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Yesterday I received an email from Amtrak. Many others of you, no doubt, received the same email.
Amtrak has partnered with Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Econo Lodge....some others I can't recall just now).
By joining Choice Priviliges, their frequent guest program, making hotel reservations online, and entering our Amtrak Guest Rewards number when prompted, we can earn Amtrak Guest Reward points by staying in Choice Brand hotels. The program carries a bonus of 500 points per stay through August 31st and 250 points per stay thereafter. (I need to do a little research into what constitutes a 'qualifying stay' yet.)
So......... I don't know how well it will work BUT I did sign up for Choice Privileges.
I'm looking at spending 5 to 7 nights in hotels this summer. When I can't find my first choice, a Red Roof Inn, I will usually step up and look for a Comfort Inn next. One of my trips will be out to Colorado to see narrow guage steam locomotives and there are no Red Roofs in Chama, Alamosa, or Antonito!
If this program works as advertised, this will really cushion the blow of not having an Amtrak Guest Rewards Credit Card to work with this summer.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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This is sad......replying to my own message -
The fine print from Choice is that most of their various rate programs can earn Amtrak Guest Rewards Points.....beware of the Business Rate though, it cannot be combined with other programs and there may be issues.
A 'qualifying stay' occurs when you check into the hotel. Stay one night, stay five nights in a row......either of those is one qualifying stay.
Thinking out loud now......so if I stay one night in Alamosa, the next night in Durango, and then come back to Alamosa for the third night yes I have the hassle of moving every night BUT I earn an extra 500 points for the trouble......
I LOVE IT when a plan comes together.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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David---- thanks for giving us the heads up on how we can get at least some points for Summer travel.
I can give you a few tips on Chama and Antonito; both are "chain free" zones. Well, Chama used to have a DQ, but even that seems to have vanished. Good New Mexican food in Chama, though.
Chama is in a pretty setting at high elevation, nice and cool, along the Chama River. The train is right in town itself. Antonito is smaller, and less scenic for an overnight than Chama. You can get modest groceries and gas in Antonito. You could probably stock up on chicken feed too. Alamosa is where people in Antonito go to get mega-supplies from Wal-Mart.
Posts: 72 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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I have never had any luck with Amtrak's partners. I used Budget for a car in Florida last November and NEVER got any points for it even after harping about it. Also with a hotel in Clearwater. I was given an email address that was longer than this post and got an "undeliverable" message back. I gave up on getting extra guest rewards points from partners. I never got credit for one leg of my last trip either, and this was after I filled out the form on line. I try not to let it bother me, I know I'm getting something free sooner or later. I just resent being pointed in a direction with false promices. I went back to Thrifty, people who have served me well.
Posts: 139 | From: myrtle creek oregon | Registered: Jul 2006
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David - when are you going to be in Colo? Our paths may cross as we'll be there in August.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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A few years ago they offered a similar deal with Trip Rewards. Since I was planning to spend a couple nights at a Trip Rewards member hotel, I signed up and got points for spending two nights there. But my Trip Rewards membership got canceled because I never used it again.
I don't know if any of you guys got the e-mail regarding the coming Chase Amtrak credit card. It offered 5,000 bonus points for "pre-registering" for the new card when it comes out. Once the new card is out and in your possession the bonus points will be issued. I think that compensates for not being able to use an Amtrak credit card over the summer. I might note this offer was given only to those who previously had the BofA card.
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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Trip Rewards does work. I just converted 8,000 Trip Rewards points to 3200 Amtrak points. And my future points will be saved as Amtrak points now. Also converted 10,000 Continental Airline points to 10,000 Amtrak points. I have used the Online Shopping Mall and those points come through although they never seem to match what I expect. But I discussed one case with Amtrak Guest Rewards and they gave 100 "good will points" to make up for the difference.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: David - when are you going to be in Colo? Our paths may cross as we'll be there in August.
Sorry Palmland but my vacation time is the month of July...I must return to work August 2nd.
I'm checking various airfare combinations leaving the southeast either July 17 or July 24. It depends on whether I'm going to try to catch the Drums Along The Rockies Drum and Bugle Corps contest in Denver on July 28 as part of the trip or not. (I'm leaning not but that may change.)
I would love to take Amtrak out (using some of my guest reward points) but in this case every day I spend on Amtrak is a day I don't have to either ride or chase the C&TS trains.
Chile2, thanks for your pointers. Would your screen moniker perhaps be a nod to the old narrow guage line from Antonito to Santa Fe? The best Mexican meal I have ever eaten came from a diner (NOT a trendy tourist joint) in Santa Fe on a trip my wife (who was merely my fiance' at that point) made in July 1997. I suspect that Chama would be in that same league.
I'll likely plan to stay for a night or two at the Comfort Inn in Alamosa.....not only for the possible points but because I stayed there when I last visited the Cumbres & Toltec in 2004. I've been out to the narrow guages several times in the past decade and my favorite trip option is getting the bus from Antonito to Chama and then taking the all day train ride back. It's a quick and easy drive from Alamosa to the C&TS in Antonito.
As for partner points, I have had good success in getting Amtrak points using Hertz and the on-line shopping mall......and the on-line flowers too! I'm willing to give the Choice Hotels parternership a try.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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I'll likely plan to stay for a night or two at the Comfort Inn in Alamosa.....not only for the possible points but because I stayed there when I last visited the Cumbres & Toltec in 2004. I've been out to the narrow guages several times in the past decade and my favorite trip option is getting the bus from Antonito to Chama and then taking the all day train ride back. It's a quick and easy drive from Alamosa to the C&TS in Antonito.
We'll spend one night in Chama to catch the morning train to Antonito and bus back. Then drive to Alamosa for the Rio Grande Scenic. Do you know anything about the Holiday Inn in Alamosa? Seems like it might be within walking distance of the station. From there we'll continue the camping part of our trip up to the Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mtn NP. Too bad our schedules don't match.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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Does anyone know where or how to pre-register for the Chase Amtrak credit card? I did not get the e-mail from Chase or Guest Rewards. I sure would like to get the 5000 bouns points.
Posts: 39 | From: Saint Croix Falls | Registered: Aug 2005
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The e-mail I got had a registration code. I was asked to sign in at the guest rewards website, click on promotion registration, and enter the code there. I assume this offer was only made to those who previously had the BofA credit card. I don't believe it was sent to members who did not have the credit card. If someone who had the card didn't get the e-mail, I can't offer any explanation (but you might want to check your spam folder to see if it might have ended up there).
Posts: 2649 | From: California's Monterey Peninsula | Registered: Dec 2000
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David--- the "chile" nom de plume is taken from all the chile we grow down here in southern NM....yum. I know the old Chile line is one of NM's historic connections. If our weather holds, we've had more moisture this year, so the scenery should be nice.
Posts: 72 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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If you previously had the Guest Rewards Mastercard and can't find the email Mr. Toy mentions, you might try calling Guest Rewards and see if they can sign you up for the new card and get those bonus points.
About a month ago I called Guest Rewards with a question about the new card and the agent signed me up for the early registration deal on the new card over the phone.
As others here have mentioned, the offer is probably limited to those who have previously had the Guest Rewards Mastercard, but if you've lost the email (or your spaminator has), or have questions, I'd suggest calling the Guest Rewards people.
Posts: 72 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Chile2, southern NM is my favorite and most frequent destination. My last train trip was La Plata-ABQ last March. Beautiful country. My rental car portion was Socorro-Magdelena-Datil (with a quick trip to AZ to visit friends), then Silver City - Black Mts - White Sands - Ruidoso and back to the train.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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I just pre-registering for the Chase Amtrak credit card with Guest Rewards on the phone. The promo code is 42507. They said application information will come later. You can apply on line or over the phone.
Posts: 39 | From: Saint Croix Falls | Registered: Aug 2005
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I'll likely plan to stay for a night or two at the Comfort Inn in Alamosa.....not only for the possible points but because I stayed there when I last visited the Cumbres & Toltec in 2004. I've been out to the narrow guages several times in the past decade and my favorite trip option is getting the bus from Antonito to Chama and then taking the all day train ride back. It's a quick and easy drive from Alamosa to the C&TS in Antonito.
We'll spend one night in Chama to catch the morning train to Antonito and bus back. Then drive to Alamosa for the Rio Grande Scenic. Do you know anything about the Holiday Inn in Alamosa? Seems like it might be within walking distance of the station. From there we'll continue the camping part of our trip up to the Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mtn NP. Too bad our schedules don't match.
Not sure about the Holiday Inn in Alamosa. We did stay once at the Chama Trails End Hotel and enjoyed it though. The other time we drove it and camped out of the back of my (at the time) Ford Ranger. Should have kept that truck...it would be the perfect leave it at the train station for a week vehicle by now!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Palmland, I hope you are planning your route to Rocky Mt. Park through the mountains instead of up I-25. If you go through Buena Vista and Leadville, you follow the ex-Rio Grande tracks from Royal Gorge to Tennessee Pass along the Arkansas River, and it is spectacular scenery.
I recommend the Best Western in Buena Vista - spectacular view of the highest mountains in Colorado, a nice outdoor area, and reasonably priced. There is a good bicycle rental place nearby, and many trails around. There is a trailhead/park down where the main street gets to the river. Nice spot for a rest and short hike along the river.
Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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Thanks TwinStar. Your route is the one we have planned. Will take a slight detour though and go over DRGW's old Marshall pass route towards Gunnison and then camp near Cottonwood Pass and the Colegiate range. Then head up through Leadville and probably follow the mainline up to the Granby area and camp on western slope of the park.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I didn't get the email about Choice Privileges. I wonder why not. I'm going to San Antonio in a couple of weeks and could use it.
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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quote:Originally posted by palmland: Thanks TwinStar. Your route is the one we have planned. Will take a slight detour though and go over DRGW's old Marshall pass route towards Gunnison and then camp near Cottonwood Pass and the Colegiate range. Then head up through Leadville and probably follow the mainline up to the Granby area and camp on western slope of the park.
Dress warm!
I spent the coldest night in my life camping near there at a NPS campground in 1997. We pulled in after dark and awoke the next morning to discover a remarkable little narrow guage railroad display.....there was a payoff.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Yes David, my wife is working on remembering all the hot, humid days in SC for those cold nights. The Cottonwood campground is on the old Aspen to Gunnison stage route and at 10400 ft will be a little brisk. But we dated in the Colorado mountains so probably no surprises except the creaky bones we'll have now.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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I managed to sign up Choice Privileges on their website but it says the Amtrak Guest Rewards program is 250 pts per qualifying stay. Half what yours says. Disappointing.
Posts: 326 | From: San Antonio Texas USA | Registered: Dec 2003
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It is 500 points for stays before August 31st, 250 points thereafter. I signed up but they don't have many facilities in places I stay. But it will come in handy at some point.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by City of Miami: I managed to sign up Choice Privileges on their website but it says the Amtrak Guest Rewards program is 250 pts per qualifying stay. Half what yours says. Disappointing.
Vicki is right......the reward is 500 points per qualifying stay through the end of August. Bear in mind that a 'qualifying stay' is the time from check in to check out. You get the same number of points whether you stay 1 night or 5.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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