Passenger Trains > Buying Amtrak Points

Very interesting....

I see now that between November 1st and December 31st, one can purchase Guest Rewards Points for 13.75 for each 500 points. They are waiving the 15 surcharge fee. What this means:

On the Rewards Redemption Chart, a San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner or Cascades trip can be made for 1000 points one way, regardless of duration. Some nifty examples:

A San Joaquin trip from LAX to Sacramento on the SJ's on December 7th costs 52 bucks. You could buy a OW ticket(buying 1000 points) for 27 dollars. You can even travel further on thruway buses to say, Chico, Redding, Dunsmuir, Weed, CA or even up to Medford, OR for the same ticket(points north of SAC), and many destinations south of LA as well.

A Pacific Surfliner trip from San Diego to San Luis Obispo on the 7th of December costs 45 bucks versus the 27 buck if point buying. Again, Thruway buses would increase the length of the northbound trip even further.

A Cascades journey from Vancouver, BC to Eugene, OR runs you between 111 dollars versus the 27 bucks OW via points.

Just a heads up to fellow TO riders. Not trying to scam 'Trak, but just taking advantage of the no fee offer. Of course you will not be able to accumulate points traveling via points rewards, and as a matter of fact, right now Amtrak is offering double points so each choice will be up to the individual to decide which is the better decision to make.

I would not characterize a person savvy enough to figure this out of being involved in a "scam". It just is taking full advantage of a bona fide offer and being crafty. The risk to Amtrak is small. In all likelihood, it generates revenue as much as costing revenue, just like the AAA discount.

The value of the Internet is that it allows consumers everywhere to be aware of the best deal, and that tends to be good for the world.

Thanks for sharing!

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> I would not characterize a person savvy enough to
> figure this out of being involved in a "scam". It
> just is taking full advantage of a bona fide offer
> and being crafty. The risk to Amtrak is small.
> In all likelihood, it generates revenue as much as
> costing revenue, just like the AAA discount.
>
> The value of the Internet is that it allows
> consumers everywhere to be aware of the best deal,
> and that tends to be good for the world.
>
> Thanks for sharing!


Thanks Flame, I just felt kind of cheap...like before, I had too much time on my hands and starting screwing around with city pairs and fares. I found in one instance it was cheaper to book a trip from LAX-Dunsmuir LAX-SAC and then SAC to DUN rather than straight through. Saved about 35 bucks and again, I felt, that wasn't "right."

Thanks for making me not feel slimy:)

If I use my AMTRAK credit card to buy points, I get points for buying points. NIFTY Now I just need to find the time to use them. Where can I buy time?

I rode a family room once because at booking time it was $21 cheaper than a roomette. It is simply taking advantage of the particular circumstances.

AlwaysLate Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> reindeerflame Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I would not characterize a person savvy enough
> to
> > figure this out of being involved in a "scam".
> It
> > just is taking full advantage of a bona fide
> offer
> > and being crafty. The risk to Amtrak is small.
>
> > In all likelihood, it generates revenue as much
> as
> > costing revenue, just like the AAA discount.
> >
> > The value of the Internet is that it allows
> > consumers everywhere to be aware of the best
> deal,
> > and that tends to be good for the world.
> >
> > Thanks for sharing!
>
>
> Thanks Flame, I just felt kind of cheap...like
> before, I had too much time on my hands and
> starting screwing around with city pairs and
> fares. I found in one instance it was cheaper to
> book a trip from LAX-Dunsmuir LAX-SAC and then SAC
> to DUN rather than straight through. Saved about
> 35 bucks and again, I felt, that wasn't "right."
>
> Thanks for making me not feel slimy:)

RetiredGal9 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If I use my AMTRAK credit card to buy points, I
> get points for buying points. NIFTY Now I just
> need to find the time to use them. Where can I buy
> time?


Call your internet service provider and close your account. Not only will you get lots more time on your hands, you will save money also. Note: This won't apply, of course, if you do all of your surfing at work.

krapplem Wrote:
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> Call your internet service provider and close your
> account. Not only will you get lots more time on
> your hands, you will save money also. Note: This
> won't apply, of course, if you do all of your
> surfing at work.

LOL, dude, you ever try to cancel an internet account? They make it seem damned near criminal. You basically have to scream at them or get a Supervisor on the line.

I am no DUDE.