Update on the AGR partnership with Continental/United
Dec 8, 2011, 7:34 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Yeah, that would be a good deal. I just want to earn around 15000 more points for an Amtrak trip I want to take in a year or so. I'll earn some from rental cars, some from a trip or two on a train, some from buying things from sites I would buy from anyway. I'll still probably fly mostly on DL where I have status, but might make a few of my higher milage trips on UA if I can earn 1 for 1 AGR miles. Maybe they'll even status match me on United from DL....that would be a good thing too.....
Dec 8, 2011, 7:54 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Programs: Southwest A-List Preferred/Companion Pass, Amtrak Select, Priority Club Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 453
If you have the miles now, why don't you put them in CO (skip that step if your balance is already in CO not UA), then move them over now before the option goes away? That way you don't lose out on status earning travel. You just need to have amtrak segments so the points don't expire.
Earning at Hitlon doesn't hurt either! With only one train a day leaving my town, I'm pretty much limited to earning through partners. Between Hilton (just switched from Holiday Inn to earn points) and Enterprise, I should be riding trains for fun in no time!
Last edited by Paddlenpedal; Dec 8, 2011 at 9:38 pm
Dec 8, 2011, 11:30 pm
#78
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
Was just admitted to the SFO Club; although the lounge dragon had to get her manager since she wasn't sure if they took it.
Definitely took a few minutes for them to sort it all out; and they didn't seem happy about it. Two of them quipped about how soon they would be allowing "Greyhound Members" into the club.
Really classy United....
Definitely took a few minutes for them to sort it all out; and they didn't seem happy about it. Two of them quipped about how soon they would be allowing "Greyhound Members" into the club.
Really classy United....
Dec 9, 2011, 5:10 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,943
Was just admitted to the SFO Club; although the lounge dragon had to get her manager since she wasn't sure if they took it.
Definitely took a few minutes for them to sort it all out; and they didn't seem happy about it. Two of them quipped about how soon they would be allowing "Greyhound Members" into the club.
Really classy United....
Definitely took a few minutes for them to sort it all out; and they didn't seem happy about it. Two of them quipped about how soon they would be allowing "Greyhound Members" into the club.
Really classy United....
Dec 9, 2011, 8:25 am
#80
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
Dec 9, 2011, 9:39 am
#81
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Well UA has a lot of problems with their lounge dragons. We're talking PMUA people, not CO. The airline can't be serious about developing a customer-focused culture unless they assign mystery shoppers to document poor performance, and let the bad apples go.
As bad as Amtrak can sometimes be, I think their lounge attendants are fairly professional.
As bad as Amtrak can sometimes be, I think their lounge attendants are fairly professional.
Dec 9, 2011, 11:38 am
#84
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 112
Continental One Pass Service Center does not answer their phones!
I just sent an email (shown below) to [email protected] as the Continental Service Center is NOT answering their phones! Their standard prerecorded pep talk message just keeps playing over and over. Has anyone else ever have this problem contacting them? If this is how the Continental One Pass Service Center is, good luck ever getting Continental points transferred to Amtrak...
I just tried again and have been on hold for ANOTHER hour...
========================================
Sir/Ms:
Today I tried to call.
You have two phone numbers listed:
1-800-554-5522
1-713-952-1630
I have been on hold on the one number (713) for 2 hours (yes 2 entire HOURS). No one picks up.
I have been on hold on the other number (800) for 1 hour (yes an entire HOUR). No one picks up.
Are your phone lines not working today?
I am calling in to transfer my Continental One Pass miles to the Amtrak rewards program. This can only be done by calling in.
Please give me a call back.
My cell is 320-XXX-XXXX.
Continental One Pass # WSXXXXXX
Regards,
======================================
I just tried again and have been on hold for ANOTHER hour...
========================================
Sir/Ms:
Today I tried to call.
You have two phone numbers listed:
1-800-554-5522
1-713-952-1630
I have been on hold on the one number (713) for 2 hours (yes 2 entire HOURS). No one picks up.
I have been on hold on the other number (800) for 1 hour (yes an entire HOUR). No one picks up.
Are your phone lines not working today?
I am calling in to transfer my Continental One Pass miles to the Amtrak rewards program. This can only be done by calling in.
Please give me a call back.
My cell is 320-XXX-XXXX.
Continental One Pass # WSXXXXXX
Regards,
======================================
Dec 9, 2011, 11:40 am
#85
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
Actually in my experience the worst lounge attendants are out in Chicago. After that I'd probably rate DC as the second worst. As for Penn, while the agents aren't known for lots of smiles, I've found them to be pretty good in general.
That said, after a couple of incidents this fall the worst attendant in Chicago seems to have undergone a major transformation and attitude adjustment from what I saw on my last visit to the lounge.
That said, after a couple of incidents this fall the worst attendant in Chicago seems to have undergone a major transformation and attitude adjustment from what I saw on my last visit to the lounge.
Dec 9, 2011, 2:09 pm
#86
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt LT Global Elitist, Bonvyoed LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 479
But they weren't the only employees acting poorly that evening; I also witnessed a verbal argument between the bartender and the busgirl; basically the busgirl came up to the bartender and she started yelling "you guy's aren't going to screw me tonight!" and was throwing glasses around from the bus tray.
I honestly want to report them, but I doubt it will do much. I had a really bad experience at the United Club in Sao Paulo (the club is an absolute dump and in total disrepair; including customer electric sockets dangling by the internal power wire; and no hot water) It took United 3 months to write back and I basically got a form letter. Not sure it's worth my time.
Dec 9, 2011, 2:13 pm
#87
Join Date: May 2003
Location: At This Point, Only G*d Knows!
Posts: 3,467
The NYP Lounge Agents are tough but fair, I cannot say the same about many of the PMUA agents who almost seem to enjoy denying entry.
I find that the PHL agents on the whole are always nice and do their best to be CS orientated.
UA lounge agents are not called matrons or dragons for their excellent social skills.
Dan
I find that the PHL agents on the whole are always nice and do their best to be CS orientated.
UA lounge agents are not called matrons or dragons for their excellent social skills.
Dan
Dec 9, 2011, 4:53 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
Dec 10, 2011, 9:14 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: AA(PPro), UA, AGR, BW(Plat), HH, WoH, MB(S)
Posts: 778
Update on the AGR partnership with Continental
...
Through March 2012, members will be eligible to earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points on Continental operated flights. And beginning in March, members will be able to earn points on United operated flights.
...
Becky Parks
Senior Marketing Officer, Amtrak Guest Rewards
...
Through March 2012, members will be eligible to earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points on Continental operated flights. And beginning in March, members will be able to earn points on United operated flights.
...
Becky Parks
Senior Marketing Officer, Amtrak Guest Rewards
The way the above reads, it sounds like I can now earn AGR points for a trip from PHL to IAH, as an example. However, the CO website does not indicate that AGR earning is a option other than for 2V trips to and from EWR, and 2V is not listed in the pull-down for assigning partner membership info during booking.
Dec 15, 2011, 11:56 am
#90
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Platinum, *G, HH Gold, Amtrak Select Plus, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 39
It looks like a lot has been posted on earning miles, but are we expecting Amtrak and UA lounge reciprocity to continue into 2012? The Amtrak "Select Plus" information page lists the following, which makes me nervous: "Access to United Clubs through 2/29/12"
For me, Amtrak club access has been a great perk of CO club membership. I'm especially interested as I noticed I'm one Accela round trip away from "Select Plus" status. I normally wouldn't care as the main perk is club access which I get through my CO club membership anyway, but if the relationship is going to end I might try to find a reason to ride the rails by the end of the year. Any thoughts if the club reciprocity is going to continue and they're just working out the details?
Best,
Craig
For me, Amtrak club access has been a great perk of CO club membership. I'm especially interested as I noticed I'm one Accela round trip away from "Select Plus" status. I normally wouldn't care as the main perk is club access which I get through my CO club membership anyway, but if the relationship is going to end I might try to find a reason to ride the rails by the end of the year. Any thoughts if the club reciprocity is going to continue and they're just working out the details?
Best,
Craig