Double Points for Select Plus

[Shanghai]

My question = If I travel on an Acela from NYP to WAS and return WAS to NYP in Business Class, I would get 500 RAIL Points each way for a total of 1,000 RAIL points.

With the double points bonus promotion to qualify for Select Plus status, will the 1,000 RAIL points be doubled to 2,000 RAIL points?

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

No.

They would be doubled, but it would show up as 1000 RAIL points and 1000 BONUS points. Bonus points don't count towards status.

 

[AlanB]

Shanghai,

You need to be clearer with your post. Were you one of the lucky ones that got a special email from AGR stating that they would count the bonus points towards Select Plus status?

If you did get such an email, then yes, those points would count towards status. However they won't show on the meter on the AGR page. It's a manual process that will be completed early next year.

If you did not get that special email, and only got the normal one telling you that they were giving out double points, then no those bonus points won't count for status.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

If you did get that email and want to trade

 

[Shanghai]

Shanghai,
You need to be clearer with your post. Were you one of the lucky ones that got a special email from AGR stating that they would count the bonus points towards Select Plus status?

If you did get such an email, then yes, those points would count towards status. However they won't show on the meter on the AGR page. It's a manual process that will be completed early next year.

If you did not get that special email, and only got the normal one telling you that they were giving out double points, then no those bonus points won't count for status.

Thank you Alan. I did get that e-mail. I have 8,800 rail points now and I'm considering the advantages of going for Select Plus.

I think a trip to Washington DC might do the trick!! Thanks.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Everybody who did not get that email prepare to be jealous

 

[the_traveler]

Everybody who did not get that email prepare to be jealous

I am! :angry: I could use it to reach Select! :angry:

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Everybody who did not get that email prepare to be jealous

I am! :angry: I could use it to reach Select! :angry:

You used too many AGR tickets this year-- sorry, you need to BUY tickets now and again to earn AGR points.

 

[the_traveler]

You used too many AGR tickets this year-- sorry, you need to BUY tickets now and again to earn AGR points.

That's why I want Select - so I can earn some more so I can use some more! :lol:

I guess I'll just have use my credit card more! I could not just stay in one place for long - could I? :huh:

 

[AlanB]

Shanghai,
You need to be clearer with your post. Were you one of the lucky ones that got a special email from AGR stating that they would count the bonus points towards Select Plus status?

If you did get such an email, then yes, those points would count towards status. However they won't show on the meter on the AGR page. It's a manual process that will be completed early next year.

If you did not get that special email, and only got the normal one telling you that they were giving out double points, then no those bonus points won't count for status.

Thank you Alan. I did get that e-mail. I have 8,800 rail points now and I'm considering the advantages of going for Select Plus.

I think a trip to Washington DC might do the trick!! Thanks.

Then yes, one round trip WAS-NYP on Acela would indeed get you Select Plus status, and I for one would highly recommend trying to get in such a trip. The benefits are considerable with Plus. Including the 50% point bonus on all trips taken next year after March 1st, being able to use the Club Acela's like it's the NY public library, the 2 day upgrade coupons, and other perks. You might also wish to consider doing NYP-BOS, as that would be even cheaper, and you'd still get the 500 points for each leg. It is a little tougher to do that trip, and it takes longer, but you could easily save $50 or more going north instead of south.

Just make sure that you don't delete that email, just in case you need to prove that you got it, and hold onto those ticket stubs. AGR is generally pretty good at doing the special bump that is required, but there have been people who were missed and they needed to prove that they both got the email and/or took the trip in a few cases. Most who didn't get it after the manual review, did get it with a simple call. But like I said, a few actually had to jump through hoops a bit and prove things.

 

[Steve4031]

Shanghai,
You need to be clearer with your post. Were you one of the lucky ones that got a special email from AGR stating that they would count the bonus points towards Select Plus status?

If you did get such an email, then yes, those points would count towards status. However they won't show on the meter on the AGR page. It's a manual process that will be completed early next year.

If you did not get that special email, and only got the normal one telling you that they were giving out double points, then no those bonus points won't count for status.

I hope they send me that "special email". I am about 3000 points away, but have a trip on the CS in december planned. If I get that email, i am going to go for select plus like a mad man.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Did all of the "special" emails go out already?

 

[AlanB]

Did all of the "special" emails go out already?

Probably, but I'm still hoping myself.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

Did all of the "special" emails go out already?

Probably, but I'm still hoping myself.

You and me both.

 

[chuljin]

being able to use the Club Acela's like it's the NY public library

Now who'd do that? :lol: :lol:

 

[AlanB]

being able to use the Club Acela's like it's the NY public library

Now who'd do that? :lol: :lol:

Wanna know the best part of that. I don't have a NYC library card. :lol: Lived here for 20 years now and just never got one.

But I can come and go at the Club Acela, at least for a few more months.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I still have my NYPL card.

 

[Shanghai]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I have booked a trip to Boston on the Acela. I'll travel up in the morning, have lunch with a friend and return in the afternoon.

I'm surprized that it is less expensive to go to Boston (3 & 1/2 hour trip) than Washington (3 hour trip). It is $80.00 less on a return trip to Boston. I still have the

e-mail from AGR so I will keep it until the points post.

I'll be sure to wave to the_traveler as we zip through KIN on the way!! I thought the_traveler would be a Super Select Plus with all of his travels!!

If I get another e-mail, I'll send it on the ALC!!

I also thought that AlanB would already be at the Plus level. Aren't you a Senior Vice President of Amtrak??

I may even try to use one of my upgrade certificates to First Class and make a visit to the Boston Acela Lounge!!

I'm going on December 9th.

 

[the_traveler]

I thought the_traveler would be a Super Select Plus with all of his travels!!

Nah! I just SPEND my AGR points! :lol: (I just earn some with my $9 fill in gaps between my AGR reward start points - like LAX-ONA or NOL-SDL! )

 

[chuljin]

But I can come and go at the Club Acela, at least for a few more months.

And I did. :lol: For details, see my trip reports, but:CHI 10/25 and 10/28

BOS 10/30 and 10/31

WAS 11/2

PHL 11/2 and 11/3

NYP 11/5, 11/6 (twice! :lol: ), 11/7

Of these 11 visits, only three, both CHI (sleeper arriving SWC and departing LSL, respectively) and the 10/30 BOS (Gathering tour) were not 'library-card' visits. :lol:

 

[AlanB]

I'm surprized that it is less expensive to go to Boston (3 & 1/2 hour trip) than Washington (3 hour trip). It is $80.00 less on a return trip to Boston.

WAS-NYP is the popular side of the corridor, so Amtrak can charge more for that side. BOS-NYP, while up and coming, still lags behind the southern end, so the prices reflect that.

I still have the e-mail from AGR so I will keep it until the points post.

No, keep that email until March and you see that your account accurately reflects your status of Select Plus. When the points post after your ride, the status meter will not reflect the bonus points. An AGR reps reviews all account selected for this special offer in February and makes the promotions for those who qualified using bonus points manually. If they miss your account, you may need the proof. So save that email until then.

I also thought that AlanB would already be at the Plus level. Aren't you a Senior Vice President of Amtrak??

Usually by this time of the year I am indeed Select Plus, but business has been so bad this year that I simply haven't been able to afford my usual number of trips.

And no, I don't even work for Amtrak.

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I also thought that AlanB would already be at the Plus level. Aren't you a Senior Vice President of Amtrak??

Usually by this time of the year I am indeed Select Plus, but business has been so bad this year that I simply haven't been able to afford my usual number of trips.

And no, I don't even work for Amtrak.

Not that he'd tell us if he was.

 

[the_traveler]

I also thought that AlanB would already be at the Plus level. Aren't you a Senior Vice President of Amtrak??

Usually by this time of the year I am indeed Select Plus, but business has been so bad this year that I simply haven't been able to afford my usual number of trips.

And no, I don't even work for Amtrak.

Not that he'd tell us if he was.

He doesn't WORK FOR Amtrak - the A in Amtrak probably stands for Alan! :lol:

 

[ALC Rail Writer]

I also thought that AlanB would already be at the Plus level. Aren't you a Senior Vice President of Amtrak??

Usually by this time of the year I am indeed Select Plus, but business has been so bad this year that I simply haven't been able to afford my usual number of trips.

And no, I don't even work for Amtrak.

Not that he'd tell us if he was.

He doesn't WORK FOR Amtrak - the A in Amtrak probably stands for Alan! :lol:

Alan

Makes

Trains

Run

Away

Killers

... Hm.

 

[tj722]

Once again, I've gotten the "lucky" email. But mine explicitly says "use double points to reach Select status". Could I use the double points to get to S+? As it is, I'm about to hit S without the special promo. I'd be more willing to hop on a couple more Acela trips to get S+.