The complete guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards elite status
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
In the U.S., Amtrak operates the majority of the medium- and long-haul passenger trains.
As such, it offers its own loyalty program, Amtrak Guest Rewards, which rewards frequent customers with perks like free rides.
Here's everything you need to know about Amtrak Guest Rewards elite status.
How to earn elite status with Amtrak
Amtrak Guest Rewards offers three tiers of elite status: Select, Select Plus and Select Executive, which includes benefits such as bonus points, upgrades and lounge access. Qualification is based on your yearly accumulation of Tier Qualifying Points.
Members earn 2 points per dollar spent, plus a 25% bonus for business-class tickets and a 50% bonus on Acela first-class tickets. Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard® cardmembers can earn up to 1,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent on their card, with no yearly unit.
Select
Select is the lowest tier in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program. It's obtained by earning 5,000 TQPs in a calendar year. Select members will earn a 25% tier status point bonus on Amtrak travel, two one-class upgrades and two single-visit passes to Amtrak lounges.
Select Plus
Select Plus is the next tier in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program, which you'll obtain after earning 10,000 TQPs. There are some similarities with the first two tiers, such as the tier status point bonus (50% for Select Plus), one-class upgrades (four) and access to Amtrak lounges. Select Plus members also earn two companion coupons.
Select Executive
The top tier level of the Amtrak Guest Rewards program is Select Executive. This level is earned after earning 20,000 TQPs. As a Select Executive, you'll earn a 100% tier status point bonus on Amtrak travel, four one-class upgrades (plus one more with every additional 3,000 TQPs), two companion coupons, one Auto Train priority vehicle offloading coupon and lounge access.
All tiers come with two 10% discount coupons, priority call handling and exclusive offers.
Earn elite status with credit cards
If you find yourself frequently traveling on Amtrak, you might want to consider applying for one of its two cobranded credit cards issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO).
The no-annual-fee Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard® offers 12,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of opening the account. The Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard offers 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three billing cycles of the account opening.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard holders also earn 1,000 TQPs for every $5,000 spent.
The information for the Amtrak Guest Rewards World Mastercard and Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Amtrak can still offer a convenient alternative to flying, especially if you live along the Northeast Corridor. Earning elite status with Amtrak isn't terribly difficult, especially if you take the train often.
Related reading:
- The best credit cards for train travel
- Amtrak gifting status for 2024
- New Acela trains approved for high-speed testing along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor
- Amtrak introduces three new menu items for first-class passengers
- Amtrak is testing in-seat delivery, online ordering from the cafe car
- Amtrak to simplify fare structure, eliminate Saver seats