TylerP42
Conductor
So, I am about 1,600 TQP shy of Select. What would be the cheapest way to achieve Select, with me living in Toledo.
Cheapest way to achieve Select
- Thread starter TylerP42
- Start date
Help Support Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum:
Acela150
Super Buff
Well if you lived in the Philly area I'd say take 16 R/T to Paoli from PHL.. Honestly though Select is nothing really to write home about anymore. 2 Free Upgrades from Coach to BC or BC to First on certain trains, and those coupons are best used in the NEC. 2 Lounge Coupons and 2 10% off coupons.. Not the same anymore.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2003
- Messages
- 8,527
Actually, 16 one-way trips. No help to someone in Toledo. In my opinion, Select does so little for a member, I'm not sure it would even be worth 16 Keystone rides.
Select doesn't get the Lounge Coupons anymore,only 2 Upgrade and 2 10% off e-coupons.
And it's not worth it, watch the numbers really slide in 2016 after the "New and Unimproved AGR2.0" begins.
Combined with the Nickel and Dime Cuts and the High Prices, it's a sure way to run off the customers, right out of the SP Playbook of the 1960s.
And it's not worth it, watch the numbers really slide in 2016 after the "New and Unimproved AGR2.0" begins.
Combined with the Nickel and Dime Cuts and the High Prices, it's a sure way to run off the customers, right out of the SP Playbook of the 1960s.
TylerP42
Conductor
well for me it means more, because I want to go on a trip next year with my parents and any money off (including 10% off) is a lot. I hate to be blunt, but I asked for help trying to achieve Select, not for people to try to tell me that it's not worth it.
The cheapest way would probably be to do the CL one stop west, then the LSL one stop west, then do the reverse east to get home. Not sure how enjoyable the layovers would be, though.
You could also look at going to Chicago and doing some short points runs there on the Hiawatha or Lincoln Service (Chicago - Joliet and Chicago - Glenview are good trips to do, as they also have frequent Metra service should you miss an Amtrak connection.) Just note that you can only do 4 "points trips" a day that qualify for the 100 point minimum, so you would need to do two full-weekend trips (4 trips Saturday, 4 trips Sunday) to get the 1,600 TQP.
If the 10% off coupon is what you are looking for, a NARP or AAA membership will offer a similar discount, as would a Student Advantage membership. It may be worth comparing the costs to see if you'd prefer to get the 10% off via Select and points runs or join one of those organizations to get the 10% discount. (There's also an occasional promo in the spring and fall for a 10% + 10% discount for AAA members.)
You could also look at going to Chicago and doing some short points runs there on the Hiawatha or Lincoln Service (Chicago - Joliet and Chicago - Glenview are good trips to do, as they also have frequent Metra service should you miss an Amtrak connection.) Just note that you can only do 4 "points trips" a day that qualify for the 100 point minimum, so you would need to do two full-weekend trips (4 trips Saturday, 4 trips Sunday) to get the 1,600 TQP.
If the 10% off coupon is what you are looking for, a NARP or AAA membership will offer a similar discount, as would a Student Advantage membership. It may be worth comparing the costs to see if you'd prefer to get the 10% off via Select and points runs or join one of those organizations to get the 10% discount. (There's also an occasional promo in the spring and fall for a 10% + 10% discount for AAA members.)
BCL
Engineer
Cheapest way would probably be before the 100 point minimum goes away. After that there is no "cheapest way" other than getting the 25% bonus for business class or 50% bonus for Acela first.
So I'm looking at your options, which are pretty poor in Toledo. Only the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited, and the departure times are brutal. However, you did say cheapest, but didn't specify how much time or what other expenses you might incur.
I don't see a whole lot of options other than just these short trips. There's not a discount for breaking up into segments. Bryan to Waterloo seems to be $8 (low bucket?), so going between these two would seem to do the trick. $8 is cheap. Hotel rooms are not. Maybe a AAA discount on top of that?
To bad you don't have something like we do here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I could do something like four RIC-EMY-SFC-EMY-RIC trips for $24 (before discounts) each and get 1600 TQPs. There's one particular time on weekends where it literally takes just over 2 hours to do the whole thing. There was the one time I took advantage of a 50% weekend special to get those 400 points for $12.
So I'm looking at your options, which are pretty poor in Toledo. Only the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited, and the departure times are brutal. However, you did say cheapest, but didn't specify how much time or what other expenses you might incur.
I don't see a whole lot of options other than just these short trips. There's not a discount for breaking up into segments. Bryan to Waterloo seems to be $8 (low bucket?), so going between these two would seem to do the trick. $8 is cheap. Hotel rooms are not. Maybe a AAA discount on top of that?
To bad you don't have something like we do here in the San Francisco Bay Area. I could do something like four RIC-EMY-SFC-EMY-RIC trips for $24 (before discounts) each and get 1600 TQPs. There's one particular time on weekends where it literally takes just over 2 hours to do the whole thing. There was the one time I took advantage of a 50% weekend special to get those 400 points for $12.
PaulM
Engineer
Are you sure about this? I searched for the word "select" in the Sneak Preview; and the only thing relevant was one of the FAQs:
I'm pretty sure Paul/ that's all I received when I got my 2015 Select Package, and when I called AGR I was told that the Lounge Passes aren't sent to Select anymore.
Under AGR2.0 the BOA World Master Card holders will get 1 Lounge Pass yearly, and Select Plus and Select Exec will still be able to use their cards @ the Lounges.
Under AGR2.0 the BOA World Master Card holders will get 1 Lounge Pass yearly, and Select Plus and Select Exec will still be able to use their cards @ the Lounges.
Last edited by a moderator:
Carolina Special
Lead Service Attendant
I think the BOA World MasterCard only gives out the lounge pass once, at account opening, and not every year. Which would basically confirm BD's point.
Last edited by a moderator:
PaulM
Engineer
Just to clarify, would that be the package sent out in February of 2015 rewarding 2014 activity, or did you get something more recent for 2015 activity?
Paul: The Select package I received in Feb. 2015 for Amtrak activity in 2015 that is good until the end of Feb. 2016.
Carolina Special: I could be wrong, but the way I read the T&Cs for the new BOA World MC, you will receive a Lounge pass yearly upon renewal and payment of the Annual Fee.
Carolina Special: I could be wrong, but the way I read the T&Cs for the new BOA World MC, you will receive a Lounge pass yearly upon renewal and payment of the Annual Fee.
Last edited by a moderator:
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2003
- Messages
- 8,527
What you pay verses what you get is part of the equation. I hate to be blunt, but if you don't want people's opinions, don't ask.
jis
Permanent Way Inspector
Staff member
Administator
Moderator
AU Supporting Member
Gathering Team Member
For 10% off, get a AAA membership or a Student Advantage Card and be done with it. Both much cheaper than trying to get Select. If you can quickly grow to be over 62 (or if your parents are over 62) you can even get 15% off 
All this is on the base fare. Doesn't affect your accommodation charges in any way.
So why do you want to be Select is quite a relevant question. I don't fully understand what your goals are. Is it to just become Select? Or is it to get the best ability to get cheaper tickets? If it is just to become select then spend a couple of weekends in Chicago traveling back and forth between Chicago union Station and Glenview.
All this is on the base fare. Doesn't affect your accommodation charges in any way.So why do you want to be Select is quite a relevant question. I don't fully understand what your goals are. Is it to just become Select? Or is it to get the best ability to get cheaper tickets? If it is just to become select then spend a couple of weekends in Chicago traveling back and forth between Chicago union Station and Glenview.
Also, your mom's disability may qualify her for the 15% disability discount (rail fare only, not accommodations). Also, one companion traveling with her also qualifies for the 15% discount, I believe.
Last edited by a moderator:
PaulM
Engineer
That's why I'm confused. I also received the select package in Feb 2015 that DID include two lounge passes good until Feb 16.
Guess I was lied to by the agent when I called about this! Of course it remains to be seen just what will be included for Select in the New and Unimproved AGR2.0!!
Acela150
Super Buff
Jim, When I got my packet for 2015 I got 2 lounge coupons. I burned them quick this year.
