I'm going to redeem my Guest Rewards points and take a trip soon. I have 40,000 points.
I notice on the redemption page, it says AMTRAK TRAVEL, 1-WAY.
Are stopovers allowed en route?
This trip would be with sleeper space, which is for two people.
Would my wife need a separate coach ticket?
Or do the points cover that?
I'm going to take the Calif. Zephyr from Osceola, Iowa, nearest station to Kansas City area, to Sacramento/ San Fransisco area.
Coach from Bay Area to Truckee or Reno with a stopover at Lake Tahoe area, in July.
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Posted by jp1822 (Member # 2596) on :
When you redeem your points - do yourself a favor and make sure you do it by phone with an agent. This also can ensure that you get the room that you want, if you have a preference with sleeping room numbers. When you redeem points for a sleeper, it covers two people. So, your wife would not have to buy a coach ticket etc. I don't think stopovers are allowed - perhaps the agent can come up with something creative. Good luck!
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
I'm traveling on the Zephyr from Sacramento to Denver using Guest Reward points in about two weeks. This will be my first trip using Guest Rewards.
Stopovers en route are not permitted as part of the guest rewards redemption. (I asked that when I called while planning my trip!).
Maybe you could use your points for travel between Osceola and Truckee, stop over, and then actually travel in purchased coach tickets on to Sacramento or the Bay Area....that way you're starting on building your points back up!!!!
------------------ David Pressley
Posted by MOKSRail (Member # 3163) on :
Just reserved my tickets. Thanks for the replies.
I'm traveling OSC to SAC via std. sleeper; my wife is flying to SFO the same day I'm leaving. I'll meet up with her in SAC. She will take Amtrak Capitol to SAC.
We'll rent a car and drive to Tahoe area.
Will return car to SAC and board Calif. Zephyr EB to OSC, standard sleeper.
I'm glad I acted soon. The family/deluxe rooms are all sold out for that day (Thursday departure in July - not 4th of July) and there are only a handful of std. sleepers open.
I'm not one that has a big budget either to take sleepers all the time. I'm using 40k guest rewards points for the RT sleeper. The deluxe would require 30k one-way; 20k one-way for standard.
When traveling by myself, on a 7 day cross-country consecutive train trip, I usually rotate: start first night in coach and every other night in sleeper. 2 nights in coach can be hectic.
-Doug
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Posted by Robert L (Member # 3144) on :
I want to use Guest Reward Points on the Auto Train this November to head south. Has anyone used them on AT? If I use them does it have to be my car? I will be traveling with my wife and in-laws. The car belongs to my in-laws. I know I will pay for the car freight but will the Guest Rewards point be for just me in a Standard Bedroom and my wife? Or will my wife need to Guest Rewards for her part of the Standard Bedroom?
Posted by MDRR (Member # 2992) on :
It doesn''t matter who the car belongs to, but you will need info as to if car is sedan, or suv or van type.
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
MOKS - I realize you have already reserved your tickets, but for the future, if you are traveling to the Tahoe area, the Truckee stop is MUCH closer than Sacramento!!
Posted by MOKSRail (Member # 3163) on :
Rich, I'm aware that Truckee is a lot closer than SAC.
However, there's spectacular scenery between there and SAC.
Plus my wife's going to be in SF, so we're renting at SAC, returning car at SAC, so we can get that spectacular scenery in.