No Amtrak travel in 3 years, lose all your miles
Apr 28, 2008, 10:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TX Panhandle
Programs: EXP AA 5.7MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Marriott, a bit of United, a bit of this and that
Posts: 737
No Amtrak travel in 3 years, lose all your miles
There have been posts in regard to this policy before, but as folks who use our Amtrak accounts only for double-dipping stays at Hilton and on a few other "bonus" occasions we had no idea--despite trying to read the fine print. So, maybe one or the other occasional-only forum visitor may learn about this policy through this post.
My wife just lost 2,200 miles b/c of no-travel on Amtrak in 3 years--no warning, nothing on the statements, pooff. I had 10,800 miles and immediately converted them to another program--actually, only 10,000, and the other 800 will be lost.
Farewell Amtrak, and Auf Wiedersehen to our Amtrak co-branded Mastercard.
My wife just lost 2,200 miles b/c of no-travel on Amtrak in 3 years--no warning, nothing on the statements, pooff. I had 10,800 miles and immediately converted them to another program--actually, only 10,000, and the other 800 will be lost.
Farewell Amtrak, and Auf Wiedersehen to our Amtrak co-branded Mastercard.
Apr 28, 2008, 10:52 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
It's been reported that AGR does send out notices in advance, but I guess there are no guarantees.
AGR has also been reported to offer a reactivation offer if you book and take Amtrak travel within a short period after the expiration occurs.
AGR has also been reported to offer a reactivation offer if you book and take Amtrak travel within a short period after the expiration occurs.
Apr 28, 2008, 2:06 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,067
They sent notification emails and hard mails(in statements). Not to mention most airlines do this now, too. So why would you think Amtrak would be different?
Apr 28, 2008, 2:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here! (Or there - I'm not sure)
Programs: Peon in all
Posts: 4,358
If all you want AGR for is for "point laundering", I do not have any sympathy for you. But most of us mainly use it for train travel 
! And even a $5 one-way trip extends the points for another 3 years!
I hope you do not have UA Mileage Plus! It is not 36 months like AGR - it is only 18 months!
! And even a $5 one-way trip extends the points for another 3 years!I hope you do not have UA Mileage Plus! It is not 36 months like AGR - it is only 18 months!
Apr 28, 2008, 3:13 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Normally, I would agree with you, but Amtrak's policy even has ME nervous, as I live over 1,000 miles (and over $300 in airfare) from the closest Amtrak station. While I don't think I'd ever go three years without setting foot on an Amtrak train, it's not like I can say, "Oops! My points expire tomorrow! Let me run down and take a $5 trip..."
Apr 29, 2008, 10:24 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
True, BUT--UA counts any activity, whether credit card spending, dining through Rewards Network, or even buying a magazine subscription as valid activity.
Normally, I would agree with you, but Amtrak's policy even has ME nervous, as I live over 1,000 miles (and over $300 in airfare) from the closest Amtrak station. While I don't think I'd ever go three years without setting foot on an Amtrak train, it's not like I can say, "Oops! My points expire tomorrow! Let me run down and take a $5 trip..."
Normally, I would agree with you, but Amtrak's policy even has ME nervous, as I live over 1,000 miles (and over $300 in airfare) from the closest Amtrak station. While I don't think I'd ever go three years without setting foot on an Amtrak train, it's not like I can say, "Oops! My points expire tomorrow! Let me run down and take a $5 trip..."
Apr 29, 2008, 10:39 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
There have been posts in regard to this policy before, but as folks who use our Amtrak accounts only for double-dipping stays at Hilton and on a few other "bonus" occasions we had no idea--despite trying to read the fine print. So, maybe one or the other occasional-only forum visitor may learn about this policy through this post.
When do my points expire?
Amtrak Guest Rewards points expire 3 years after your last Amtrak travel purchase.
Amtrak Guest Rewards points expire 3 years after your last Amtrak travel purchase.
Apr 29, 2008, 4:42 pm
#10
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
Apr 29, 2008, 5:04 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I know this is the conventional wisdom and certainly the safe answer, but do we know this for sure? When traveled, reward travel posts to AGR accounts, albeit with 0 points, as travel.
Apr 29, 2008, 5:11 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,229
You can probably get credit for a trip without actually riding by purchasing a ticket and mailing it in to Amtrak Revenue Accounting. That's just a theory.
Maybe attach a note to the effect that "conductor did not collect ticket".
Maybe attach a note to the effect that "conductor did not collect ticket".
Apr 29, 2008, 5:57 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
Apr 29, 2008, 7:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Here! (Or there - I'm not sure)
Programs: Peon in all
Posts: 4,358
When do my points expire?
Amtrak Guest Rewards points expire 3 years after your last Amtrak travel purchase.
Amtrak Guest Rewards points expire 3 years after your last Amtrak travel purchase.
Apr 29, 2008, 9:32 pm
#15
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
But who knows for sure?