joining the AGR program
 

I see a 500 mile bonus for signing up on the AMTRAK website. Is there any reason to hope for something better and is there a referral promo where an FTer would benefit from my enrollment?

Thanks, Jan_believes :)

not now
 

I just checked and AGR is not offering a bonus if an Guest rewards members signs you up. We had a sort of COnga line going on another thread for that promotion.
They will probably offer it again but I do not know when.
If you are booking a trip go ahead and book it now. Then wait a while to see if a better offer comes along. I believe you can supply your number anytime before the train leaves and get credit. Even after if necessary

500 points is a fairly decent bonus. It's the equivalent of buying a $250 Amtrak ticket. It's also a much bigger bonus than you're liable to get from joining an airline program these days, not counting a credit card sign-up bonus (which you can also get with AGR as well).

I don't know if it's every year or every 2 years or whenever they feel like it, but the last 2 AGR "refer-a-friend" offers were (IIRC) during the winter.

If your trip is not before the winter, you may want to wait to join AGR - but still purchase your tickets ASAP! You can sign up and receive credit for trips at any time prior to travel. And in fact retroactively for any trips up to (IIRC) 21 days prior to AGR signup! :cool: (But if you sign up before travel, it posts faster.)