New Amtrak Guest Rewards Master Card - Fall 2015

[Ryan]

Close. New new rules say that any account activity keeps points from expiring, so in addition to a points run, anything that earns or redeems points will prevent expiration.

It's also likely that one or both of the news cards we'll hear about soon will have the same benefit, so getting one of those cards in place would provide the coverage and prevent expiration.

 

[PRR 60]

This says your points will not expire before 1/25/16. If you have not had activity since 1/24/13 your points may expire in 1/26/16, correct?

Of course. No one said that the points will never expire. In this context "activity" is defined by AGR 2.0 and not the previous definition.

Ok. So my AGR credit card kept points from expiring. So if I had no activity on my account since 1/35/13, the card kept the points valid. Since the card is going away, my points will expire on 1/25/16?Anyone in that scenario will need to make a points run before 1/25/16 to keep points earned before the change?

If you have earned one point from any source, or redeemed one point for any purpose in the last three years, your points will not expire on January 25. Now, if you had absolutely no AGR activity in the last three years, then your points could be in trouble come January 24. Go buy anything with your present AGR card between now and September 30, and you'll be OK.

 

[tonys96]

This says your points will not expire before 1/25/16. If you have not had activity since 1/24/13 your points may expire in 1/26/16, correct?

Of course. No one said that the points will never expire. In this context "activity" is defined by AGR 2.0 and not the previous definition.

Ok. So my AGR credit card kept points from expiring. So if I had no activity on my account since 1/35/13, the card kept the points valid. Since the card is going away, my points will expire on 1/25/16?Anyone in that scenario will need to make a points run before 1/25/16 to keep points earned before the change?

If you have earned one point from any source, or redeemed one point for any purpose in the last three years, your points will not expire on January 25. Now, if you had absolutely no AGR activity in the last three years, then your points could be in trouble come January 24. Go buy anything with your present AGR card between now and September 30, and you'll be OK.

Thanks. That scenario was NOT directly addressed on the AGR website, contrary to a previous post.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

The evidence that I have is that I have never received anything from BoA until this week

Same here.

 

[Ryan]

Yes, you have to apply a little bit of critical thought and reading comprehension. It's really not that difficult.

I'm not sure how much more clear "we'll be expanding qualifying account activity to include both earning and using points versus just paid travel" needs to be.

 

[Ryan]

Maybe a picture will help...

 

[tonys96]

Maybe a picture will help...

ImageUploadedByAmtrak Forum1441986339.460243.jpg

Understanding the question is paramount. The question was, if you had no activity since 1/24/13, but your points were kept valid by having the AGR MC, would you lose them on 1/25/16? Just having the card does not necessarily mean you use the card.PRR 60 answered it, correctly, I believe.

Thank you for your input though. It did answer a completely different question about points earned by the card counting toward non expiration of points now. So a points run before 1/24/15 is not necessary, just using the card before 9/30 will suffice. That is what it seems, anyway.

 

[fairviewroad]

it has been mentioned multiple times on AU (and probably on FlyerTalk) that 9/12 is the date we will hear about the new credit card.

Seems odd that a financial services product would be rolled out on a Saturday. But I guess there's no specific reason why that couldn't happen.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Where does Amtrak say that the new rules apply retroactively to past events? Is there a snarky screen shot for that?

 

[Ryan]

Understanding the question is paramount. The question was, if you had no activity since 1/24/13, but your points were kept valid by having the AGR MC, would you lose them on 1/25/16?

Answered in post #253:

Points expiration rules after AGR 2.0 starts in January: points expire after 3 years of no account activity (earning in any way, or redemption).

 

[rusty spike]

it has been mentioned multiple times on AU (and probably on FlyerTalk) that 9/12 is the date we will hear about the new credit card.

Seems odd that a financial services product would be rolled out on a Saturday. But I guess there's no specific reason why that couldn't happen.

Generally speaking, negative news is always released on Friday or Saturday, since most folks are out enjoying the weekend. And most folks, IMO, view this transition in a negative light. YMMV.

 

[tonys96]

Understanding the question is paramount. The question was, if you had no activity since 1/24/13, but your points were kept valid by having the AGR MC, would you lose them on 1/25/16?

Answered in post #253:

Points expiration rules after AGR 2.0 starts in January: points expire after 3 years of no account activity (earning in any way, or redemption).

Thank you again for answering that question! However PRR 60 seems to have answered my specific question, correctly, I believe. Unless or until I see another citation specifically from flyer talk or on AGR website that specifically answers that specific question, I will continue to work under the premise offered by PRR60, which seems to be correct.

The last paragraph of post 253 seems to just be conjecture. I have not seen citations otherwise.

Thank you again, I do think your answer is entirely correct, as far as it goes.

 

[willem]

Also, it gives people time to reread and discuss before calling and using valuable time with a real person.

 

[Ryan]

It's not a conjecture, it's exactly what the AGR website says in the screenshot.

Again, exercise a minimum amount of reading comprehension and critical thought. It's not complicated.

 

[Larry H.]

Well I decided it was time to call Amtrak and Mastercard.

Basically master card said that it would have been helpful if Amtrak had included the fact that the points will go on for 36 months after the last transaction, which they don't exactly in that line I have referenced. They as said will be stopping all of their amtrak activity on Sept 30. Which we knew.

Amtrak also confirmed that you points will continue to be good until either 36 months after the last transaction, which she told me would mean the points I just had accounted to my account this month. So its not just for travel or purchases but your accumulating points count as well. She also said that in a couple of weeks we should get an offer of another Master Card which will continue the building of points to your account.

Its too bad it is so hard to understand for some of us, the women at both locations said they have been swamped with calls questioning how this would take place. Thanks to Ryan an others who tired to get this though my thick and elderly scull.

 

[tonys96]

It's not a conjecture, it's exactly what the AGR website says in the screenshot.

Again, exercise a minimum amount of reading comprehension and critical thought. It's not complicated.

No need to get snarky, is there? My posts asking this legitimate question have always been polite. I am sorry you feel the need to be otherwise.

 

[tonys96]

Where does Amtrak say that the new rules apply retroactively to past events? Is there a snarky screen shot for that?

Any validation would suffice, snarky or not. The screen shot supplied did not seem address my specific question. Perhaps I did not articulate it very well. PRR60 seemed to understand it, though.
It would seem that AGR could simply have the new rules apply from 1/24/15 forward for all AGR members, and reset everyone's three year expiration clock then. Applied across the board, there would be no question.

 

[Kat314159]

From a technology perspective it seems natural to me: new credit card app= new software = server bounce = server maintenance window =late night/weekend

 

[jis]

Tony, if you want to hear an answer from the horse's mouth, go to the FlyerTalk Forum on AGR and send an IM to AGRInsider. And while at it also suggest to him that he arrange to update the FAQ at the AGR site with the answer. That would help everyone. I have already requested him to add the business about the moratorium on points expiration to the FAQ. Just did it this morning. So give it some time for him to act on it. Thanks much.

What you are getting here is all second hand hearsay which may or may not be correct. They are just best efforts by well meaning individuals, though some of their style of presentation may leave a bit to be desired in the eyes of some.

 

[tonys96]

Tony, if you want to hear an answer from the horse's mouth, go to the FlyerTalk Forum on AGR and send an IM to AGRInsider. And while at it also suggest to him that he arrange to update the FAQ at the AGR site with the answer. That would help everyone. I have already requested him to add the business about the moratorium on points expiration to the FAQ. Just did it this morning. So give it some time for him to act on it. Thanks much.

What you are getting here is all second hand hearsay which may or may not be correct. They are just best efforts by well meaning individuals, though some their style of presentation may leave a bit to be desired in the eyes of some.

Great idea!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Tony, if you want to hear an answer from the horse's mouth, go to the FlyerTalk Forum on AGR and send an IM to AGRInsider. And while at it also suggest to him that he arrange to update the FAQ at the AGR site with the answer. That would help everyone. I have already requested him to add the business about the moratorium on points expiration to the FAQ. Just did it this morning. So give it some time for him to act on it. Thanks much.

What you are getting here is all second hand hearsay which may or may not be correct. They are just best efforts by well meaning individuals, though some their style of presentation may leave a bit to be desired in the eyes of some.

Great idea!

I agree that it's a good idea but why does it have to be via private message? Does Anthony not respond to public comments anymore?

 

[PaulM]

It's not a conjecture, it's exactly what the AGR website says in the screenshot.

Again, exercise a minimum amount of reading comprehension and critical thought. It's not complicated.

No need to get snarky, is there? My posts asking this legitimate question have always been polite. I am sorry you feel the need to be otherwise.

Could the Amspeak expert please parse the last sentence in

[SIZE=1.5em]"A: We‘ve expanded qualifying account activity to include all point earning or redemption activity (including points earned with partners or promotions). So as long as your Amtrak Guest Rewards account shows point earning or redemption activity within 36 months, your points won‘t expire. Amtrak Guest Rewards[/SIZE]®[SIZE=1.5em] MasterCard[/SIZE]®[SIZE=1.5em] cardholders‘ points will not expire as long as your credit card account is open."[/SIZE]

When Larry first posted it out of context, I assumed he had stumbled on an AGR 1.0 rule. Otherwise is makes no sense. It's like saying A is true if 1=2. In addition "Amtrak Guest Rewards® MasterCard® cardholders‘ points" seems ambiguous. It could easily be interpreted by a layman to refer only to the points earned by the card. But I suspect it really means all AGR points earned by an AGR member who happens to have the card. But then that's a useless statement.

It would have been more useful to point Larry, or anyone else stumbling on this gobbly-**** for the first time, to post #253. Or even better, an official Amtrak statement written for the layman, not for the legal profession.

 

[Bob Dylan]

According to a post on the AGR Forum on Flyer Talk ( sorry no link) the 2 New BOA AGR Cards info is out.

Sounds interesting, the no fee Card is similar to the present Chase AGR MC and the Upgraded Premium Card ( annual fee $79) sounds pretty good for AGR Membsrs that are heavy users of Amtrak!

They will be Master Cards, not VISA!

Check it out for yourself, we await full details and info from AGR and BOA. Wish the check was in the mail!!!

Edit: Thanks for the Link Chris!

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Link: http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2015/09/11/details-of-the-2-new-amtrak-credit-cards-revealed/

Initial thoughts...

> I have no reason to doubt the veracity of his release based on the source

> Annual fee will hopefully be waived in the future once new signups begin to dry up

> I would happily accept a larger minimum spend if augmented by a larger signup bonus

> I would prefer 4/5 points on direct Amtrak travel spend to counter the devaluation

> Upgrades and passes are not important to me but it should help folks swallow the fee

> I would strongly prefer a 5% discount over a 5% rebate but I doubt that's an accident

> TQP's are probably the biggest news for folks who desire and benefit from status

> I'm surprised foreign network fees are waived for a card that targets domestic travel

> The no fee card seems like a reasonable replacement for low volume travelers

Overall I would say this looks like a reasonable offer from the perspective of the issuer even though it does not go far enough to counter the next wave of devaluations in my view.

 

[Eris]

I hope that the part where $1 in (non-Amtrak, non-travel) charges gives an AGR point is just assumed and that's why it's not listed there...

Companion tickets are good for a coach fare? So for $79/yr, I'd get a free ticket for my (over age 12) kid when we go see their dad at the other end of the Coast Starlight? Can they be used for an open-sleeper sort of ticket, to add someone to one's sleeper accommodation without paying their rail fare?

How do upgrade certificates work?