Author Topic: Amtrak  (Read 43082 times)

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Amtrak
« 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?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Amtrak
« 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!

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #42 on: September 02, 2015, 10:34:52 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.

Offline DoB

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #43 on: September 02, 2015, 10:46:46 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.

Offline henche

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Re: Amtrak
« 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/

Offline zow

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #45 on: October 13, 2015, 12:12:29 PM »
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 RewardsŪ points into Amtrak Guest RewardsŪ 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."

Offline Mocha

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #46 on: October 13, 2015, 05:33:59 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 RewardsŪ points into Amtrak Guest RewardsŪ 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.

Offline Dan

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #47 on: October 14, 2015, 03:06:39 PM »
Verified Amtrak Insider posting helpful comments on DDMS:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/75354
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline zow

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #48 on: October 14, 2015, 09:31:59 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!

Offline Dan

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #49 on: October 15, 2015, 08:38:33 AM »
+1 Very Helpful.
It would be even more helpful to have him or her on DDF for ongoing input!
Ask him to join.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline AmtrakInsider

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #50 on: October 15, 2015, 04:08:48 PM »
Here I am!  :D

Offline Dan

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #51 on: October 15, 2015, 04:11:19 PM »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #52 on: October 15, 2015, 04:14:40 PM »
Here I am!  :D

Welcome.

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

Offline Mocha

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #53 on: October 15, 2015, 04:17:01 PM »
Here I am!  :D
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?

Offline AmtrakInsider

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #54 on: October 15, 2015, 04:25:57 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.

Offline AmtrakInsider

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #55 on: October 15, 2015, 04:26:47 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.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #56 on: October 15, 2015, 04:32:21 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.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #57 on: October 15, 2015, 05:22:31 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

Offline zow

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #58 on: October 18, 2015, 06:17:03 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.

Offline AmtrakInsider

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Re: Amtrak
« Reply #59 on: October 19, 2015, 12:12:30 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!