Amtrak Guest Rewards - 2010 AGR Blackout Dates

Posted (https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=info&loc=TandC.html) yesterday.


4. Redemption for Amtrak travel Rewards is not available for travel on certain trains and/or certain times and dates. For the period from January 3, 2009 through January 3, 2011 travel origination on Redemption awards may not occur on the following dates/times: (i) on all Amtrak services, January 3-4, 2009; February 13, 2009; February 16, 2009; April 10, 2009; April 13, 2009; September 4, 2009; September 7, 2009; November 24-25, 2009; November 28-30, 2009; December 17-23, 2009; December 26-30, 2009; January 3-4, 2010; February 12, 2010; February 15, 2010; April 2, 2010; April 4-5, 2010; November 23-24, 2010; November 27-29, 2010; December 17-23, 2010; December 26-30, 2010 and January 2-3, 2011. (ii) on Acela service, weekday travel origination may not occur from any boarding point between start-of-service and 8:59 a.m. inclusive, or between 2:00 p.m. and 5:59 p.m. inclusive (weekend Acela travel is permitted at any time except on any weekend dates defined in item (i) above); and (iii) Please contact 1-800-307-5000 for blackout periods applicable to travel beginning January 2011.

It looks like 1 fewer blackout date: 1 additional day added (Easter Sunday) and 2 removed (Labor Day Weekend).

Interesting, a few months ago, I booked a rewards ticket for departure from BOS on 2/15/2010 headed onward to KIS. Points were deducted and I have a confirmation number but haven't picked up the tickets yet. I wonder what happens now when I try to pick up that ticket?

A few years ago I wrote to the head of AGR and suggested that S+ members be exempt from blackout dates and time-of-day restrictions on award travel (and get rid of the horrible double-point rule buster). I offered that the number of S+ members who would redeem and use such awards was likely to be so low, that it would not adversely impact seat availability on any particular train. I received a reply that it was "....a good idea we'll certainly look at."

Sadly, again not this year.

Interesting, a few months ago, I booked a rewards ticket for departure from BOS on 2/15/2010 headed onward to KIS. Points were deducted and I have a confirmation number but haven't picked up the tickets yet. I wonder what happens now when I try to pick up that ticket?

If you have a confirmed reservation, I doubt they will cancel or modify it. On the other hand, this is Guest Rewards we are talking about and they aren't exactly known for handling changes very well. Remember the huge debacle with Choice Rewards and retroactive point transfer cancellations?

For peace of mind, go pick up the tickets now before they can change the reservation. Once they are printed AGR can't unprint them.

Hmm... looks like the blackout dates have not all been correctly entered into the system. ;)

A few years ago I wrote to the head of AGR and suggested that S+ members be exempt from blackout dates and time-of-day restrictions on award travel (and get rid of the horrible double-point rule buster). I offered that the number of S+ members who would redeem and use such awards was likely to be so low, that it would not adversely impact seat availability on any particular train. I received a reply that it was "....a good idea we'll certainly look at."

Sadly, again not this year.

Actually, it was only a couple of years ago that the instituted the Select + anytime redemption where Select + members can redeem for blackout dates at a higher redemption cost. So perhaps they DID follow your suggestion--just not implement it exactly how you envisioned.

Rafi

(and get rid of the horrible double-point rule buster)

The problem with Rule Buster isn't that it's nearly double the points (that part I somewhat understand). It's that it's no good for sleepers, which is the AGR redemption I make most frequently by far. :td: :(