Calendar year.

http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/Re...91&category=PE
(Bold emphasis mine.)

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View from the Wing: A blog about Free Miles and Free Markets

OK...so how about comparing the value of an Amtrak mile vs. an airline miles, such as UA?

I have about 40,000 Amtrak miles from BOS-NYC Acela trips...maybe I should transfer 25,000 this year and the balance next year to UA or CO vs. leaving them in Amtrak?

By the end of next year, I'll probably have 50,000 Amtrak miles...

Well we'll see how it goes. I setup the accounts in AMEX Rewards and then transfered 20,000 points from AMEX to CO and I made sure that my Amtrak account (never used) and profile was current.

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions imposed on the following situation(s):

I transfer CO miles to a family member's AMTRAK account, which in turn goes into their UA account. Or vice versa, a family member transfers their CO miles into my AMTRAK account, which in turn goes into my UA account.

[This message has been edited by cab747 (edited 08-25-2003).]

Nice easy to follow primer on this subject gleff.

I am not very bright, which is a well known fact as my brain is inverted and thus my head hurts a lot, and thus do not grasp the big picture here. Maybe someone can explain to me:

If Amtrak needs to buy the UA miles ... what do they get from CO as that part of the deal?

Say we are talking 25,000 CO miles that get moved to Amtrak. If Amtrak pay UA a penny or 2 a mile ..... what does CO give Amtrak as their part of the deal?

Thanks for the assistance, gleff.


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mylez2go
DTW
Worldperks/HHonors

Presumably the same thing. CO certainly has to buy Amtrak points since essentially what OnePass members are doing is claiming a frequent flier reward (on Amtrak).

gleff, thanks for such a clear step by step explanation. I opened my Amtrak account last night. Today, I transferred my 15K CO orphan miles into it. Now, what to do, what to do - free Hertz rentals? Hilton points? Hmmm....... (continues to study the Amtrak transfer list....)

Not so fast

If you have 40 hours to spare, and any interest in train travel, I'd recommend the 15K sleeper award on the coast starlight to Seattle. I did it a few months ago (actually the trip you helped me out w/ hyatt on- thanks again!) and had a blast.

Whoever is being relieved of a future obligation pays.

CO --> Amtrak, CO pays Amtrak
Amtrak --> UA, Amtrak pays UA

Since Amtrak pays when it transfers out, you can see why they'd limit it. OTOH, you'd think the limits could be higher, like 100K. Otherwise, you have to question the math.

Another angle:

Amtrak points can be used for flights on most US airlines and many interntional.

GR = Guest Rewards

GR --> CO = DL, NW, KLM, et. al.
GR --> YX = AA, F9
GR --> UA = US, *A

Also, GR can be turned into HHonors points:
GR --> HH 1:2

Or redeemed directly for Marriot and Starwood. The Starwood redemption scheme is not favorable, but the Marriot one is decent, IMHO.

It would seem to me that 25,000 GR points is worth more as an airline mile than as a GR point.

For example, I would use GRs on Amtrak for Acelka to NY. 10,000 GR's = 1 way first class, which currently sells for $150.

So, if you think you can get more than 1.5 cents per mile in value with airline miles, transferring GRs to airline miles is the way to go.

[This message has been edited by nologic (edited 08-26-2003).]

This seems like a pretty good use for 30,000 GR's:

Royal Prestige One-Night Points: 30,000 Item #: 4009
Enjoy a one-night stay in a lavishly appointed suite, featuring classically elegant furnishings and a sumptuous marble bath, at any participating Ritz-Carlton hotel. Known for exquisite service in a luxury setting and winner of many industry and consumer awards, The Ritz-Carlton hotels can be found worldwide in 39 locations. The Royal Prestige Suite Travel Award includes breakfast for two (tax and gratuity included) and all room-related taxes. For more information about The Ritz-Carlton accommodations, you are invited to visit (www.ritzcarlton.com/). The participating hotels are: Amelia Island, Florida - Atlanta, Georgia - Berlin, Germany - Boston, Massachusetts - Buckhead, Georgia - Cancun, Mexico - Cleveland, Ohio - Dearborn, Michigan - Dubai U.A.E. - Half Moon Bay, California - Hotel Arts Barcelona, Spain - Huntington Hotel and Spa, Pasadena, California - Jimbaran, Bali - Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Laguna Niguel, California - Marina Del Ray, California - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Montreal, Canada - Naples, Florida - New Orleans, Louisiana - Osaka, Japan - Palm Beach, Florida - Pentagon City, Virginia - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Phoenix, Arizona - Rancho Mirage, California - San Francisco, California - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Seoul, Korea - Shanghai, China - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt - Singapore - St. Louis, Missouri - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands - Tysons Corner, Virginia - Washington, D.C. - Wolfsburg, Germany.

Well the points are now in my CO account from AMEX in just over 48 hours - now on to Amtrak. On another note, I have been looking at the Amtrak Rail awards and they're pretty nice. My wife and I are thinking about taking the Coast Starlight from Sacramento up to Seattle and maybe even going out to Whitefish, MT (same number of points). I've only taken a ride on Amtrak once - from NYC to PHL - however we've rode Eurostar many times. I'm somewhat curious what it would be like to ride in a sleeper car for a few days.

*** That was quick. I called the One Pass Service Center and she just asked for my CO account number, PIN and Amtrak Guest Rewards number - then the 20k miles left my account instantly. She said to give it 10 days minimum for the transfer.

[This message has been edited by TravelManKen (edited 08-27-2003).]

I moved about 175K CO to UA through Amtrak and 25K CO to YX before the door slammed almost shut. Worked well. Still will do 25K a year until they ruin that. Would've moved more but was concerned over UA bankruptcy.

Helps me especially because my favorite award is U.S. to Asia in coach (60K or thereabouts), and UA is a good backup for the times CO says it doesn't have award seats on NW.