posted
I find that I am within 602 points of Select Status. My question is: if I take a trip using the double points promotion, are only the points per dollar spent(minimum 100) going to count towards my 602 points? Meaning that the additional double points do not count for that status. I think this is the case.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Good question. I was going to pick up the phone and call AGR to ask for you (because I'm curious as well), but they are closed at the moment. I don't know if bonus points are "qualifying" points or not. I'll keep an eyeball on this thread to see what the answer turns out to be.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I am not closing in on select status but I did take two separate Amtrak trips in October. If I recall correctly, it seems like only the original points earned counted towards select status and not the bonus points.
Not absolutely certain of this.....but that's what I think I remember.
-------------------- 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 think the bonus points don't count. My total of 4390 does not include them. And that leaves the 610. I also think a trip of any length will garner 100 points. I am thinking of taking a trip from Fresno, where I will be bowling, to the next stop, Hanford, for the points. My husband could drive down and pick me up there as we return home. Of course I need to gather up 610 of these funky points but I think I can work it out. I doubt if I will have another year when I might attain Select Status so I would like to take advantage of this year.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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If you buy a ticket less than 50 dollars you get 100 points. If it is 51 or more you get double that amount. So if you are enrolled in the double program you should get 200 points for each ticket under 50 dollars.
Hope that helps!
Chris
Posts: 711 | From: Santa Ana | Registered: May 2003
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Chris - do you mean I won't get my double points promotion for tickets under $50? My plan is to run some very short trips to get these 610 points. I am counting on getting 100 qualifying points for any trip I take. Another question - I have only used a Quik Trax machine to print previously purchased online tickets. If I use the machine to do the actual purchase is there a place to enter my AGR number to ensure I get my points?
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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The only points that will count towards select or select plus status are the original qualifying points. Bonus points will not count. Counting the points for the two trips I have planned I'll be about 500 points away from select. I think several trips to LA and back should take care of that!
Tom
-------------------- Remember no matter where you go, there you are - Buckaroo Bonzai Posts: 45 | From: Fullerton, CA | Registered: Jun 2005
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I think Chris was talking about how many points you get---period. He wasn't talking about whether or not bonus points goes towards your goal of Select or Select Plus. I'm pretty sure tommers is correct.....only your qualifying miles goes towards Select/Select Plus. In other words, right now I'm enrolled in the double-points promotion through AGR. If my "normal" points for the trip are 500 points, then AGR will double that---making it 1,000 points into my account. However, only the 500 points will move me closer to the next Select/Select Plus status. The "bonus" points will just make my account add up quicker for free travel.
When I get home in a little bit, I'll give AGR a call to confirm this.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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You are correct Smitty, et al. I spoke to AGR myself, only the qualifying miles count but you do indeed get 100 points for a trip of any length. For reasons that shall remain obscure I will probably go Fresno to Hanford for one of those legs. I also found they had "kicked upstairs" and then "kicked out of the building" my request for a refund of points for the bustitution we incurred on the #11. More complicated than one would think, eh? (Residual from my Canadian trip)
Any answer on buying tickets via machine and putting your AGR number in?
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Well, we both ended up calling AGR at about the same time! I decided to just give them a quick call and ask. BTW, I'm VERY surprised you didn't get some sort of credit back into your AGR account for the bustitution on #11. Hmmmm....not sure why.
Anyway, here is exactly what they told me:
Your "travel points" are the ONLY points that count towards Select or Select Plus status. A "travel point" is the dollar amount that you spent on your ticket, and then doubled. For example, if you spent $1,000 on an Amtrak ticket, then your AGR travel points will be 2,000 points. These 2,000 points are applied to your AGR account, and they all count towards your Select/Select Plus status. If you are enrolled in the current double-points promotion, then your account will receive a total of 4,000 points (double the 2,000 travel points). But keep in mind, only the original 2,000 travel points count towards your Select/Select Plus status.
Now........for tickets under $50, here is how it works:
Tickets under $50 are ALWAYS given a trip point total of 100 points---that is the minimum that you will always receive. These are "travel points", and all 100 points count towards your Select/Select Plus status. So let's say you purchase an Amtrak ticket that only costs you $3. Even though you only paid 3 bucks for the ticket, you will receive 100 points into your AGR account----and all 100 points count towards your Select/Select Plus status. If you are enrolled in the double-points program, then they will double that to make a grand total of 200 points placed into your AGR account. Keep in mind, only the ORIGINAL travel points of 100 points are used towards Select/Select Plus status.
Now if you were to purchase a ticket for $50.50, you are now OVER $50 by 50 cents. So your travel points will be double the $50.50----or 101 points. These are travel points that count towards your Select/Select Plus status. If you are enrolled in the double points program, you will receive a grand total of 202 points for that trip......but of course, only the ORIGINAL 101 travel points counts towards your Select/Select Plus status.
Clear as mud? Well, I learned something today. I didn't know the specifics of how this all worked out.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Right now I'm 998 points from Select status. I rode from Fullerton to San Diego on Monday night so I should be only 798 points from Select. On this coming Monday I plan on going from Fullerton to LA for lunch, LA to Solana Beach, Solana Beach to Santa Ana and then Santa Ana to Fullerton. That should leave me 398 points from Select. I then have two trips planned the following weekend that should put me over 5000 points and with that........Select status.
Posts: 45 | From: Fullerton, CA | Registered: Jun 2005
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Re your question about the machine: I don't know about whether or not you can put in your AGR number when buying QuikTrak tickets, but, if not, just hold onto the tickets and phone AGR after you get back and give them the reservation number on the tickets & they will credit you with the points.
Another thing you can do is buy your tickets on the phone with your credit card and give the agent your AGR number & just use the QuikTrak machine to pick the tickets up. But I would tend toward this more for longer trips.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Thanks Smitty - I now see what ChrisG meant about the over and under $50. Note that when I was talking to the AGR rep I said "ChrisG said" and he of course knew who that was.
I think I can avoid worrying about if the Quik Trak will take my AGR number as the stations I plan to use have ticket agents. I won't be buying some of them ahead of time as it will depend on if I can be at the station near the train's time. But I will get these 610 points somehow. Meanwhile I still await word on the credit of points for the bustitution. I also faxed a Cascades travel agent ticket as you can't put that in online. The website says wait 90 days for that to appear. I don't think AGR works quickly on anything except for actually taking a reservation on the phone.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Got an email from AGR that said the double points promotion now in effect through 12/14 will all be applied to Select Status, only for this current period. So my trip to San Juan Capistrano this Friday will generate 400 AGR eligible points. Already did a short 100 point run on the San Joaquins. So I have a little more to go. Still no word on refund of points for the #11 bustitution or the travel agent ticket faxed in for the Cascades. They are very slow about anything out of the ordinary.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Well, now THAT is interesting. I just took two Surfliner trips (and I am registered for the double-points). I received my 100 points per trip, 100 bonus points, and my 50 bonus points for AGR Select Plus. Total points for the Surfliner round-trip was 500 points. However, they only applied 200 points towards next year's status. Hmmmmmmmmmmm...................
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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It only applies for travel between Nov 12th and Dec 14th. I hit Select on the second leg of my FUL to SLO trip on monday without using the bonus. With the promotion I now have 400 points towards Select Plus. Now if I can just do 26 segements before Dec 14th I'll be Select Plus!
-------------------- Remember no matter where you go, there you are - Buckaroo Bonzai Posts: 45 | From: Fullerton, CA | Registered: Jun 2005
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Okay....thanks for the info. My Surfliner trips were on the 3rd and 4th.
Also......in my opinion, if you've reached Select status---that's great! No need to worry about getting to Select Plus. I've been there for a while, and for us west-coasters it doesn't really mean much. The coupons for upgrades and the free entry to Club Acela are all targeted at the Northeast Corridor. Some exceptions of course (Surfliner/Cascade upgrade to Biz class, and Metro Lounge in PDX). But for the most part, the only things noticeable are different colored luggage tags and ID card. Whoopie.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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I love the access to ACELA etc lounges here in the east, and in Chicago. It makes for so much convenience in stopovers. Smitty, you need to make some trips east.
More than that, we all need to get on the case of having a first-class lounge in Los Angeles. It's a major exchange point and kind of ridiculous there is not one.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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Just took a Surfliner trip to gather those points I need. Found a new check-in counter at LAX, perhaps part of the upgrades they are planning. I don't believe a first-class lounge is included in those plans, shame on them. The new check-in area is glass enclosed with metal speaker things to talk through - must more impersonal than the old desk.
Also found the new Quik Trak machines. One can indeed put in your AGR # and even redeem AGR points via machine. And all the machines were functioning, hooray!
Finally, got my Amtrak Mastercard in the mail. Now I just need the points rebate I am owed and posting of a faxed travel agent trip.
By the way, the 1894 depot in San Juan Capistrano is lovely, although it is a restaurant. The actual station is in an old train car next door. The restaurant was reasonable, excellent and right there by the tracks.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Well, I learned something today. I didn't know the specifics of how this all worked out.
