All Aboard! Considering this Amtrak Card’s Elevated Welcome Offer

Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard

I’ve enjoyed traveling on Amtrak for years.  Their co-branded credit card journey to different banks – Chase, Bank of America, and currently FNBO – has been entertaining to watch, also.  And FNBO has recently given travelers another reason to consider the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard – a higher-than-usual welcome offer.  Today, I’m looking at this bonus, resetting the card’s highlights, and describing some wrinkles to consider.

Elevated Welcome Offer and Highlights

Up from its normal 20k perch, new Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard holders can now pick up 35k points by spending $2k within the first three billing cycles of account opening.  FNBO offers two Amtrak cards – the $99 annual fee Preferred and the no annual fee Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard.  Here are the highlights of the Preferred:

• Cardholders earn 3x on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases.
• Also, cardholders earn 2x on dining, travel, transit, and rideshare purchases.
• Cardholders earn 1x everywhere else.
• Cardholders receive a 20% rebate on onboard food and beverage purchases.  This rebate comes as a statement credit.

In addition to the above, the Preferred card offers a few additional benefits compared to the no-fee version.  Cardholders receive a round-trip companion, one-class upgrade, and a station lounge coupon upon approval and each anniversary.  Individuals can also spend toward status, earning 1k Tier Qualifying Points for each $5k spent.

The elevated welcome offer is a huge reason to consider the Preferred card right now.  Notably, the no annual fee Amtrak card’s welcome offer still sits at 12k.  But for some, the no-fee version can be the optimal move long-term.

Items To Consider

Should you pursue the Amtrak Preferred card or the no-fee version?  A few areas can help clarify which route to take.

• Do you want both cards?  If so, the clear answer is to go after the Preferred’s elevated offer right now and defer a no-fee card application to later.
• Do you naturally pay cash for Amtrak tickets, whether for business or otherwise?  The Preferred offers superior 3x Amtrak earning, plus enables easier use of the coupons, often requiring paid fares.
• Do you aspire for Amtrak elite status?  The Preferred could be the better option, earning 1k Tier Qualifying Points (TQP) for every $5k spend on the card.
• Do you already hold significant Amtrak Guest Rewards currency and focus on premium award travel?  The no-annual fee version may be the answer for you.  Redeeming for sleeper or first-class Acela travel enables lounge access, rendering the Preferred’s lounge coupon unnecessary.  The Preferred’s superior 3x Amtrak earning is largely diminished for those who primarily travel on Amtrak via award tickets.

I described more in-depth about why I’ve opted for the no-fee card here.  Importantly, I’ve also received multiple data points from other hobbyists that FNBO doesn’t allow product changes between the two Amtrak cards.  Take this into account as you develop your Amtrak credit card strategy.

Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard – Conclusion

While I plan to indefinitely hold the no-fee card, I may jump on this currently-elevated welcome offer for the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard.  This 35k offer isn’t as large as it’s been in the past, but I’m apt to go for the bird in the hand option currently.  I’d treat this card as a one-year rental without a second cardmember year retention offer.

Why do you hold either of the FNBO Amtrak credit cards?

Disclosure: Miles to Memories has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Miles to Memories and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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