RAILforum: Guest Rewards question

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Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

Untim recently only I had a Guest Rewards membership. My wife did not. The Amtrak credit card is also under my name though we both use it.

After booking our next trip I was reminded that spouse's tickets don't count unless she has her own membership, so I signed her up, too.

My question: Can a husband and wife combine points when redeeming them on a sleeper for two? Or, if I book a sleeper with my points, and she comes along without redeeming any of her (very few) points, does she have to pay the rail fare? Has anyone had experience with this and know how it works?

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

The Del Monte Club Car

Posted by mcdoniel (Member # 1300) on :

Mr Toy

I can't answer your specific question about combining points but me and my wife have a similar situation.

In late December I mand reservations for an April trip from LAX to SEA to CHI and return to LAX. No additional points were required for my wife's travel.The agent explained that sleeping car arrangements and meals are for both of us and no additional points were required.

Don

Posted by dilly (Member # 1427) on :

According to the Guest Rewards literature Amtrak mailed to me:

"Rewards are determined by the number of Zones you wish to travel across. . . Standard/Accessible accommodates up to two people in a private room. . . Deluxe includes sleeper accommodations for up to two people."

When you cash in your points, your "reward" covers travel for two. But as for whether you and your wife can combine your respective points (so that, for example, you'll have enough points to travel Deluxe instead of Standard). . . .

Call me cynical, but I doubt the computer system is set up to handle it.

[This message has been edited by dilly (edited 01-14-2004).]

Posted by kjkober (Member # 1423) on :

I'm in process of booking my trip via Guest Rewards and have asked the same question. The answer is regretably no.

Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :

I just booked a trip (1-13-04) from Milwaukee to Flagstaff, standard sleeper, via Guest Rewards. For 20,000 points, my wife and I get the tickets for no additional charges. It's my card and my points. It even worked for both of us for the Hiawatha between Milwaukee and Chicago.

If you have the points, you can book the trip for you and your wife. Call 800-307-5000

Posted by kjkober (Member # 1423) on :

And by the way. Don't forget to ask for the 20% promotion Guest Rewards is running right now. You can redeem them for a trip with 20% less points required. In other words, a 20,000 point trip can be obtained for 16,000 points. They probably won't offer, so be sure to ask. The promotion does require that you travel in two or three zones.

[This message has been edited by kjkober (edited 01-14-2004).]

Posted by Mike Smith (Member # 447) on :

*$&$^%#%%@&*($&^%@@%$

They didn't "volunteer" that information!

I'll call them back, today.

Thanks kjkober.

Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :

I havnt rode on amtrak much, but I dont get guest rewards at all! I mean like I dont understand it when I say that. what is it? Is it a credit card, or just a rewards points?

How do I get it?

THANKS,
A.

Posted by coachclass (Member # 2382) on :

CS99- www.amtrakguestrewards.com

Guest Rewards is a program that anyone can sign up for and earn points by traveling on Amtrak. When you have enough, they can be redeemed for free Amtrak trips or other stuff through their partners. You can also sign up for a credit card and get points for every purchase you make with it. I have enough points saved up for a free trip but haven't yet decided what to use them on-A long distance coach trip, a shorter sleeper trip, or a trip on Acela Express. Any suggestions?

Posted by sutton (Member # 1612) on :

Mr. Toy,
Hi, and to answer your question: What my wife and I did was to have her points all transferred to MINE. They did that, but yoou know Amtrak. You might have to go to a supervisor to get it done.
SO THERE IS HOPE!

Scott

Posted by CoastStarlight99 (Member # 2734) on :

Thanks for the info Coachclass

I would go for more "miles".
A long sleeping car trip would be fun. But if you want to specnd now the Acela is pretty cool!

Anton