Amtrak Guest Rewards - Cascades and "buy points"

I noticed that I can buy points at $13.75/500. It also says that a Cascades ride is only 1000 points each way.

If I schedule a Vancouver, BC - Portland, OR trip on Cascades, it shows a cost of $46 each way. Whereas if I buy 1000 points and use them to buy a ticket, it'll cost $27.50/way. (Is it really only 1000 points no matter how long the trip is on one train?)

I realize one difference is that award tickets are non-refundable whereas regular tickets are; so if I decide I want to travel this way I better be super-sure about it.

Is there any other catch to this? Too good to be true?

I realize one difference is that award tickets are non-refundable whereas regular tickets are; so if I decide I want to travel this way I better be super-sure about it.Award tickets are refundable (you can cancel the ticket and re-deposit the points).

Too good to be true?

Yes, it's only 1000 points for a Cascades ticket. It doesn't even have to be on the "same train". (Most itineraries from Vancouver BC to PDX still require a bus-to-train connection in SEA)

In fact, you could go all the way from Vancouver, BC to Eugene, Oregon for the same 1000 points, which is a $62 ticket.

You're right, it does seem too good to be true. Someone want to explain this seeming discrepancy? Is this simply a loophole that Amtrak hasn't caught? (If so, Mods please DELETE THIS THREAD!!!) :D

The only catch is that the point purchases are non-refundable and purchases are limited to 10,000 points per calendar year.

They used to have a $25 processing fee per point purchase, but they dropped it.

The only catch is that the point purchases are non-refundable and purchases are limited to 10,000 points per calendar year.

They used to have a $25 processing fee per point purchase, but they dropped it.

Still, 10,000 points per year is equivalent to 10 one-way trips. Using the OP's example, you could pay $275 and receive $460 worth of travel. (Actually, you would probably receive more than $460 since some of the tickets would probably be in higher fare buckets). That's a much better discount than the usual 10-15% discount from AAA, NARP, etc.

So what I can conclude so far is:
a) This is a good deal.
b) If I have points, I should probably save them for the longest Amtrak trip I want to make (e.g. Vancouver BC to Portland).
c) If I am going to buy any points, I better be sure that I want to use them eventually.

More questions:
1) Does Amtrak charge any booking fees or taxes on top of a points ticket purchase? I've never done it before.
2) Is there a minimum advance purchase period for points tickets?
3) If I want to book a Cascades train *and* a bike space, will I be able to buy the upgrade while making the points booking? Or will I have to go on the phone for that?

More questions:
1) Does Amtrak charge any booking fees or taxes on top of a points ticket purchase? I've never done it before.
2) Is there a minimum advance purchase period for points tickets?
3) If I want to book a Cascades train *and* a bike space, will I be able to buy the upgrade while making the points booking? Or will I have to go on the phone for that?

1) No.

2) It's best to redeem at least an hour before travel. Around T - 15 mins, the train will be blocked for online redemption. (And you certainly don't want to be under time pressure when trying to do anything with AGR over the phone.) Aside from that limitation, if there's an available seat in your desired class of service, you can redeem points for it up to the day of travel.

3) Don't know...

And notwithstanding soitgoes's comment, nerd is correct. Award tickets are completely refundable at any time. If you have not printed the ticket, call AGR (before or after scheduled travel) to have the points redeposited in your account. If you have printed the ticket, you just have to mail it back to them to get the points back. So book away, but don't pick up the ticket until you know you're traveling.

ivk5

2) It's best to redeem at least an hour before travel. Around T - 15 mins, the train will be blocked for online redemption. (And you certainly don't want to be under time pressure when trying to do anything with AGR over the phone.) Aside from that limitation, if there's an available seat in your desired class of service, you can redeem points for it up to the day of travel.


I think that maybe be true if you have status, but the T&C say that reservations need to be made 4 hours prior to departure. That is the legal word on it, but they may not actually follow it.

So what I can conclude so far is:
a) This is a good deal...
3) If I want to book a Cascades train *and* a bike space, will I be able to buy the upgrade while making the points booking? Or will I have to go on the phone for that?

Yes, it's a good deal. For the bike, you'll need to call -- or else you could probably get the ticket and have the bike ticket (that's how it works) issued by a ticket agent. Also note that only Cascades trains have bike service; I once had a ticket agent issue me a bike ticket aboard a connecting bus, only to not have it honored.

So I tried a sample "buy reward ticket" transaction just to see the screens that come up, and it doesn't offer a bike purchase option for a Cascades train.

But when I called AGR, someone in the redemption department confirmed that not only are they able to book the bike for me over the phone... but it's free!

So now, a round-trip that would cost me almost $100 with the bike, would now cost $55 total. Pretty sweet.

Hey, that makes a great deal even better -- since many of the 1000 point Special Routes are state-supported trains where the states have also required bikes-on-board service.

I'll ask about it for my next Illinois Service redemption (also 1000 points, also a $10 bike fee).

[
And notwithstanding soitgoes's comment, nerd is correct. Award tickets are completely refundable at any time. If you have not printed the ticket, call AGR (before or after scheduled travel) to have the points redeposited in your account. If you have printed the ticket, you just have to mail it back to them to get the points back. So book away, but don't pick up the ticket until you know you're traveling.

ivk5[/QUOTE]

is this so for general members??

I saw flowing link on FAQ. appears no changes use it or lose it



How do I collect my redemption item?

Can I return an item if I change my mind after I redeem?

We are unable to accept returns after the completion of a redemption order.https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=qa&loc=qa.html&rsdone2=%253A8%2520M%252AW%255BGE%255FLG%253E%255D %2540%252F%253C%2525M%253FD%252E%253DD%252C%2529%2 53AQ%25287%253D%253F%2522S%2540%2524%2520%250A&cat_type=0&answ=204#q204
























































































































https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?loc=qa.html&category=qa&answ=205&rsdone2=%253A8%2520M%252AW%255BGE%255FLG%253E%255D %2540%252F%253C%2525M%253FD%252E%253DD%252C%2529%2 53AU%252D7%253D%2523%2521S%2540%2524%2520%250A&cat_type=0#q205

is this so for general members??
I saw flowing link on FAQ. appears no changes use it or lose it

That's for everything except for Amtrak travel (e.g., you can't return gift cards, certificates, point transfers, etc.).

Amtrak reward tickets may be refunded in full if unused; if unprinted, a call will do, while if they have been printed you will need to mail them in.

From the T&C:
Amtrak travel rewards may be returned to the Amtrak Guest Rewards service center for exchange or a refund of points if applicable.
https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?loc=TandC.html&category=info

is this so for general members??

I saw flowing link on FAQ. appears no changes use it or lose it

How do I collect my redemption item?

Can I return an item if I change my mind after I redeem?

We are unable to accept returns after the completion of a redemption order.In this rule, by "Redemption Item", they can only be referring to non-Amtrak travel items (okay, upgrade coupons and a few other things excluded).

I am a General Member, and have canceled dozen and dozens of Amtrak award tickets.

seems like a decent program for the occasional rider looking to save money over crazy short notice fares in NEC

If UR a Diners' Club cardholder, U can transfer Club Rewards points in chunks of 1000 to your Amtrak acct. 1:1.

Post deleted because I was mistaken.