Sure, but don't forget that they haven't raised redemption levels since 2006.Looks like the increase is a heck of a lot more than that 3.6% Social Security increase for 2012.
Interesting how the rate of increase varies:Saw this on FlyerTalk, by AGR Insider, and then looked at my AGR account, and "sure enuff".
https://amtrakguestr...edemptionchange
or
Ryan, as soon as I saw it, I checked FlyerTalk, and AGR-Insider had just posted it moments earlier, so that's what gave me idea to post here.....Thanks for breaking this out into its own thread, and thanks to Amamba for bringing it up in her thread.
Surprised that this hasn't been mentioned yet!
I'll second this sentiment. The other point I'll make is that you're still getting a solid deal almost across the board. Taking the value of a point as being $.01 (what you'd get on an efficient gift card redemption, were you to do so), you get the following:I'm quick to mock AGR for its generally shambolic relationship to business, but this is as classy a devaluation as I have seen. We have nearly three months to book travel, there are still no capacity controls, and we can book travel for eleven months ahead. Compare that to what British Airways and Hilton have done in the past couple of years. Really, while I'm not happy about the increase, I'm pleasantly impressed by how it was done.
That having been said, the first time I booked DEN-SAC-PDX-MSP in bedrooms it was a one-zone award for 20,000 points. Soon it will be a two-zone award for 40,000 points. It's still a great deal, but not what it was, and with the end of transfers through Continental I fear AGR points will be harder for me to acquire.
I'll admit that I initially thought that this was a joke, given that the changes take effect April Fools Day.
Acela First: $105.00 to $120.00
Business, NE: $65.00 to $75.00
Coach, NE: $30.00 to $40.00
Business, Spec: $15.00 to $20.00
Coach, Spec: $10.00 to $15.00
BR/One Zone: $200.00 to $250.00
BR/Two Zone: $300.00 to $400.00
BR/Three Zone: $500.00 to $600.00
Rule Buster 1: $185.00 to $190.00
Rule Buster 2: $115.00 to $130.00
Rule Buster 3: $55.00 to $70.00
Yes, regardless of the trip date (can be up to 11 months in advance), AGR trips booked prior to April 1 will get the old rates. However, if a trip booked prior to April 1 is modified on or after April 1, the change will require imposition of the new rate. If you book a bedroom Chicago to Seattle on March 29 for 30,000 points and on April 2 decide to change the date of travel, you will have to ante-up the additional 10,000 points to make the change.So if you reserve your trip before April 1st - you still get the old rates - right?
BTW - I wish these were just seasonal, in other words, would be really nice if you could still use the old redemption rates for off peak/winter travel in future years, like November thru March - on non holiday blackouts days. And you have to use more points for April through October (new rates).
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