So this is the last day for the 30% buy bonus on points. Is anyone rolling the dice and betting on a 50% bonus later on? I really think they might do the 50%, but if they don't...... :help:
I'm rolling the dice with ya this year............gimmie, gimmie, gimmie, 50% !So this is the last day for the 30% buy bonus on points. Is anyone rolling the dice and betting on a 50% bonus later on? I really think they might do the 50%, but if they don't...... :help:
I agree, I wouldn't bet the bank on a 50% coming out this year.I really doubt that they will do a. 50% bonus this year. Last year was the first and only year it was done. And there have already been 3 bonus periods this year!
But there is always a .000000000000001% chance. But IMHO, I wouldn't count on it! I figure a 30% bonus is better than a -0-% bonus!
If you need help spending them, transfer them to me, and they will be used up in a flash! So fast, you may need to call the fre department!Exiled in Express said:1349078044[/url]' post='397005'] finding an appropriate use for my growing pile of points
You know that really depends. There have been people on here that have bought points for trips because buying the points was cheaper than buying a ticket. As you yourself have stated, those high buckets are coming out more often for many trips! If one is faced with a high bucket ticket, it is often cheaper to buy the points rather than the ticket.If Amtrak offers the 50% bonus I will buy and if not I walk. The 30% bonus offer is not a good deal as you can buy a ticket for less.
As stated, the rate is $.0212 per point. I normally receive redemption rates of over $.06 per point on my trips. I have even received in excess of $.12 per point! So are you still sure it's still not worth it?dlagrua said:1349492220[/url]' post='397893']If Amtrak offers the 50% bonus I will buy and if not I walk. The 30% bonus offer is not a good deal as you can buy a ticket for less.
I think that's the way to do it, on a route by route and bucket by bucket basis... sometimes it's a really good deal.I usually buy points for full-zone trips. For example, I don't usually buy the 1,000 points that is necessary to complete the trip from GRR to CHI on the Pere Marquette (special route), but I would buy the 10,000 (with bonus) to get a one-way one-zone roomette (or round-trip one-zone coach) from CHI to ELP (on Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited) or CHI to ABQ (on Southwest Chief) because the points are definitely much cheaper.
For my latest trip, I chose to use points on a one-zone roomette (and coach from GRR to CHI) from GRR to ELP (because it's all the same zone). The same purchase with cash would have cost me twice as much.
OK please allow me to clarify. A one night two zone Amtrak trip can be WAS to CHI. It can also be a two night trip from CHI to LAX. Both trips require exactly the same AGR points, yet both have drastically different fare structures. I would have to agree that on the two night, two zone trips buying Amtrak points provides a better buy. Buying points can also sometimes make sense on the long one zone NYP to ORL trips. I do buy AGR points but only to make up a shortage for a specific trip. It appears that route, length of trip, zone(s)and buckets all influence whether buying points is cost effective or not.the_traveler said:1349628619[/url]' post='398104']As stated, the rate is $.0212 per point. I normally receive redemption rates of over $.06 per point on my trips. I have even received in excess of $.12 per point! So are you still sure it's still not worth it?dlagrua said:1349492220[/url]' post='397893']If Amtrak offers the 50% bonus I will buy and if not I walk. The 30% bonus offer is not a good deal as you can buy a ticket for less.
That's the great thing about AGR! As long as a room or seat is available on the train, you can book it using the same amount of AGR points as if you booked 10 months in advance!crescent2 said:1350356829[/url]' post='399489']I've never used AGR points. Can they be used no matter what the fare (or fare and sleeper cost) is? In other words, if you use points, can you get a high bucket trip for the same number of points as a low bucket date? Are there a limited number of seats or rooms on a train that can be reserved using points, or can you get anything that's available?
Thanks-
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