Well, it wouldn't have crossed my mind not to do that.

Much more egregious, IMHO, is AS deciding to print my Mileage Plan number in huge font on my AS MVPG 75K luggage tags. I'm far more protective of that than my address. :p

:rolleyes:

The very first year that AGR started sending out luggage tags, and IIRC that was only for Select as Select+ did not yet exist, the tags did not come with your info preprinted. Instead, one was able to write whatever one wanted on the back of the tag.

I received my Select + kit last week as well and I REALLY did notice the personal info printed in the back of the name tags. Not good at all! Would prefer something like VS, where the membership hotline/phone number is printed on the tag so that you can report a lost or stolen bag to the sponsoring carrier whilst your personal info remains anonymous. Just a thought...

Select + packet has not arrived yet...
 

Anyone else in CA still waiting for their Select + packet? I called the AGR Select line last night, and (after a 20-minute hold (!)) was informed that they were sent out last week. This wouldn't normally be big deal, but I've got a trip planned to the Northeast, which includes plans to ride the Acela, in a couple of weeks... any tips?

I'm still not seeing how this is irresponsible of them. It's not like they're forcing you to use the luggage tags. They just provide luggage tags that have the information that most people would put on them, for convenience. If you think it's an invasion of privacy, toss them.

Just called the AGR Select phone number. After I was informed on Monday that my Select+ package mailed out last week, today's AGR representative told me that it was just sent out today. I guess it will not be arriving in time to use on my trip on the Acela next week, or as proof of membership for the Continental Presidents Club at the airport on the way out there :(

I have been receiving a lot of inconsistent information through the new AGR vendor lately about membership cards, benefits, and now the late Select+ package. And I'm sensing some disappointment on this forum with the luggage tags too. Does anyone know who to contact at Amtrak about the new AGR vendor? I think they made a bad decision in switching vendors. The new one unfortunately does not seem to be as "on the ball" as the last one...

Amtrak is now handling AGR themselves, "in house".

:confused: I thought they were still farming it out. Well, I guess it won't do much good to complain to Amtrak about it then. LOL.

AGR should have offered to e-mail you a PDF-format temporary card to print out till you get your package. Call back and request one. I've had it done at least twice in past years. It should be good at the PC if the agent isn't too finicky.

GoAmtrak, Thanks for that advice. I will give AGR another call and request a PDF card to print out. It sounds like that would at least allow entry into the ClubAcela lounge, even if the Continental PC doesn't work out. I will report back on how it goes :)

When do early qualifiers get 2011 packages?
 

Depending on my travel patterns, I'll qualify for Select (from no status) sometime in the next few months. Should I expect a 2011 Select package with upgrades and goodies shortly thereafter, a few months thereafter, or in Feb 2012? If Amtrak is prompt in sending Select packages to new, mid-year elites, then I might accelerate my Amtrak travel to earn the status faster...

I believe AGR will send you a current-year packet soon after you qualify unless it's almost the end of the year, in which case you'd have to wait for the next year's packet. The first time I moved up from S to S+ was in September or October, and they sent me a packet shortly thereafter. ^ Of course, that was several years ago, so caveat emptor.

Usually within a month to a month and a half after qualifying you should get your new kit in the mail. The only exception is someone qualifying in December usually won't get a kit.

Your status online will change immediately upon posting of the trip that qualifies you, which means you start earning bonus points on any subsequent trips. And qualifying for Select Plus status will see you getting an email containing a temporary card that you can print out to use for gaining access to the Club Acela's and Metropolitan Lounges.

I'm S+, but never got the S package last year as I moved through both status' during the failure of a "transition". I'm still fighting to get some sort of compensation for missing out on the coupons from the mid tier packet.

If you don't get the package within 4-6 weeks, start calling and following up. The people on the phone are friendly and helpful, but seemingly useless sometimes to get things done.