocket). I've have found, and will continue to find, that it is USUALLY better and cheaper to fly. One can get $108 r/t between NY and DC on short notice. And soooo many FF miles. The train though can be v. crowded and not faster.
Having said that, the train is probably more dependable.
I am very excited about the Amtak FF program despite my attitude about the train.

Originally posted by cordelli:
Assuming the point redemption is 2,500 and you only get one point per dollar spent -

I travel from New York to Washington on the train. If I only take metroliners, that averages $122 (because I can't get the AAA discount online for the metroliner, they tell you the trains are full pick a regular train) or $244 round trip. I would need ten round trips, plus the sign up bonus to get the 2,500 miles.

With a week's notice I can fly down and back for an additional $30 each trip. The flights will get me 1,000 miles for flying, 1,000 for booking online, 275 for paying for it with a compubank card, and the status bonus miles from the airline. Each flight, for just an additional $30 (and the extra hassles in flying that route) nets more miles into my account then ten trips on the plane, not even counting all the extra bonus miles some airlines are throwing at us this year. It's conceivable, without any effort at all, to get 3,500 or more miles per trip on the airline, just for spending a few dollars more and putting up with the extra efforts from the air trip.

I don't see it as any incentive. I take the train because from my office in New York I can leave and take either the train or plane and arrive in DC at about the same time with all the trips to the airports, check in, etc, in that case the plane is less hassle (assuming both are running on time, which neither the airlines are LGA have been doing latley, or Amtrack has been very good at recently). So like Doc says, it's not any incentive in and of itself, nor do I see it as being able to generate any business for them. I just think it's a nice thing for those of us who don't have a choice and do take the train every now and then. But on a pure points system, 3,500 (air) beats 244 (train) just about every time.

He, he, Randy will now need to start an AMTRAK board if their program is going to be such a worldbeater!

Note at the Guest Rewards site


Rental Car Awards from Hertz - Redeem 7,500 Guest Rewards points for 2 free weekend days, 10,000 points for 2 non-weekend free days or $100 Award Check Voucher, 25,000 points for 1 free week.

Airline Miles - Redeem 5,000 points for 5,000 airline miles from Continental, Midwest Express or United.

Hotels - Redeem 10,000 - 27,500 points for free hotel nights at Sheraton/Westin. Or at Marriott, redeem 10,000 points for free weekend night, or 15,000 points for a non-weekend night.

Also free Amtrak tickets & offering gift cert (range of retailers and restaurants at $50 for 5,000 points) & movie theater tickets (4 tickets for 5,000 points).

That's about it folks! So take the train if you please! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I've been earning Alaska miles for my Amtrak trips for nearly two years now. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif In June, my wife and I EACH earned 2,000 miles for our shared roomette on the Coast Starlight. I think its only supposed to be 2,000 to one person's account, but I certainly wasn't complaining.

You got the facts wrong on two very important points:

1) You get 2 (that's right folks not 1 but 2) points for every dollar you spend
2) Acela and Metroliner trips earn you 500 points PER TRIP (that's 1,000 points per round trip) or about the same as the airline shuttles give you.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by cordelli:
[B]Assuming the point redemption is 2,500 and you only get one point per dollar spent -

I travel from New York to Washington on the train. If I only take metroliners, that averages $122 (because I can't get the AAA discount online for the metroliner, they tell you the trains are full pick a regular train) or $244 round trip. I would need ten round trips, plus the sign up bonus to get the 2,500 miles.

With a week's notice I can fly down and back for an additional $30 each trip. The flights will get me 1,000 miles for flying, 1,000 for booking online, 275 for paying for it with a compubank card, and the status bonus miles from the airline. Each flight, for just an additional $30 (and the extra hassles in flying that route) nets more miles into my account then ten trips on the plane, not even counting all the extra bonus miles some airlines are throwing at us this year. It's conceivable, without any effort at all, to get 3,500 or more miles per trip on the airline, just for spending a few dollars more and putting up with the extra efforts from the air trip.

[QUOTE]



[This message has been edited by dguruswamy (edited 12-12-2000).]

I stand corrected, it's 2 points per dollar, but the 500 and 750 points are instead of the two points per dollar, and good only for business or first class tickets on Acela and Metroliner trips on certain city pairs in the NorthEast.(This is assuming the Acelera can do two trips in a row without breaking down like it did this morning on it's second day). Even so, getting 1,000 points is still way less then the over 3,000 points you can currently get flying from New York to DC (500 miles each way, 500 miles bonus each way for booking online, status bonus for flight miles, double status miles till the end of the year, etc). Base miles (points) would be about the same, but when you factor in the additional bonus miles, and minimum 500 flight miles (I'm not paying amtrak to go business or first, I'll by my own soda's) per trip there isn't any comparsion, the airlines offer a ton more miles for the trip.

It's a shame that they don't offer an affinity card.

I wonder how you get a free upgrade on the train?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

cheers Peter

Yes but you are missing some important points:

1) Amtrak like the airlines has negotiated corporate and government discounts, so while most discounts don't apply to Metroliner or Acela corporate discounts DO apply.
2) Acela is replacing Metroliner... Metroliner had two classes Metrocoach (a misnomer because it has more room than any domestic first class) and Metroclub. Business Class is the replacement for Metrocaoch and First Class the replacement for Metroclub, the idea was to standardize with the airlines. Thus business class is COACH on Acela.
3) Not all of us can get online bonuses, if I travel on business I have to get the ticket through my travel agent
4) While Amtrak at this point has no elite level or other cross promotions, I do imagine they will match airline promotions and have tie ins with American Express for bonus points in the future.
5) Acela is aimed at the business traveler not the leisure traveler.
Originally posted by cordelli:
I stand corrected, it's 2 points per dollar, but the 500 and 750 points are instead of the two points per dollar, and good only for business or first class tickets on Acela and Metroliner trips on certain city pairs in the NorthEast.(This is assuming the Acelera can do two trips in a row without breaking down like it did this morning on it's second day). Even so, getting 1,000 points is still way less then the over 3,000 points you can currently get flying from New York to DC (500 miles each way, 500 miles bonus each way for booking online, status bonus for flight miles, double status miles till the end of the year, etc). Base miles (points) would be about the same, but when you factor in the additional bonus miles, and minimum 500 flight miles (I'm not paying amtrak to go business or first, I'll by my own soda's) per trip there isn't any comparsion, the airlines offer a ton more miles for the trip.

In the West you have been able to earn miles on AS from Amtrak and redeem AS miles on West Coast Amtrak for a couple of years. Turned in 75000 AS miles for a deluxe bedroom for two LA/SEA RT on the Coast Starlight at Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful trip (36 hours each way).

------------------
AS MVP Gold, UA Premier, HHonors Gold

I would think that in its product launch, Amtrak would want to give away more bonus points for the Acela service. You only get 500 points for business, or 750 for first, plus a mere 500 sign up bonus. On the other hand, on the airlines, you earn a minimum of 1,000 miles for either the DL or US shuttle. If you are a Gold with either DL or US you earn an extra 500 miles per segment, and earn 1,000 miles for booking online. SO a gold booking online could earn at least 4,000 miles for a round-trip. In order to convert the business traveler, I would think it would be in Amtraks interest to offer about 3,000 miles each way for first class, plus other promotional bonuses. In the late 80's and early 90's, on the shuttles, one would earn 2,000 miles each way, plus a number of bonuses were offered. So far the idea of upgraded service on the train is appealing, but it seems it will take a long time to earn rewards. I remember the Pan Am shuttle used to advertise with slogans like "you earn a free ticket after only X number of trips on the shuttle."...(singing) "the Pan Am Shuttle, your corporate jet." I also signed up for the Acela email list, and it it just talking about announcements, rather than offering dynamic promotions. It seems like Amtrak needs a more creative/active marketing department.

1) I thought you got 500 miles per segment (I know USAirways is offering 500 in their program and 500 in AAdvantage but thats ending soon).
2) Only a small fraction of travelers are Gold (50K or 50 segments in a calendar year)
3) Many corporate travelers MUST book their ticket through their corporate travel agent... for domestic travel a e-ticket is an option, but doesn't earn you any bonus when booked by a travel agent.

Originally posted by jetsetter:
I would think that in its product launch, Amtrak would want to give away more bonus points for the Acela service. You only get 500 points for business, or 750 for first, plus a mere 500 sign up bonus. On the other hand, on the airlines, you earn a minimum of 1,000 miles for either the DL or US shuttle. If you are a Gold with either DL or US you earn an extra 500 miles per segment, and earn 1,000 miles for booking online. SO a gold booking online could earn at least 4,000 miles for a round-trip. In order to convert the business traveler, I would think it would be in Amtraks interest to offer about 3,000 miles each way for first class, plus other promotional bonuses. In the late 80's and early 90's, on the shuttles, one would earn 2,000 miles each way, plus a number of bonuses were offered. So far the idea of upgraded service on the train is appealing, but it seems it will take a long time to earn rewards. I remember the Pan Am shuttle used to advertise with slogans like "you earn a free ticket after only X number of trips on the shuttle."...(singing) "the Pan Am Shuttle, your corporate jet." I also signed up for the Acela email list, and it it just talking about announcements, rather than offering dynamic promotions. It seems like Amtrak needs a more creative/active marketing department.

Returned home to find the new program materials had already arrived in the mail! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Nothing really exciting inside, but the card looks nice! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

And also, btw, todays WSJ carries a front page story detailing the massive stuggle to make ends meet without being subsidized

Yeah, the part where the article sez takes 5 Amtrak employees (I purposally did not use the words, Amtrak workers) to change a traction engine where as it only takes 2-3 employees to do the same operation with other companies, sez a lot regarding the future (and the past and the present) of the heavily unionized Amtrak.

MisterNice

So I take it folks have found this to be a succesful program thusfar! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Or at least better than before! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif