Amtrak Guest Rewards - Register for your share of Two Million AGR Points‏ on August 20

I don't think it's targeted. Short summary:

Amtrak will divide 2 million AGR points among everyone who travels on August 20 (and registers for this promotion). Details:

Terms and Conditions:
Must be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member and register for this promotion online or by calling 1-800-307-5000 (option 2) using registration code 81009. Qualifying Amtrak travel must be taken on August 20, 2009 and the reservation must include your Amtrak Guest Rewards membership number. Redemption travel does not qualify for this promotion.

The share of two million points will be determined based on the total number of Amtrak Guest Rewards members registered for this promotion with travel on August 20, 2009, regardless of the number of trips taken by each member that day. The share of two million points is in addition to regular Amtrak travel points or any other promotional bonus points you may qualify for on August 20, 2009. These bonus points will post separately to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account by October 1, 2009, and will not post at the time of your Amtrak travel points or promotional bonus points earned on August 20, 2009.

So hypothetically, if 2 million people traveled on August 20 and everyone was an AGR member who had registered for this promotion, then everyone would get one whopping bonus point. However...

According to the Amtrak website, Amtrak sees an average of 78,000 pax per day. (Presumably a round-trip rider is counted twice). So divide 2 million by 78,000 and you get roughly 25 bonus points per passenger. That's not enough to get excited about.

BUT: A late August day probably has more than the average number of passengers. Let's liberally round it up to 100,000 (assuming that this promotion will also spur extra riders in addition to the typical summer ridership). Now we're down to 20 bonus points per rider.

ON THE OTHER HAND: Not every Amtrak rider is an AGR member. Furthermore, not every AGR member will register for this promotion. (And, some riders on August 20 will be using award tickets which do not qualify for the "2 million" promo.) So to figure out how good of a promotion this is, you would have to guess how many riders on August 20 will be AGR members who have registered for this promotion. That's the key question.

Let's say that of the (approx.) 100,000 riders on August 20, only 1/5th have met those two pre-conditions. So that's 2 million points divided among 20,000 people. That's 100 bonus points per rider, or 200 for a round-trip. [SEE POST #3 FOR A CORRECTION] Of course, that would be in addition to your normal points earned, along with Amtrak's current summer AGR bonus promo. But is it enough to make a special trip specifically on August 20? Anyone want to weigh in with their own hypothetical calculations? :)

The share of two million points will be determined based on the total number of Amtrak Guest Rewards members registered for this promotion with travel on August 20, 2009, regardless of the number of trips taken by each member that day.

That's 100 bonus points per rider, or 200 for a round-trip.

No extra points for doing a round-trip, or even a connecting trip on the same day.

No extra points for doing a round-trip, or even a connecting trip on the same day.

Oops, you're right. I missed that bit of the T&C. So that complicates the math somewhat. Theoretically the overall pool of riders is much smaller, since a significant percentage of Amtrak "78,000" riders on any given day make a r/t. But I'd still imagine that's well under half, even in the NEC.

So maybe we're looking at 120 bonus points under this promotion? :confused:

Obviously someone on FT will have to take part and report back later. @:-):D

I'm strongly considering a short (TAC - SEA) oneway hop. I'm optimistic that the number of AGR members who actually register for this promo traveling on that date will be small enough to make it worthwhile.

Moreover, it seems this one is combine-able with the current Power Points promo.

Let's say that of the (approx.) 100,000 riders on August 20, only 1/5th have met those two pre-conditions. So that's 2 million points divided among 20,000 people. That's 100 bonus points per rider, or 200 for a round-trip.
I think 20% is way too high. I'd guess that on any given Amtrak train, the number of people earning points for the ride is only around 30%. (Compared to a plane, where probably 75% of the people are earning points.)

I think 20% is way too high. I'd guess that on any given Amtrak train, the number of people earning points for the ride is only around 30%. (Compared to a plane, where probably 75% of the people are earning points.)

You're probably right. Well, the fewer the better at least for those people who do take advantage of this promotion. I haven't decided yet, personally.

Is buying an Amtrak ticket for 20Aug enough? Or does one actually have to use the ticket?

I am a moderator on the Amtrak Unlimited Forum.

We had some concerns about this promotion earlier today when a link to a web page that wouldn't pass the certificate test appeared for some AGR members.

We have learned that to properly register for this promotion, use www.amtrakguestrewards.com and NOT that address without the www in front. The non-www page is the problem page. We suspected it might be a phishing page, but after discussing it with someone at Amtrak we have learned it is probably not a spam page but rather one that isn't supposed to be public. Amtrak is working on this.

So, just be careful where you register and make sure the www is in front of the amtrakguestrewards page.

You may also link to the registration page from the email sent to you from AGR.

Thanks!!

Is buying an Amtrak ticket for 20Aug enough? Or does one actually have to use the ticket?

Generally to receive points (regular or bonus) you have to actually ride the train, or more specifically, you have to have a conductor take your ticket. There are some threads on this forum about ways to try to get credit without actually riding the train, but generally speaking that's not recommended and much less reliable.

Definitely thinking about taking a quick trip, probably BUR-LAX, after I get off work that day.

I'm a little surprised they only have 2 million members -- my AGR number is over 7 billion. :D

Definitely thinking about taking a quick trip, probably BUR-LAX, after I get off work that day.

I'm a little surprised they only have 2 million members -- my AGR number is over 7 billion. :D

As I understand it, you have to register for the promotion, buy a ticket and use it. AGR points are never awarded until after the travel is completed.

y'all can share my point.

you're welcome :p

I'm probably going to take a trip for the points if I can. Gotta figure out timing and fares to see if I can do it early and still get to work on time.

I don't think that it will be a ton of points at all. Still, I think it will be fun to give it a try (http://www.wanderingaramean.com/2009/08/pretty-cool-promo-from-amtrak.html). Probably ~100-200 points earned per person is my bet. I do not think that a Thursday in August wil lhave particularly high ridership other than because of the promo.

I'll have to check the Angels schedule that night.
My IRV-ANA leg is pretty short and cheap.
Always worth what will probably be a couple hundred points. (My guess)

I'm going to do WAS-NCR. $12 and 15 minutes. Will just take the metro home.

All of these posts assume that the 2 million points will be divided equally amongst members that travel, but I found the offer to be silent (or vague) on this point. Perhaps they plan to give everyone a 10% bonus on their points earned that day if that gets to 2 million....

All of these posts assume that the 2 million points will be divided equally amongst members that travel, but I found the offer to be silent (or vague) on this point.
I had to read your post a couple times and I think you're trying to stress the "divided equally" part. Hadn't thought of that but seems most likely.

All of these posts assume that the 2 million points will be divided equally amongst members that travel, but I found the offer to be silent (or vague) on this point. Perhaps they plan to give everyone a 10% bonus on their points earned that day if that gets to 2 million....

From the T&C, bolding mine:

The share of two million points will be determined based on the total number of Amtrak Guest Rewards members registered for this promotion with travel on August 20, 2009, regardless of the number of trips taken by each member that day. The share of two million points is in addition to regular Amtrak travel points or any other promotional bonus points you may qualify for on August 20, 2009.

I think it's safe to say that Amtrak is giving out an additional 2 million points on August 20, above and beyond standard point earnings and pre-existing bonus promotions. The T&C state this explicitly.

The T&C also explicitly say that "the share" (i.e. individual portion) will be "based on the total number" of people who participate. There is no other way to interpret this other than to say that they will be dividing it equally. If the "share" was based on the amount of your ticket, the T&C would have to say so.

I'm strongly considering a short (TAC - SEA) oneway hop. I'm optimistic that the number of AGR members who actually register for this promo traveling on that date will be small enough to make it worthwhile.

Moreover, it seems this one is combine-able with the current Power Points promo.

I've jumped in and bought myself a short one-way hop, PHL to ARD, to hit one of the suburban shopping areas. Then, I'll take public transportation back to town. I'll consider it a $6 experience to see what the total reward will be. :)

Wombat -

Be sure to register for the power points promo first for an extra 100 Amtrak points, in addition to the 100 base, plus whatever the 2,000,000 split turns out to be.

Points

Be sure to register for the power points promo first for an extra 100 Amtrak points, in addition to the 100 base...

Points

Points, that's good advice to anyone. I've already done that for the summer promo, and earned bonuses on treks from PHL to NPN, BBY to PVD, and now to include this one!

Thanks,
Wombat

I'm going to go Tucson-Maricopa on the Sunset Ltd. Probably not worth it in a $$ respect, but it gives me an excuse for a little junket to Tucson.:D I wonder if there's still a restaurant in the old EP&SW station -- there used to be a Garcia's but they seem to have closed.

I bought a ticket from NYP to NWK solely to take advantage of this promotion. The scheduled duration is 17 minutes. Is it possible, in that short length of time, that the conductor won't "get to me" in order to take/punch my ticket? If so, I imagine that my trip would then be for naught.

Thanks,

I bought a ticket from NYP to NWK solely to take advantage of this promotion. The scheduled duration is 17 minutes. Is it possible, in that short length of time, that the conductor won't "get to me" in order to take/punch my ticket? If so, I imagine that my trip would then be for naught.

Thanks,

It's quite possible that a conductor won't get to you before Newark, in fact some conductors don't even start collecting tickets until after the train departs Newark. However, as the train approaches Newark start walking the train looking for a conductor. There are two of them and they have to be standing near a door as the train pulls into Newark. Usually one will be near the front and one closer to the rear.

Just ask the conductor to take your ticket telling him you want to make sure you get your AGR points. Don't bother explaining the whole 2 million deal, they won't care and probably won't know about it. But they will understand that you want the normal AGR points and most will lift your ticket without question.

I bought a ticket from NYP to NWK solely to take advantage of this promotion. The scheduled duration is 17 minutes. Is it possible, in that short length of time, that the conductor won't "get to me" in order to take/punch my ticket? If so, I imagine that my trip would then be for naught.

Thanks,

Buy your ticket to Yonkers from NYP - it is waaay cheaper - often only $12 with AAA

So, since I'm 1,500 miles from the nearest Amtrak station...anyone want to travel as me on the 20th? My treat! ;)

So, since I'm 1,500 miles from the nearest Amtrak station...anyone want to travel as me on the 20th? My treat! ;)

Oh, that would be a serious breach of security. Photo ID must be presented and match the name on the ticket to stop terrorism. ByeByeDelta traveling as a jackal is a serious threat! :D

Hey, my trip on Amtrak tomorrow gets me back after midnight (i.e. first moments of Thu 8/20) - do we think that will count?? Probably not.

--LG

Buy your ticket to Yonkers from NYP - it is waaay cheaper - often only $12 with AAA


Thanks for the suggestion but I live and work on the west side of Manhattan (I actually work in 1 Penn Plaza---directly above Penn Station). Although the ticket to Yonkers is certainly cheaper, I would need to take Metro North back into Manhattan while I can take the PATH back to Manhattan from Newark, rendering the price difference much less important (not to mention the time to get back to the west side from Grand Central).

Hey, my trip on Amtrak tomorrow gets me back after midnight (i.e. first moments of Thu 8/20) - do we think that will count?? Probably not.

--LG

Your instinct is correct in the sense that AGR points register for the day of departure.

Hey...the Power Points T&C says the minimum ticket price is $35 one-way or $70 round trip, so for our share of 2M points, our little 1 stop mileage runs won't qualify for double dipping promo points.

Hey...the Power Points T&C says the minimum ticket price is $35 one-way or $70 round trip, so for our share of 2M points, our little 1 stop mileage runs won't qualify for double dipping promo points.
Power Points and this 2M thing are two separate things, though, right?

I never saw a $35 minimum listed?

Terms & Conditions (emphasis mine)

* Must be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member and register for this offer online or by calling 1-800-307-5000 and selecting option 2, using registration code 60109.
* Members must include their membership number when making reservations or transacting with partners.
* Qualifying Amtrak travel must be taken between June 1 and August 31, 2009.
* Limit of two qualifying trips per day (one roundtrip or two one-ways).
* Cancelled or refunded reservations/tickets will be deemed ineligible.
* Travel with a monthly pass or using multi-ride tickets does not qualify for this promotion.
* Once registered, all qualifying travel during the promotion period will be awarded bonus points.
* Once registered, one-time partner bonuses will be awarded for each unique program partner transaction.
* All bonus points will post up to 14 business days after regular point-earnings post.
* Qualifying Points for Shopping purchases must be a minimum of $50 per transaction.
* Qualifying Samsonite purchases must be a minimum of $100 per transaction.
* Other terms and conditions may apply.

My Power Points T&C has an extra line. I should have mentioned it applies on the east coast only.
Any chance T&C's are variable depending on your home address ?

Yes, the Power Points and the 2M promotion are separate.

My Power Points T&C..
Terms & Conditions
•Must be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member and register for this offer online or by calling 1-800-307-5000 and selecting option 2, using registration code 60109.
•Members must include their membership number when making reservations or transacting with partners.
•Qualifying Amtrak travel must be taken between June 1 and August 31, 2009.
•Northeast Regional travel must be a minimum of $35 per qualifying trip one-way or $70 per roundtrip.
...

The day is almost over now and so
the points will very soon begin to flow.
So, tell! Who rode the train today and where
your final destination was--we care!
And don't forget to come back here and post
your Guest Rewards activity: yes, boast!

:p

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NYP-NWK. Short trip! Let's see how many points post.

How was everyone's promo run?

Cascades was late (as usual). I thought I'd be about the only one going from Tacoma to Seattle (about an hour trip), but there were a dozen or so of us; the others, I believe, were mostly transferring to the Empire Builder.

I'm optimistic that there aren't going to be that many AGR members travelling on a Thursday in August. I've gotten the impression that most AGR members travel on business, while today's train seemed almost entirely leisure to me.

Just got back from a dinner run from SAC to MTZ and back. A friend from SJC came up to meet me. Fortunately there were a few places to choose from within easy walking distance from the station. May do that again just as a wild hair... :)

148 MET-NRO under $30.:cool::D

I did the 540 OKJ-BKY, then five minutes later, hopped on the 543 from BKY to EMY, where I transferred to bus to take me back to San Francisco. $13.50. The conductor made a comment about my short 4 minute trip from Berkeley to Emeryville, and had a hand held scanner to scan my ticket. Another friend did SFC-EMY-RIC, then took BART back.

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148 MET-NRO under $30.:cool::D

Ha! NYP-NWK was $20-ish with discount (but not as good as my best value PHL-ARD runs at $6 during a double and triple stacked bonus a while back).

148 MET-NRO under $30.:cool::D

Welcome to FT! ^

I did the 540 OKJ-BKY, then five minutes later, hopped on the 543 from BKY to EMY, where I transferred to bus to take me back to San Francisco. $13.50. The conductor made a comment about my short 4 minute trip from Berkeley to Emeryville, and had a hand held scanner to scan my ticket. Another friend did SFC-EMY-RIC, then took BART back.

Dang, Kenny, sorry we didn't cross paths! I did BKY-EMY-SFC-EMY-BKY, my usual MR these days. It's 4 segments in 2 hours, $14.40 with NARP discount. Conductors often suggest that I overpaid by not taking BART or AC, then I sheepishly explain the whole deliberate MR concept. :cool:

Surly I had the easiest trip. $9 ticket and I didn't have to change trains. The same train, with the same train number, picked me up and dropped me off at the same station. I had lunch in the dining car. Any one care to guess the station and train? :D

Maybe it was one of those little toy trains that goes around a park? :)
I'm clueless on this one.

--LG


Surly I had the easiest trip. $9 ticket and I didn't have to change trains. The same train, with the same train number, picked me up and dropped me off at the same station. I had lunch in the dining car. Any one care to guess the station and train? :D

Welcome to FT! ^



Dang, Kenny, sorry we didn't cross paths! I did BKY-EMY-SFC-EMY-BKY, my usual MR these days. It's 4 segments in 2 hours, $14.40 with NARP discount. Conductors often suggest that I overpaid by not taking BART or AC, then I sheepishly explain the whole deliberate MR concept. :cool:

I thought a couple of years ago, AMTRAK specifically limited AGR credit to two segments per-person-per-day?

Went last night Mattoon - Effingham, whopping 24 minutes and $3. Train was late 54 minutes, could've almost walked home in that time. :) Anybody get their share of 2MM for less than $3???

Went last night Mattoon - Effingham, whopping 24 minutes and $3. Train was late 54 minutes, could've almost walked home in that time. :) Anybody get their share of 2MM for less than $3???

Impressive, but how did you get back?

Surly I had the easiest trip. $9 ticket and I didn't have to change trains. The same train, with the same train number, picked me up and dropped me off at the same station. I had lunch in the dining car. Any one care to guess the station and train? :D

I'm going to guess that this took place on Train 91, with Lakeland being the station. Both 91 and 92 make two stops in Lakeland, with an in-and-out stop at Tampa between. Since you say you had lunch, I'll guess Train 91 due to the time of day.

However, I cannot replicate the actual ticket since the first Lakeland stop is a "D" stop, and the second Lakeland stop is an "R", so it seems you cannot technically buy a ticket from Lakeland to Lakeland. You could, however, buy a ticket from Kissimee to Winter Haven, and simply board/depart in Lakeland (which would be getting ON one stop late, and getting OFF one stop early, and thus should be agreeable to the conductor). However, that ticket comes up as $10. I haven't been able to find the $9 ticket...but I still think I'm right in terms of train/station.

However, that ticket comes up as $10. I haven't been able to find the $9 ticket...but I still think I'm right in terms of train/station.

How about a three day advance purchase with AAA for 10% off?


My own ride was IRV-SNA and the conductor (or whatever the actual title is) asked if I was riding to get the bonus today. I said yes and she commented that I was the fourth person that day riding only one stop to get the bonus.
She was pretty friendly and having a good time.

Wandered around the Santa Ana station which I hadn't been inside of for about 15 years for awhile. Then I hopped a Metrolink back to my car. Had the 785 been on time; I might have taken the 784 back, but I missed it.

I thought a couple of years ago, AMTRAK specifically limited AGR credit to two segments per-person-per-day?

From T&C: A maximum of two roundtrips or four one-way trips, per member, per day will be allowed to earn points under the 100 point minimum per trip rule.

I did BUR-LAX on #784, return on the next Metrolink train. Total cost, $11.80 ($6.30 Amtrak w/AAA discount, $5.50 Metrolink) and about an hour and 10 minutes out of my life.

#784 was represented by the one single-level train set that's in the Pacific Surfliner pool, and my Metrolink ride was in one of the old NJ Transit cars that they're currently borrowing from Utah, so it was more single-level train riding than one normally gets west of the Mississippi.

Shuttle train. Windsor Locks,CT to Springfield, MA and back. $9. A rolling happy hour, including two quick ones at The Chessmen bar, right outside the Springfield station.

Regarding my earlier post about restrictions earning PowerPoints on the NEC. I think there's two different sets of T&C's; one on the AGR home page but not logged in, and another one when you are logged in.

Dang, Kenny, sorry we didn't cross paths! I did BKY-EMY-SFC-EMY-BKY, my usual MR these days. It's 4 segments in 2 hours, $14.40 with NARP discount. Conductors often suggest that I overpaid by not taking BART or AC, then I sheepishly explain the whole deliberate MR concept. :cool:

Yes, I think I got that MR from you - quick and easy. We'll have to do it another time. Wonder what the Fall Points Special will be!

I'm going to guess that this took place on Train 91, with Lakeland being the station. Both 91 and 92 make two stops in Lakeland, with an in-and-out stop at Tampa between. Since you say you had lunch, I'll guess Train 91 due to the time of day.

However, I cannot replicate the actual ticket since the first Lakeland stop is a "D" stop, and the second Lakeland stop is an "R", so it seems you cannot technically buy a ticket from Lakeland to Lakeland. You could, however, buy a ticket from Kissimee to Winter Haven, and simply board/depart in Lakeland (which would be getting ON one stop late, and getting OFF one stop early, and thus should be agreeable to the conductor). However, that ticket comes up as $10. I haven't been able to find the $9 ticket...but I still think I'm right in terms of train/station.

How about a three day advance purchase with AAA for 10% off?

Ding, ding, ding. Indeed, train 91 from LAK to LKL, though the ticket did indicate Kissimmee to Winter Haven. This is about the only way to take a same-day trip in Florida anymore and a perfect way to have lunch on the train. And I used the NARP discount, not AAA. :D

Impressive, but how did you get back?


Had to work up that way the next day so had the gf drive me by the train station the next day... Could've got it for $2.70 w/ AAA but didn't want to chance that messing up the award...

Ding, ding, ding. Indeed, train 91 from LAK to LKL, though the ticket did indicate Kissimmee to Winter Haven. This is about the only way to take a same-day trip in Florida anymore and a perfect way to have lunch on the train. And I used the NARP discount, not AAA. :D

Same day trips in Florida are possible (albeit on two different trains) when boarding a southbound train (91 or 97) at or north of ORL and switching trains at KIS or before to return northbound on 92. I was considering an ORL-KIS roundtrip, but didn't manage to get around to it.

I've been reading/lurking here for some time now (been an Amtrak Select for the past couple of years, now at Plus, love the info here!), and just decided to pipe in.

I don't understand the reasoning for many folks who traveled on August 20 for this promotion. For instance, you can buy 550 points for $13.75 right now, from the comfort of your own home (or wherever your computer is!). And this promotion will be worth probably about 200 points, at most maybe 300. If you did a short round-trip, then maybe 500 points (as many people doing this will dilute the ppp cut). So, anyone who paid more than about $12 to travel on 8/20 just to be eligible for this promotion was wasting money and time. Why go out of your way and pay for an unnecessary trip when you could get the same points (or more) for less money? :confused: :confused:

I've been reading/lurking here for some time now (been an Amtrak Select for the past couple of years, now at Plus, love the info here!), and just decided to pipe in.

I don't understand the reasoning for many folks who traveled on August 20 for this promotion. For instance, you can buy 550 points for $13.75 right now, from the comfort of your own home (or wherever your computer is!). And this promotion will be worth probably about 200 points, at most maybe 300. If you did a short round-trip, then maybe 500 points (as many people doing this will dilute the ppp cut). So, anyone who paid more than about $12 to travel on 8/20 just to be eligible for this promotion was wasting money and time. Why go out of your way and pay for an unnecessary trip when you could get the same points (or more) for less money? :confused: :confused:

I'm under the impression that a Thursday in August is quite slow for business travellers (esp in the northeast), who make up a significant share of the AGR riders. Moreover, as that date wasn't part of a blackout period, it's possible many other AGR's were travelling on non-qualifying award tickets during the summer - my $.02 anyway.

P. S. -- unlike FT'ers, not everyone who receives a promo notice automatically registers for everything, so we'll see how many AGR members with qualifying tickets failed to specifically enroll.

I'll be quite honest - it was an excuse.:D I had a nice dinner in Tucson, enjoyed the block party they were having that evening, and then took the train back to Maricopa. I don't have any illusions about it being particularly profitable as a mileage run, but it was a relatively cheap night out.

I do have to see if I can get the AGR posting corrected. They posted my miles as 8/18, not 8/20.

I've been reading/lurking here for some time now (been an Amtrak Select for the past couple of years, now at Plus, love the info here!), and just decided to pipe in.

I don't understand the reasoning for many folks who traveled on August 20 for this promotion. For instance, you can buy 550 points for $13.75 right now, from the comfort of your own home (or wherever your computer is!). And this promotion will be worth probably about 200 points, at most maybe 300. If you did a short round-trip, then maybe 500 points (as many people doing this will dilute the ppp cut). So, anyone who paid more than about $12 to travel on 8/20 just to be eligible for this promotion was wasting money and time. Why go out of your way and pay for an unnecessary trip when you could get the same points (or more) for less money? :confused: :confused:

Welcome to FT! ^ :)

Traveling on that date was a no-brainer for me. I do many very short trips (<$5 per segment) throughout the year on top of my regular Amtrak travels, to keep Select Plus. The bonus points, Amtrak lounge and CO Presidents Club access, and other bennies are too valuable to forgo. I have plenty of redeemable points in the bank, but it's those elite-qualifying rail points (that one cannot purchase) that I really need. So, I might as well collect the qualifying points I was going to get anyway, and do it on a day where I get even more bonus redeemable points (on top of the S+ bonus and the Power Points promo bonus!).

Plus, it's an excuse to ride a train, hello?! ;) :D

And this promotion will be worth probably about 200 points, at most maybe 300. I did not take advantage of this promotion, but I am guessing that the 2 million miles are being divided over only a couple thousand AGR accounts, far fewer than the 6,500-10,000 in your calculations.

But, I could be wrong, and we'll eventually see how many people participated, right? :)

I've been reading/lurking here for some time now (been an Amtrak Select for the past couple of years, now at Plus, love the info here!), and just decided to pipe in.

I don't understand the reasoning for many folks who traveled on August 20 for this promotion. For instance, you can buy 550 points for $13.75 right now, from the comfort of your own home (or wherever your computer is!). And this promotion will be worth probably about 200 points, at most maybe 300. If you did a short round-trip, then maybe 500 points (as many people doing this will dilute the ppp cut). So, anyone who paid more than about $12 to travel on 8/20 just to be eligible for this promotion was wasting money and time. Why go out of your way and pay for an unnecessary trip when you could get the same points (or more) for less money? :confused: :confused:

Welcome to FT! ^

While not everyone here may agree with your conclusion, this type of careful analysis of promotions is always useful and appreciated.

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I too was unable to take a trip as one does not get AGR points on the ARR :p

When do we expect these to post?

When do we expect these to post?

T&Cs suggest some time in Sept:


These bonus points will post separately to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account by October 1, 2009

Welcome to FT! ^

While not everyone here may agree with your conclusion, this type of careful analysis of promotions is always useful and appreciated.

Thx. Might be cool to set up an informal "Guess the Points" pool. For a single trip on the 20th, my guess is 240. :)

Thx. Might be cool to set up an informal "Guess the Points" pool. For a single trip on the 20th, my guess is 240. :)

Well, way back in Post #3, I guessed 120, but I suspect now that that may be a bit on the low side.

Well, way back in Post #3, I guessed 120, but I suspect now that that may be a bit on the low side.

You can make another guess now. Seems like no one else wants to play. :(

I don't have any idea of how many AGR members travel on an "average" day, so feel a bit handicapped in guessing. My gut feeling on the eventual promo number would be roughly 450, assuming a fair number of AGR members were travelling on award tickets (vacations), or never enrolled in the promotion. Moreover, the riders I've seen during the summer have been largely one-time (or at best occasional) riders, not the business folks more common Sept - May, who would be more likely to have an AGR number on the ticket, though even many of them might not register for promos.

I'll guess 222 -- my old dorm room number.

Thx. Might be cool to set up an informal "Guess the Points" pool. For a single trip on the 20th, my guess is 240. :)

Then I say 241. :D

Then I say 241. :D

Watching too much Price is Right, eh? :D

Just for grins, I looked at my AGR account this morning and the r/t I took on Aug 20 posted. One on the 20th and one on the 21st. :( Fortunately, the number of trips or miles doesn't really matter so I'm still in play for the points. But you might want to check your account to make sure they posted a trip just so you don't loose out.

Now this should really mess up the guesses having to factor in the number of passengers on Aug 20 minus the number improperly posted on another day. I doubt AGR will recalculate if someone gets missed. But who knows...

I'm gonna go on the high side: my official guess is 1,300.

:)

My guess is 481...

Watching too much Price is Right, eh? :D

As a kid! The logic stuck with me, though. :cool:

So, when do we get the share of the 2 million points? When will they post to our accounts?

Just FYI...I did NYP-YONKERS...roundtrip.

So, when do we get the share of the 2 million points? When will they post to our accounts?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12297816-post64.html

;)

While we're debating the yield of our 8/20 trip(s), the 100 point Summer Power Points bonus for my qualifying trip posted a few days ago.

While we're debating the yield of our 8/20 trip(s), the 100 point Summer Power Points bonus for my qualifying trip posted a few days ago.

I got 2000 points for that (4x500) 2 weeks ago. What was that promo for again?

They're really down to the wire on the 2M Points promo--they should be up today or tomorrow ("by Oct. 1"). Any last-minute guesses? ;)

I got 2000 points for that (4x500) 2 weeks ago. What was that promo for again?

They're really down to the wire on the 2M Points promo--they should be up today or tomorrow ("by Oct. 1"). Any last-minute guesses? ;)

Though the T & C says First Class = 400 points, it seems Acela is posting as 500/segment?

------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy bonus points on top of regular points, all summer long.

Register now to earn bonus points for Amtrak travel and partner transactions June 1 - August 31, 2009. All bonus points are in addition to the normal points you earn as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member or bonus points offered by our program partners throughout the summer. More power to you.

Power trip
Whether you're traveling for business or leisure on Amtrak®, you'll earn 100 bonus points for Coach class, 200 bonus points for Business class, and 400 bonus points for First class travel on all trains, all routes this summer.

Power steering
Receive an additional 100 bonus points with our car rental/sharing partners — Budget, Dav El, Hertz, and Zipcar.

Power nap
Earn 200 bonus points when you stay with our many hotel partners — Choice Hotels®, Hilton HHonors®, Hyatt®, Omni Hotels®, Starwood Hotels & Resorts*, and Wyndham Rewards® hotels.

Power shop
Get an additional 100 bonus points when you transact with any of our other point-earning partners — 1-800-FLOWERS.COM®, Audience Rewards, Beverage Bistro, Buy Points, Cruise Locators, Energy Plus™, Points for Moving, Points for Shopping, Shop.Samsonite.com, Teleflora®,
TD AMERITRADE, and Vinesse Wine Clubs.

Acela Express is not regular first class. There's a seperate promotion giving 500 points for Acela trains, I think even Acela business class gets the 500 points.

This was part of an email I rec. on June 25th. It was for the Summer Power Points.
************************************************
Book your trip. Transact with our partners. Earn power points!

Power trip.
Enjoy the comfort and superior service that Acela® travel has to offer and earn an additional 500 Amtrak Guest Rewards® bonus points for each trip. Plus, on all other Amtrak® travel, earn 100 bonus points for Coach class, 200 bonus points for Business class, and 400 bonus points for First class trips. Book Now.

Best of all, these bonus points are in addition to the normal points you earn as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member or bonus points offered by our program partners throughout the summer.

More power to you, June 1 – August 31, 2009. Visit the website for promotion details and to view additional partner point-earning opportunities.

• Qualifying Amtrak travel must be taken between June 1 and August 31, 2009.
• Acela travel must be a minimum of $75 per qualifying trip one-way or $150 per roundtrip.

Acela Express is not regular first class. There's a seperate promotion giving 500 points for Acela trains, I think even Acela business class gets the 500 points.

uh, welcome to FT..... :p

The 2MM promo posted today. 804 points! ^

The 2MM promo posted today. 804 points! ^

More points than I, and just about everyone else in this thread, thought!

That's only about 2,500 people who managed to fulfill all the conditions of this promotion.

Damn. I'm bummed I was stuck on an airplane that day.

More points than I, and just about everyone else in this thread, thought!

That's only about 2,500 people who managed to fulfill all the conditions of this promotion.

Awesome, my 804 points posted too. ^ It's another reminder that intense interest in promotions on FT and other forums often have zero bearing on the general public's behavior. Most folks just care about finding fare discounts. More points for us! :cool:

Wow, and a big ^ to anyone who snagged this. Did anyone get the bonus points for a reason other than specifically taking a train trip that day (i.e. you had to go somewhere for, um, a legitimate reason. :D)?

So maybe we're looking at 120 bonus points under this promotion?




:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o

So my $9 r/t ticket netted me the following points:
18 since I paid using Amtrak M/C (2 x dollar)
100 for one way -traveling
100 for the return -traveling
300 Summer Power promo 09 (no idea why it wasn't 100, but hey..)
300 Summer Power promo 09
804 for the 2MM promo
------
1,622 total for $9
woo hoo !

Wow, and a big ^ to anyone who snagged this. Did anyone get the bonus points for a reason other than specifically taking a train trip that day (i.e. you had to go somewhere for, um, a legitimate reason. :D)?

That all depends on how you define "legitimate"? I'd been vaguely planning a trip to Tacoma, so scheduled it for 8/20, returning by train. I did have lunch there at a joint that I hadn't known participates in Rewards Network, so scored some bonus airline miles as well for the trip. :cool:

I had a r/t that day to Boston for a business meeting. The 80-0 points was worth about $20 (if you bought the points directly), plus any bonus points for the trip I guess. Wouldn't be worth my time in any case, but my travel plans coincided nicely with this offer. (I miss the national train day promotion a few months back....)

Haven't seen the points post to my account yet. Dare I say I'm not surprised?

Oh, I figured it out. The transaction for that ticket posted with a travel date of 8/19/09. The issue date is correct, 8/20/09. Interesting I traveled before the ticket was printed. Guess a phone call is in order. Y'all can thank me for the extra couple tenths of a point. :D

Actually there seems to be some wiggle room in their posting process... I did a r/t on 8/20. The outbound posted as 8/20 and the return as 8/21. Fortunately, the outbound allowed me to qualify for the promo so the return was of no concern. A friend met me at my destination and their trips posted as 8/21 so they did not qualify. They sent an email about the situation but the reply only stated that if they did travel on 8/20 they would get the points, they never addressed the incorrect posting date. :(

I'm waiting for them to post a correcting entry taking points away to cover the people that had incorrect dates posted. Or will they make it the 2.3MM Share promo? :)

Well -- that's why one always holds onto the boarding pass until it's absolutely not necessary!

Dear AGR,

Enclosed is a copy of my boarding pass for the trip posted (incorrectly) as 8/21/09, clearly showing a date of 8/20/09. I am requesting 804 points credit as per the promotion for travel on that date. Thank you for your assistance.

P. Scrounger

Well -- that's why one always holds onto the boarding pass until it's absolutely not necessary!

Dear AGR,

Enclosed is a copy of my boarding pass for the trip posted (incorrectly) as 8/21/09, clearly showing a date of 8/20/09. I am requesting 804 points credit as per the promotion for travel on that date. Thank you for your assistance.

P. Scrounger

Of course, that strategy wouldn't have worked for me, having traveled on the unreserved Capitol Corridor that day. Date field is blank on ticket stubs, even for many Thruway buses.

In any case, I don't toss my Amtrak ticket stubs, ever. In fact, I archive them by year. :)

I haven't seen a ticket post with the wrong travel date before now. I imagine it has something to due with the batch entry process and that the train originated on the 19th.

I'm on hold with AGR. The agent tried to insist I traveled on August 19, even though the ticket was issued on the 20th. She's calling "USA-RAIL" now to find out if I'm telling the truth.

I'd forgotten that AGR is sub-contracted, and not actually AMTRAK itself.

I haven't seen a ticket post with the wrong travel date before now. I imagine it has something to due with the batch entry process and that the train originated on the 19th.

I'm on hold with AGR. The agent tried to insist I traveled on August 19, even though the ticket was issued on the 20th. She's calling "USA-RAIL" now to find out if I'm telling the truth.

OOOhhhhh that would aggravate me. Tell us how it turns out.

--LG

I'd forgotten that AGR is sub-contracted, and not actually AMTRAK itself.
For airlines that are interested in contracting out their loyalty programs, let the poor communication between Amtrak and AGR serve and the endless frustration it causes with Amtrak's frequent riders serve as a warning flag.

Any chance AGR will ever be brought in-house?

OOOhhhhh that would aggravate me. Tell us how it turns out.

--LG

After speaking with USA-RAIL the points were posted to my account as an adjustment. Whole process took just under 15 minutes. She finally got it that I had supposedly traveled before the ticket was issued and agreed that was very strange.

For airlines that are interested in contracting out their loyalty programs, let the poor communication between Amtrak and AGR serve and the endless frustration it causes with Amtrak's frequent riders serve as a warning flag.

Any chance AGR will ever be brought in-house?

I would put those chances somewhere between zero and zilch. And it is amazing the walls that seem to exist between AGR and Amtrak.

For airlines that are interested in contracting out their loyalty programs, let the poor communication between Amtrak and AGR serve and the endless frustration it causes with Amtrak's frequent riders serve as a warning flag.

Any chance AGR will ever be brought in-house?

I would put those chances somewhere between zero and zilch. And it is amazing the walls that seem to exist between AGR and Amtrak.

I agree that it's very unlikely that we'll see it brought in house anytime in the near future. Amtrak simply doesn't have the resources to do so.

As for the walls, part of the problem is simply that Amtrak's ARROW which was once state of the art is now one of the most antiquated reservation systems around. And there is no money in the budget to remedy that situation.

Part of the problem is that I believe that Amtrak low bid the contract, and of course you get what you pay for. Part of the problem is that AGR just seems to be the forgotten step child of Amtrak. They don't get a lot of funding, there are still people who don't even know it exists, and they can't always get other departments to cooperate with them from what I understand. It's almost like some consider the AGR department a necessary evil.

Finally it probably doesn't help that there is only one manager and three assistants under him at Amtrak. The department could probably use a little more help to watch over the contractor, even as the current staff plans new events and promotions.