Acela 25% Off Sale and Minimum AGR Points

[Anderson]

With respect to this sale:
http://www.amtrak.com/book-early-save-25-percent-on-acela

Will this discount foul the 500-point minimum earning on WAS-NYP/NYP-BOS (and other included cities) tickets? I know the AAA discount, for example, fouls the minimum.

 

[AlanB]

I haven't heard anything that suggests that one doesn't get the 500 minimum with the special 25% discount.

And AAA most certainly does not mess up the 500 minimum. I've done many trips with a AAA and have always gotten the 500/750 points.

 

[Anderson]

Huh. I recall being very clearly "warned off" using AAA in conjunction with the Acela because of the loss of the 500/750 (mind you, this was probably 4-5 years ago when prices were substantially lower, you still got 750 if you upgraded with a card, etc., so that was Kind Of A Big Deal then).

 

[AlanB]

Only reason I could see you being warned off the AAA rate is if you planned to use an upgrade coupon. That coupon doesn't allow for discounts to be used.

 

[AG1]

Huh. I recall being very clearly "warned off" using AAA in conjunction with the Acela because of the loss of the 500/750 (mind you, this was probably 4-5 years ago when prices were substantially lower, you still got 750 if you upgraded with a card, etc., so that was Kind Of A Big Deal then).

You can use discounts on Saturdays.

 

[amamba]

Awww, no love for the Boston - NYC section on the 25% off fares?!

I don't see why this would affect the 500/750 points. The AAA discount certainly doesn't. As Alan mentioned, you just can't use an upgrade coupon on a AAA fare.

 

[Anderson]

Ok, that's what the issue was. I remember being warned off on something there...and now it clicked: I was using coupons partly to bump point earning (this was when you still got 750 points if you wound up in FC via a card).

On the one hand, 500 points for $119 (1000 with status, 1500 with double days and status for me) isn't a bad deal; on the other hand...seeing the "no upgrades" qualifier is a buzzkill here since I'm swamped with upgrade cards.