Redeeming for Two Trains with Bedroom?

[sunchaser]

I tried to find some kind of info on the AGR site & here, but no luck.

I've seen postings of loopholes, & I'm wondering if this would work-

Salt Lake City, Ut to Sacramento, Ca on the California Zephyr, then northbound from Sacramento on the Coast Starlight to Olympia, Wa.

I know it's all in one zone. Would the AGR points be 20,000 total for both trains/with bedrooms?

What if I wanted to go south on the Coast Starlight instead?

Is there a 'time cutoff' for a connection between trains using points?

I'm assuming that a return trip 10 days later would be another 20,000 points.

Am I correct?

Thanks for the expertise in advance!

 

[Ispolkom]

I tried to find some kind of info on the AGR site & here, but no luck.I've seen postings of loopholes, & I'm wondering if this would work-

Salt Lake City, Ut to Sacramento, Ca on the California Zephyr, then northbound from Sacramento on the Coast Starlight to Olympia, Wa.

I know it's all in one zone. Would the AGR points be 20,000 total for both trains/with bedrooms?

What if I wanted to go south on the Coast Starlight instead?

Is there a 'time cutoff' for a connection between trains using points?

I'm assuming that a return trip 10 days later would be another 20,000 points.

Am I correct?

Thanks for the expertise in advance!

Salt Lake City - Olympia would be one zone, and 20k for a bedroom. You'd have a layover in Sacramento. That one is no problem. The return is also no problem. (You're right, it would be an extra 20k.)

Salt Lake City - Las Angeles can be booked via the San Joaquin to Bakersfield, then a bus to LA. That shouldn't be any problem, and it would also be 20k points, for the bedroom between Salt Lake City and Sacramento and then coach and bus to LA.

If you want to take the Coast Starlight south (and who wouldn't want a bedroom all the way), you might have a problem convincing AGR to book it, since it requires an overnight (even though the overnight is at your expense) in Sacramento.

The return LA-Salt Lake City that AGR gives is a real dog's breakfast, with overnight on a bus. Booking the Coast Starlight north, spending the night in Sacramento and then taking the California Zephyr would be far more comfortable, but it doesn't appear in the reservation system, and will probably require considerable charm to convince AGR to book this routing.

A general rule is that if you can get the routing at amtrak.com, you can book it with AGR. If not, you'll probably meet resistance.

 

[the_traveler]

What if I wanted to go south on the Coast Starlight instead?Is there a 'time cutoff' for a connection between trains using points?

I'm assuming that a return trip 10 days later would be another 20,000 points.

Am I correct?

As stated, basically, if you can input "From __ To __" on the "regular" screen (NOT the multi-city screen) and get a routing, it usually can be booked as an AGR award trip!

Basically the time limit is "the next train out - and not involving an overnight" That is why you can not go say LAX to Spokane via Seattle on one award (it would require an overnight), but you could go via Portland for 1 award (because it is a same day connection). On routes with more than 1 train, most times it's the next train. (If you arrive at 9 AM, the next train may be 10 or 11 AM - you could not take the 7 PM train for the same award.)

All awards are one way only. So a return 10 days later - or even a continuing train 10 days later - would not qualify for the same award!