Real Train Question, Amtrak

I wasn’t aware that this card was expiring. This is disappointing news.

Did some internet rummaging around, looks like the "World Master Card" is being discontinued, not the others.

Seriously, I wanted to use my zero balance account for my wife's trip to Israel l so that I could get enough tpi points to help maintain my upgraded account status level.  I have always paid the balance in full each month.  Typical decision for USA Banks.

I had the original Amtrak rewards card that was issued by Chase Bank.  When they went to BOA, I was left with a card that had poor rewards that I never use.  As much as I'd like to, I wouldn't blame the banks as much as Amtrak.

Jonathan

I also had the Chase card and switched to BOA (not the World card) when Amtrak did. Points have paid for several of my trips from Newark to Richmond VA to visit the grandkids.

additional information:  our BOA Amtrak World Card has provided several Thousand Dollars in savings (discounts and Passes)to us.  Right now we have 5 upgrade passes, 2 companion coupons that we need to use before Sept 15, and 4 discount coupons.  On or by October 1 we would have received 2 new companion coupons, and some more upgrade passes for the new fiscal year; however, now that will not happen.  Also, recently, recently my wife and three other Choir Members travelled  round trip to the new Moynihan Hall/Penn Station in NYC  and used four free passes  I had given them to enjoy the new Moynihan Metropolitan Lounge.  They were so impressed at the beautiful Hall and the Lounge with it's free food and so much attention from the Lounge Staff.  They had sung in a 75 member Choir at the Carnegie Hall in NYC; however they all said that the new Hall and Lounge together was the HIGHTLIGHT of the entire trip.  One additional note, when we first received our  World Card it came to us with 40,000 additional points, so I am hoping that Amtrak will treat us well with new freebies when we get their new card very soon.

Just got a mailing from Amtrak today, they are switching banks for the cards. New cards will be issued so any recurring, payments on the current card need to be updated, otherwise pretty much the same except 2 pts. for each $1 spent on dining.

I talked with Guest Rewards again today after getting the NEW Bank info.  A couple days ago I had talked with BOA about our Amtrak World Card.  They stopped all points and other Coupons etc on Sept 1 which prevented me from using card to help secure my tier level for next April - 2023/2024.  We always paid off our balance monthly so because of all the details of making a change account has been zeroed out ( no new charges).  Then they told me the Annual Fee of $79 would be due at end of this month so I closed the account.  The new Annual Fee is $99; therefore,  I wanted to save having double annual charges!  Accomplished!

I have yet to be notified by BofA.  Do existing points roll over to the new bank?

One additional note:  hopefully, two points for every dining meal  will translate into maybe having even two full service Dining  Cars on each Consist for some of our larger train routes!

To answer Scott's concern about points being rolled over to new Card, since BOA and Amtrak cut their relationship effective September 1, 2022 each have said only the points for transactions until the end of August would in effect, transfer to the Amtrak Rewards Accounts!,  no more points until the new Cards are activated and used.

Just looked at my Guest Rewards account and didn't get any point for paying my MC in September confirming what John said. (Fortunately I haven't used the card much lately.)

John: It appears that this "Real Train Question, Amtrak," belongs in the Real Trains Forum, and that through your 6 posts in your thread, it looks like you have answered your own question just by doing a little more research. 🤔

To thank Vern, just trying to confirm the Card problem was a Real train 🚂 problem, and to help others.  As a former train volunteer on a daily run for five years ( I volunteered once every 30 - 60 days on a 14 hour turn a round trip), I enjoyed assisting passengers in many ways, putting platforms down down etraining passengers, boarding new ones, making all types of announcements on individual cars or whole train consist, and talking real train facts as well as pointing out places and things we passed.  That also included having to occasionally take care of naughty passengers, helping them get through their own little ‘traumatic’ problem.  Happy that Amtrak received their $66 billion that is already helping them to reboot ( to hire more staff after the Pandemic staff losses), and to get new infrastructure begun, etc like getting the Acela II TRAIN SETS ‘on board’.  We can all help in various ways to assist improving ridership.

making announcements

Very well. You're a good train man. Thanks John.