Author Topic: Amtrak (Read 5297 times)

henche · « **on:** October 05, 2014, 07:53:56 AM »

We're taking the train today to PHI and back. Taking acela one way. So it is costing 12k points each, but in money it was over 400 buck. So cpm is like 3.5.

But, I also borrowed 2/3 of the points from my brother, so I added leverage. So really I paid only 4.5k points at like 10cpm. Pretty good, no?

@Yehuda · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2014, 07:58:08 AM »

Quote from: henche on October 05, 2014, 07:53:56 AM

We're taking the train today to PHI and back. Taking acela one way. So it is costing 12k points each, but in money it was over 400 buck. So cpm is like 3.5.

But, I also borrowed 2/3 of the points from my brother, so I added leverage. So really I paid only 4.5k points at like 10cpm. Pretty good, no?

What currency transfers to Acela? Wouldn't driving and parking be cheaper?

henche · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:00:34 AM »

Chase.
I live in BOS.

ChaimMoskowitz · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:15:50 AM »

Quote from: henche on October 05, 2014, 07:53:56 AM

Pretty good, no?

Only if you don't pay him back.

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:18:12 AM »

Do they have a published award chart?

henche · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:21:16 AM »

Quote from: ChaimMoskowitz on October 05, 2014, 08:15:50 AM

Only if you don't pay him back.

Oh no. I took business classes in law school. I know how leverage works.

Like suppose I have a venture that needs 100 of capital and will pay 10% expected return. But interest rate is only 6. So I borrow 10, and pay .6 on it, and make an extra .4 than if I would have raised equity capital.

Or maybe I borrow 20 and make an extra .8.

Or maybe I borrow the whole thing.

Adding leverage makes money for free.

henche · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:23:55 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 05, 2014, 08:18:12 AM

Do they have a published award chart?

Not exactly. They have the info on line, but you have to click through mishegas to get what you need.

Any train within the northeast corridor is 4k for coach and 8k for acela.

Obviously, as it gets further the value goes up, but you will maybe start considering flying. I think bos-phi is a good train distance. The acela is 5 hours, and a plane is about 75 mins. Add in differences in waiting time, parking costs (I street parked for free across the street from back bay station), comfort, and it gets reasonably worth it.

Of course if there had been avios availability that would have been better. But there wasn't. Then I could have done 4.5k each way flying.

sky121 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:25:31 AM »

Chase for Amtrak is one of the most under appreciated awards out there.

henche · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:33:24 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 05, 2014, 08:18:12 AM

Do they have a published award chart?

OT!!!

Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:34:19 AM »

Where do you click through to check rates online?

henche · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:36:23 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 05, 2014, 08:34:19 AM

Where do you click through to check rates online?

I'll post some links later when I get my laptop set up.

HolyNyc · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2014, 08:39:10 AM »

Quote from: Dan on October 05, 2014, 08:34:19 AM

Where do you click through to check rates online?

How about this https://amtrakguestrewards.com/redeem
Or this https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/zonemap

henche · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:23:53 AM »

Quote from: HolyNyc on October 05, 2014, 08:39:10 AM

How about this https://amtrakguestrewards.com/redeem
Or this https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/zonemap

yeah, that about covers it.

I found it annoying to find. When you search for trains, it doesn't tell you how much they are. It just offers a link to the zone map, which also doesn't tell you how much anything is. Amazingly, it makes you check a box that you "agree" that your points may be "held" when you click into an itinerary before even showing you what the total will be.

henche · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:24:32 AM »

Wifi is pretty bad. I'm using a wireless hotspot I borrowed from my firm instead. I remembered from last time I took the train.

Yordai Dooma · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:29:04 AM »

Quote from: henche on October 05, 2014, 09:24:32 AM

Wifi is pretty bad. I'm using a wireless hotspot I borrowed from my firm instead. I remembered from last time I took the train.

Better or worse than gogo?

henche · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:31:21 AM »

Quote from: David on October 05, 2014, 09:29:04 AM

Better or worse than gogo?

Worse. you lose the connection every time the track goes over a spot that doesn't have electricity.

lunatic · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:35:17 AM »

Quote from: sky121 on October 05, 2014, 08:25:31 AM

Chase for Amtrak is one of the most under appreciated awards out there.

Yup, I have been saying that for a while. Especially when you buy that day or day before... Can be a really good value

12HRS · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:43:54 AM »

no BA avail?

henche · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2014, 09:52:55 AM »

Quote from: 12HRS on October 05, 2014, 09:43:54 AM

no BA avail?

only first class. 13.5 each way.

henche · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2014, 06:18:26 PM »

Now on Acela on way back. Picked up shwarma from Holyland Grill (which anywhere else would be a halal restaurant). Will review that later.

Acela is pretty underwhelming. Apparently, you don't have access to the "Acela Lounge" just because you take the Acela (need first class or status). And apparently business class just means you have the seats you [i[should[/i] have in coach (since they take up as much room as the coach seats, and I can't imagine faux leather costs so much more than faux fabric)--so no person with a plastic smile bringing you free drinks.

Train also came in on the wrong track--was the correct platform, but the wrong side. That's just ridiculous, a person could easily miss it.