Originally Posted by
paytonc
It's always best to test the geographic limits of whatever "zone" you're redeeming for (including the Northeast Zone and the Special Route zones). The two Special zones out west (Amtrak California-branded services and the Cascades) can be great deals, with $100 end-to-end itineraries pricing out at just 1,000 points.
Thanks so much for pointing this out. I hadn't noticed how few points a Cascade trip costs. Even a Portland-Seattle ticket works out to 2.5 cents a point.