Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) is a gem of a program and often overlooked primarily because riding the train is overlooked as a form of travel. There are no capacity restrictions beyond ~15 holiday related blackout dates so if there is a seat available it is yours for points. These loose limits matched with reasonable redemption levels make AGR one of the few programs where it makes sense to buy points.
AGR is currently running a buy points special offer of a 30% bonus on top of the purchased points. The offer is good through March 31 and is subject to the program's cap of 10,000 points purchased per year, this cap excluded the bonus so it is possible to buy 13,000 points. Points are normally priced at 2.75 cents each and must be bought in blocks of 500.
This buy points promotion is special not for the offer, 30% or better was offered for about 4 months last year. The timing of the offer makes it special. Guest Rewards is implementing a increase in redemption levels on most travel awards booked on or after April 1st. Awards booked prior, even for dates beyond April 1, will be at the current lower level. Amtrak's advanced notice of this increase and offering a buy points promotion prior to implementation make it a classy move compared to other programs' devaluation.
I am personally holding out for now on buying points. My award redemption of choice is the roomette option, there is no increase in these levels. Also I expect National Train Day to have a lucrative bonus for riding and I have 5 or 6 rides planned for that week. Keeping the $275 in cash for now rather than convert to points is a bigger benefit as I have no plans to redeem in the immediate future but I do have bills. Am I gambling on the future repeating the past? Yes, but I feel odds are good. Will I reconsider? Perhaps if National Train Day is lackluster.
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