How do I maximize my Amtrak rewards?

The more you travel, the more points you'll earn toward Amtrak reward travel, hotels, car rentals and more. Plus, by earning Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) throughout a calendar year, you'll qualify for even more perks and rewards.



Maximizing your Amtrak Guest Rewards requires a combination of strategic booking and leveraging the right credit cards. First, apply for the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®, which offers a massive points multiplier on Amtrak purchases (typically 3x) and a "companion coupon" that can save you hundreds. Always book during "Double Points" promotional periods, which Amtrak frequently runs in the spring and fall. Another "pro-tip" is to use the Amtrak app for every purchase, as it often features "mobile-only" bonus offers. You can also earn points through partner programs, such as booking hotels through Rocketmiles or renting cars via Hertz. If you are a frequent traveler on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), aim for Select Executive status, which grants you a 100% point bonus on every trip and access to station lounges. Lastly, remember that Amtrak points are often most valuable when redeemed for high-end Acela First Class or "Roomette" sleeper accommodations on long-distance routes, where the "cent-per-point" value is significantly higher than on standard coach fares.

Maximizing your Amtrak rewards involves strategic planning and taking advantage of various opportunities to earn and redeem points efficiently. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Amtrak Guest Rewards program:

1. Choose the Right Credit Card

  • Amtrak Credit Cards: Consider applying for the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard or Amtrak Guest Rewards Business Mastercard. These cards offer bonus points on Amtrak purchases and everyday spending.
  • General Travel Cards: Use cards that earn transferable points (e.g., Chase Ultimate Rewards) that can be transferred to Amtrak Guest Rewards.

2. Earn Points Strategically

  • Book Directly: Always book Amtrak tickets directly through Amtrak’s website, app, or customer service to earn full points.
  • Frequent Traveler Bonus: Earn a 50% points bonus if you’re a Select, Select Plus, or Select Executive member.
  • Partners: Earn points through Amtrak’s partners, such as hotels (Wyndham, Choice Hotels), car rentals (Hertz, Avis), and dining programs.
  • Promotions: Watch for promotions like bonus points for booking during certain periods or taking specific routes.

3. Redeem Points Wisely

  • High-Value Redemptions: Use points for long-distance or premium class tickets (e.g., Acela First Class or Amtrak roomettes) to maximize value.
  • PointSaver Fares: Look for PointSaver fares, which offer discounted point redemptions on select routes.
  • Avoid Blackout Dates: Amtrak Guest Rewards has no blackout dates, so you can redeem points anytime seats are available.

4. Leverage Elite Status

  • Tier Up: Aim for Select, Select Plus, or Select Executive status to earn bonus points, complimentary upgrades, and other perks.
  • Earn Threshold Bonuses: Amtrak offers bonus points when you reach certain spending thresholds annually.

5. Combine Points and Cash

  • Multi-Payment Option: Use Amtrak’s “Points + Money” feature to combine points and cash for bookings, allowing you to stretch your points further.

6. Share Points

  • Transfer Points: Transfer points to family members or friends (up to 100,000 points annually) to pool points for larger redemptions.

7. Stay Informed

  • Newsletter: Subscribe to Amtrak’s newsletter for updates on promotions, bonus point opportunities, and new rewards features.
  • Rewards Portal: Regularly check the Amtrak Guest Rewards portal for special offers and deals.

8. Plan Ahead

  • Book Early: Redeem points early to secure the best availability and avoid higher point costs closer to the travel date.
  • Flexible Dates: Be flexible with travel dates to take advantage of lower point redemptions.

By focusing on earning, redeeming, and leveraging elite status, you can maximize the value of your Amtrak Guest Rewards and enjoy more travel benefits.

People Also Ask

YOUR ROUTE TO REWARD TRAVEL Redeeming your points is easy and exciting—with reward travel starting at just 400 points to over 500 destinations. Ready to ride?

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Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company. Amtrak points are worth 1.25 cents each, on average. That means 10,000 Amtrak points have a value of roughly $125. Amtrak points are more valuable than the average travel miles, which are worth almost 1.17 cents each.

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The most common way to earn Amtrak points is from your paid train tickets. Members earn 2 points per dollar spent, plus a 25% bonus for business-class travel and a 50% bonus for Acela First class. You can also earn a 500-point bonus for referring a new friend to the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.

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Points will expire if your account has been inactive for more than 24 months (no points have been earned or redeemed during that time). From traveling on Amtrak® to beautiful destinations across the U.S. to earning points on shopping, check out the many ways to keep your Amtrak Guest Rewards account active.

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Elite Amtrak Membership Members who earn 5,000 or 10,000 points within a single year are upgraded to Select and Select Plus status, respectively. Both status tiers bring members additional discounts, unlimited lounge access, and double points on some car rentals.

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Although you can't book Amtrak tickets through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can use Chase Ultimate Rewards to book the hotel that awaits you at the end of your journey. You can also transfer points to Chase hotel partners like IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

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According to Frommer's, Amtrak offers specials every week, and it's best advised to check on Tuesdays and Fridays to see what sale deals are offered by them. Amtrak Train has special offers every week, and it is recommended to check to see what sales are being offered by the company on Tuesdays and Fridays.

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As far as travel rewards points go, this is pretty exceptional value for those who enjoy taking Amtrak trains. Depending on how you choose to redeem your points, the 50,000-point welcome bonus would be worth between $1,100 and $1,400 in Amtrak tickets!

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In almost all cases, Amtrak seats are not assigned. The exception is Acela Express route seats and business class seating on the Northeast Regional, Carolinian, Palmetto, and Vermonter. Otherwise, Amtrak has a first-come, first-serve seating policy for coach seats.

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While not nearly as expensive, taking an Amtrak train across the US is also largely the domain of rail enthusiasts as it takes multiple days and costs significantly more than flying. In countries like Japan, South Korea and much of Europe, the opposite is true as the train is simply a way to travel larger distances.

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All your meals are included You can enjoy good food, drinks, with a window seat to view incredible scenery. In addition to our regular menu items, kids can get all their favorites onboard. All food onboard is handled with the utmost care for your health and safety.

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Equipped with a landscape window in every room, our roomettes are perfect for the solo traveler or a couple of adventurers. Each room has two comfy seats, two beds, outlets and a fold-down table. The dimensions of each roomette are 3'6' X 6'6 and have room for two adults — a great cozy option for first time riders.

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You, your spouse and eligible dependents are entitled to unlimited free and reduced-rate rail transportation on Amtrak, in addition to discounts from other travel industry providers. Additionally, through the Companion Pass Program, employees can have a guest accompany them while using their personal travel privilege.

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Amtrak points are worth more than most other reward currencies, with each point worth about 2.9c toward most train fares (or 2.56 on Acela fares). That means that the 40K offer on the Amtrak Rewards Preferred card will buy you well over $1,000 in train tickets (nearly $1200 on non-Acela service!).

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Amtrak Network Amtrak operates a nationwide rail network, serving more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, on more than 21,400 miles of routes. It is the nation's only high-speed intercity passenger rail provider, operating at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph).

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The higher the bid you can offer, the stronger the chance is that you'll win the upgraded seat. But submitting the minimum bid could also be worth it if your train is relatively empty or you're more flexible with your chances of scoring a better seat.

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Amtrak makes the bulk of its money from ticket sales, primarily from short-distance trips, and mainly from one, the Northeast Corridor line. Amtrak also receives significant subsidies from the government to keep it running.

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