Question
It's over. Au revoir. Sayonora.
I wish they gave an advance notice. I have over 25k points in my account. :(
Reference:
http://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/index.cfm?category=redeem&loc=rewards_selection.cfm&rewards=Airlines
Answer
No notice is a b***tch. I just used it on a Holiday trip just for the points. I'm 1k on United, nothin on Continental.
Anyone got a place to complain to?
Answer
OOPS! I have been meaning to transfer 20K for a few days now...
Oh well, atleast I do have an occasional use for Amtrak itself. Time to concentrate all of my non-Amex spending (SPG) to the MBNA eBay Anthing Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card.
1.125 Miles/$
I suggest all FTers consider Asia Miles - one of the most generous programs out there for the average US or Canada based miles hound, both from earning and redemption standpoints. Because it is Cathay Pacific Airways frequent flyer program based in Hong Kong, most North American flyers fail to consider its benefits. It is not my preferred program for crediting flight miles to because of their lack of a generous status based mileage bonus, But combine the most generous fee free credit card earning potential of any North American FF program with the lowest award requirement for premium transatlantic travel and you have a winner!
For all those with MBNA Amtrak Cards wanting to continue earning flights with a no annual fee card, you can convert your Amtrak card to an eBay Anything Points Card. No need to close your account or reapply, you can simply call MBNA and tell them you want to convert your card to an Ebay Anthing Points earning card instead.
Then convert your eBay points to Asia Miles throught Points.com.
To learn more about the Asia Miles program this post (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3484684&postcount=19) might be helpful.
Answer
Time to concentrate all of my non-Amex spending (SPG) to the MBNA eBay Anthing Points Card - Effectively the MBNA Asia Miles Card.
1.125 Miles/$
I suspect this exchange rate is not sustainable : either Cathay is selling their miles too cheap to points.com or points.com is making some error in their (usually horrible) conversion rate. I predict this won't last very long.
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This rate is couple years old and has changed a little. However, the current rate is back what is was a year ago before it changed.
For anyone with significant spend, no need to hang on to your points. If you spend 10K a month, you need less than 6 months.
IF everything comes down and the transfer no longer works, you still can cash out on eBay for 1 cent each. Good backup available.
Until things change I will continue to spend everything SPG Amex does't work for on MBNA eBay.
I've converted 1.5 million and counting...
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Using the MBNA-Ebay card overseas is it like the Amtrack card where its Only VISA adding a 1% fee for converting the foreign currency into USD$?
The good point with Amtrack you can still transfer it to NoPass and use it on any SkyTeam member.
I had a different VISA with Only the 1% and every $600 charged gave me a free tkt to a movie. Now instead of the 5 pts per $1, its 1 pt per $1 unless you either charge $1500 on that statement or carry a running balance that you are paying interest on. Either way the jig is up and time to move onto another bank Visa. i used the card (Greenpoints Visa) only when overseas to avoid the extra 2% that most US banks added for the foreign currency transactions.
Answer
No notice is a b***tch. I just used it on a Holiday trip just for the points. I'm 1k on United, nothin on Continental.
Anyone got a place to complain to?
Amtrak did the same thing a year or two ago when it imposed an annual limit on transfers to airlines. No one held them to task then and so I am not surprised that they did it now.
I treat people and entities that follow only the letter of the law in the same manner.
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Using the MBNA-Ebay card overseas is it like the Amtrack card where its Only VISA adding a 1% fee for converting the foreign currency into USD$?
Yes - MBNA doesn't charge an overseas surcharge on any of their cards.
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What would be the best way to use remained points other than train.
- Hilton 2:1
- Starwood Coupon
- Continental
- Hertz
Ummm..
As for future use, I'm looking for my Diners to have masterCard convertible :rolleyes:
Answer
What would be the best way to use remained points other than train.
- Hilton 2:1
- Starwood Coupon
- Continental
- Hertz
Ummm..
As for future use, I'm looking for my Diners to have masterCard convertible :rolleyes:
Looks to me that by using the discount coupons at retail places like Home Depot and the movies, you can get about 1 cent per mile.