Question
While researching the Amtrak MC to replace my HHonors Visa (more on that below) I've come across many positive comments, as long you know the restrictions up front:+ 25K annual transfer out limit, and
+ points expire after 3 years of no train trips(Are there any other things I should consider or know about? )
A common theme, though, is "I'd use this card, but I can't fly on my airline with these points." But now, thanks to partnership rearrangements, you can fly all of the major airlines via Amtrak points transferred to miles.
Well known is that UA miles are good on US. Newly announced is that YX (Midwest) miles will be good for flying on AA (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum140/HTML/000243.html) effective June 1, 2003.
This table illustrates how you can fly on most airlines (no HP or WN) via Amtrak's partners:Miles --> Works on
UA --> UA, US, DL
CO --> CO, NW, soon DL
YX --> YX, Frontier, soon AA
So, is there anything else to consider in this scheme?
About my personal strategy, I've been collecting Hilton HHonors points using the fee-free HH Amex and HH Visa cards, which earn 3 and 2 points per dollar respectively.
Though HHonors points can be spent on flights -- some good values, some bad* -- I have occasionally wanted for miles. But since I use my Visa or MC only when I can't use Amex, spending about $10K a year, the airline cards never made sense because of the high annual fees and the single airline restriction.
The Amtrak MC seems almost too good to be true in a no annual fee card, in that I can get airline miles or fall back on HH Points at the exact same rate. It is also very attractive that I can earn points without a foreign currency transaction surcharge!
The ability to redeem Amtrak points for Starwood stays is intriguing, too. Are these Amtrak @ Starwood rewards (https://www.amtrakguestrewards.com/Redemption/online_rewards.cfm?category=PE) are a good value?
thanks,
Rut Dog
* The value of HHonors air rewards varies greatly, but some are quite a good deal, IHMO, and they seem to be overlooked by most people. You can e-mail me or search in the Hilton forum or post a question there if you want to talk more about HHonors flight rewards.
[This message has been edited by Rut Dog (edited 03-01-2003).]
Answer
The onlt problems, other than the ones you listed is that Amtrak is in DIRE financial straits. I don't see this program surviving if they're put into reorg. And there are very good odds of a reorg in the next 3 years.
Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
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I use my Starwood as my primary card and Amtrak as a back-up. I transfer out of my Amtrak in Continental every time I hit $5K so I am not concerned if they go under or change the terms (again). I know there are concerns about the future of Amtrak, but too many people ride it for the government to allow them to close up shop. I'm sure our wonderful president will take care of them--assuming he can take some time away from Iraq.
Answer
Originally posted by Rut Dog:
But since I use my Visa or MC only when I can't use Amex, spending about $10K a year, the airline cards never made sense because of the high annual fees and the single airline restriction.
However, there are many airline promotions available only to those with an airline-affiliated card and those promotions can easily outweigh the annual fee.
For example, I received 45K in a NWA Visa promotion (http://www.flyertalk.com/pasttalk/ftpasttalk_forum/Forum35/HTML/002266.html) in which I just bought NWA tickets with the card (tickets I was already going to buy). The promotion gave as many as 15 miles per dollar spent. I'm sure there are many other promotions associated with other airline cards.
Answer
I also think that Starwood (for the first year) and Amtrak are the best non fee mileage producing cards. Any other options?