amtrak

Tag Archives for amtrak.

My Unconventional Journey From DC To Staten Island With Amtrak’s Sleeper Car

by Gary Leff on December 11, 2023

Dec 11 2023

I was heading to DC for work and planned to meet my wife and daughter in New York. Our plan changed a bit, and instead of meeting downtown I needed to heat out to Staten Island (gosh, I hadn’t been there since late 2018 or early 2019). So my plan to arrive at New York LaGuardia at 5 p.m. on a 7,000 mile award wasn’t looking so good. Maybe it would take just an hour to get over to Staten Island, but it could easily take two.

So I checked on Amtrak to Metropark in New Jersey. The 2:15 p.m. would get me in at the perfect time to cruise up to dinner at 6 p.m. if everything was on time.

The Worst Travel Writer In America Says Who’s Been Naughty And Nice During Covid

by Gary Leff on February 8, 2021

Feb 08 2021

Christopher Elliott has naughty and nice list for travel companies during the pandemic. He sees some behaving as though “they think COVID-19 is a hoax.” That seems like an odd position to take considering their billions of dollars of losses. But what he’s saying is that airlines and hotel companies are making travel more comfortable or fun, that encourages travel, and that’s bad. And the self-styled consumer advocate glosses over a company that tried to steal customers’ money because they promise to make employees take vaccines.

These Flight Attendants Want You to Pay Them to Sue Their Airline

by Gary Leff on June 12, 2019

Jun 12 2019

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.

Amtrak Imposes New Points Expiration Rules Without Notice (or Even Telling Members)

by Gary Leff on April 8, 2019

Apr 08 2019

For years Amtrak has made changes with no notice to its loyalty program. Even multiple times in a matter of days. A practice they’ve engaged in many times, and been called out in the Wall Street Journal for. (Amtrak even eliminated their satisfaction guarantee because too many customers were dissatisfied.)

Now that former Delta CEO Richard Anderson is in charge at Amtrak I haven’t expected anything different. So I’m not really disappointed and certainly not surprised to learn that Amtrak has imposed new expiration rules on the program without notice and without even telling members.

Do Hotels Make You Prove You’re Eligible for AAA or Corporate Discounts?

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2018

Jan 22 2018

Five years ago a couple of commenters noted being asked to show their AAA card at hotel check-in when staying on a AAA rate. I have never seen this happen myself.

Later that year when AAA sent me a renewal notice with the card I asked readers whether I should just pocket that to show ‘just in case’ or actually pay for the membership, universally the sentiment was ‘you use the discount you pay for the membership.’

250 Free Amtrak Points

by Gary Leff on August 5, 2007

Aug 05 2007

Via Free Frequent Flyer Miles, Amtrak’s Pick Your Partners Promotion offers 250 free Guest Rewards points for selecting preferred partners (very easy! Just log in and the offer is under Hot Deals) and then 500 bonus points for each of your first two transactions through September 30th.

Amtrak introduces new elite level

by Gary Leff on November 17, 2004

Nov 17 2004

I saw this the other day and didn’t get around to posting. Now NotiFlyer has beaten me to the punch! Amtrak is adding a new top tier elite level to their Guest Rewards program.Guest Rewards members who earn 10,000 points or more annually will be admitted to the new “Select Plus” level, beginning March 1, 2005. Benefits include a 50-percent bonus points on all rail travel, unlimited access to ClubAcela, Metropolitan, and First Class lounges, single-class upgrades available 48 hours in advance, and companion coach vouchers. This is a good move because the existing Select tier elite level is quite easy to reach and has been devalued slightly through limited club access as a result of having too many members.