Cracked. Me. Up.

[KmH]

A Coach ticket from Davis to Sacramento on the Coast Starlight October 19, 2016 is $8.07 or 800 points.

If the conversion rate is $0.029 per point, isn't 800 points an equivalent $ fare of $23.20?

The Capitol Corridor fare DAV to SAC is $7.65 or the same 800 points.

 

[CCC1007]

Isn't there an 800 point minimum?

 

[Ryan]

Yes.

 

[the_traveler]

The minimum award is 800 points - no matter the cost or point conversion rate. The same as under AGR 1.0, an award was 5,500 points - even for a $5 trip!

 

[PaulM]

I'm battling AGR regarding the computer's unbundling two segments and charging a minimum 800 for each. For example,PLO (Plano, IL) to SOB (South Bend) on a random day was $27.50, but 1600 points, way over the 2.9 cents per point. And no, it wasn't one of those surge pricing days where you get the red "fare alert" message.

The rules state that the minimum "award trip", not "segment", is 800 points. My theory is that AGR's communication to the programmers was as vague and open to multiple interpretations as their communication to the public.

Dollars

Points

 

[PRR 60]

I'm battling AGR regarding the computer's unbundling two segments and charging a minimum 800 for each. For example,PLO (Plano, IL) to SOB (South Bend) on a random day was $27.50, but 1600 points, way over the 2.9 cents per point. And no, it wasn't one of those surge pricing days where you get the red "fare alert" message.

The rules state that the minimum "award trip", not "segment", is 800 points. My theory is that AGR's communication to the programmers was as vague and open to multiple interpretations as their communication to the public.

Unfortunately, your definition of a "trip" (which is the same as mine) is not AGR's definition of a "trip." The following clarification was posted by AGR Insider on Flyertalk last August:

A minimum of 800 points per passenger, per travel segment, will be priced for non-Acela redemption travel.

(bold font by me)

So, your trip is pricing in accordance with AGR's policy, poorly communicated as it is.

Consider trips from Davis, CA to San Jose or San Francisco. The San Jose trip, one segment, has an 800 point minimum. The San Francisco trip, train and bus, has a 1600 point minimum. Like it or not (and I don't), it is what it is.

 

[PaulM]

Unfortunately, your definition of a "trip" (which is the same as mine) is not AGR's definition of a "trip." The following clarification was posted by AGR Insider on Flyertalk last August:

A minimum of 800 points per passenger, per travel segment, will be priced for non-Acela redemption travel.

(bold font by me)

Well, you got me there. Did the insider say whether an AGR agent would be able to point to the appropriate T&C, or is flyertalk the source for AGR policy?

What if I change the scenario to unbundling a bicycle from the rail charge, rather than unbundling the segments? Say I book bicycle space on a two segment trip where the bicycle costs are $10 and $20 for each trip. The computer unbundles the bike charge from the rail charge; and the 800 minimum comes into play for a total of 1600 points. But per travel segment, the total cost of each is above the threshold and should not invoke 800 minimum.

(bold font by me)

I had already done an advanced google search for "bicycle" of the site:https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com;and the found only that points can be used for booking bicycle space. Your post suggested another search

Your search - "per segment" site:https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/ - did not match any documents.

Note: sarcasm intended solely for AGR.