Aug 31, 2015, 6:08 am
Last edit by: beltway
Changes to Amtrak Guest Rewards in 2016
Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) underwent numerous changes beginning on January 24, 2016. This wiki attempts to provide a summary of those changes (and Amtrak's ongoing unannounced revisions of the rules). For additional details, see the Amtrak website.
Table of Contents
Earning Status
AGR altered its expiration policy, which previously required paid travel once every 36 months. Effective August 27, 2015, any points-earning or redemption activity will reset the 36-month clock. Effective April 2019, points expire after 24 months of inactivity.
As today, AGR MasterCard cardholders' points will not expire as long as their credit card accounts are open. AGR has moved its co-branded credit card relationship to Bank of America, which now offers two different versions of the card, including one with no annual fee. All Chase AGR MasterCards were converted to Chase Freedom cards on September 30, 2015. Post-Rollout Issues/Unknowns
It remains unclear whether these are merely IT errors or unannounced program devaluations, particularly as in some cases the contradict explicitly stated terms and conditions.
Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) underwent numerous changes beginning on January 24, 2016. This wiki attempts to provide a summary of those changes (and Amtrak's ongoing unannounced revisions of the rules). For additional details, see the Amtrak website.
Table of Contents
Earning Status
As in the past, members earn Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) for paid travel at the rate of 2 TQP per dollar. With the 2016 changes, however, AGR has eliminated In addition, AGR now provides new class-of-service TQP bonuses: 25% for qualifying travel in Business class and 50% for qualifying travel in Acela First class. (As noted below, passengers will also earn redeemable AGR points in the same amount.)
The number of TQP required to earn status remains the same: Benefits for each status level, including the Tier Bonus on cash fares (see below), remain the same.
Earning AGR Points Redeemable for Travel- the 100 TQP minimum (so fares under $50 earn fewer TQP), and
- the Acela "select city pairs" TQP minimums for Business class (formerly 500 TQP) and First class (formerly 750 TQP); see post #83
The number of TQP required to earn status remains the same:
- Select - 5,000 TQP
- Select Plus - 10,000 TQP
- Select Executive - 20,000 TQP
Members continue to earn redeemable AGR points for paid travel (except as discussed below in this section) at the rate of 2 points per dollar, plus a new 25% point bonus for qualifying travel in Business class and 50% for qualifying travel in Acela First class. Sleeper-car tickets do not earn a bonus.
With the 2016 changes, however, AGR eliminates In addition to base points, members with status continue to earn Tier Bonus redeemable AGR points (i.e., not TQP) at the same level as in 2015: As was the case before, members do not earn points for Amtrak 7000-series Thruway services or the Canadian portion of joint Amtrak/VIA Rail Canada services.
Redeeming for TravelWith the 2016 changes, however, AGR eliminates
- the 100 point minimum (so fares under $50 earn fewer points), and
- the Acela "select city pairs" minimums for Business class (previously 500 points) and First class (previously 750 points)
- Select - 25%
- Select Plus - 50%
- Select Executive - 100%
For 2016, redemption rules have changed drastically. AGR has discontinued its fixed-point awards and zone system, transitioning instead to a revenue-based system. Under the new program, the points required for an award ticket--including multi-ride tickets and monthly passes--are, with some exceptions noted below, proportional to the cash price of the ticket.
In general, an AGR point is worth roughly 2.9 cents for non-Acela travel and 2.56 cents for Acela. (For example, 5,141 points are redeemable for a WAS-NYP regional one-way $149 ticket.) However, several new restrictions result in a lower yield for award redemptions:
Note: Reward tickets booked before 1/24/16 are subject to the new redemption policy if modified or canceled on or after that date.
Redemption options: With the 2016 changes, AGR members are able to redeem points for multi-ride tickets or monthly passes as well as standard one-way & round-trip tickets.
Sleeper-car travel: The number of points required for sleeper-car travel is calculated using the prevailing fare, which reflects the actual number of passengers occupying the room. Amtrak assesses a single accommodation charge for the room, plus one adult/child rail fare per occupant.
Auto Train travel: Members are able to redeem points for Auto Train travel using the same process as for other itineraries. Vehicle(s) are priced the same as other portions of the itinerary per standard Amtrak Auto Train policies. Priority Vehicle Offloading may not be redeemed using points.
Credit card rebate: Holders of either new Bank of America co-branded credit card (see below) receive a 5% points rebates on Amtrak award tickets. This is the same as the benefit offered by the recently discontinued Chase card.
Blackout dateseliminated: On the plus side, AGR will eliminate award redemption blackout dates and Acela time-of-day restrictions. When the 2016 changes were announced, AGR claimed that blackout dates were being eliminated. As of January 24, 2016, the AGR website still makes that claim. Unfortunately, it is a lie.
On January 24--the day the new program changes took effect--AGR Insider posted new information making clear that the blackout-date policy has not been abandoned:
Amtrak quietly added similar language to the website in early February 2016. The website also indicates that the point costs for "peak travel" dates and times may be increased in addition to any increase resulting resulting from a higher cash fare. To date, additional points costs of 50% and 100% have been observed on certain itineraries.
Under the old program rules, AGR published an advance list of blackout dates. AGR has provided no public information specifying the "peak travel dates or times" when general members are charged additional points or blacked out entirely from redeeming for travel.
Cancellation penalties: Canceling or modifying a standard ticket incurs an automatic 10% penalty. Doing so less than 24 hours in advance for non-sleeper tickets (or 14 days for sleeper-car travel) results in a "close-in" penalty of an additional 10% (i.e., a total penalty of 20%) for most travelers; however, this additional 10%/close-in penalty does not apply to Select Executive members.
No-shows result in 100% forfeiture for the missed segment, as well as cancellation and forfeiture for any later segments on the same itinerary. (As a result, it is less risky to book round-trip travel as two separate one-way tickets and, where possible, to book passengers individually rather than on a single shared ticket.)
For multiple-segment tickets, you can cancel the remainder even after travel begins. Thus, on a round-trip ticket you can cancel the return leg even if you have already begun the outbound leg.
Points & cash redemption: AGR has indicated that a points+cash redemption option will be introduced in 2016. No details are available, and it is unclear how this will work with respect to earning TQP and redeemable points.
Points ExpirationIn general, an AGR point is worth roughly 2.9 cents for non-Acela travel and 2.56 cents for Acela. (For example, 5,141 points are redeemable for a WAS-NYP regional one-way $149 ticket.) However, several new restrictions result in a lower yield for award redemptions:
- Minimum award pricing: Regardless of the cash fare, a non-Acela award ticket costs a minimum of 800 AGR points. As a result, using AGR points for such tickets with a cash price under $24 (e.g., LNC-PHL or BWI-WAS) results in lower yields.
Acela award tickets cost a minimum of 4,000 points. Using AGR points for Acela tickets costing less than $103 results in lower yields.
- No redemption for Saver awards: Per AGR's FT representative, members cannot redeem points for tickets at the least-expensive Saver rate. For instance, even if a $52 Saver WAS-NYP cash fare is available, points can be used only to purchase tickets at the equivalent of an $86 Value fare or higher (resulting in a yield of 1.75 cents/point at best).
- Peak travel dates/times: As discussed below under "Blackout Dates," Amtrak has quietly introduced a "peak travel" penalty in which certain high-demand itineraries (not published in advance) will cost 50% or even 100% more points than would normally correspond to the available cash fare.
- Most discount fares inapplicable: Under the 2016 program, AGR points are redeemable for tickets based only on the Adult or Child price, and not at the equivalent of Senior, AAA, or other discounted fares. (See post #83.)
- As was the case before, members may not redeem points for Amtrak 7000-series Thruway services or the Canadian portion of joint Amtrak/VIA Rail Canada services.
Redemption options: With the 2016 changes, AGR members are able to redeem points for multi-ride tickets or monthly passes as well as standard one-way & round-trip tickets.
Sleeper-car travel: The number of points required for sleeper-car travel is calculated using the prevailing fare, which reflects the actual number of passengers occupying the room. Amtrak assesses a single accommodation charge for the room, plus one adult/child rail fare per occupant.
Auto Train travel: Members are able to redeem points for Auto Train travel using the same process as for other itineraries. Vehicle(s) are priced the same as other portions of the itinerary per standard Amtrak Auto Train policies. Priority Vehicle Offloading may not be redeemed using points.
Credit card rebate: Holders of either new Bank of America co-branded credit card (see below) receive a 5% points rebates on Amtrak award tickets. This is the same as the benefit offered by the recently discontinued Chase card.
Blackout dates
On January 24--the day the new program changes took effect--AGR Insider posted new information making clear that the blackout-date policy has not been abandoned:
you may find limited availability on peak travel dates or times and it is possible that not every seat will be available for redemption. When redeeming points for trips during peak travel dates and times, some itineraries may be available only to our Select Plus and Select Executive members.
Under the old program rules, AGR published an advance list of blackout dates. AGR has provided no public information specifying the "peak travel dates or times" when general members are charged additional points or blacked out entirely from redeeming for travel.
Cancellation penalties: Canceling or modifying a standard ticket incurs an automatic 10% penalty. Doing so less than 24 hours in advance for non-sleeper tickets (or 14 days for sleeper-car travel) results in a "close-in" penalty of an additional 10% (i.e., a total penalty of 20%) for most travelers; however, this additional 10%/close-in penalty does not apply to Select Executive members.
No-shows result in 100% forfeiture for the missed segment, as well as cancellation and forfeiture for any later segments on the same itinerary. (As a result, it is less risky to book round-trip travel as two separate one-way tickets and, where possible, to book passengers individually rather than on a single shared ticket.)
For multiple-segment tickets, you can cancel the remainder even after travel begins. Thus, on a round-trip ticket you can cancel the return leg even if you have already begun the outbound leg.
CAUTION: The new policy is worded to imply that reservation "modification" and "cancellation" are treated differently. A "modification" ostensibly triggers a penalty only of "any fare difference returned to member," implying that changing to a more expensive fare should involve no penalty and changing to a less expensive fare should be subject to a penalty only on the refunded points difference.
Unfortunately, there are now multiple reports that there is no difference in practice: AGR is treating any change as a full cancellation and rebooking, and penalizing accordingly. This includes asking to be rebooked in a different room on the same train (at the same price), changing dates, or altering routing. It is unclear how the new policy will be applied to travel affected by service disruptions such as weather-related train cancellations.
For complete details on the 2016 change rules, including the special rules for multi-ride tickets and monthly passes, see the AGR website.Unfortunately, there are now multiple reports that there is no difference in practice: AGR is treating any change as a full cancellation and rebooking, and penalizing accordingly. This includes asking to be rebooked in a different room on the same train (at the same price), changing dates, or altering routing. It is unclear how the new policy will be applied to travel affected by service disruptions such as weather-related train cancellations.
Points & cash redemption: AGR has indicated that a points+cash redemption option will be introduced in 2016. No details are available, and it is unclear how this will work with respect to earning TQP and redeemable points.
As today, AGR MasterCard cardholders' points will not expire as long as their credit card accounts are open. AGR has moved its co-branded credit card relationship to Bank of America, which now offers two different versions of the card, including one with no annual fee. All Chase AGR MasterCards were converted to Chase Freedom cards on September 30, 2015.
- Class-of-service bonuses have been posting initially as non-TQPs, although subsequent data points suggest there is currently a delay of ~12 days in proper crediting.
- Agents have claimed that any change incurs the 10/20% penalty (up to and including asking for a changed room assignment) on the full value of the ticket, rather than just anything involving a reduction in price being penalized 10/20% on the changed portion
It remains unclear whether these are merely IT errors or unannounced program devaluations, particularly as in some cases the contradict explicitly stated terms and conditions.
Introducing the next stop for Amtrak Guest Rewards
Oct 1, 2016, 12:22 pm
#481
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: San Juan, PR
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 146
I ended up cancelling my pre-deval 20k 2-zone roomette. On the surface you get 20% penalty (besides the obvious kick in the pants of having to comply with the new terrible award structure). BUT, it's far worse because they calculated the "new program" value of the ticket (in January, I think), and assess the 20% penalty on that supposedly much less valuable ticket. This guarantees some silly low-ball valuation of the ticket, and then knocks off another 20% from that value.
My 20k point award just became 12k. 40% penalty. Very sneaky indeed.
Dec 30, 2016, 5:08 am
#482
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I find it odd that business class tickets result in bonus points, but first class (on long distance trains) does not. So a $200 business class ticket on the Crescent results in bonus points but a $500+ sleeping car ticket does not.
Dec 30, 2016, 8:49 am
#483
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: AGR Select+, Hilton Gold, Luv SWA, wish their points wud transfer to Amtrak.....
Posts: 89
Agree, we've never been given, (that I recall) the reasoning behind Sleeper Class not earning Bonus Points. On the surface, it just doesn't make sense, unless, (conspiracy theorists chime in) there is some "behind the scenes reasoning we don't know about! 
Jan 1, 2017, 9:44 am
#484
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
While I have no actual insider information on why sleepers don't pay bonus points I do have an educated guess as to why.
First though, a bit of background for those who may not know the history. AGR was created to promote and compliment the arrival of the Acela trains. Amtrak needed a way to compete with the airline's frequent flyer programs to encourage people to ride the brand new Acela trains instead of flying on one of the shuttles. Frankly, I don't think that Amtrak ever figured that AGR would become so popular and spread across the country like it did. Much less that it would actually become a profit center for Amtrak.
But despite that success, the original/primary mission of AGR has never been forgotten. It still exists in large part to promote Acela. If Amtrak were ever to lose control of the NEC, I'm not sure that AGR would continue for the rest of Amtrak. I'd be happy to be proven wrong; but that's my impression of things.
So now, with that in mind, consider that many believe that Acela is the only profitable line that Amtrak runs. Yes, I know that we can get into the debate of operating vs. capital costs. But the simple reality is that many people do believe that Acela is profitable, especially in Congress. And perception is what counts. Most people believe that sleepers lose money. Depending on just how you account for expenses, that may or may not be correct.
Therefore you don't want to make the losses worse by "gifting" extra points to those riding in sleepers. And since sleepers are also generally far more expensive than business class seats, especially on non-Acela routes, you'd be gifting a lot of points.
Besides, Amtrak isn't really trying to promote sleeper service. I'm not sure the last time I've seen a commercial for sleepers. Acela, Regionals, long distance coach, yes. Sleepers, no.
First though, a bit of background for those who may not know the history. AGR was created to promote and compliment the arrival of the Acela trains. Amtrak needed a way to compete with the airline's frequent flyer programs to encourage people to ride the brand new Acela trains instead of flying on one of the shuttles. Frankly, I don't think that Amtrak ever figured that AGR would become so popular and spread across the country like it did. Much less that it would actually become a profit center for Amtrak.
But despite that success, the original/primary mission of AGR has never been forgotten. It still exists in large part to promote Acela. If Amtrak were ever to lose control of the NEC, I'm not sure that AGR would continue for the rest of Amtrak. I'd be happy to be proven wrong; but that's my impression of things.
So now, with that in mind, consider that many believe that Acela is the only profitable line that Amtrak runs. Yes, I know that we can get into the debate of operating vs. capital costs. But the simple reality is that many people do believe that Acela is profitable, especially in Congress. And perception is what counts. Most people believe that sleepers lose money. Depending on just how you account for expenses, that may or may not be correct.
Therefore you don't want to make the losses worse by "gifting" extra points to those riding in sleepers. And since sleepers are also generally far more expensive than business class seats, especially on non-Acela routes, you'd be gifting a lot of points.
Besides, Amtrak isn't really trying to promote sleeper service. I'm not sure the last time I've seen a commercial for sleepers. Acela, Regionals, long distance coach, yes. Sleepers, no.
Jan 1, 2017, 4:43 pm
#485
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: Amtrak Guest Rewards (SE), Virgin America Elevate, Hyatt Gold Passport (Platinum), VIA Preference
Posts: 3,134
I think there's also the fact that on a lot of routes, Amtrak could probably sell out the sleepers even if they weren't AGR-eligible. There are serious capacity issues on that side of things, and they're issues that Amtrak really has no way to address in many cases (a supplemental single-level sleeper order has been bogged down due to CAF's utter incompetence but no bilevel sleeper order is foreseeable).
Jan 1, 2017, 6:37 pm
#486
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
Agreed, and I find that totally screwy. Sleeping car travel is a nice way to travel, and even without marketing, it's premium-priced and seems to generate a good amount of business.
With the coming increase in capacity due to the Viewliner II order, and with plenty of unsold sleeping car space on some routes (e.g., NYP-northern Virginia, and south of Atlanta on the Crescent), I'd think that Amtrak would want to focus on the success of its sleeping car business and try to extract more revenues out of it, which could be done with minimal marketing and perhaps some other improvements.
With the coming increase in capacity due to the Viewliner II order, and with plenty of unsold sleeping car space on some routes (e.g., NYP-northern Virginia, and south of Atlanta on the Crescent), I'd think that Amtrak would want to focus on the success of its sleeping car business and try to extract more revenues out of it, which could be done with minimal marketing and perhaps some other improvements.
Feb 26, 2017, 8:57 am
#487
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
How much should AGR points be worth when redeeming for a multi-ride ticket?
I tried to redeem for a monthly pass on the NE Corridor, and the cost worked out to 1.8 cents/AGR point, which was much lower than I was expecting. Is the general 2.9 cents for non-Acela not applicable on the multi-ride tickets?
I tried to redeem for a monthly pass on the NE Corridor, and the cost worked out to 1.8 cents/AGR point, which was much lower than I was expecting. Is the general 2.9 cents for non-Acela not applicable on the multi-ride tickets?
Mar 26, 2017, 12:39 pm
#488
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Feeder Band Land (South FL)
Programs: seeking best cc sign-up & spend bonus offers
Posts: 865
MIA-RGH-WAS-MIA award pts clarification
Do I understand correctly, this itinerary (dates flexible)
would require $1244 / .029 cents = ~42897pts?
(no points option
in multi-city itinerary)
Wifey & I have 21003 +22365 = 43368 via Amtrack cc;
we both have upgrade & companion coupons, but neither
allowed with award, right? Am absolute Amtrack award
newbie, any comments, advice appreciated!!! ^ ^ ^
Your Itinerary Clear Cart
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
92 Silver Star (MIA - RGH)
Depart: 11:50 am, Wed, May 3, 2017
Arrive: 8:34 am, Thu, May 4, 2017
Duration: 20 hr, 44 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$184.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$185.00
Subtotal $369.00
Monday, May 8, 2017
80 Carolinian (RGH - WAS)
Depart: 10:25 am, Mon, May 8, 2017
Arrive: 4:29 pm, Mon, May 8, 2017
Duration: 6 hr, 4 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$112.00
2 Business Class Seats
$58.00
Subtotal $170.00
Monday, May 15, 2017
97 Silver Meteor (WAS - MIA)
Depart: 7:25 pm, Mon, May 15, 2017
Arrive: 6:39 pm, Tue, May 16, 2017
Duration: 23 hr, 14 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$294.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$411.00
Subtotal $705.00
Terms & Conditions Total $1,244.00
would require $1244 / .029 cents = ~42897pts?
(no points option
in multi-city itinerary)Wifey & I have 21003 +22365 = 43368 via Amtrack cc;
we both have upgrade & companion coupons, but neither
allowed with award, right? Am absolute Amtrack award
newbie, any comments, advice appreciated!!! ^ ^ ^
Your Itinerary Clear Cart
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
92 Silver Star (MIA - RGH)
Depart: 11:50 am, Wed, May 3, 2017
Arrive: 8:34 am, Thu, May 4, 2017
Duration: 20 hr, 44 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$184.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$185.00
Subtotal $369.00
Monday, May 8, 2017
80 Carolinian (RGH - WAS)
Depart: 10:25 am, Mon, May 8, 2017
Arrive: 4:29 pm, Mon, May 8, 2017
Duration: 6 hr, 4 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$112.00
2 Business Class Seats
$58.00
Subtotal $170.00
Monday, May 15, 2017
97 Silver Meteor (WAS - MIA)
Depart: 7:25 pm, Mon, May 15, 2017
Arrive: 6:39 pm, Tue, May 16, 2017
Duration: 23 hr, 14 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$294.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$411.00
Subtotal $705.00
Terms & Conditions Total $1,244.00
Mar 26, 2017, 1:18 pm
#489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
Do I understand correctly, this itinerary (dates flexible)
would require $1244 / .029 cents = ~42897pts?
(no points option in multi-city itinerary)
Wifey & I have 21003 +22365 = 43368 via Amtrack cc;
we both have upgrade & companion coupons, but neither
allowed with award, right? Am absolute Amtrack award
newbie, any comments, advice appreciated!!! ^ ^ ^
Your Itinerary Clear Cart
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
92 Silver Star (MIA - RGH)
Depart: 11:50 am, Wed, May 3, 2017
Arrive: 8:34 am, Thu, May 4, 2017
Duration: 20 hr, 44 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$184.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$185.00
Subtotal $369.00
Monday, May 8, 2017
80 Carolinian (RGH - WAS)
Depart: 10:25 am, Mon, May 8, 2017
Arrive: 4:29 pm, Mon, May 8, 2017
Duration: 6 hr, 4 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$112.00
2 Business Class Seats
$58.00
Subtotal $170.00
Monday, May 15, 2017
97 Silver Meteor (WAS - MIA)
Depart: 7:25 pm, Mon, May 15, 2017
Arrive: 6:39 pm, Tue, May 16, 2017
Duration: 23 hr, 14 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$294.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$411.00
Subtotal $705.00
Terms & Conditions Total $1,244.00
would require $1244 / .029 cents = ~42897pts?
(no points option
in multi-city itinerary)Wifey & I have 21003 +22365 = 43368 via Amtrack cc;
we both have upgrade & companion coupons, but neither
allowed with award, right? Am absolute Amtrack award
newbie, any comments, advice appreciated!!! ^ ^ ^
Your Itinerary Clear Cart
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
92 Silver Star (MIA - RGH)
Depart: 11:50 am, Wed, May 3, 2017
Arrive: 8:34 am, Thu, May 4, 2017
Duration: 20 hr, 44 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$184.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$185.00
Subtotal $369.00
Monday, May 8, 2017
80 Carolinian (RGH - WAS)
Depart: 10:25 am, Mon, May 8, 2017
Arrive: 4:29 pm, Mon, May 8, 2017
Duration: 6 hr, 4 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$112.00
2 Business Class Seats
$58.00
Subtotal $170.00
Monday, May 15, 2017
97 Silver Meteor (WAS - MIA)
Depart: 7:25 pm, Mon, May 15, 2017
Arrive: 6:39 pm, Tue, May 16, 2017
Duration: 23 hr, 14 min
Amenities
2 Adult
$294.00
1 Viewliner Roomette
$411.00
Subtotal $705.00
Terms & Conditions Total $1,244.00
Any interest in driving one way? You can get a full-size car from Budget for a one-way rental from Miami neighborhood locations to DCA for less than $45 from May 3 to May 8. That's not $45 per day; it's $45 total for the five-day rental!
Mar 26, 2017, 1:19 pm
#490
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
First, since your itinerary isn't continuous, which is to say that you get off of one train and get on the next train on the same day, there is no discount for pricing the trip as one big trip. Just price out each segment individually to see how many points you'd need to do everything. You'd need to do this anyway, book separate reservations, since half the points are in your account and half in your wife's account. No point in paying to transfer the points from one account into the other.
Second, you are correct, you cannot combine coupons & points. So for that reason, I would check to see what works out cheaper in terms of points & dollars with regard to the ride on the Carolinian. It may be cheaper to pay for that and use points for everything else.
Second, you are correct, you cannot combine coupons & points. So for that reason, I would check to see what works out cheaper in terms of points & dollars with regard to the ride on the Carolinian. It may be cheaper to pay for that and use points for everything else.
Mar 26, 2017, 1:51 pm
#491
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Feeder Band Land (South FL)
Programs: seeking best cc sign-up & spend bonus offers
Posts: 865
~1100mi / 5 days = 240mi/day a bit much, as
travel photographer like stopping as needed;
are there MIA-RGH rental car relocation offers?
are all these offers, all rental agencies, online in one place?
as to figuring MIA-RGH-WAS-MIA as described above,
would online or phone rep be able to tell me in advance
total points needed? Was $1244 / 0.029 cents way off???
(it comes in nicely as just under points available!)
Mar 26, 2017, 3:28 pm
#492
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,606
Thanks for tip!
~1100mi / 5 days = 240mi/day a bit much, as
travel photographer like stopping as needed;
are there MIA-RGH rental car relocation offers?
are all these offers, all rental agencies, online in one place?
as to figuring MIA-RGH-WAS-MIA as described above,
would online or phone rep be able to tell me in advance
total points needed? Was $1244 / 0.029 cents way off???
(it comes in nicely as just under points available!)
~1100mi / 5 days = 240mi/day a bit much, as
travel photographer like stopping as needed;
are there MIA-RGH rental car relocation offers?
are all these offers, all rental agencies, online in one place?
as to figuring MIA-RGH-WAS-MIA as described above,
would online or phone rep be able to tell me in advance
total points needed? Was $1244 / 0.029 cents way off???
(it comes in nicely as just under points available!)
Some other rental companies also offer one-way "Florida drive-out" rates in the Spring. Budget might be the cheapest.
Nov 27, 2017, 1:38 pm
#494
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 84
In my opinion, the AGR holder is penalized far too often vs regular travelers in the new program. Today there is a black Friday sale, but you can't redeem points at a discount, it's only for cash customers. That's the case for any saver fares and even AAA discounts are void with AGR.
Secondly, we were sold a plan that "doesn't have any blackouts" but the capacity restrictions for reward redemptions means effectively THERE ARE holiday blackouts.
Third, there STILL is no option for booking with cash and points combined, which was supposedly one of the very very few selling points of AGR2.0.
As someone who's racking up a ton of points thinking they could be someday valued at 3 c each, the real valuation is more like 2.3 cents, still something about 50% better than airline point valuations, but not incredible.
Secondly, we were sold a plan that "doesn't have any blackouts" but the capacity restrictions for reward redemptions means effectively THERE ARE holiday blackouts.
Third, there STILL is no option for booking with cash and points combined, which was supposedly one of the very very few selling points of AGR2.0.
As someone who's racking up a ton of points thinking they could be someday valued at 3 c each, the real valuation is more like 2.3 cents, still something about 50% better than airline point valuations, but not incredible.
Nov 30, 2017, 1:02 pm
#495
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
Posts: 1,728
I agree and the redemption values for the Acela are absolutely horrible. Looking at BOS-NYP for tomorrow, the 5:20 pm Acela is $207, the 5:35 pm Regional is $155 -- a difference of 33%.
But now to look at the points the Acela is 12,110 points (1.7 cpp!) and the regional is 5,348 points (2.9 cpp) -- a difference of of 126%!! Mind you this is not a high demand period or anything else funky, this pricing regularly occurs. Amtrak really needs to get real with it's valuations.
But now to look at the points the Acela is 12,110 points (1.7 cpp!) and the regional is 5,348 points (2.9 cpp) -- a difference of of 126%!! Mind you this is not a high demand period or anything else funky, this pricing regularly occurs. Amtrak really needs to get real with it's valuations.