First time train rider
May 7, 2017, 6:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Most are a fairly poor value. The one exception is SPG, which is a 1:1 transfer, and since AGR points are worth somewhere between 2.4 and 2.9 cents per point (depending on the type of redemption), that's actually not a bad use for SPG points.
Amtrak has a very limited partnership with United on a very few of its trains in the Newark market, but that does not extend to being able to earn or redeem for Amtrak travel, especially on a western long-distance train.
If you want to use points for the trip instead of money, probably the best way to get AGR points quickly is to sign up for the AGR credit card.
Jun 5, 2017, 6:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: In the front cabin
Programs: I fly UA, drive Hertz and sleep around...
Posts: 167
Options for transferring points into AGR are very limited. A summary is here: https://amtrakguestrewards.com/points/transfer
Most are a fairly poor value. The one exception is SPG, which is a 1:1 transfer, and since AGR points are worth somewhere between 2.4 and 2.9 cents per point (depending on the type of redemption), that's actually not a bad use for SPG points.
Most are a fairly poor value. The one exception is SPG, which is a 1:1 transfer, and since AGR points are worth somewhere between 2.4 and 2.9 cents per point (depending on the type of redemption), that's actually not a bad use for SPG points.
If you're a Marriott Rewards member, you can - and should - link that account with Starwood. You can then easily transfer points from Marriott to SPG, then SPG to Amtrak.
Also, be sure to review your options for transferring any of your airline miles into those two programs, then transfer all into SPG and finally SPG to AGR.
Good luck!
Jun 5, 2017, 6:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: In the front cabin
Programs: I fly UA, drive Hertz and sleep around...
Posts: 167
P.S. While you'll certainly get a weath of info for maximizing travel options here on FT, I recommend you join the "Amtrak Fans" group on Facebook for tips specific to Amtrak services and experiences.
Jun 5, 2017, 10:47 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,194
Buying points for 2.3 cents each and redeeming them for 2.4 cents each seems like a lot of hassle and inflexibility to save tiny amounts. If you're going to be redeeming for a $1,000 sleeper trip and do the math and find you can redeem for the higher end of that spectrum, it could be worth buying the points and redeeming them instead of paying outright, but it's not a massive savings.