100 point minimum
 

I didn't see any posts on this, so I don't know how long it's been on the site, but, from AGR's Program News link,

That's over 10 points per dollar for my wife's common route. And for people commuting over the hump (SCZ-SJC), it's 25 points/dollar (or nearly 28 if a AAA member)!

200 points for train plus bus?
 

I'm wondering whether the 100-point minimum will apply to Amtrak Thruway bus segments separately from connecting train segments...i.e. whether a trip from SAC to SFC will provide 200 points....100 for the train SAC-EMY, and 100 for the Bay Bridge bus EMY-SFC.

Typically each ticket segment is identified individually on AGR's statement.

I asked about this when I spoke with AMTRAK to book an award ticket last month. The rep replied: "It is my understanding that it will be 100 per segment (emphasis hers)."

That would be correct. Any thruway bus is considered one segment along with the train that connects to the bus. If you look at your tickets for a bus/train connection they'll both show the same price on the stub & ticket.

If you know where to look for the breakdown on the main ticket, then you can see how Amtrak allocates the fare, but they still do consider it to be one segment.

Good deal! Most of my Amtrak segments only cost $10-25 anyway, so this will definitely be a boost.

Most of my tickets are in the $3.40-$7 range, so this is great! I wonder if this also applies to Select tier qualification...

My guess would be, Yes.

After all this is not a bonus, simply a minimum standard number of points that can be earned for a trip. Perhaps Amtrak may come to regret this if too many people hit select because of it, but for the time being take advantage of it.

Perhaps AMTRAK is trying to attract regular riders besides the [high-rolling] NEC/Acela crowd? Select is still enough of a challenge for other routes, even with the new minimum, to be concerned about "dilution."

That's still only 200 for a typical roundtrip outside of the NEC, and Amtrak consistently does jsut about anything to get you on the non-NEC trains (hot deals, etc.). Still doubt I'll come close to select with this, but it's a nice boost.

Who are you calling High Rollers? AMTRAK tickets are as cheap as the bus on my NEC route. Even the Acela is inexpensive using a corporate discount. I am convinced that AMTRAK loses money on all routes possibly including NYP-WAS. I try to spend ten bucks in the cafeteria car each time so they get some kind of incremental revenue.

I don't understand how AMTRAK can give away points the way they do. I'm earning something like a free ticket every month.

Well, this all depends on where you live and how you work your booking. For example, though I do most of my Amtrak travel in the NEC, I'm familiar with the Capitol Corridor in CA. So I could book a multi-city as follows:

EMY - BKY
BKY - RIC
RIC - BKY
BKY - EMY

Total cost = $11.00, yields 400 points towards Select/Select+ status. That means, I could hypothetically reach Select for $137.50 or Select+ for $275. Even utilising my corporate rates between WAS and the MET/NWK/NYP on Acela, the cost of reaching Select would be $1050 and Select+ $2100. Hardly comparable and you spend much more time on the train in the latter than the former.

The cheapest way for the NEC for me, again hypothetically would be off-peak fares between WAS and BOS booked multi-city style with a stop in NYC. So...

WAS - NYP
NYP - BOS
BOS - NYP
NYP - WAS

Total cost = $282 (no corp discount), yields 2000 points. I would reach Select+ for $1410. Again, no comparison to the Capitol Corridor. Of course, I can't always travel on off-peak times and using my cache of upgrades significantly reduces the time and cost to reach Select+.


Cheers.

I called and asked about the 100 point minimum apply to Select status and was answer is YES. :D All I need are 25 round trips @ $8.00 each...

100 Select Points it is!
 

My recent trip just posted showing 100 Select Points for the year. I had registered for the 5th anniversary bonus after traveling, but before posting; it was there, too!

In one sense, I make out worse under the new rule: previously I had gotten extra points for the extra fare to biz class, and now both biz and coach get a flat 100 points (SEA - PDX). Still, 100 is double what I had been getting.

fastflyer: I don't have any corp discounts; the one time I took Acela, it seemed mighty pricey to me - one way (shoulder fare I think?) cost more than a round-trip off-peak on DL Shuttle.
As for buying food, the seat assignment card for Cascades biz pax doubles as a $3 credit, so they do a pretty brisk business. The lasagna (which had been touted by another passenger) seem kinda skimpy to me, but the Cuban sandwich was great - especially as AMTRAK provides packets of horseradish.

Pointsscrounger,

My first 100 mile segment also just posted (along with the 500 point bonus). However, I didn't get the 25% Select bonus. And my select status doesn't appear on amtrakguestrewards. Did you get the 25% bonus? Is select status indicated?

Thanks

I am Select and got 100 points + 25 point bonus on a $10 ticket.

As for the "high rollers" in the NEC - I guess I'm one of those so-called high rollers, accruing over 15,000 points in 2004. I certainly don't feel the love. Especially when the trains are late pretty often.

Amtrak does, in fact, make money on the Acela routes. Especially since they're usually near sold out, despite the ticket price rising each year since it's introduction in 2000. It's a shame that they're way too overpowered for the infrastructure they're wedged into.