Any changes coming in redemption rules?

[lthanlon]

I have just over 20,000 points, which I'd like to redeem for a one-way, two-zone trip sometime by the middle of next year. I'm worried, however, that Amtrak Guest Rewards might increase the number of points required. How far in advance have redemption changes usually been announced?

 

[TinCan782]

AGR just had a "price" increase last year. Does that mean there will, or will not be another be another soon? Who knows? Hope not!

 

[winterskigirl]

Any reason you can't book your trip now using your 20,000 AGR points? That would eliminate the possibility of an AGR change affecting your plans.

 

[TinCan782]

Any reason you can't book your trip now using your 20,000 AGR points? That would eliminate the possibility of an AGR change affecting your plans.

Should have thought of that in my response above...that's just what I did last year...the last day before the change

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

And if you do book now and your travel plans change you can cancel or change right up until your first train leaves and get all your Points deposited back into your Kitty.

 

[jerichowhiskey]

Do they give a warning of when the increases happen?

 

[TinCan782]

Do they give a warning of when the increases happen?

Last year they did. I booked an AGR trip on the last day...my 2 Zone bedroom for 30,000 points jumped to 50,000 points. the AGR line was very busy on the last day prior to the change. I want to say the change occurred April 1 and they weren't fooling!

 

[calwatch]

AGR has a lot of people who, in the vernacular of the airline flight attendant, "have many choices for going" from A to B, so they tend to give some notice. And, ultimately, although there are some people that maximize the benefit of the roomette, there are a lot of "normal" redemptions that people make which don't stretch the boundaries much.

 

[amamba]

Last time we were given warning of the increase, but that is not to say that they will do that again.

If you know where you want to go and have firm plans, I would just book your trip now to ensure that you get the current redemption levels.

Like others, I was able to book two zone awards last year at the old levels for travel in the summer of 2012. It was nice that we got the notice.

 

[jerichowhiskey]

Unfortunately, in my situation, I am saving up points to redeem a two-zone roomette.

 

[saxman]

Keep in mind though, that with every increase they have made, that none of them have ever affected the roomettes. Redemptions for roomettes have always been the same. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but I think you'll be okay for the near to medium future. The past increases only involved Bedrooms, Acela, coach, and a few others.

 

[Ryan]

On the other hand, you could make an argument that means that the next increase is going to hit the roomettes since they haven't changed in so long.

Still, I agree that there will likely be sufficient notice of a change.