AGR to move to revenue based redemption system?
Aug 12, 2015, 6:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ONT
Programs: AGR, UA, AA
Posts: 476
AGR to move to revenue based redemption system?
As we all know, the current high value Amtrak redemptions for sleepers are fundamentally unsustainable. This is not a surprise but eliminates a big sweet spot of Amtrak. The post describes AGR moving to both earning and redemption based on price, similar to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards. I certainly will be booking sleeper travel ASAP and consider using the AGR to Choice transfer option more often.
https://lossan.octa.net/AgendaPDF/8478.pdf
(p. 27)
Amtrak Guest Rewards 2.0 will be simplified
– Improve program relevance across the country:
– Eliminate the travel award “zone chart” by aligning redemption point requirements
with fares.
– Amtrak Guest Rewards members will be able to book, modify, and cancel reward
tickets themselves on Amtrak.com or mobile.
– Make the program more relevant and attainable to more audiences by making
both earning and redemption a function of price.
Also news on the AGR credit card:
The Amtrak Guest Rewards team will launch two new co-brand credit
card products on September 12, 2015 with a new issuing bank.
Business Goal: Re-launch higher value AGR co-branded credit cards,
driving member engagement and long term growth in AGR revenue.
The AGR co-brand credit card drives:
– Brand attachment- Through expanded AGR rewards and benefits, new cardholders
grow their loyalty with AGR and deepen their affinity with the Amtrak brand
– Increased Amtrak travel- Annual lifts increase by 49% and rail revenue increases by
33% after a member acquires a credit card
– Revenue- Amtrak will benefit from the partnership through a revenue share model.
Thanks to Paul Druce on Twitter for flagging this from the LOSSAN agenda.
https://lossan.octa.net/AgendaPDF/8478.pdf
(p. 27)
Amtrak Guest Rewards 2.0 will be simplified
– Improve program relevance across the country:
– Eliminate the travel award “zone chart” by aligning redemption point requirements
with fares.
– Amtrak Guest Rewards members will be able to book, modify, and cancel reward
tickets themselves on Amtrak.com or mobile.
– Make the program more relevant and attainable to more audiences by making
both earning and redemption a function of price.
Also news on the AGR credit card:
The Amtrak Guest Rewards team will launch two new co-brand credit
card products on September 12, 2015 with a new issuing bank.
Business Goal: Re-launch higher value AGR co-branded credit cards,
driving member engagement and long term growth in AGR revenue.
The AGR co-brand credit card drives:
– Brand attachment- Through expanded AGR rewards and benefits, new cardholders
grow their loyalty with AGR and deepen their affinity with the Amtrak brand
– Increased Amtrak travel- Annual lifts increase by 49% and rail revenue increases by
33% after a member acquires a credit card
– Revenue- Amtrak will benefit from the partnership through a revenue share model.
Thanks to Paul Druce on Twitter for flagging this from the LOSSAN agenda.
Aug 13, 2015, 4:21 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Well let's hope the new CCs have some generous sign-on bonuses, as we'll likely need them.
Aug 13, 2015, 6:24 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
If dates of travel are beyond implementation date (1/2016) of new redemption guidelines (affecting zoned awards), is it possible to use AGR miles now to make a bedroom reservation for the near future, then later, after ticket issued, change the date of travel (without changing anything else)?
Last edited by ohmark; Aug 13, 2015 at 6:29 am
Aug 13, 2015, 6:59 am
#4
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
If dates of travel are beyond implementation date (1/2016) of new redemption guidelines (affecting zoned awards), is it possible to use AGR miles now to make a bedroom reservation for the near future, then later, after ticket issued, change the date of travel (without changing anything else)?
I would expect that similar rules will be applied again, meaning you can book into next year right now. But any changes will see you having to comply with the new policies & rules.
Aug 13, 2015, 10:06 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Programs: Marriott lifetime Titanium, Delta Platinum
Posts: 5,472
Aug 13, 2015, 10:22 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
Not only is this horrible news, but one has to be appalled by the Newspeak on those slides:
More attainable, my [expletive].
Make the program more relevant and attainable to more audiences by making both earning and redemption a function of price
Aug 13, 2015, 10:35 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Another one hits the dust.
Aug 13, 2015, 10:46 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 365
I've transferred lots of UR point in the scare that they will be breaking up with chase!
I demand that they "push" them back to my UR account. It will allow me to hate them less
I demand that they "push" them back to my UR account. It will allow me to hate them less
Aug 13, 2015, 11:10 am
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
I wish marketing types wouldn't insult our intelligence with such BS. I know that will never happen but it doesn't have to stop me from being irritated with it!
Aug 13, 2015, 11:11 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PDX
Posts: 469
Ugh, this really sucks. Hopefully the new credit card bonus will be really good...looks like there will be enough time to earn the bonus and then book travel for next year before the changes go into effect. I have enough to do one long sleeper trip right now but will look at least booking a second one for late next year if possible.
Aug 13, 2015, 11:15 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: AGR Select+, Hilton Gold, Luv SWA, wish their points wud transfer to Amtrak.....
Posts: 89
Burn 'em while ya got 'em!
I'll shortly be redeeming my 2016 Coast-To-Coast trip in a bedroom with my kids!
While I "understand" the reason, the "Good Ole Days" seem to be over. It was FUN while it lasted!
Hope AGR Insider keeps us posted as to status.... This thread will grow, Grow, GROW!
I'll shortly be redeeming my 2016 Coast-To-Coast trip in a bedroom with my kids!
While I "understand" the reason, the "Good Ole Days" seem to be over. It was FUN while it lasted!
Hope AGR Insider keeps us posted as to status.... This thread will grow, Grow, GROW!
Aug 13, 2015, 11:15 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum, JetBlue Mosaic 3, Amtrak Select
Posts: 966
The only thing I use my AGR points for is for the 5 pack of upgrades. I hope these new changes won't affect their 10k price
Aug 13, 2015, 11:26 am
#13
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AGR Select/Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum
Posts: 102
AGRII/ New AGR Master Cards
" Turn out the lights, the parties over,
they say that all good things must end.."
Looking @ the PDF file from LOSSAN, it doesn't look good for those out in Flyovercountry going to a Mileage/Fare Based system! As was said, burn 'em if you got 'em before the point devaluation kicks in Jan of 2016!!
The new Credit Cards are most likely coming from BOA in Sept. Think I'll keep my Chase Cards, but we'll see???
I'm from Missouri on this, Show Me!!
they say that all good things must end.."
Looking @ the PDF file from LOSSAN, it doesn't look good for those out in Flyovercountry going to a Mileage/Fare Based system! As was said, burn 'em if you got 'em before the point devaluation kicks in Jan of 2016!!
The new Credit Cards are most likely coming from BOA in Sept. Think I'll keep my Chase Cards, but we'll see???
I'm from Missouri on this, Show Me!!
Aug 13, 2015, 11:30 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AGR Select/Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum
Posts: 102
New and improved actually means more expensive and less! Madison Avenue BS!!!
Aug 13, 2015, 12:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: Amtrak Select Plus, Marriott Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,123
I'm down to about 50,000 points and will burn them all by the end of the year!