Denial of points?

[AlanB]

As long as you've got ticket stubs from your trips with your name on them, AGR can't deny you points.

then how do you get the horse to drink?

(how do you get them to post?)

You have to wait until the correct number of days has passed before you do anything. Then I recommend initially trying the online system first. Many times that will work without doing anything more. If it fails, I usually try a second time and again wait to see what happens. If it fails after that, then a call is in order. Most times with the old firm, the fact that I tried via the online system was enough to get the agent to actually do it while I was on the phone. Or perhaps it was that coupled with my Select Plus status.

But if they won't do it on the phone, then you have to make copies of your ticket stubs and mail them in and once again wait the requisit time before you can call to follow up on things if they don't post.

Regarding the ticket that you mailed in, that sadly you may be out of luck on if they can't find it since you have no proof that you sent them anything. But still I'd keep trying and escalate it to a supervisor if you haven't already.

 

[PetalumaLoco]

If the name on the ticket matched to the AGR member's name, along with number, then it will do it. If the name is not matched, no points.
It would be better to have your wife enrolled in AGR program to collect her points. Once she gets her membership's number, then call Amtrak Reservation agent to add her number to her reservation.

Ok, her tix will have her name, so I should sign her up. So when in the future I book a trip, will we have to book separately under each of our member number? Wondering how that all works.

It's too late to get points for last summer. IIRC you have like 21 days to sign up after taking the trip in order to get points for that trip.

Going forward, definately have your wife get an account. However you might want to wait until you are within 90 days of your next trip, such that she can get the 500 point bonus for traveling within the 90 days. But there is no reason not to sign her up since it costs nothing. It's hard to say if she'll ever earn enough points to get a sleeper, unless she gets an AGR credit card in her name, but still at least she'll collect points when she travels with you.

You can still book just one reservation, no need to have seperate reservations. Just remember to add her AGR number on the screen where you list her name. If you've saved a profile, it already know your AGR number.

Now, since your name would normally be listed first on any reservation, you'll get points for the sleeper and the railfare. She'll only get points for the railfare. However, if you are ever traveling with more than two people and you list your wife second on the reservation screen, then she'd get points for the second room, while you'll get points for the first room. It won't matter who goes into what room, so no worries there.

Thanks Alan, as usual you're great at making things clear.

BTW the trip wasn't last summer, it's upcoming this summer, sorry for the confusion.

 

[BLOND37]

and i'm about to make things worse with a name change ...LOL

 

[AlanB]

Thanks Alan, as usual you're great at making things clear.
BTW the trip wasn't last summer, it's upcoming this summer, sorry for the confusion.

In that case still wait until you are within the 90 day window, perhaps even send her a referal so that you'll get 500 points too along with her, and register her.

Then call Amtrak, not AGR, and tell the agent that you want to add your wives new AGR number to the reservation and you should be golden.

And you're welcome.

 

[PaulM]

You can still book just one reservation, no need to have seperate reservations. Just remember to add her AGR number on the screen where you list her name.
Now, since your name would normally be listed first on any reservation, you'll get points for the sleeper and the railfare. She'll only get points for the railfare.

You are describing my situation; and my question may have been answered elsewhere. But my question is: how does this work when you redeem points?

Let's assume I have enough points for a one zone roomette; but my wife has only enough for a one zone coach. I see at least 3 possibilities.

1. reservation. I burn enough points for the roomette and my wife only burns enough for coach.

2. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette. But coach reservation can be linked to the roomette reservation.

3. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette, and I try to bootleg my wife into the sleeper. I'm not sure talking to the SCA would do any good. It's been my experience that conductors, station ticket agents, etc. don't know any thing about AGR.

 

[Ryan]

4. Use your points for a roomette. Both you and your wife travel on the redemption, which includes the room and railfare for everyone in the room.

 

[AlanB]

Let's assume I have enough points for a one zone roomette; but my wife has only enough for a one zone coach. I see at least 3 possibilities.
1. reservation. I burn enough points for the roomette and my wife only burns enough for coach.

2. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette. But coach reservation can be linked to the roomette reservation.

3. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette, and I try to bootleg my wife into the sleeper. I'm not sure talking to the SCA would do any good. It's been my experience that conductors, station ticket agents, etc. don't know any thing about AGR.

Paul,

None of the above.

If you have enough points for a one zone roomette, then you are done and home free. Your award is good for you and as many others as you want, up to the maximum for the room. So if you have 20,000 points for a bedroom, then when you call AGR to make a reservation, you provide your name and your wife's name. AGR will issue two tickets, one for you and one for your wife in the same room. You wife does not need to fork over any points to join you.

If you have kids and/or grandkids and you book the family room for 20,000 AGR points (a one zone award), then you and your wife, as well as two kids/grandkids can join you for free in the family room.

When the day comes where your wife has enough points in her account for a free room, then she can return the favor.

 

[PaulM]

Let's assume I have enough points for a one zone roomette; but my wife has only enough for a one zone coach. I see at least 3 possibilities.
1. reservation. I burn enough points for the roomette and my wife only burns enough for coach.

2. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette. But coach reservation can be linked to the roomette reservation.

3. Separate reservations, one coach and one roomette, and I try to bootleg my wife into the sleeper. I'm not sure talking to the SCA would do any good. It's been my experience that conductors, station ticket agents, etc. don't know any thing about AGR.

4. Use your points for a roomette. Both you and your wife travel on the redemption, which includes the room and railfare for everyone in the room.

If you have enough points for a one zone roomette, then you are done and home free. Your award is good for you and as many others as you want, up to the maximum for the room.

Wow! Thanks. I did say "at LEAST three options". But the right answer never occurred to me. I must be getting too cynical.

 

[Ryan]

I know, it's pretty awesome when a good deal like this one comes around!