RAILforum: Airline Miles to Guest Rewards

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Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

Is it possible to transfer Continental OnePass miles to Guest Rewards for redemption for train travel? If so, how do you do this? I have over 500,000 OnePass miles and would like to use them for a trip on the Empire Builder.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Frank in SBA

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

This is the only thing I could find. Its not very clear to me I'm afraid.

https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=earn&loc=continentalstandardearningdetail.html&rsdone=Y

[This message has been edited by Mr. Toy (edited 03-25-2004).]

Posted by mcdoniel (Member # 1300) on :

I did it by calling One Pass (used the 800 number on the One Pass card). My miles were transferred within a couple of weeks

Posted by snake (Member # 2430) on :

This is a well concealed secret in the NonePass™ program. Miles can be transfered 1:1 in 5,000 mile blocks to Guest Rewards.

Amtrak doesn't have that infuriating capacity control, and remember that sleeper rewards include transportation for two including meals in the dining car.

Amtrak, however, unlike Continental's first class, charges for booze, and it is considered proper to tip the employees for their service rendered.

quote:
Frequent Flyer Benefits

Continental OnePass members have two ways to earn miles on Amtrak:
Travelers on codeshare segments (flight range 9401-9584) may earn either Continental OnePass miles or Amtrak Guest Rewards points when they travel.
Guests traveling on Amtrak’s Metroliner and Acela Express services between New York, NY and either Boston, MA or Washington, D.C. can earn either Continental OnePass miles or Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Passengers will earn 500 miles or points, when traveling in Business Class, or 750 miles or points when traveling in First Class.
Members of both frequent traveler programs will also be able to transfer miles and points between OnePass and Amtrak Guest Rewards.

Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

Thanks for all of the good information and prompt response. I guess I need to get moving on this if we want to do the trip the end of April.

No capacity control on AMTRAK? Just needs to be accomodations available?

Thanks, again--

Frank in SBA

Posted by snake (Member # 2430) on :

quote:
No capacity control on AMTRAK? Just needs to be accomodations available?

You got it, Frank in SBA!

I know it sounds hard to believe, especially if you're used to the NonePass™ bait-and switch routine.

You know, "I'm sorry Mr. Frank in SBA, but there are no standard rewards available on the days you want to travel (or any other days for that matter) but you've got lots of miles so I can book you on an EasyPass reward for twice the mileage.

Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

In an incredibly easy transaction (They answered on the first ring!), I just transferred 30,000 miles from my OnePass account to my Guest Rewards account. A very professional woman, Judy Mason, said that it would take about 10 days for the transfer to occur.

If we travel before 04/30/04 the Deluxe Bedroom Seattle/Chicago is 24,000 miles. After that it goes to 30,000 which is still a bargain if you value each mile/point at between .01 and .015 and figure that that includes transportation and five meals for two people.

I'll keep you posted and I know I will have more questions as we move forward in this rail adventure.

Frank in Sunny SBA

Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :

Are there any other airlines that allow point transfers to Amtrak Guest Rewards?

Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

As far as I can tell, the only airline that will allow you to transfer miles TO GuestRewards is Continental. United and Midwest will allow you to transfer GuestRewards points in blocks of 5,000 to their own programs.

In my humble opinion, OnePass has always been an industry leader. I got to the 500,000+ level without being Elite and by flying very few revenue flights. I did, however, take advantage of every special offer they made. I, of course, charge everything, including AMTRAK travel, on my two CO/Chase credit cards. I pay off the balance each month and have had a delightful trip to Australia in F/C on QANTAS as a partial repayment.

Gordon Bethune, when he leaves CO at the end of the year, might be a good choice to give Mr. Gunn some insights. Truly from "Worst to First" in ten years. He had to kick a lot of a**, but he got it done.

Frank in SBA (Where CO doesn't even fly!)

Posted by snake (Member # 2430) on :

You know, Frank in SBA, a few years ago I would have agreed with you completely about OnePass. Continental's OnePass used to be a pretty darn good program, but it's been sliding in recent years.

I had been a top level elite for almost 10 years, and had gotten in the habit of taking a BusinessFirst vacation trip to Europe every year or two.

The last time I tried to book a trip about 6 months in advance I was told that almost nothing was available.

I had requested 2 BizFirst rewards to Paris, 2 100,000 mile rewards. I was looking to travel anytime in Sept., Oct., or Nov., and wanted to return about 1-2 weeks after departure. I thought I was being pretty flexible, and it's not exactly the busy season, but the best that NonePass™ could offer me was a departure on Thanksgiving day with a return on two separate flights 4 and 5 days later. I was reminded that for 400,000 miles we could get EazyPass rewards.

I wrote to Bethune and threatened to never fly his airline again. A week or so I received a reply form an assistant who wrote that Mr. Bethune had read my letter and that I would be contacted by someone at Continental soon.

A couple of weeks later I got a call from a VP in the marketing Department, who reminded me again that I could use double the miles and get reward tickets for anytime we wanted to go.

I replied that was fine for somebody who needed to travel on specific dates, but since they advertise "standard" rewards there ought to be some availability for loyal customers who had some flexibility and could travel during times when demand is lower.

Eventually I got a call from a reservation agent who told me that she had been authorized to book me tickets at the standard reward level whenever we wanted to travel.

I eventually got what I asked for, but the experience really upset me. I shouldn't have had to write the CEO to intercede in order to get what is advertized as a "standard" benefit of the program.

If you look at the Continental forum at FlyerTalk.com you'll see that standard reward availability is a major issue for OnePass members.

It seems that if you want to redeem NonePass™ miles your best chance is with their partners unless you want to pay double miles for travel on Continental.

Enough of my rant, Amtrak is a great way to burn Continental miles.

Have a great trip, Frank in SBA.

Posted by sbalax (Member # 2801) on :

I haven't tried redeeming miles in the past year but before that I never had a problem. Getting two tix in F/C on QANTAS (One of the best rewards in the OnePass system!) took one phone call returned a week later with confirmation of all but one leg. We were asked to take a red-eye Darwin/Sydney rather than a daytime flight. I have found that it is easier to use miles for an upgrade than for a completely free ticket.

I agree that you shouldn't have had to go through the hassle you had to get what had been advertised. At least, however, you did eventually get what you wanted. I don't think that would have happened at some other carriers.

Thanks, again, for everyone who helped out with my original query.

Frank in SBA