All aboard: Amtrak credit card applications are back for the first time in 10 months
The wait is over: You can now apply for an Amtrak credit card again and receive a welcome bonus.
In December of 2021, applications for the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit cards disappeared from the Bank of America website. At the time, there was no announcement, leaving everyone to wonder if or when applications would open again.
In early September of 2022, we learned that First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) would take over these accounts, issue new cards and make slight adjustments to perks, earning structures and annual fees. However, the cards remained largely unchanged, other than being issued by a new bank.
The news of a new credit card issuer left us to speculate that today would finally come: the return of applications and sign-up bonuses on Amtrak Guest Rewards credit cards.
The best offer we've ever seen on an Amtrak credit card was 50,000 points after spending $2,500 on purchases. The current bonuses aren't quite that high but do match the standard offers we've come to expect from Amtrak over the years.
Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®
Of the two Amtrak credit cards available, this card has more perks and also has an annual fee.
Sign-up bonus: New applicants can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three billing cycles from account opening. TPG values Amtrak points at 2.5 cents apiece, making this bonus worth $750.
Annual fee: $99.
Earning structure: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel (including onboard purchases), 2 points per dollar on dining, travel, transit and rideshare and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Key benefits: Cardholders receive a 20% rebate (as a statement credit) for onboard food and beverage purchases using the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred card. Additionally, cardholders receive a 5% points rebate when redeeming points with Amtrak, are exempt from points expiration and can earn tier status faster by earning 1,000 Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) after each $5,000 in purchases on the card. There are no foreign transaction fees on the card.
Cardholders also receive the following benefits on account opening and again on each account anniversary:
- A station lounge pass.
- One-class upgrade.
- Round-trip companion coupon.
The information for the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Your complete guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards
Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard®
For those looking for a credit card without an annual fee, the Amtrak Guest Rewards card doesn't have one.
Sign-up bonus: New applicants can earn 12,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three billing cycles from account opening. TPG values Amtrak points at 2.5 cents apiece, making this bonus worth $300.
Annual fee: $0.
Earning structure: Earn 2 points per dollar on Amtrak travel (including onboard purchases), 2 points per dollar on dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Key benefits: Cardholders receive a 10% rebate (as a statement credit) for onboard food and beverage purchases. Other benefits include exemption from points expiration, a 5% rebate when redeeming points for travel on Amtrak and no foreign transaction fees.
The information for the Amtrak Guest Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
See also: Earn double points on Amtrak travel this fall
Bottom line
Existing cardholders who have Amtrak Guest Rewards credit cards from Bank of America should have received their new cards in the mail by now and should be able to use them.
Now that FNBO is issuing Amtrak's credit cards, the cards are available for new applications and are offering sign-up bonuses worth up to $750, depending on which card you apply for.
If you're interested in applying for either of the Amtrak Guest Rewards credit cards, you can do so here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees