How to prevent your Amtrak points from expiring!

How to prevent your Amtrak points from expiring!

Life can be unpredictable, and we often find ourselves unable to travel as much as we want. However, did you know that if you have previously traveled and accumulated points, those points can expire? You certainly don’t want your hard-earned Amtrak points to go to waste!

While Amtrak points can indeed expire, there are strategies to prevent this. These strategies allow you to use them for future travel or redeem them in other ways. This article will explore those options.

Hiawatha in SVT
Amtrak’s Hiawatha arrived at the Sturtevant Depot

The value of Amtrak Guest Rewards points.

This information may or may not be relevant to some of you, but it can be helpful.

When you book Amtrak travel, you earn 2 Amtrak Guest Rewards points for every dollar spent, as long as you enter your membership number during the booking process. Points appear in your account within 7 to 10 days after the conductors scan your tickets.

Amtrak points redemption Value.

According to The Points Guy, an Amtrak point is worth 2.67 cents for travel, while the average airline point is worth 1.7 cents (NerdWallet).

If my calculations are correct, points will convert to 1 cent for gift card redemption.

The Empire Builder Stopped at the Sturtevant Depot
The Empire Builder Stopped at the Sturtevant Depot. (This was a temporary stop in 2020.)

When do Amtrak points expire?

Amtrak Guest Rewards points may expire after two years of inactivity.

However, there are ways to remain active and save your points, even if you can’t travel before they expire.

Here are some ways to ensure you keep your points:

Here are a few ways Amtrak suggests to keep your points active.

You have to do something, but the nice thing is that it is often not hard to do.

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Where to Find Help with Amtrak Guest Rewards

If you would like to book using points or have questions, please call the Amtrak Guest Rewards service center at 1-800-307-5000. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

A look at the Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station
Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station

Wrap-up

If you are a member and have not traveled in a while, it wouldn’t hurt to see when your points expire, and you know how to renew them.

If you don’t travel frequently, consider setting a calendar reminder for 23 months after your last points activity. This reminder will help you use or redeem some of your points before they expire. While it may be better to lose a few points than them all, your strategy should align with your personal preferences.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can use your Amtrak Guest Rewards points to enjoy as many miles of “free” travel as I have.

I’m so glad to help you with your Amtrak adventures! For more travel suggestions, please check out the rest of the site. If you want to stay updated with train travel news and tips, sign up for the email list below!

Safe Travels and Happy Planning.

Kev

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Kevin Monteith

Kev Monteith has been traveling on Amtrak since 2012. With over a decade of experience, he has been on over 800 trains, covering over 200k miles of rail. Kev enjoys helping others achieve their travel dreams by providing support and information. Outside of travel, Kev enjoys making music as an organist and outings with family.

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