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!).

In 2026, 40,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points are typically worth between $1,000 and $1,100 when redeemed for Amtrak travel. The value of a single Amtrak point generally hovers around 2.5 to 2.8 cents, which is significantly higher than many other travel loyalty programs. Since Amtrak's redemption system is revenue-based, the point cost of a ticket is directly tied to its cash price; however, points often stretch further on high-value routes like the Acela or long-distance sleepers (Roomettes and Bedrooms). For context, 40,000 points could potentially cover a cross-country journey in a private Roomette or multiple round-trip Acela Business Class tickets between New York and Washington, D.C. While points can also be redeemed for gift cards or hotel stays, these options usually offer much lower value (often closer to 1 cent per point), so they are best used for train travel to maximize their worth.