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
Aug 28, 2015, 7:15 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Base: EWR/LGA/JFK. 2016: BOM, DEL, HYD, BKK, SIN, HKG, ICN, NRT, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, BNA, IAH, MIA, MDE, BOG, CHO, IAD, LHR, LCY, FRA, ZRH, LIN, MXP
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Ritz Lifetime Platinum Premier, SPG Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 146
Acela minimums are confirmed gone. I'm actually more surprised they didn't do away with the program or further devalue it. You guys realize Amtrak is beyond broke, right?
And to those complaining about this being NEC centric: keep in mind the NEC is the only corridor that makes money. Just be happy there is visibility to redemption, unlike the crap Delta pulled.
And to those complaining about this being NEC centric: keep in mind the NEC is the only corridor that makes money. Just be happy there is visibility to redemption, unlike the crap Delta pulled.
Aug 28, 2015, 7:41 am
#62
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Programs: IHG Spire, Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Titanium, Mileage Plus Gold
Posts: 1,736
Acela minimums are confirmed gone. I'm actually more surprised they didn't do away with the program or further devalue it. You guys realize Amtrak is beyond broke, right?
And to those complaining about this being NEC centric: keep in mind the NEC is the only corridor that makes money. Just be happy there is visibility to redemption, unlike the crap Delta pulled.
And to those complaining about this being NEC centric: keep in mind the NEC is the only corridor that makes money. Just be happy there is visibility to redemption, unlike the crap Delta pulled.
Aug 28, 2015, 8:00 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Here is a direct comparison for Acela First Class travel: I am Select Plus and recently did NYP-WAS in First class for $303 (this is not the most expensive First Class fare NYP-WAS, which can be as high as $386). This earned me 750 TQPs and a bonus of 375 redeemable points (so 1125 total redeemable points).
Using the points estimator for the new program, this would earn me 1212 points. For the $386 fare, I would earn 1544 points in the new program, which is a *lot* more than in the existing program.
But I can't seem to find anywhere in the description of the new program how TQPs are going to be computed. I can't imagine that 100% of these estimated earned point totals will be TQP. Should I subtract the 50% tier point bonus?
Using the points estimator for the new program, this would earn me 1212 points. For the $386 fare, I would earn 1544 points in the new program, which is a *lot* more than in the existing program.
But I can't seem to find anywhere in the description of the new program how TQPs are going to be computed. I can't imagine that 100% of these estimated earned point totals will be TQP. Should I subtract the 50% tier point bonus?
Aug 28, 2015, 9:22 am
#64
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
SERIOUSLY??? The State of Pennsylvania determines that for the New Jersey portion too??? (NYP-PHL) /rolls eyes
Aug 28, 2015, 9:25 am
#65
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
Oh yes. CLEARLY I am personally responsible for the heavy losses Amtrak takes based on my one coach ride using points (WAS-CHI) and a similar one in a roomette, all this in a 5-year period. I deeply apologize for my piggishness. I clearly am the proximate cause of Amtrak's financial problems. /again rolls eyes
Aug 28, 2015, 9:32 am
#66
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
Can you tell I'm annoyed?
Last edited by VKurtB; Aug 28, 2015 at 11:51 am
Aug 28, 2015, 9:41 am
#67
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
Aug 28, 2015, 9:50 am
#68
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
So what I hear you saying is all those Trenton riders going to NYP on the Keystone are getting a free (subsidy) ride on me and the rest of PA taxpayers? Send Chris Christie a darned bill!
Last edited by VKurtB; Aug 28, 2015 at 10:00 am
Aug 28, 2015, 9:55 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
As an AGR SelEx Member who has only ridden the NEC a half dozen times in my life, i'm used to the NEC-centric nature of Our National Railroad. I'm also used to hours-long delays, middle of the night arrivals at my home station of Little Rock (LRK), and 3 decades old equipment riding the western routes (which is the majority of my travel-exclusively in sleeper accommodations). I don't understand why sleeper service isn't receiving the points bonus that Acela Business & First Class receives. It's "OUR" version of 1st class out here in the hinterlands, and this avoidable sleight of the NATIONAL system vs. the "Gravy Train" (pun intended) of the NEC is palpable and unnecessary, especially considering the cost! I don't KNOW how many coupons i've watched expire (10% off, Companion Passes, and Upgrades) 'cos I don't live where they can be used, and the Companion Passes-nice though they are-specifically do NOT allow sleepers to be booked?!? Why IS that?!?! If i'm paying my rail fare, plus an accommodation charge, wth difference does it make if i'm taking a free companion along for the ride in my room? If you think I'm boarding at 0300 in the morning, in Arkansas, a coach seat to L.A., all so I can bring someone along and save a couple hundred bucks, you (Amtrak AGR) clearly don't know your market. Ya know what I'd REALLY like to see, that would cost next to nothing, not ruffle any feathers of AGR Members, and reduce Station Employee paperwork? As a "Tier Bonus", instead of worthless, unused coupons, i'd like a nice, plastic, personalized, baggage tag. A tag which, when att'd to a bag, will indicate to Station Employees across the system that that bag is exempt from the $4 overnight "holding fee" currently charged. That "nickel-and-diming" of your best customers along with the triplicate (no, i'm not kidding) paperwork involved, drives me BONKERS. I know, going into it every time, I'm gonna get charged (usually $12 for 3 bags for 10-15 hours worth of storage), and yet I STILL keep holding out hope that someone, somewhere, will just say, "Meh, it's on us, the hassle of accounting for your measly $4-$8-$12 simply isn't worth it....". Optimism abounds.
Aug 28, 2015, 10:06 am
#70
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: AA(PPro), UA, AGR, BW(Plat), HH, WoH, MB(S)
Posts: 778
I'll note here that as of last October (2014), the Keystone now runs with ONLY state subsidies through PennDOT's budget, and WITHOUT federal subsidy, AND that Lancaster, PA is constantly in the top 20 (I hear its now #16) in the NATION for Amtrak rider embark/disembark counts. Just think a minute how many major cities are below that. Amtrak is the ONLY public transit option from east of Middletown to the state capitol, all bus service toward or from Lancaster having been dropped some time ago.
So what I hear you saying is all those Trenton riders going to NYP on the Keystone are getting a free (subsidy) ride on me and the rest of PA taxpayers? Send Chris Christie a darned bill!
So what I hear you saying is all those Trenton riders going to NYP on the Keystone are getting a free (subsidy) ride on me and the rest of PA taxpayers? Send Chris Christie a darned bill!
The cost of the Keystone service operation on the NEC between Philadelphia and New York comes from Amtrak NEC operating budget, not the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost borne by PennDOT is determined by a cost allocation formula that uses NEC mileage and PA mileage to determine how much goes to the NEC account and how much to PennDOT.
Aug 28, 2015, 10:18 am
#71
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
No. That is not how it works for a train that is part-state, and part-Amtrak.
The cost of the Keystone service operation on the NEC between Philadelphia and New York comes from Amtrak NEC operating budget, not the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost borne by PennDOT is determined by a cost allocation formula that uses NEC mileage and PA mileage to determine how much goes to the NEC account and how much to PennDOT.
The cost of the Keystone service operation on the NEC between Philadelphia and New York comes from Amtrak NEC operating budget, not the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The cost borne by PennDOT is determined by a cost allocation formula that uses NEC mileage and PA mileage to determine how much goes to the NEC account and how much to PennDOT.
Aug 28, 2015, 10:35 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: PHL
Programs: AA(PPro), UA, AGR, BW(Plat), HH, WoH, MB(S)
Posts: 778
Yet there IS a state budget line item for the Keystone. I know this because former Governor Corbett zeroed it out in one past budget. Go figure. Pittsburgh-based Governor. It got put back in by the legislature. Point is - my LNC-HAR-LNC trips are subsidized by PA taxpayers, heavily, especially when considering the monthly pass effective discount, but NOT the federal taxpayers.
The operation of the Keystones between Philadelphia and Harrisburg is state supported with the target being 85% of the operating loss of the service being paid by the state, and 15% from the Amtrak (federal) budget.
Aug 28, 2015, 11:10 am
#73
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Twixt Lancaster & Reading, PA
Programs: Amtrak, Southwest, Choice Hotels, AAdvantage, Alaska
Posts: 46
I was responding to your claim that PA taxpayers are subsidizing rides on the Keystone Service between Trenton and New York. They are not. The portion of the Keystones between Philadelphia and New York is fully funded by Amtrak.
The operation of the Keystones between Philadelphia and Harrisburg is state supported with the target being 85% of the operating loss of the service being paid by the state, and 15% from the Amtrak (federal) budget.
The operation of the Keystones between Philadelphia and Harrisburg is state supported with the target being 85% of the operating loss of the service being paid by the state, and 15% from the Amtrak (federal) budget.
Bottom line - while the new AGR may indeed be NEC-centric, it really screws those of us who use the NEC's little brother, the Keystone, and we who commute to, and work for, the state government in Harrisburg, are the WRONG people to tick off. Jus' sayin'. Many of Amtrak's best friends in the PA legislature are AGR members, who pretty much use exclusively the Keystone, except for fund raisers in New York with Wall Streeters. Food for thought.
Last edited by VKurtB; Aug 28, 2015 at 11:28 am
Aug 28, 2015, 1:15 pm
#74
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP 100K, Amtrak peon, Colbert Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 4,534
Daniel Lilly brings to mind the thread which named some of the small things that would go a long way to actually improving the AGR experience (but would require other departments to buy in to it): http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amtra...cognition.html
Easing the restrictions on companion certs, however, is AGR's sole prerogative and would definitely help. Same for lifetime status, which would be a good "sticky" engagement point for those of us ready to tune out entirely.
As for the NEC vs. national system, let's not forget that Acela is barely operationally profitable and that the NEC infrastructure itself is a massive, perpetual capital hole. The national network produces tremendous transportation output (almost half of Amtrak's passenger-miles, on frequencies of 1x daily or less!) with modest public support. On the other hand, our highway trust fund requires massive bailouts from the general fund every year and users do not come close to fully paying their own way. No form of intercity transportation is profitable without subsidies, and the US devotes far less of its GDP to transportation investment than our peers.
Amtrak is in a better position than it has been for many years in terms of its balance sheets, debt load, and ridership, but desperately needs a massive capital influx to buy new equipment and meet latent demand. We should all be encouraging our members of Congress to fund modal parity, and to give Amtrak the space it needs to actually be entrepreneurial, offer decent paid and/or complimentary amenities that attract ridership, and creatively grow its business.
Bringing it back to this thread, none of us know what internal or external pressures AGR faces, and I'm sure Anthony's team has many considerations to balance. But it's disappointing that Amtrak seems content to allow AGR to make these big changes without helping to better integrate AGR into the overall travel experience. Real enhancements instead of just "enhancements" would make the bitter pills slightly easier to swallow.
I also don't begrudge that the 500/750 Acela minimums are now being maintained; if anything it's a sign of acknowledgment that AGR can influence discretionary travel decisions. The question is whether discretionary riders outside of the NEC (who, in many cases, might drive, use Megabus, or stay home instead) matter to Amtrak vis-a-vis its loyalty marketing.
Easing the restrictions on companion certs, however, is AGR's sole prerogative and would definitely help. Same for lifetime status, which would be a good "sticky" engagement point for those of us ready to tune out entirely.
As for the NEC vs. national system, let's not forget that Acela is barely operationally profitable and that the NEC infrastructure itself is a massive, perpetual capital hole. The national network produces tremendous transportation output (almost half of Amtrak's passenger-miles, on frequencies of 1x daily or less!) with modest public support. On the other hand, our highway trust fund requires massive bailouts from the general fund every year and users do not come close to fully paying their own way. No form of intercity transportation is profitable without subsidies, and the US devotes far less of its GDP to transportation investment than our peers.
Amtrak is in a better position than it has been for many years in terms of its balance sheets, debt load, and ridership, but desperately needs a massive capital influx to buy new equipment and meet latent demand. We should all be encouraging our members of Congress to fund modal parity, and to give Amtrak the space it needs to actually be entrepreneurial, offer decent paid and/or complimentary amenities that attract ridership, and creatively grow its business.
Bringing it back to this thread, none of us know what internal or external pressures AGR faces, and I'm sure Anthony's team has many considerations to balance. But it's disappointing that Amtrak seems content to allow AGR to make these big changes without helping to better integrate AGR into the overall travel experience. Real enhancements instead of just "enhancements" would make the bitter pills slightly easier to swallow.
I also don't begrudge that the 500/750 Acela minimums are now being maintained; if anything it's a sign of acknowledgment that AGR can influence discretionary travel decisions. The question is whether discretionary riders outside of the NEC (who, in many cases, might drive, use Megabus, or stay home instead) matter to Amtrak vis-a-vis its loyalty marketing.
Aug 28, 2015, 1:31 pm
#75
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 421
A sad day for me and my family indeed. I admit that I don't frequent the rails very often - living in Denver severely limits my options. Over the past 10 years, my use of Amtrak is basically limited to redeeming points for free sleeper car travel on long-distance routes. My 2 kids LOVE riding the rails, but of course doing this without a sleeper car is not a viable option. I haven't always checked the fares of the routes I've redeemed, but generally, getting the Family Bedroom when we do costs several thousand dollars. This will raise the point cost to double, sometimes triple, what it is now. It's a sad day as my kids will miss riding the rails. One last trip already planned over Thanksgiving. Looking forward to it. I realize I'm not who Amtrak built the program for, I realize they don't make much money off of me, but the prior system was such a great one for families wanting to experience the train. Such is life.
-Mike
-Mike