AGR soft landing intact

wdscott · Feb 23, 2017

Just several weeks into AGR 2.0 I posted an inquiry as to whether or not there would still be a "soft landing" from one plan year to the next. As everyone out there knew as much as I did the response was that of crickets chirping. The "soft landing" has not been documented in AGR's public facing plan description.

For those that have not heard the term "soft landing", here is a definition. In transition from one AGR plan year to the next the plan member would move down one tier even if they had not earned the points to qualify for that tier. Specific example below.

I was fortunate to live along the Pacific Surfliner during the AGR 1.0 days (still very fortunate to live in the exact same place in San Diego, but not relevant here). As such was able to qualify for the Select Executive (SE) tier two consecutive years. After the transition to AGR 2.0, as the cool kids call it, personal ridership plummeted and was barely able to qualify for the Select tier. The new year membership packet arrived in US mail earlier in the week. My membership was dropped one level to Select Executive (SE).

The "soft landing" is indeed still part of the plan.

--Bill

jis · Feb 23, 2017

wdscott said:
...... My membership was dropped one level to Select Executive (SE).

The "soft landing" is indeed still part of the plan.

--Bill

You surely mean it was dropped from Select Executive to Select Plus, Right?

wdscott · Feb 23, 2017

jis said:
wdscott said:

...... My membership was dropped one level to Select Executive (SE).

The "soft landing" is indeed still part of the plan.

--Bill

Click to expand...

You surely mean it was dropped from Select Executive to Select Plus, Right?

Absolutely! That was quite a goof!

--Bill

seat38a · Jun 24, 2017

I never got a select package after my soft downgrade. Am I supposed to get one or is there nothing for soft downgrades?

wdscott · Jun 24, 2017

I did get a package for a soft downgrade to Select Plus. That answers your question directly as it wasn't tier specific.

Looks like we need someone to chime in that went from Select Plus to Select to get a more full picture.

gatelouse · Mar 1, 2018

...and the soft landing remains intact for 2018. Went from Select Plus to Select, despite earning under 1000 TQPs.

TinCan782 · Mar 1, 2018

I just started my second year at Select Plus expiring 2/28/19. I do not anticipate being able to maintain this tier so, if I'm reading this thread correctly, I can expect to be "soft downgraded" to Select after next February, correct?

wdscott · Mar 2, 2018

FrensicPic said:
I just started my second year at Select Plus expiring 2/28/19. I do not anticipate being able to maintain this tier so, if I'm reading this thread correctly, I can expect to be "soft downgraded" to Select after next February, correct?

Yes. Just noticed a second consecutive “soft landing” of my account.

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Steve4031 · Mar 7, 2018

It would be nice if I got what I earned. My select plus packet for 2018. My agr membership card has expired.

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TinCan782 · Mar 7, 2018

Steve4031 said:
It would be nice if I got what I earned. My select plus packet for 2018. My agr membership card has expired.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Never got an "AGR membership card" so, I don't think the AGR membership itself expires. Tier level (Select, Select Plus, etc.) cards do expire but, that is not for AGR membership in general

Steve4031 · Mar 7, 2018

FrensicPic said:
Steve4031 said:

It would be nice if I got what I earned. My select plus packet for 2018. My agr membership card has expired.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Click to expand...

Never got an "AGR membership card" so, I don't think the AGR membership itself expires. Tier level (Select, Select Plus, etc.) cards do expire but, that is not for AGR membership in general

I’ve gotten a card every year. It expires at the end of February.

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TinCan782 · Mar 7, 2018

Steve4031 said:
FrensicPic said:

Steve4031 said:

It would be nice if I got what I earned. My select plus packet for 2018. My agr membership card has expired.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Click to expand...

Never got an "AGR membership card" so, I don't think the AGR membership itself expires. Tier level (Select, Select Plus, etc.) cards do expire but, that is not for AGR membership in general

Click to expand...

I’ve gotten a card every year. It expires at the end of February.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

To clarify, I receive Select cards which expire at the end of February. I have never received a card for simply being an AGR member which is what it sounded like Steve4031 was referring to.

Acela150 · Mar 7, 2018

Steve4031 said:
FrensicPic said:

Steve4031 said:

It would be nice if I got what I earned. My select plus packet for 2018. My agr membership card has expired.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

Click to expand...

Never got an "AGR membership card" so, I don't think the AGR membership itself expires. Tier level (Select, Select Plus, etc.) cards do expire but, that is not for AGR membership in general

Click to expand...

I’ve gotten a card every year. It expires at the end of February.

Sent from my iPhone using Amtrak Forum

The only way you receive a card every year is if you make Tier Status. Other then that you don't receive a card.

I was also soft landed this year. I had Select Plus for 2017 and was awarded select for the year. I only took one trip throughout the entire year. That was in December. I received my packet in the mail I believe on Monday.

JRR · Mar 7, 2018

That explains why I didn’t get a card until this March as select.

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Steve4031 · Mar 7, 2018

Made tier status.

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StanJazz · Mar 7, 2018

FrensicPic said he never got a membership card. At least 10 years ago AGR used to send out regular cards.

Here is mine. it is at least 10 years old. It is thick plastic like a credit card with a magnetic stripe. They may not still send them out. It could be used at a Quik-Trak.

TinCan782 · Mar 7, 2018

StanJazz said:
FrensicPic said he never got a membership card. At least 10 years ago AGR used to send out regular cards.

Here is mine. it is at least 10 years old. It is thick plastic like a credit card with a magnetic stripe. They may not still send them out. It could be used at a Quik-Trak.

Yep, never seen such a card. Been a member for 8 or more years.

RichieRich · Mar 7, 2018

Got the Select Plus card for another year. I only ride one train = AT. But...almost monthly. So most of the benefits like "upgrades (it has none) and coupons (not good on the AT), anything Acela-related (means nothing on the AT), United Club (not with AT)...are all irrelevant! All its really good for is Reward Points for free trips.I guess the biggest (only) benefit is having that phone number to call with the Select Plus status to get better Agent service!

Acela150 · Mar 9, 2018

If you don’t use those coupons. You can offer them to anyone. You can not charge for them. Many AU members will give away their unused coupons towards the end of the AGR year.

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xzperu42 · Nov 4, 2024

Does anyone know if the soft landing (only fall at most one status level the following year… even if zero travel) is still a thing?

I just got a targeted offer for double TQP and 1500 bonus TQP after first trip through the end of the year. I’m currently select plus and getting to Executive was not really in the cards until this offer. Not all that much value in Exec over plus UNLESS I only drop to plus the following year.

SNJRider · Nov 7, 2024

xzperu42 said:
Does anyone know if the soft landing (only fall at most one status level the following year… even if zero travel) is still a thing?

I just got a targeted offer for double TQP and 1500 bonus TQP after first trip through the end of the year. I’m currently select plus and getting to Executive was not really in the cards until this offer. Not all that much value in Exec over plus UNLESS I only drop to plus the following year.

That's a great promo. I wonder how you were targeted.

xzperu42 · Nov 7, 2024

SNJRider said:
That's a great promo. I wonder how you were targeted.

I’m currently 6500 TQP from Executive with less than 2 months to go, so I imagine I’m in that spot they figure needs a bit of a carrot

. Which is true… I’m now considering a sleeper trip with my wife to either Chicago or New Orleans. So if I bite it was a good move on their part.

pennyk · Nov 7, 2024

I received a targeted offer with 1000 bonus TQPs and double TPQs for travel before year end with the incentive to move from Select to Select Plus.

SNJRider · Nov 7, 2024

pennyk said:
I received a targeted offer with 1000 bonus TQPs and double TPQs for travel before year end with the incentive to move from Select to Select Plus.

How many TQPs do you currently have? Do usually travel long-distance or in the northeast?

joelkfla · Nov 8, 2024

xzperu42 said:
Does anyone know if the soft landing (only fall at most one status level the following year… even if zero travel) is still a thing?

I just got a targeted offer for double TQP and 1500 bonus TQP after first trip through the end of the year. I’m currently select plus and getting to Executive was not really in the cards until this offer. Not all that much value in Exec over plus UNLESS I only drop to plus the following year.

Thanks for posting this. I got offered double TQP plus 1500 bonus, but no notification by email or on my home page. I had to go to my AGR page and click "My Promotions" to find it.

I notice the Terms & Conditions say "a bonus up to 2500 TQP," so I guess the actual bonus amount varies by individual.

AGR soft landing intact

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