Make Rezzie W/ Points, Convert To "Paid" At Later Date?

[rrdude]

Don't use credit cards, don't have enuff cash on debit card right now for Auto Train reservation for next spring......

If I make rezzie using AGR points now, but "convert" later, (when I have the cash) will Amtrak charge me the bucket rate as-of-the-day I "convert", or the date the original (AGR) was made?

I forget, thanx.

 

[Anthony]

A completely new reservation would have to be created, so the prevailing price at the time of the "conversion" would apply.

 

[rrdude]

Bummer, K, thanx! I just hate to burn 110,000 on the AT.......

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Can you get a credit card, use it for this, pay it off, then cut it up (or put it in a safe place to use for emergencies)? Maybe get the AGR card and get points too.

Or maybe you can get a small loan?

Just some ideas.

 

[AlanB]

Use points for one direction and pay for the other direction.

Or book the direction most likely to increase in price first, hope that you have enough money to book the other direction before it goes up in price. If not, and the price jumps, resort to points for that direction.

 

[rrdude]

Use points for one direction and pay for the other direction.
Or book the direction most likely to increase in price first, hope that you have enough money to book the other direction before it goes up in price. If not, and the price jumps, resort to points for that direction.

This is exactly what we did last year, paid for south, used points for North.... At the time we go, Easter, the SnowBirds are all heading north, so it has made sense to "Buy Southbound" and "Use AGR" for Northbound.

@ AmtrakBlue: Alas "no", we cannot get CC, as we got ourselves in trouble a few years back, and are slowly crawling out.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

Use points for one direction and pay for the other direction.
Or book the direction most likely to increase in price first, hope that you have enough money to book the other direction before it goes up in price. If not, and the price jumps, resort to points for that direction.

This is exactly what we did last year, paid for south, used points for North.... At the time we go, Easter, the SnowBirds are all heading north, so it has made sense to "Buy Southbound" and "Use AGR" for Northbound.

@ AmtrakBlue: Alas "no", we cannot get CC, as we got ourselves in trouble a few years back, and are slowly crawling out.

I understand. Been there, done that. I haven't applied for the AGR card yet myself for the same reason (but do have two other cards). I'm out of bankruptcy, but just that part (not the negative effects of it - which have cleared) won't drop from the credit reports until late next year. My credit rating isn't bad now, so I'm just waiting to see if the AGR card offers a promotion of more points than the 12,000 - or just whenever I feel it's the right time.