topic Re: App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards? in Credit Cards

App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards?

galahad15 — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:46:42 GMT

Hi, I was considering apping for the Amtrak Guest Rewards MC. Unfortunately, the really nice version of the card with the free annual companion ticket feature also has an AF, and I generally almost always avoid applying for cards that have AFs (just not a fan of AF cards no matter what benefits they come with, alas). The no-AF card has 2x rewards points for Amtrak travel and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases, although it also does feature a 5% rewards points rebate for Amtrak purchases.

The thing is, I almost think I may be better-off with my existing travel rewards cards. My Cap1 NHM Ultra card (rewards operate like a Venture) gives me 2x miles for every dollar spent, with no AF and with the Purchase Eraser feature. My BoA Travel Rewards Siggy has 1.5 points per dollar spent. Since I am not interested in the AF-based Amtrak card, do you think it makes sense to app for the no-AF Amtrak card, or just stick with my current travel cards, any thoughts or comments please?

Re: App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:59:10 GMT

@galahad15 wrote:
Hi, I was considering apping for the Amtrak Guest Rewards MC. Unfortunately, the really nice version of the card with the free annual companion ticket feature also has an AF, and I generally almost always avoid applying for cards that have AFs (just not a fan of AF cards no matter what benefits they come with, alas). The no-AF card has 2x rewards points for Amtrak travel and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases, although it also does feature a 5% rewards points rebate for Amtrak purchases.

The thing is, I almost think I may be better-off with my existing travel rewards cards. My Cap1 NHM Ultra card (rewards operate like a Venture) gives me 2x miles for every dollar spent, with no AF and with the Purchase Eraser feature. My BoA Travel Rewards Siggy has 1.5 points per dollar spent. Since I am not interested in the AF-based Amtrak card, do you think it makes sense to app for the no-AF Amtrak card, or just stick with my current travel cards, any thoughts or comments please?

Please list your monthly spend and its corresponding categories.

You can always app for the AF version for the nice bonus, then PC to the non AF version later.

I believe you could transfer points to choice hotels as well but I have never done that. Basically the amount of points you get is incredible value. Its worth over $600 post Jan 1, but before then worth signifcantly more if you used it for a roomette or towards a bedroom. The companion pass is also worth a few hundred in my book. The acela pass, not so much roughly $25 due to my location.

If you travel enough with amtrak, the 2.625-2.9 cpp value of amtrak outweighs the 1.5-2x you are getting now. But thats only if you have the spend and travel. Thats with the no AF version. With the AF version you'd be banking a total of 5 AGR points per dollar spent on amtrak. thats 15% back in essence (would be 9% w/ non AF). Then 5-6% for air/hotel and 2.6-2.9 for everything else.

If you dont even travel that much with amtrak, but you do travel with someone, you can really quickly recoop that $79 AF on the companion alone.

That being said.... I would skip it if you are borderline. Many folks had trouble getting approved. Heck, even I got denied, and did a joint app w/ a person that has low APR with BOA already and they threw 22.9% apr at me! It does have an ok BT offer, 0 for 15 months I believe. 3%/$10 fee

Re: App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 17:50:59 GMT

Re: App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards?

galahad15 — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 20:32:17 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Please list your monthly spend and its corresponding categories.

You can always app for the AF version for the nice bonus, then PC to the non AF version later.

I believe you could transfer points to choice hotels as well but I have never done that. Basically the amount of points you get is incredible value. Its worth over $600 post Jan 1, but before then worth signifcantly more if you used it for a roomette or towards a bedroom. The companion pass is also worth a few hundred in my book. The acela pass, not so much roughly $25 due to my location.

If you travel enough with amtrak, the 2.625-2.9 cpp value of amtrak outweighs the 1.5-2x you are getting now. But thats only if you have the spend and travel. Thats with the no AF version. With the AF version you'd be banking a total of 5 AGR points per dollar spent on amtrak. thats 15% back in essence (would be 9% w/ non AF). Then 5-6% for air/hotel and 2.6-2.9 for everything else.

If you dont even travel that much with amtrak, but you do travel with someone, you can really quickly recoop that $79 AF on the companion alone.

That being said.... I would skip it if you are borderline. Many folks had trouble getting approved. Heck, even I got denied, and did a joint app w/ a person that has low APR with BOA already and they threw 22.9% apr at me! It does have an ok BT offer, 0 for 15 months I believe. 3%/$10 fee

Many thanks for the helpful info and feedback! I deeply appreciate the very kind, thorough, and detailed reply. My monthly spend usually varies from month to month, since I regularly use the local subway where I live with my current Cap1 card to earn travel rewards miles. Total spend on the Cap1 card atm is anywhere between $500 - $700 or thereabouts, depending on the specific month, and I only recently got my BoA TR Siggy so I haven't really had time to use that a lot much so far.

Again thanks so much for all of the very helpful info! Also I am really sorry to hear about the earlier denial and then subsequent super-high APR you mentioned receiving when you tried to app and then joint-app for the card Hopefully BoA will eventually be able to reduce the existing 22.9% APR for you, later on in the future?

Re: App for Amtrak Guest Rewards MC or keep existing Cap1 and BoA TR cards?

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 21:02:51 GMT

@galahad15 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Please list your monthly spend and its corresponding categories.

You can always app for the AF version for the nice bonus, then PC to the non AF version later.

I believe you could transfer points to choice hotels as well but I have never done that. Basically the amount of points you get is incredible value. Its worth over $600 post Jan 1, but before then worth signifcantly more if you used it for a roomette or towards a bedroom. The companion pass is also worth a few hundred in my book. The acela pass, not so much roughly $25 due to my location.

If you travel enough with amtrak, the 2.625-2.9 cpp value of amtrak outweighs the 1.5-2x you are getting now. But thats only if you have the spend and travel. Thats with the no AF version. With the AF version you'd be banking a total of 5 AGR points per dollar spent on amtrak. thats 15% back in essence (would be 9% w/ non AF). Then 5-6% for air/hotel and 2.6-2.9 for everything else.

If you dont even travel that much with amtrak, but you do travel with someone, you can really quickly recoop that $79 AF on the companion alone.

That being said.... I would skip it if you are borderline. Many folks had trouble getting approved. Heck, even I got denied, and did a joint app w/ a person that has low APR with BOA already and they threw 22.9% apr at me! It does have an ok BT offer, 0 for 15 months I believe. 3%/$10 fee
Many thanks for the helpful info and feedback! I deeply appreciate the very kind, thorough, and detailed reply. My monthly spend usually varies from month to month, since I regularly use the local subway where I live with my current Cap1 card to earn travel rewards miles. Total spend on the Cap1 card atm is anywhere between $500 - $700 or thereabouts, depending on the specific month, and I only recently got my BoA TR Siggy so I haven't really had time to use that a lot much so far.

Again thanks so much for all of the very helpful info! Also I am really sorry to hear about the earlier denial and then subsequent super-high APR you mentioned receiving when you tried to app and then joint-app for the card Hopefully BoA will eventually be able to reduce the existing 22.9% APR for you, later on in the future?

Yeah I was upset but I had to let it go. Doesnt behoove me paying interest with a rewards card anyway, in 12 months the account can be split, and plus the BT offer smoothed things over IMO.

500-700 a month is enough to hit the bonus. If you want to take a roomette before january 1st, with a 2nd person for free, then I would go for it. You'd still have a few freebies left and ability to not pay a 2nd AF in 12 months. If you dont love amtrak and use them, I wouldnt get it as you may be spreading yourself too thin. Even if you spent 700 a month thats only $164 in general point earning post AF, vs only $126 with a 1.5%, but it is beaten by the 2% no AF card you have at $168. Of course you can add 79 dollars and take away the passes and then its is the winner if you travel with amtrak (or want a way for your AGR points to never expire).