GrayAnderson

Add WN to that list of "allowing unbounded elite credit" - they were arguably way ahead of the game. DL puts a cap on the status credits, but I would argue that the limits are pretty nominal (you can spend your way to Diamond with several CCs).

There are two questions that I think are going to prevail at this point:
-First, to what extent does the trend to being "loyalty programs that happen to fly some planes" continue?
-Second, do airlines, etc. engage in other devaluations (aside from partner redemption rate changes)? WN has done this a few times, but most programs have been keeping the miles-to-cash valuations reasonably steady for the moment.

The two questions are interrelated - if the former remains the case, then there's a strong case against getting too froggy with devaluations - taking steps that screw higher-frequency travelers over isn't great, but if they're tied into CC stuff the way these programs have become, then doing anything to risk causing folks to start closing CC accounts becomes manifestly unwise.

hhdl

DL requires both a personal and a business card to get to Diamond. UA I guess does let you get to 1K with just spend (though that's not a permanent thing AFAIK). Elite credit for award redemptions still has a similar effect (and possibly is more favorable for actual flyers: an existing DM who uses the Amex Plat only needs a little more than $17k in spend to hit the new 20k MQD requirement.

Re: devaluations in dollar terms (viz. going from 50k miles to 250k miles for a particular redemption isn't necessarily a devaluation in dollar terms), SkyPesos are arguably the currency to be long, simply because of the credit card Pay With Miles benefit (which can't be enhanced away without 12 month notice as long as Amex is issuing DL cobrands). None of the others really has a CC benefit like that.

I think broadly there's two ways to view programs from the operating providers' (i.e. hotels really don't count, though an FF program which sufficiently decouples from an airline might become more hotel-like) perspective: one is as a financing tool for the travel providers (basically prepayment/layaway buying travel), which corresponds to the WN/AMTK/increasingly DL model and the other is a way to ameliorate RM/network planning errors (pretty much every fixed chart program, the simpler the chart the more this holds). Accumulating miles/points in the latter category is shorting RM/network planning competence, which is probably not a great long term bet, and I think as providers become better at RM etc. part of their improvement will be more of a transition to the former.

There's a parallel to active/passive investing there, probably.

​​​​​​(I am not saying AMTK's management is anywhere near DL/WN... There's potentially a case for them, especially on trains over say 4 hours, that they should consider a fixed award chart for close-in bookings)

lensovet

Got this email two days ago

Problem is, when I try to activate, my browser gives up after too many redirects after logging in and never loads the page. Of course, just going into my account doesn't show this promo anywhere. This is in Safari on mobile and desktop.

Anyone else run into this?

serpens

I didn't get the offer, but if I had the problem with activation, I would try a different browser. (I have not found a site that Safari could not handle, but I only try using Safari when Firefox doesn't do the job. Maybe you have the reverse problem.)

beltway

Same issue, also using Safari.

beltway

FWIW, I got an email—three of them, actually, one for each click-through—confirming registration for the offer.

lensovet

Same, I got two emails yesterday. While I’m no BOA fan, at least their IT was never this bad.

The_Rockaway_Kid

Might this be changing? From the AGR credit card site:

PLUS, ENJOY THESE ADDITIONAL CARD BENEFITS
ROUND-TRIP COMPANION COUPON
upon card anniversary*

physioprof

A "companion coupn" is different from an "upgrade coupon".

The_Rockaway_Kid

You're right. But as of last year, I think the companion coupon was for a one-way and not a round trip. the RT is new, I think.

schriste

I signed up for the card and received my digital coupons in my account a few days ago. I was a bit surprised to receive double the companion coupons I was expecting, but this would explain it. Note that you do not get a coupon valid for a round trip, but 2 coupons valid for a one way. (so, with the current double coupon new card promo, you get 4... and would then get 2 ow each anniversary year (1 RT)).

Unfortunately, this round-trip language only applies to the companion coupon (by getting 2 ow coupons), NOT the upgrade coupon... no change there.

rittenhousesq

So recently signed up for this card as well - mostly for the 30k points offer, among other things.
So you wonder why Amtrak went with this particular financial vendor as it is clearly a low end operation. Both their web site and their app are bare bones at the minimum! I haven't had any functionality issues, but still pretty basic! Well I will enjoy collecting my points! :-)

rittenhousesq

Has anyone tried to use the new Credit card to purchase a drink at the bar in the Moynihan lounge in NYC? I was wondering if that triggers the 20% off discount. The card states "on board purchases" but the charges have appeared on my previous cards I've used as an Amtrak purchase (Amtrak MOY MET BAR). I guess only one way to find out for sure, and I doubt Francis, the omnipresent bartender in the lounge would know.

Long Train Runnin

Didn't even think to try at the bar. Definitely counts as dining on my go to cards. Would be interesting if it kicked in at the lounge.

rittenhousesq

Just a quick report and update. Using the new card at the bar at the Moynihan lounge did not trigger the 20% credit (or hasn't yet - a cafe car purchase on the same day has already received the credit).
Too bad - they really should apply a credit for this purchase as well.