For several years Amtrak has been using revenue management techniques in the midwest. Now they’ve introduced the concept to the Northeast Corridor. Early last month, Amtrak began charging its Northeast Corridor passengers 15 percent to 25 percent more for tickets purchased close to departure than for the same tickets bought weeks in advance. The new structure is based on the level of sales prior to departure. The more popular the route, such as the Northeast Corridor Metroliner or Acela on a Friday afternoon, the higher the last-minute rate. “If a train is almost sold out, you may pay a higher fare if you book at the last minute,” said Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell. My first reaction was that this is long overdue from a business prudence standpoint, but anathema to travelers. My second reaction was…
Amtrak
Category Archives for Amtrak.
Finally a new Amtrak 20% off link
Amtrak is offering 20% off on service to Philadelphia. In reality, the discount applies to all Northeast Corridor trains, though Metroliner and Acela Express are as usual excluded. Discount code V735 is valid on tickets purchased through April 22, 2006 for travel through April 25, 2006. Blackout dates are: November 22-29, 2005; Dec 16-Jan 2, 2006; Jan 13-16, 2006; Feb 17-20, 2006; April 13-17, 2006. On itineraries where V735 is not available, try H542. It’s a 15% discount that seems to work on most trips, including Metroliner and Acela Express. It’s only valid through December 15.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Registration Bonus
Earn 1000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points for signing up for the program with promo code MIDWS and taking a train trip by April 30. (This is an improvement over the standard 500 point offer.) (Hat tip to Free Frequent Flyer Miles.)
Double Points on Amtrak
Register to earn double points on Metroliner and Acela Express trains through the end of the year. (Whenever there’s a bonus that requires registration, register. You may not think you’ll be getting on a train, or flying between two cities, but you may wind up surprised — registering for the bonus gets you the miles you never expected.)
Amtrak 5th Year Anniversary Bonus Promotion, Including Free Points
Amtrak is offering three bonuses for its 5th anniversary. 200 points for registering for the promotion. 2400 points for earning Amtrak Guest Rewards points with three partners by June 30. 2400 points for spending $3000 on the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard between April 15 and June 30. The 200 points are a free gimme. If you have the Amtrak credit card, $3000 in spending over two and a half months is easy to qualify for for most. I used to highly recommend the Amtrak credit card as indispensable because it has no annual fee, it charged only 1% on foreign currency transactions, and Amtrak points could be transferred 1:1 into United. However, Amtrak pulled the plug on United transferred and MBNA is increasing the foreign exchange transaction fee to 3%. I no longer recommend acquiring…
Amtrak Eliminating Unreserved Service in the Northeast
Amtrak is moving to reserved service only across most Northeast trains effective April 25. Members holding award tickets for unreserved trains can call Amtrak Guest Rewards customer service at 1-800-307-5000 to exchange the award for a reserved ticket for no additional points.
The travesty of Amtrak’s program changes without warning
Yesterday the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) covered Amtrak’s abrupt end to transferring Guest Rewards points into United Mileage Plus miles. One of the best deals in the world of frequent-flier programs recently disappeared, a reminder to travelers that the good bargains in the world of loyalty don’t last forever. For several years, in the tight-knit community of frequent travelers, Amtrak’s Guest Rewards program developed a cult-like following. Reason: The program could be used as a clearinghouse for unwanted frequent-flier miles from Continental Airlines, which has developed a reputation for being stingy with the free seats on its airplanes. Using a three-way swap that is rare among loyalty programs, Amtrak members would transfer Continental miles into Amtrak points — then take the points and turn them into United miles. They did this because they believed…
Another Amtrak bonus
Register to earn 500 bonus Amtrak Guest Rewards points on your next train trip by March 31.
Amtrak Buy Two Get One Free Plus Double Points
Amtrak is offering a free Acela Express or Metroliner roundtrip when you take two roundtrips between select cities through May 31. They’re also offering double Amtrak Guest Rewards points for tickets purchased with a Mastercard. Registration is required. Eligible city pairs are: Boston – Stamford, Boston – New York, Boston – Newark, Boston – Metropark, Boston – Washington, Boston – Philadelphia, Route 128 – Stamford, Route 128 – New York, Route 128 – Newark, Route 128 – Metropark, Route 128 – Washington, Route 128 – Philadelphia, Stamford – Washington, New York – Washington, Newark – Washington, Metropark – Washington. You can earn up to 8 free roundtrip certificates valid for travel between June 15, 2005 and December 15, 2005.
Amtrak bonus
Register to earn 500 bonus Amtrak points on your next train trip by March 31.
