David KrisoTraveling by train is the greatest experience anyone could ask for. Since 1971, Amtrak has made that possible for millions of Americans. In 2001, Amtrak introduced the Amtrak Guest Rewards program. It is considered one of the greatest passenger loyalty programs in the travel industry. For more than ten years, Amtrak Guest Rewards has been in partnership with Bank of America. October 22nd, that partnership came to an end. Since October 23rd, Amtrak Guest Rewards announced the arrival of its credit card partner, First National Bank of Omaha. With this new partnership, Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard holders will have the potential to go a great distance. Distance, geographically, yes-always; but metaphorically yes, in a big way when it comes to perks. How much more in distance can Amtrak passengers go with the new Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard and credit card partnership? As soon as the train leaves, the possibilities are endless.
Dating back to past credit card partnerships, Amtrak Guest Rewards has given travelers the golden opportunity to earn points per dollar on purchases at a wide variety of merchants. From department stores, to home improvement stores, to purchasing gourmet gifts for all occasions, Amtrak Guest Rewards members and its credit card holders have taken great advantage of the great perks available. Recently, Amtrak Guest Rewards has entered a new credit card partnership with First National Bank of Omaha. This credit card partnership is even more rewarding than what the previous two banks offered. Chase and Bank of America were good credit card partners. First National Bank of America is already proving to be all the more worthwhile. How so? It’s all in the point values and the perks. Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard holders have been earning two points per dollar on Amtrak ticket purchases, and one point per dollar on all other purchases. That has been for the longest time and will continue to be successful. With the First National Bank of Omaha, the perks have gotten sweeter.
The Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard now takes passengers even further. Cardholders will earn more than just two points for every dollar on Amtrak purchases and onboard purchases. Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard will give cardholders the opportunity to earn two points per dollar on dining purchases. If travelers plan to visit Washington, DC on a pleasure trip and treated themselves to dinner, and use their Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard, they will earn two points per dollar on their tab. Specifically, if travelers visit Boston, and are on a quest for a restaurant with good clam chowder, let two points per dollar be the reward. The same situation applies to travelers who wish to visit the city of Buffalo and enjoy those sinful Buffalo Wings at the famous Anchor Bar. Those same two points per dollar apply to Amtrak Guest Rewards members traveling to Pittsburgh, craving those famous mouth-watering sandwiches at Primanti Bros. Two points per dollar goes a long way. Who said that credit cards only benefited the airlines and the rails? The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard rewards more than just those riding the rails. Amtrak Guest Rewards and First National Bank of Omaha just made points and appetites a match made in Heaven. To top off the list of perks, Amtrak Guest Rewards members can score one point per dollar on all other purchases. Like a railroad track as straight as an arrow, the opportunities are limitless.
Are there more points to earn than just two points per dollar on Amtrak ticket purchases and onboard purchases? Is there more to the one point per dollar on non-Amtrak purchases? Oh yes! All that Amtrak Guest Rewards members must do is log into their account. There, they can consult the A-Z listing of merchants of all types-hotels, department stores, theme parks-particularly Sea World parks (i.e. Busch Gardens), Home Depot, and whole wide variety of merchants of interest. Each and every merchant offers a variety of point values per dollar. Some merchants can offer a maximum of nine points per dollar. The key is that Amtrak Guest Rewards members log on often-on a monthly basis, and take advantage of those points both in-store and online. The more often Amtrak Guest Rewards members use their Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard, the further shopping and dining will take them.
The COVID pandemic is in the past. The world of travel is back. The future of traveling is here. The Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard and the First National Bank of Omaha are ringing in a new era of travel rewards. Amtrak Guest Rewards is one of the finest passenger loyalty programs in the industry. That is 100% true. The new Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard, along with the First National Bank of Omaha, will continue to make the program far more worthwhile. Two points per dollar on Amtrak ticket purchases and onboard purchases is a solid reward. Two points per dollar on dining purchases are a reward no loyal Amtrak traveler can refuse. It certainly makes Amtrak Guest Rewards a loyalty program well worth belonging to, well worth the while, and well worth the travel experience in the long run. Two points per dollar on a New York steak dinner, two points per dollar at a Chicago pizzeria, or even two points per dollar on a Cuban in Tampa, FL are what every loyal Amtrak traveler would call “going the distance”. Having coupled up with the First National Bank of Omaha, Amtrak Guest Rewards has added a significant degree of uniqueness to its consist. Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard holders have a lot to celebrate. As said in Amtrak’s old commercial jingle, “There’s something about a train that’s magic”. As the popularity of rail travel continues to grow, let the magic of Amtrak Guest Rewards forge ahead with the unmatched spirit of adventure.
