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?
@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?
@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!
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
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).