Author Topic: Amtrak (Read 54667 times)

Marco Polo · « **Reply #40 on:** September 02, 2015, 10:00:10 PM »

Would definitely like to do at least a OW to Miami. Would e great to hear if anyone has done it. When would i need to book/have the points in my account?

Mocha · « **Reply #41 on:** September 02, 2015, 10:32:47 PM »

Wow. Nice changes.

Definitely more for me to gain then lose. Booking somewhat in advance can cost under 2k for the NEC!

Yaalili · « **Reply #42 on:** September 02, 2015, 10:34:52 PM »

Quote from: Marco Polo on September 02, 2015, 10:00:10 PM

Would definitely like to do at least a OW to Miami. Would e great to hear if anyone has done it. When would i need to book/have the points in my account?

Want to do the same. Seems like you would have to book before end of December, for travel up to 11 months out.

DoB · « **Reply #43 on:** September 02, 2015, 10:46:46 PM »

Quote from: Marco Polo on September 02, 2015, 10:00:10 PM

Would definitely like to do at least a OW to Miami. Would e great to hear if anyone has done it. When would i need to book/have the points in my account?

January 23 is the cutoff for booking under the old program.

If you can find an excuse to ride the western half of the California Zephyr, I highly recommend it.

I'm going to try to get in one massive cross-country round trip (loop, really, since I'll take different routes there and back) before the devaluation kicks in.

henche · « **Reply #44 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:54:05 AM »

The new program is like 3cpm. That's quite a decent usage for UR points. http://agr.amtrak.com/rideon/

zow · « **Reply #45 on:** October 13, 2015, 12:12:29 PM »

Quote from: henche on October 13, 2015, 11:54:05 AM

The new program is like 3cpm. That's quite a decent usage for UR points. http://agr.amtrak.com/rideon/

But, if I understand correctly, need to transfer UR points in by December 7. From the e-mail I just received from Amtrak:

"As of December 8, 2015, you will no longer be able to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points into Amtrak Guest Rewards® points. That means if you have an eligible Chase card with Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer any Chase Ultimate Rewards points at full 1 to 1 value by December 7, 2015. But hurry, it will be here before you know it."

Mocha · « **Reply #46 on:** October 13, 2015, 05:33:59 PM »

Quote from: zow on October 13, 2015, 12:12:29 PM

But, if I understand correctly, need to transfer UR points in by December 7. From the e-mail I just received from Amtrak:

"As of December 8, 2015, you will no longer be able to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points into Amtrak Guest Rewards® points. That means if you have an eligible Chase card with Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer any Chase Ultimate Rewards points at full 1 to 1 value by December 7, 2015. But hurry, it will be here before you know it."

You understood correctly. Though keep in mind that without the BOA card these will still have an expiration date.

Dan · « **Reply #47 on:** October 14, 2015, 03:06:39 PM »

Verified Amtrak Insider posting helpful comments on DDMS:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/75354

zow · « **Reply #48 on:** October 14, 2015, 09:31:59 PM »

Quote from: Dan on October 14, 2015, 03:06:39 PM

Verified Amtrak Insider posting helpful comments on DDMS:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/75354

+1 Very Helpful.
It would be even more helpful to have him or her on DDF for ongoing input!

Dan · « **Reply #49 on:** October 15, 2015, 08:38:33 AM »

Quote from: zow on October 14, 2015, 09:31:59 PM

+1 Very Helpful.
It would be even more helpful to have him or her on DDF for ongoing input!

Ask him to join.

AmtrakInsider · « **Reply #50 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:08:48 PM »

Here I am!

Dan · « **Reply #51 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:11:19 PM »

Quote from: AmtrakInsider on October 15, 2015, 04:08:48 PM

Here I am!

Welcome to DDF!

Yaalili · « **Reply #52 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:14:40 PM »

Quote from: AmtrakInsider on October 15, 2015, 04:08:48 PM

Here I am!

Welcome.

What is the deal for redemptions, if there is a seat available and it is not blackout, can you redeem for it?

Mocha · « **Reply #53 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:17:01 PM »

Quote from: AmtrakInsider on October 15, 2015, 04:08:48 PM

Here I am!

wow. Great addition to the forums. Thanks for joining.

Quick question with regards to the new rewards...
If I transfer in ultimate rewards, will they also not expire as long as there is an redemption within 36 months? Or will this only be with new award points that post after the changes go into effect?

AmtrakInsider · « **Reply #54 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:25:57 PM »

Quote from: Yaalili on October 15, 2015, 04:14:40 PM

Welcome.

What is the deal for redemptions, if there is a seat available and it is not blackout, can you redeem for it?

Yes. Redemptions are easy. You can redeem one-way coach or business class tickets online at Amtrak.com or call 800-307-5000 for more complicated redemptions. Starting early next year the website will allow for more complex redemptions.

AmtrakInsider · « **Reply #55 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:26:47 PM »

Quote from: Mocha on October 15, 2015, 04:17:01 PM

wow. Great addition to the forums. Thanks for joining.

Quick question with regards to the new rewards...
If I transfer in ultimate rewards, will they also not expire as long as there is an redemption within 36 months? Or will this only be with new award points that post after the changes go into effect?

I don't work in our loyalty department, but I'll try and get an answer for you.

Yaalili · « **Reply #56 on:** October 15, 2015, 04:32:21 PM »

Quote from: AmtrakInsider on October 15, 2015, 04:25:57 PM

Yes. Redemptions are easy. You can redeem one-way coach or business class tickets online at Amtrak.com or call 800-307-5000 for more complicated redemptions. Starting early next year the website will allow for more complex redemptions.

Thanks. When I tried online it wouldn't let me search for a bedroom award. Now it's clear.

Mocha · « **Reply #57 on:** October 15, 2015, 05:22:31 PM »

Quote from: AmtrakInsider on October 15, 2015, 04:26:47 PM

I don't work in our loyalty department, but I'll try and get an answer for you.

Thanks so much!!
You will need to become quickly well versed in awards if you want to be able to answer our questions here lol

zow · « **Reply #58 on:** October 18, 2015, 06:17:03 PM »

Quote from: Mocha on October 15, 2015, 05:22:31 PM

Thanks so much!!
You will need to become quickly well versed in awards if you want to be able to answer our questions here lol

Welcome!
I'm thinking about putting my mother on the train from Boston to Chicago. I think this is the Lake Shore Limited.

My mother is a novice traveler. Do you have any advice for such individuals? I presume the conductor would help her to set up her sleeper in the "roomette". Right?

And how are meals handled. Would she eat in a dining car or would meals be brought to her?

Thanks in advance for your insights.

AmtrakInsider · « **Reply #59 on:** October 19, 2015, 12:12:30 PM »

Quote from: Mocha on October 15, 2015, 04:17:01 PM

wow. Great addition to the forums. Thanks for joining.

Quick question with regards to the new rewards...
If I transfer in ultimate rewards, will they also not expire as long as there is an redemption within 36 months? Or will this only be with new award points that post after the changes go into effect?

I spoke to our loyalty department, and then indicated that any transferred points will also not expire as long as there is a redemption within 36 months. Of course, they highly recommended opening up an Amtrak Credit Card (free Platinum card gets you 12k bonus pts, $79 annual fee World card gets you 20k bonus pts), in which case your points will never expire, as long as the card is open.

Link here: http://www.amtrak.com/earn-free-travel-amtrak-guest-rewards-credit-cards

Hope this helps!