Sep 13, 2015, 8:16 am
Last edit by: beltway
Beginning September 12, 2015, two new Amtrak-branded credit cards are available through Bank of America:
Both cards offer the following benefits:
The World MasterCard offers these additional benefits:
If my application is not instantly approved, is there a special contact number for Bank of America?
Try calling 888-221-6262 or 866-811-4108. (M-F 8am-7pm EST)
When will I receive my World MC Companion Coupon/Upgrade Coupon/ClubAcela Pass?
"Companion Coupon and One-Class Upgrade Coupon are available online through your Amtrak Guest Rewards account. Your ClubAcela pass will be mailed to you within 2 weeks of account opening."
How soon will my AGR points post after I complete the required spend?
Bank of America transfers your signup bonus points to Amtrak a day or two after the end of the monthly billing cycle in which you complete the required spend.
Are these cards churnable?
TBD
- World MasterCard (20K pts for $1K spend in 3 months; $79 AF, not waived)
- Platinum MasterCard (12K pts for $1K spend in 3 months; no AF)
Both cards offer the following benefits:
- Earn 1 AGR point for non-Amtrak purchases
- Earn a bonus for Amtrak ticket and on-board purchases
- World MC earns a total of 3 AGR pts/$
- Platinum MC earns 2 AGR pts/$
- Receive a 5% points rebate on award redemptions for Amtrak travel
- No forex fee on purchases outside the US
- Your AGR points will never expire as long as you hold either card
The World MasterCard offers these additional benefits:
- Earn 2 AGR pts/$ on non-Amtrak travel purchases
- Per the T&C, this includes airlines, car rental agencies, hotels, motels, inns, resorts, and steamship/cruise lines. In cases where the merchant of record is not Amtrak, this 2pts/$ category also includes travel agencies, passenger railways, and commuter railways. (The last two were originally excluded, but are included as of 2021 or possibly earlier.)
- Earn 1,000 TQPs for every $5,000 in eligible purchases, up to 4,000 TQPs in any calendar year
- Purchases are credited for the year of the statement on which they are billed. For an account that closes on the 20th of each month, purchases after Dec. 20 will count in the following year.
- On account opening, receive a single-day pass for access to ClubAcela, Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge or First class lounges
- Per T&C, "ClubAcela pass valid for bearer and one guest, or bearer's spouse/domestic partner and children under the age of 21. No same-day ticket required for use."
- On account opening and at each anniversary renewal, receive a Companion Coupon and One-Class Upgrade
- "Companion Coupon valid for one (1) free companion rail fare with the purchase of one (1) regular (full) adult rail fare. Free companion and paying passenger must reserve at the same time and travel together at all times. Valid for travel as one (1) one-way or one (1) roundtrip on one reservation per coupon. For roundtrip usage, both directions of travel must be reserved at the same time. Travel blackout dates apply."
- Blackout dates for 2016: Jan. 2-3; Feb. 12; Feb. 15; Mar. 24-25; Mar. 28; May 27; May 30; Jul. 1; Jul. 4; Sept. 2; Sept. 5; Oct. 10; Nov. 22-23; Nov. 26-28; Dec. 21-24; Dec. 26-30.
- Blackout dates for 2017: Jan. 1-2; Feb. 17; Feb. 20; Apr. 13-14; Apr. 17; May 26; May 29; Sept. 1; Sept. 4; Oct. 9; Nov. 21-22; Nov. 24-27; [other dates TBD].
- "One-Class Upgrade Coupon valid for one (1) space-available, one-way, one-class upgrade. Valid only from Coach to Business class, or from Acela Business class to Acela First class, on a single travel segment or leg. Not valid for upgrade to sleeping car accommodations. Travel blackout dates apply."
- "Companion Coupon valid for one (1) free companion rail fare with the purchase of one (1) regular (full) adult rail fare. Free companion and paying passenger must reserve at the same time and travel together at all times. Valid for travel as one (1) one-way or one (1) roundtrip on one reservation per coupon. For roundtrip usage, both directions of travel must be reserved at the same time. Travel blackout dates apply."
If my application is not instantly approved, is there a special contact number for Bank of America?
Try calling 888-221-6262 or 866-811-4108. (M-F 8am-7pm EST)
When will I receive my World MC Companion Coupon/Upgrade Coupon/ClubAcela Pass?
"Companion Coupon and One-Class Upgrade Coupon are available online through your Amtrak Guest Rewards account. Your ClubAcela pass will be mailed to you within 2 weeks of account opening."
How soon will my AGR points post after I complete the required spend?
Bank of America transfers your signup bonus points to Amtrak a day or two after the end of the monthly billing cycle in which you complete the required spend.
Are these cards churnable?
TBD
New Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard arriving Fall 2015
Dec 10, 2015, 6:41 pm
#361
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,717
Pleased to report that the 12k bonus posted to AGR just after the closing date for my credit card statement. ^ ^ ^
Kudos to BofA. though I don't expect to use this card again due to all of the detrimental changes to the AGR program.
Kudos to BofA. though I don't expect to use this card again due to all of the detrimental changes to the AGR program.
Dec 16, 2015, 10:13 pm
#362
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
I just booked a pair of round trips using a companion coupon, and the agent insisted that it wasn't valid on a Saver fare. I had to pay the undiscounted Value fare. Not that $26 is the end of the world ($53 vs. $79), but was the agent incorrect?
Dec 17, 2015, 6:59 pm
#363
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 12
So, I am slightly confused- Is this a real thing, or did the CSR make this up?
I contacted BOA to clarify my point balance because I thought (and still think) I was not awarded everything I should have been. Besides that point, he mentioned that points expire after a month. See below....
BOFA: I see that for you Amtrak purchases you spent $366, that have actually been earned and those purchases are equaling 1098 points, however I do see that 532 points have just expired on your account on 11/30/2015.
ME: Hmm, I don't understand. What does it mean that 532 points expired 11/30?
BOFA: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
BOFA: I see that your points on this rewards program, expire if they are not used before they have been on the account for more than a month, Kevin.
BOFA: I would be more than happy to send you a benefits kit to your mailing address, detailing your entire rewards program if you would like.
I contacted BOA to clarify my point balance because I thought (and still think) I was not awarded everything I should have been. Besides that point, he mentioned that points expire after a month. See below....
BOFA: I see that for you Amtrak purchases you spent $366, that have actually been earned and those purchases are equaling 1098 points, however I do see that 532 points have just expired on your account on 11/30/2015.
ME: Hmm, I don't understand. What does it mean that 532 points expired 11/30?
BOFA: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
BOFA: I see that your points on this rewards program, expire if they are not used before they have been on the account for more than a month, Kevin.
BOFA: I would be more than happy to send you a benefits kit to your mailing address, detailing your entire rewards program if you would like.
Dec 18, 2015, 7:43 am
#364
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 539
So, I am slightly confused- Is this a real thing, or did the CSR make this up?
I contacted BOA to clarify my point balance because I thought (and still think) I was not awarded everything I should have been. Besides that point, he mentioned that points expire after a month. See below....
BOFA: I see that for you Amtrak purchases you spent $366, that have actually been earned and those purchases are equaling 1098 points, however I do see that 532 points have just expired on your account on 11/30/2015.
ME: Hmm, I don't understand. What does it mean that 532 points expired 11/30?
BOFA: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
BOFA: I see that your points on this rewards program, expire if they are not used before they have been on the account for more than a month, Kevin.
BOFA: I would be more than happy to send you a benefits kit to your mailing address, detailing your entire rewards program if you would like.
I contacted BOA to clarify my point balance because I thought (and still think) I was not awarded everything I should have been. Besides that point, he mentioned that points expire after a month. See below....
BOFA: I see that for you Amtrak purchases you spent $366, that have actually been earned and those purchases are equaling 1098 points, however I do see that 532 points have just expired on your account on 11/30/2015.
ME: Hmm, I don't understand. What does it mean that 532 points expired 11/30?
BOFA: I apologize for the delay. I'll be with you shortly.
BOFA: I see that your points on this rewards program, expire if they are not used before they have been on the account for more than a month, Kevin.
BOFA: I would be more than happy to send you a benefits kit to your mailing address, detailing your entire rewards program if you would like.
Dec 19, 2015, 4:35 pm
#365
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: SW Michigan, ex SF Bay Area
Posts: 831
Sounds like the CSR was confused. Maybe he was only familiar with the points-earning credit cards where the points stay on the bank's records. In the case of the Amtrak card, earned points are transferred to the associated AGR account every month. Maybe he saw that and thought that meant they had expired.
Dec 22, 2015, 6:35 am
#366
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: AA(PPro), UA, AGR, BW(Plat), HH, WoH, MB(S)
Posts: 778
I received a clarification of the rules regarding TQP earning from credit card spend.
The date used to count the spend toward the $5000 incremental thresholds for 1000 TQP is the account billing date, not the transaction date or posting date of individual charges. Thus, for accounts with billing dates between now and December 31, transactions are still counting toward the spend thresholds for 2015 TQP. However, for accounts with the December billing date past and the next billing date in January 2016, charges made after the December billing, now, and through the end of the month will credit toward the thresholds for 2016 TQP, not 2015. This could be a big deal for someone who is using the card now with the hope of hitting a tier level before the end of the year. On the other hand, it gives a head start toward hitting the $5K, $10K, $15K and $20K 2016 goals.
This policy is consistent with the way the Barclays AA Aviator and the Citi AAdvantage cards work for AA EQM. The Barclays and Citi T&C's spell it out clearly, but the AGR BoA T&C's does not.
This policy clarification was received from AGR management and I consider it accurate.
The date used to count the spend toward the $5000 incremental thresholds for 1000 TQP is the account billing date, not the transaction date or posting date of individual charges. Thus, for accounts with billing dates between now and December 31, transactions are still counting toward the spend thresholds for 2015 TQP. However, for accounts with the December billing date past and the next billing date in January 2016, charges made after the December billing, now, and through the end of the month will credit toward the thresholds for 2016 TQP, not 2015. This could be a big deal for someone who is using the card now with the hope of hitting a tier level before the end of the year. On the other hand, it gives a head start toward hitting the $5K, $10K, $15K and $20K 2016 goals.
This policy is consistent with the way the Barclays AA Aviator and the Citi AAdvantage cards work for AA EQM. The Barclays and Citi T&C's spell it out clearly, but the AGR BoA T&C's does not.
This policy clarification was received from AGR management and I consider it accurate.
Dec 22, 2015, 9:16 am
#367
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Boston environs
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 559
@NovaEngr - very helpful, thank you!!
Dec 22, 2015, 6:12 pm
#368
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
I received a clarification of the rules regarding TQP earning from credit card spend.
The date used to count the spend toward the $5000 incremental thresholds for 1000 TQP is the account billing date, not the transaction date or posting date of individual charges. Thus, for accounts with billing dates between now and December 31, transactions are still counting toward the spend thresholds for 2015 TQP. However, for accounts with the December billing date past and the next billing date in January 2016, charges made after the December billing, now, and through the end of the month will credit toward the thresholds for 2016 TQP, not 2015. This could be a big deal for someone who is using the card now with the hope of hitting a tier level before the end of the year. On the other hand, it gives a head start toward hitting the $5K, $10K, $15K and $20K 2016 goals.
This policy is consistent with the way the Barclays AA Aviator and the Citi AAdvantage cards work for AA EQM. The Barclays and Citi T&C's spell it out clearly, but the AGR BoA T&C's does not.
This policy clarification was received from AGR management and I consider it accurate.
The date used to count the spend toward the $5000 incremental thresholds for 1000 TQP is the account billing date, not the transaction date or posting date of individual charges. Thus, for accounts with billing dates between now and December 31, transactions are still counting toward the spend thresholds for 2015 TQP. However, for accounts with the December billing date past and the next billing date in January 2016, charges made after the December billing, now, and through the end of the month will credit toward the thresholds for 2016 TQP, not 2015. This could be a big deal for someone who is using the card now with the hope of hitting a tier level before the end of the year. On the other hand, it gives a head start toward hitting the $5K, $10K, $15K and $20K 2016 goals.
This policy is consistent with the way the Barclays AA Aviator and the Citi AAdvantage cards work for AA EQM. The Barclays and Citi T&C's spell it out clearly, but the AGR BoA T&C's does not.
This policy clarification was received from AGR management and I consider it accurate.
My statement closed on December 7, which was right around when I started significantly ramping up spend in order to max out the TQP benefit for 2015. By December 7, I hadn't hit the $5k milestone yet, but by now I've passed $10k, and if I continue with my plan (which I may not at this point) I'll pass $20k by December 31.
If this is correct (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), then I will have maxxed out my 2016 benefit before 2016 has even begun!
In addition to losing out on the 4000 points (valued at $116 in the new AGR), I'm losing out on Select status for 2015, since I have exactly 1000 TQP's this year earned the traditional way (by riding trains). (When I saw that the TQP's weren't posting to my AGR account, I was secretly hoping they'd post in January while still counting against the 2015 thresholds. Although I wouldn't have made Select for 2015, it would have essentially been guaranteed for 2016, with Select Plus within reach.)
So this is really crappy. Since (as you point out) this wasn't spelled out at all clearly in the T&C's, is there any chance that BoA will expedite the posting of the TQP's if I call and ask? Or could I simply ask for my closing date to be changed to December 31? Any other ideas?
I guess I should have never believed the info on the Amtrak website - "Earn 1,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) toward earning status each time your eligible spending reaches $5,000 in a calendar year, up to 4,000 TQPs per year." I received the card in late September, so I have no idea how my closing date ended up on the 7th of the month.
Dec 22, 2015, 6:26 pm
#369
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Boston environs
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 559
The best option might be to request the 12/31 closing date - I think that has a great chance of working. Maybe request 12/30 just to be sure..?
Dec 23, 2015, 4:40 pm
#370
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
I asked if the TQP posting could be expedited so that it would count against my 2015 limit, and I was transferred to a manager, who tried to be helpful but didn't succeed. I asked her to confirm whether the points I earn on purchases that post in 2015 but are on a 2016 statement count against my 2015 or 2016 limit, and she put me on hold to check - and eventually I had to hang up and go to work (I'd been on the phone for close to a half hour for what I thought would be a five-minute call).
Others may disagree, but I personally have no problem with the TQP's posting in 2016 and counting toward 2016 status as long as they count against my 2015 BoA limit. Since it seems clear that there's no possible chance of having the TQP's post in 2015, I think that should be my tactic. The T&C's very clearly speak of purchases within a single calendar year. I should call back, even if neither of the people I spoke to seemed terribly informed about the program.
Dec 23, 2015, 6:21 pm
#371
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Boston environs
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 559
That sounds so frustrating. I'm surprised they wouldn't move the closing date to an earlier date (obviously they wouldn't extend it, but you wanted sooner not later) - I remember doing precisely this with a Discover card years ago. However, BofA is known for crummy customer service. Which is why I wish we still had the AGR card on Chase.... Please keep us alerted as to how the points get counted/limited, because I think this will affect a lot of people.
Jan 12, 2016, 4:28 pm
#372
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
To give an update on my situation - the 4k TQP's posted a few days ago, in four line items all labeled as 2016. I called BoA this morning to ask if my 2016 benefit had been maxxed out with charges that all took place in 2015. She said that she thought so, but she put me on hold to confirm - and next thing I knew I had been transferred to AGR! The AGR agent, who understood my dilemma and seemed to know what she was talking about, confirmed my suspicion and said that it was up to BoA to correctly label the TQP's. She said that I should ask BoA to x and hinted that it would all work out in the end. But when she transferred me back to BoA, the agent gave me the usual runaround. I asked to speak with a supervisor, who seemed to understand the issue and agreed to escalate it. The process takes 24-48 hours, so I'll check back on Thursday.
I currently have a points run scheduled for early next week, which (along with my planned travel over 2016 and a full max-out of the 2016 TQP benefit on top of the 4000 TQP's that should have counted against the 2015 benefit) should get me to Select Plus. But if I can't pick up another 4000 TQP's through the credit card, there's no chance I'll make S+, so I may as well save my time and money and cancel the tickets. In other words, it would be really really nice if this issue could be resolved in the next few days, so that I don't unnecessarily throw away two days and a few hundred dollars chasing a status I can't possibly achieve.
I currently have a points run scheduled for early next week, which (along with my planned travel over 2016 and a full max-out of the 2016 TQP benefit on top of the 4000 TQP's that should have counted against the 2015 benefit) should get me to Select Plus. But if I can't pick up another 4000 TQP's through the credit card, there's no chance I'll make S+, so I may as well save my time and money and cancel the tickets. In other words, it would be really really nice if this issue could be resolved in the next few days, so that I don't unnecessarily throw away two days and a few hundred dollars chasing a status I can't possibly achieve.
Jan 19, 2016, 3:38 pm
#373
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Has AMTRAK published the blackout dates for the Companion Coupon if getting the World MasterCard?
Jan 19, 2016, 3:47 pm
#374
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 2,315
•Travel blackouts apply: Jan. 2-3, 2016; Feb. 12, 2016; Feb. 15, 2016; Mar. 24-25, 2016; Mar. 28, 2016; May 27, 2016; May 30, 2016; Jul. 1, 2016; Jul. 4, 2016; Sep. 2, 2016; Sep. 5, 2016; Oct. 10, 2016; Nov. 22-23, 2016; Nov. 26-28, 2016; Dec. 21-24, 2016; Dec. 26-30, 2016; Jan. 1-2, 2017
Jan 20, 2016, 4:32 pm
#375
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
Please switch back to Chase. I broke down and finally got the BoA card for the TQP boost, and they put a fraud hold on my account within the first three weeks. Do they not realize people with Amtrak credit cards actually travel? Some of us do very frequently, too. Wasted 30 minutes on the phone clearing it up and missed out on AGR points for the declined transaction (used a Chase card that has never caused me any problems).