This question intrigued me. So, I did the unthinkable. I decided to contact AGR using the site "contact us" link, and ask the question: is the required spend satisfied with the charge on the Mastercard (as I think it is), or does travel have to be completed? The result of my inquiry was as predictable as it is hilarious.
Me to AGR on November 21:
Regarding outbound transfers from Amtrak to Continental OnePass for non-Selects, is the minimum $200 Amtrak travel spend on the AGR Mastercard requirement met when the tickets are purchased, or does travel have to be completed?
It seemed like such a simple question. It should have taken someone with knowledge of the actual T&C's about 10 seconds to answer. But, with AGR and Amtrak, nothing is simple. First, I got the auto-generated "we'll reply within 48 hours response. Then...
On November 28 (seven days later), I got this:
Thank you for contacting us.
Please contact Amtrak Guest Rewards at 1-800-307-5000. This number is staffed everyday from 5 am to midnight (ET).
We hope that this information is helpful.
I actually did LOL. The last line is the best. They refuse to answer even a simple question that is not specific to my account, then they "hope this information
(what information?) was helpful."
They're beautiful.