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All aboard: Amtrak credit card applications are back for the first time in 10 months

Ryan Smith
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Ryan Smith is a former TPG credit cards writer and is on a mission to visit every country in the world. He lives in southern California.
Oct. 31, 2022
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4 min read
Alstom's new Amtrak Acela trains. (Image courtesy Amtrak)
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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.

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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

GABBY JONES/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES

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.

Featured image by AMTRAK
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.