Points Expiration Changed to 24 Months
Apr 8, 2019, 9:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Points Expiration Changed to 24 Months
I see in the new terms and conditions posted on April 3 that points now expire after 24 months rather than 36 - I'm surprised no one here is mentioned that yet. Methods for preventing expiration seem to still be the same - I might have to sign up for the credit card since I don't have any rail trips planned in the near future (even though I'm not really a fan of Bank of America).
Apr 8, 2019, 1:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,656
I am starting to think that the term "loyalty program" shouldn't apply to these programs any longer! Everyone from airlines to hotel chains to now Amtrak is putting the screws on us.
Apr 8, 2019, 8:26 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Called Amtrak. They say any point activities would make account active. You can redeem magazines, portal shopping. No expiration as long as you keep Amtrak credit card.
Going to open a CC to keep points active. Not sure if there is any more Amtrak transfer partner left....
Going to open a CC to keep points active. Not sure if there is any more Amtrak transfer partner left....
Apr 9, 2019, 5:27 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
Called Amtrak. They say any point activities would make account active. You can redeem magazines, portal shopping. No expiration as long as you keep Amtrak credit card.
Going to open a CC to keep points active. Not sure if there is any more Amtrak transfer partner left....
Going to open a CC to keep points active. Not sure if there is any more Amtrak transfer partner left....
You can transfer from Choice Privileges to Amtrak though without any status at either. So, indirectly, you can transfer AmEx Membership Rewards points to Amtrak since you can transfer them to Choice. (I haven’t looked too closely into the value though so I don’t know if it’s a good deal to do it that way.)
Apr 9, 2019, 7:07 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
You can transfer Amtrak points to Choice Hotels, Hilton, and Audience Rewards, but only if you’re elite (Guest Rewards Select or Select Plus), or have the credit card with $20,000 or more in net retail spending that year: https://www.amtrak.com/guestrewards/...ransfer-points. It used to be just $200 in a year on Amtrak with the card, which was easy to achieve. Now it’s basically impossible without elite status if the Amtrak credit card is just for keeping your account active and not your primary spending card.
You can transfer from Choice Privileges to Amtrak though without any status at either. So, indirectly, you can transfer AmEx Membership Rewards points to Amtrak since you can transfer them to Choice. (I haven’t looked too closely into the value though so I don’t know if it’s a good deal to do it that way.)
You can transfer from Choice Privileges to Amtrak though without any status at either. So, indirectly, you can transfer AmEx Membership Rewards points to Amtrak since you can transfer them to Choice. (I haven’t looked too closely into the value though so I don’t know if it’s a good deal to do it that way.)
I think the best way is just to open the credit card. Even the no fee card can keep the points active, never expire.
Apr 10, 2019, 7:44 am
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DCA
Posts: 169
Any suggestions for a quick, cheap way to get activity in the account?
Apr 10, 2019, 3:33 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Baltimore, MD (BWI/IAD)
Programs: United Mileage Plus, Southwest Rapid Rewards, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 347
Ugh. That's lame. I mean, I guess I could make use of mine, but not very good use. Just an early-morning jaunt to DC that only costs like $19 anyway.
Apr 11, 2019, 3:38 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: WAS
Posts: 339
Last activity in my wife's account was 25 months ago. As of this morning, her points are still there. Looks like AGR is handling this the way they should (i.e., not instantly expiring those accounts). But it's not really clear what they're doing, and I'm nervous that those points could disappear at any moment. So my to-do list for today includes figuring out a way to get some activity in that account quickly.
Any suggestions for a quick, cheap way to get activity in the account?
Any suggestions for a quick, cheap way to get activity in the account?
Apr 12, 2019, 8:20 am
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DCA
Posts: 169
Edit: it looks like the rules used to require you to actually earn points by taking a train trip in order to prevent expiration. But it appears that under the new rules, earning or redeeming any points is sufficient. If I'm right about that, then taking a short trip was great advice under the old rules, but not necessary anymore.
Last edited by roberton; Apr 12, 2019 at 8:33 am