Amtrak Guest Rewards Booking Guide: How to Book Train Travel With Points
If you regularly travel by train, the Amtrak Guest Rewards program can help you earn points that can later be used for eligible travel and other rewards. Understanding the Amtrak Guest Rewards booking process can make it easier to turn your points into your next train journey.
Amtrak Guest Rewards members can redeem points for reward travel, and Amtrak currently states that reward travel starts at 400 points. Eligible members can also use the Points & Cash option, which allows travelers to combine points and cash when booking an eligible trip. Amtrak currently lists Points & Cash redemptions starting at 100 points.
What Is Amtrak Guest Rewards?
Amtrak Guest Rewards is Amtrak’s loyalty program. Members can earn points through eligible Amtrak travel and participating program partners and redeem those points for eligible rewards.
Depending on your points balance and preferences, you can use your rewards for options that may include:
- Amtrak reward travel
- Points & Cash travel
- One-class upgrade coupons
- Lounge access
- Gift cards
Amtrak currently promotes Guest Rewards membership as free, allowing travelers to join the program and begin earning points toward eligible rewards.
How Does Amtrak Guest Rewards Booking Work?
Booking an Amtrak trip with Guest Rewards points is different from purchasing a standard cash ticket.
Instead of simply selecting a regular fare and paying the full amount with a payment card, you search for your trip while using the Use Points option.
The general process is:
- Sign in to your Guest Rewards account.
- Search for your departure and destination.
- Enter your travel dates.
- Select the Use Points option.
- Review available reward travel.
- Choose your preferred trip.
- Review the points required.
- Complete your booking.
If you do not have enough points for a full reward booking, you may be able to use Points & Cash.
Step-by-Step Amtrak Guest Rewards Booking Guide
Step 1: Sign In to Your Guest Rewards Account
Start by signing in to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account.
Your points are connected to your Guest Rewards membership, so you need to access your account to use them for eligible reward travel.
If you do not have an account, Amtrak currently offers free Guest Rewards membership.
Before searching for a trip, check your available points balance. This gives you an idea of whether you have enough points for the journey you want.
Step 2: Search for Your Train Trip
Enter your travel information in Amtrak’s fare finder.
You will typically need to enter:
- Departure location
- Destination
- Departure date
- Return date, if applicable
- Number of passengers
For a one-way journey, enter your departure and destination details and select your travel date.
For a round trip, add your return date.
Make sure you select the correct stations before searching.
Step 3: Select the “Use Points” Option
When searching for your journey, select the Use Points option.
Amtrak’s current redemption instructions tell members to use the fare finder and switch on the Use Points option when looking for reward travel.
This helps you find available options that can be booked using Guest Rewards points.
Step 4: Review Available Reward Travel
After searching, review the available trains.
Depending on your route and travel date, you may see different options.
Consider:
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Journey duration
- Connections
- Available seating
- Points required
If your schedule is flexible, try searching different dates. This may help you find a trip that works better with your available points.
Step 5: Select Your Preferred Trip
Choose the train that best matches your schedule.
Review the trip details carefully before continuing.
Check the:
- Departure station
- Arrival station
- Travel date
- Departure time
- Arrival time
- Passenger information
- Points requirement
Step 6: Review the Points Required
Before completing your booking, check how many points are required for the selected journey.
Amtrak currently states that reward travel starts at 400 points. The actual number of points needed for a particular trip can vary based on the available reward option.
If you have enough points, you can continue with the reward booking.
If you do not have enough points, consider whether the Points & Cash option is available for your trip.
Step 7: Complete Your Booking
Review all of your reservation details before confirming.
Make sure the following information is correct:
- Passenger names
- Travel dates
- Departure station
- Destination
- Train
- Departure time
- Points required
Once everything is correct, complete the booking process.
After your reservation is confirmed, save your confirmation number and itinerary.
How to Book Amtrak With Points & Cash
Amtrak’s Points & Cash feature gives eligible Guest Rewards members another way to book travel.
Instead of paying entirely with points or entirely with cash, you can combine the two.
Amtrak’s current instructions explain the process:
- Log in to your Guest Rewards account.
- Search for your desired trip.
- Select the Use Points filter.
- Choose your preferred trip.
- Continue to checkout.
- At the payment screen, open the Points & Cash options.
- Select the available combination of points and cash.
- Complete your reservation.
Amtrak currently says Points & Cash is available exclusively through Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app. It also states that Points & Cash bookings cannot be changed after booking, although reservations can be canceled with the points portion refunded to the member’s account and the cash portion refunded to the original payment method.
Amtrak currently lists Points & Cash redemptions starting at 100 points.
Can You Book Amtrak Guest Rewards Travel by Phone?
The standard reward-booking process is designed to be completed through Amtrak’s booking system.
For Points & Cash specifically, Amtrak states that bookings are available exclusively on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app and cannot be made through an Amtrak agent by phone or at a station. Customer service agents can assist with canceling a Points & Cash reservation.
If you plan to use Points & Cash, make sure you complete the booking through an eligible digital booking channel.
What If You Don’t Have Enough Guest Rewards Points?
If your points balance is too low for a full reward booking, you have several possible options.
Use Points & Cash
If available for your trip, Points & Cash allows you to combine your points with a cash payment.
Continue Earning Points
You can continue earning points through eligible Amtrak travel and participating partners.
Buy Additional Points
Amtrak provides options for members to buy points for themselves or gift points to others, subject to applicable program terms.
Pay for a Regular Ticket
You can also purchase your trip using a standard payment method rather than redeeming points.
Other Ways to Redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards Points
Your points are not limited to train travel.
Amtrak currently lists several redemption categories.
One-Class Upgrade Coupons
Amtrak lists one-class upgrade coupons starting at 2,500 points. These can provide eligible upgrades for qualifying travel, subject to the applicable terms and availability.
Lounge Access
Amtrak currently lists lounge access starting at 1,500 points. Eligible lounge locations listed by Amtrak include New York Penn Station, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington, D.C.
Gift Cards
Amtrak also lists gift cards as a redemption option, starting at 2,500 points for a $25 gift card. Available gift card brands and redemption terms can change.
Tips for Booking With Amtrak Guest Rewards Points
Check Your Points Balance First
Before planning a reward trip, check your available points. This helps you determine which options may be within your balance.
Search Multiple Dates
If you can travel on different dates, search several options. Flexible dates can give you more choices.
Compare Points and Cash
If Points & Cash is available, compare the points and cash options before finalizing your booking.
Book Early When Possible
Planning ahead can give you more choices, particularly when you have specific travel dates or preferred trains.
Check Your Trip Details
Always verify your:
- Travel date
- Train
- Stations
- Passenger information
- Points required
- Cash amount, if using Points & Cash
Save Your Confirmation
After booking, save your confirmation number and itinerary. Keeping your reservation details accessible can make your trip easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do I need to book an Amtrak train?
Amtrak currently states that reward travel starts at 400 points. The actual number of points required depends on the specific reward booking. Points & Cash starts at 100 points.
Can I combine Amtrak points and cash?
Yes. Eligible Guest Rewards members can use Points & Cash to combine points and cash for an eligible Amtrak trip.
Can I book Points & Cash at an Amtrak station?
No. Amtrak currently states that Points & Cash bookings are available exclusively through Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app.
Can I change a Points & Cash reservation?
Amtrak currently states that Points & Cash bookings cannot be changed after booking. However, they can be canceled, with the points portion returned to the member’s account and the cash portion refunded to the original form of payment.
Can I earn points on a Points & Cash booking?
Yes. Amtrak states that members earn points and Tier Qualifying Points on the cash portion of eligible Points & Cash bookings at standard earning rates.
Can I use Apple Pay or PayPal with Points & Cash?
Amtrak currently states that digital wallets, including Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and PayPal, cannot be used together with Guest Rewards points to complete Points & Cash bookings.
Final Thoughts
The Amtrak Guest Rewards booking process is a convenient way for members to use their points toward eligible train travel. To book with points, sign in to your account, search for your journey, select the Use Points option, choose your preferred trip, and complete the reservation.
If you do not have enough points for a full reward booking, Points & Cash can provide additional flexibility by combining points and cash. Amtrak currently states that reward travel begins at 400 points, while Points & Cash starts at 100 points.
Before completing your reservation, carefully review the travel details and applicable terms. If you are using Points & Cash, pay particular attention to the booking rules because Amtrak currently states that these reservations cannot be changed after booking.
With a little planning, your Guest Rewards points can help you get more value from your Amtrak travel and provide additional options for future journeys.
All Categories
