Amtrak, the national passenger railroad service in the United States, recently made a surprising move by bumping up certain riders who were close to reaching the next status level in its Amtrak Guest Rewards program. Instead of requiring these riders to earn the necessary Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) to reach the next status level on their own, Amtrak gifted them with that status level for the rest of 2024. This unexpected promotion has left many travelers pleasantly surprised and eager to take advantage of the enhanced benefits.
The Amtrak Guest Rewards program offers three tiers of elite status: Select, Select Plus, and Select Executive. Each tier comes with its own set of benefits, including bonus points, upgrades, and access to United Club locations. The qualification for each status level is based on a rider’s total TQPs earned in a calendar year. Select, the lowest tier, is obtained by earning 5,000 TQPs, while Select Plus requires 10,000 TQPs, and Select Executive is earned with 20,000 TQPs.
However, Amtrak’s recent move has allowed riders who were close to reaching the next status level to enjoy the benefits of that level without meeting the specified TQPs requirement. This means that riders who were on the cusp of moving up to a higher tier will now have access to the enhanced benefits of that tier for the remainder of 2024. This unexpected gesture from Amtrak has generated excitement among loyal riders who were just shy of reaching the next level.
It is worth noting that Amtrak has not provided any official statement or clarification regarding whether this promotion applies to all members of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program. It remains unclear whether the promotion was targeted to specific riders or if it was a widespread initiative to reward loyal customers.
To earn points in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, all members receive 2 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel. Additionally, business-class tickets receive a 25% bonus, and Acela first-class tickets receive a 50% bonus. Cardmembers of the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard can earn up to 4,000 TQPs per year, with 1,000 TQPs awarded for every $5,000 spent on the card.
The benefits and perks offered at each status level in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program vary. Select members receive a 25% tier status point bonus on Amtrak travel, two one-class upgrades, and two single-visit passes to Club Acela and the Metropolitan Lounge. Select Plus members enjoy a 50% tier status point bonus, four one-class upgrades, the same lounge access as Select members, two companion coupons, and United Club access when flying with the airline or another Star Alliance carrier. Select Executive members receive a 100% tier status point bonus, four one-class upgrades, two companion coupons, one Auto Train priority vehicle offloading coupon, and access to ClubAcela, the Metropolitan Lounge, and United Club. Additional perks such as discounted travel, priority call handling, and discounts from partner programs are available starting at the Select Plus level.
Amtrak’s decision to award riders with a higher status level for the remainder of 2024, even if they fell short of the required TQPs, is seen as a generous and unexpected gesture. By gifting riders with the next status level, Amtrak is acknowledging and rewarding their loyalty. This move not only increases customer satisfaction but also incentivizes riders to continue traveling with Amtrak and to strive for higher status levels in the future.
In conclusion, Amtrak’s recent promotion of granting riders the next status level in its Amtrak Guest Rewards program for the rest of 2024, even if they did not meet the required TQPs, has been met with enthusiasm from loyal riders. This unexpected gesture highlights Amtrak’s commitment to customer satisfaction and loyalty, and it serves as an incentive for riders to continue choosing Amtrak for their travel needs. Whether this promotion applies to all members of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program or is targeted to specific riders remains unclear, but eligible riders should check their email to see if they qualify for this exciting opportunity.