40% off offer using points

[pennyk]

I just booked a bedroom trip for October 6th online with points from NYP to ORL and the "cost" was 40% less than what was quoted to me this morning by an agent. October 6th is later than September 30th, so I am confused.

I phoned AGR and spoke to an agent (to explain my concern) while I was making the reservation and told her what I was seeing. She read to me the guidelines which say September 30th is the cutoff. She said she could not help me at all since the "sale" is online only. She did assure me that before the transaction is completed I would know the number of points I was being charged.

I do not know if this is a glitch and I will be charged more points later, or the sale will continue into October and has not been advertised as such. Based on my recent Amtrak experiences (being downgraded and given inaccurate information), I am not optimistic.

Anyone else try to book a trip 40% off for travel after September 30th?

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I do not know if this is a glitch and I will be charged more points later, or the sale will continue into October and has not been advertised as such.

I've never had a carrier or hotelier try to take more points after the fact and if it ever did happen I would hold them to the original amount. Whenever I'm in doubt I make copies of any potential mistakes or misunderstandings to back up what I was shown at the time of purchase. Unless there is something obviously wrong with the booking I would probably avoid calling lest it do more harm than good.

 

[Railroad Bill]

I just booked a bedroom trip for October 6th online with points from NYP to ORL and the "cost" was 40% less than what was quoted to me this morning by an agent. October 6th is later than September 30th, so I am confused.

I phoned AGR and spoke to an agent (to explain my concern) while I was making the reservation and told her what I was seeing. She read to me the guidelines which say September 30th is the cutoff. She said she could not help me at all since the "sale" is online only. She did assure me that before the transaction is completed I would know the number of points I was being charged.

I do not know if this is a glitch and I will be charged more points later, or the sale will continue into October and has not been advertised as such. Based on my recent Amtrak experiences (being downgraded and given inaccurate information), I am not optimistic.

Anyone else try to book a trip 40% off for travel after September 30th?

Did the offer mean you had to book by Sept 30 but trip could be later?

 

[TinCan782]

Did the offer mean you had to book by Sept 30 but trip could be later?

I read it (my email) that you must travel by September 30. You must book by August 25.

 

[pennyk]

I read it (my email) that you must travel by September 30. You must book by August 25.

That was my understanding and was what the phone agent repeated to me while I was in the process of booking a 40% off points reservation for 10/6 travel. I was dumbfounded that it worked. I have an e-ticket and my account appears to correctly reflect the correct number of points redeemed (40% off).

 

[Bob Dylan]

I just booked a bedroom trip for October 6th online with points from NYP to ORL and the "cost" was 40% less than what was quoted to me this morning by an agent. October 6th is later than September 30th, so I am confused.

I phoned AGR and spoke to an agent (to explain my concern) while I was making the reservation and told her what I was seeing. She read to me the guidelines which say September 30th is the cutoff. She said she could not help me at all since the "sale" is online only. She did assure me that before the transaction is completed I would know the number of points I was being charged.

I do not know if this is a glitch and I will be charged more points later, or the sale will continue into October and has not been advertised as such. Based on my recent Amtrak experiences (being downgraded and given inaccurate information), I am not optimistic.

Anyone else try to book a trip 40% off for travel after September 30th?

I tried to Modify my AGR trip on the Surfliner/Sunset/Eagle returning from the San Diego Gathering with an AGR Agent, and was told that it wasn't possible,as the firm Cutoff Date was Sept 30th.( and that all bookings fir this Promo had to be done on the APP or website)

You probably want to talk with Customer Relations, they may be more helpful than the AGR and Regular Agents who seem to be less knowledgeable than previously!

Hopefully you won't get the run around or be Lied to which seems to be happening alot @ Amtrak!!

 

[thully]

I checked online, but I’m only seeing the 40% off points through September 30th now on both the app and website. Seems they may have fixed it, unfortunately.

 

[pennyk]

I checked online, but I’m only seeing the 40% off points through September 30th now on both the app and website. Seems they may have fixed it, unfortunately.

I made my reservation on the website about 2 hours ago (and it went through).

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I’m only seeing the 40% off points through September 30th now on both the app and website. Seems they may have fixed it, unfortunately.

And now we know who to blame for the fix! (J/K)

 

[Railspike]

I am very confused. How can Amtrak be offering 40% off points travel when they're currently downgrading sleeper passengers to coach (by reducing the number of sleeper cars) during this same travel period?

I'm not quite ready to play Amtrak roulette.

 

[Old MM]

Update: Success.
Well, not in trying to modify the reservation myself online - it just directed me to call, email or text. So the email option for CR I had tried 2 days ago, with no response. While it says they respond between 8 am - 10 pm 7 days a week, to be fair it does NOT mention they will respond on the same day. So I tried the text option and what a difference. No attitude about my booking a promotion, the agent just changed me out of the room with no fanfare. No difference in the amount of point redemption. New ticket sent via email and my points balance remains the same.

 

[SanDiegan]

Update: Success.
Well, not in trying to modify the reservation myself online - it just directed me to call, email or text. So the email option for CR I had tried 2 days ago, with no response. While it says they respond between 8 am - 10 pm 7 days a week, to be fair it does NOT mention they will respond on the same day. So I tried the text option and what a difference. No attitude about my booking a promotion, the agent just changed me out of the room with no fanfare. No difference in the amount of point redemption. New ticket sent via email and my points balance remains the same.

By text, do you mean the chat with an agent option ?

 

[Old MM]

By text, do you mean the chat with an agent option ?

Well, it was a text chat.. it sent a text on my phone (as opposed to a pop up chat window) and I replied to the text, which comes from "Amtrak." At first the text is automated, like Julie, and if the automation can't answer your question it will transfer to an agent.

 

[Sidney]

Think it runs a few more days. You can only do it on line. 40% off buying a trip with points. Does not apply to buying a coach seat or a sleeper.

I booked a round trip on the Eagle/Sunset from Bloomington to LAX for June for just under 20,000 points. Normally it's 16,800 points.one way. Now it's 9990. Usually I fly one way and take the train the other. I figure it's mid June maximum daylight and the price is right.

Just wish roomettes were this cheap on the Builder and Zephyr.

 

[BCL]

Think it runs a few more days. You can only do it on line. 40% off buying a trip with points. Does not apply to buying a coach seat or a sleeper.

I booked a round trip on the Eagle/Sunset from Bloomington to LAX for June for just under 20,000 points. Normally it's 16,800 points.one way. Now it's 9990. Usually I fly one way and take the train the other. I figure it's mid June maximum daylight and the price is right.

Just wish roomettes were this cheap on the Builder and Zephyr.

I'm pretty sure it's all travel booked with points. I got it on coach and buses. I didn't see the message until I said something about it and was tipped off about this topic.

 

[daybeers]

Yes all travel. Of note Acela travel is the same redemption rate as other trains. Usually it's a little lower.

 

[Sidney]

And now we know who to blame for the fix! (J/K)

I booked a trip for June at the 40% off deal,so it looks like it's for the full schedule(11 months) I found out if you modify, the points default to the original redemption. You have to cancel and rebook which I did for a couple of winter trips.

 

[Old MM]

They're giving some good incentive to cash in points.

 

[PaTrainFan]

They're giving some good incentive to cash in points.

I'm suspicious of this incentive promotion. Wondering if it's related to the pending change in card partners If there is a new one; I'm also suspicious why a new one hasn't been announed as yet, or potentially a radical change in the entire program.

 

[Trollopian]

I'm suspicious of this incentive promotion. Wondering if it's related to the pending change in card partners If there is a new one; I'm also suspicious why a new one hasn't been announed as yet, or potentially a radical change in the entire program.

I'm also suspicious of this, because (a) I didn't get the offer and (b) have a huge point balance which d**n well better not disappear or be devalued.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

I'm also suspicious of this, because (a) I didn't get the offer and (b) have a huge point balance which d**n well better not disappear or be devalued.

It appears to be available to everyone, although Amtrak does little to identify affected trips other than showing lower points prices. Such a weird company.

 

[PaTrainFan]

I don't like that they do not include point redemption values on the booking receipts. They provide the cost if paid with card, but not with points. As far as I can tell, at any rate.

 

[joelkfla]

I don't like that they do not include point redemption values on the booking receipts. They provide the cost if paid with card, but not with points. As far as I can tell, at any rate.

True, but I think you can see them on your Account Overview/Transaction History on the website. Except right now, the date range function is broken, which is why I can't verify it because my survey points transactions are filling the screen and I can't look back in time.

 

[PaTrainFan]

True, but I think you can see them on your Account Overview/Transaction History on the website. Except right now, the date range function is broken, which is why I can't verify it because my survey points transactions are filling the screen and I can't look back in time.

Good point.

 

[BCL]

True, but I think you can see them on your Account Overview/Transaction History on the website. Except right now, the date range function is broken, which is why I can't verify it because my survey points transactions are filling the screen and I can't look back in time.

That doesn't give a breakdown though when there's a single redemption. I just made a round-trip booking with points. I could see what each leg cost when I booked, but just the total points redemption when I check the transaction history.