Is there any update on this discussion ?

I am in a similar situation to essxjay's mother. I have some AGR points that will expire at the end of September. And since I don't live anywhere near an Amtrak route taking a paid trip is not a viable option.

I was thinking of using the points to book an award ticket for some random date in the future. And then changing the date to a trip that I can actually use. How far into the future can you book an award trip, and what is the ticket validity ?

As an alternative, if I book a paid train ticket online and then have someone pickup the ticket for me at a ticket machine will that reset the 3 year expiry date ? Or do I have to be there and get on the train ?

Thanks very much.