Purchase Amtrak Points with a 30% Bonus


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UPDATE: Based on the comments from other readers it looks like accounts are receiving targeted offers. Some have received offers as high as a 50% bonus (which I am jealous of) and others have received a tier offer of 10-30% bonus depending on the number of points purchased. Anyone receive any other offer?

Through March 15, 2014, you will receive a 30% bonus on all points purchased with Amtrak. This is a promotion that is probably run a few times a year (at least every other month I’d say) and one that I’ve taken advantage of in the past. You can purchase up to 10,000 points per account per year.

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I am limited to Northeast travel on Amtrak where the cost of a one way train ticket is 4,000 points. Usually, the cheapest you can get in the Northeast is about $49 (on the routes between NYC – BOS and NYC – DC). However, if you don’t do it early enough you can be looking at a $100+ ticket. Last minute tickets can even be close to $150ish. A few years ago they offered a 50% bonus, but we haven’t seen this is quite some time and the current promotion has been the norm.

With this promotion, you can purchase 10,000 points (for a total of 13,000 points) for $275. This will get you 3 one-way Amtrak tickets in the Northeast for a net result of $91 each way (you’ll also have 1,000 points left over). I personally wouldn’t purchase out of speculation, although I do not foresee Amtrak changing their award chart in the near future. If you are looking to travel Amtrak and see the ticket costs in the $100+ mark, then this can provide you some great value.

Some things to know with Amtrak travel:

  • The terms with purchasing points state that they can take up to 72 hours to post, however, in my experience they post immediately
  • You can only purchase up to 10,000 points in a calendar year
  • You can redeem your points for another passenger (this means if you’ve already hit the 10,000 point amount for purchases, use a friend/family members account)

Enjoy!

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Nathan
Nathan
10 years ago

I have a 50% bonus–perhaps because I’m a Select Plus Member? I also bought points last year.

dealswelike
dealswelike
10 years ago
Reply to  Nathan

@Nathan – Wow, that is great! So it looks like we are seeing targeted offers. I wish I got a 50% bonus offer!

Nathan
Nathan
10 years ago

Also note the sweet spot for Amtrak redemption is long distance sleeper cars. The Chicago to Seattle Route is normally $700+, but 20,000 points.

AMEX Offer
AMEX Offer
10 years ago

Any idea how this will appear on a credit card statement? I’d like to combine it with a current amex offer for $30 back after $150 worth of amtrak.com purchases. But I’m guessing this will be a purchase from “amtrak guest rewards” or something?

dealswelike
dealswelike
10 years ago
Reply to  AMEX Offer

@AMEX offer – it will show up from points.com so will not work with the current amex offer.

Uri
Uri
10 years ago

I got a 50% offer also; my wife got 10-30%. My Amtrak account doesn’t have any status. We purchased points for her account last year, mine’s been pretty low for a long time.

dealswelike
dealswelike
10 years ago
Reply to  Uri

@Uri – Thanks for sharing!

Jackie
Jackie
10 years ago

Hi. Unclear about something & hope u can help. My husband got 50% offer – I got none. Can he purchase the points & either put them directly into my account or transfer them to me? Or can he only purchase a ticket for me from his account? Would love it if we could combine our points somehow – without fees – plus buy the extra points at 50% off. Don’t know Amtrak rules. Thanks!

dealswelike
dealswelike
10 years ago
Reply to  Jackie

@Jackie – He can purchase points for his account only. However, he absolutely can purchase a ticket for you using his points.

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