AGR redemption changes
Jun 30, 2008 | 2:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 601
AGR redemption changes
Hi all, on the Amtrak website it stated that as of May 1, 2008 conversion to airline miles, hotel points, and some other rewards are limited to those with Select status or have the Chase Amtrak credit card. For the credit card it mentioned that you need to spend at least $200/yr on Amtrak travel to qualify. Has anyone converted their Amtrak points to hotel programs or airline miles in the past two months ? Did they verify if you've spent the $200 in Amtrak travel on the card ?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jun 30, 2008 | 5:22 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL
Programs: AA PLT, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH LTD
Posts: 10,741
This is really disgusting and basically renders my AGR points useless. I have no plans to take a long distance train and don't want to waste them on a trip along the NEC. I also don't particularly have a need for gift cards.
I'll get the stupid MC, charge a $200+ ticket to it and not use it. Then I'll transfer ALL the points out and subsequently refund the ticket and incur the 10% refund fee. Then I'll cancel the AGR MC.
I'll get the stupid MC, charge a $200+ ticket to it and not use it. Then I'll transfer ALL the points out and subsequently refund the ticket and incur the 10% refund fee. Then I'll cancel the AGR MC.
Jun 30, 2008 | 7:12 pm
#3
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
Or why can't we..............
Buy 50 $2 tickets that give the minimum 100 points and earn Select Status. some conductor will do it for a $20 bill won't he/she?
Jun 30, 2008 | 8:53 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, AS, AGR, DL, MB
Posts: 956
I guess the really disgusting part is that you earned the points (and that's only an assumption on my part), knew that this change was coming, and didn't do anything about it. And now you're moaning and complaining.
Jun 30, 2008 | 9:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 37
I may sound crazy but I joined AGR so I could get free rides on Amtrak.Man, you're not kidding.
In other news, Delta just started charging $25/$50 on domestic/international rewards tickets, respectively. For all the nickel and diming flyers are seeing, I think we Amtrak customers have it good.
In other news, Delta just started charging $25/$50 on domestic/international rewards tickets, respectively. For all the nickel and diming flyers are seeing, I think we Amtrak customers have it good.
Jul 1, 2008 | 2:44 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I'm no fan of the fact that AGR continually changes the rules, but why would you transfer points in to AGR with the intention of transferring them out but then let them sit in AGR?
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:14 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Amtrak
Posts: 4,647
Meanwhile nobody has answered the OP's questions. I don't know the answer and I'm not sure I care, but I hate to see a reasonable question get sidetracked by sniping.
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:51 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
As with many things, the answer to the OP's question is probably "it depends". However, they implemented the requirement, so it's also safe to say that AGR does indeed care about your meeting those requirements. Also, since AGR changes terms with no notice on a regular basis, if you do have points you wish to get out of AGR, you should do so soon.
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:55 am
#11
formerly known as Frugal Travel Guy
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Programs: UA Gold, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 1,925
Jul 1, 2008 | 4:58 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL
Programs: AA PLT, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH LTD
Posts: 10,741
I was able to move a bunch of points to Choice Hotels(and then to an airline) last year before the changes, but there wasn't THAT much notice and the point transfer limitation per year made it impossible for me to move them all.
Jul 1, 2008 | 5:28 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
There's certainly no harm in calling and trying to redeem the points. Don't mention the restrictions. If the AGR rep sees the source of your points as lots of Amtrak travel, they may choose to process the request.
You are limited to 25,000 points per calendar year. That's a limit that they enforce pretty strictly.
Where do you want your AGR points to go?
You are limited to 25,000 points per calendar year. That's a limit that they enforce pretty strictly.
Where do you want your AGR points to go?
Jul 1, 2008 | 7:16 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 601
There's certainly no harm in calling and trying to redeem the points. Don't mention the restrictions. If the AGR rep sees the source of your points as lots of Amtrak travel, they may choose to process the request.
You are limited to 25,000 points per calendar year. That's a limit that they enforce pretty strictly.
Where do you want your AGR points to go?
You are limited to 25,000 points per calendar year. That's a limit that they enforce pretty strictly.
Where do you want your AGR points to go?
Jul 1, 2008 | 9:27 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,789
PHL, there is no 10% penalty if U don't get a paper ticket issued. Just pay for an itin. & quietly cancel it a month later. 