Can you earn rewards on train travel?

By Nicole Dieker, Bankrate.com

Trains are one of the most affordable and environmentally friendly ways of getting from one place to another. Trains can be a comfortable and enjoyable way to travel, whether you’re getting work done on your laptop, watching the scenery or talking with your fellow passengers in the dining car.

If you haven’t experienced the fun of train travel before, now is the time to see whether there’s an Amtrak station in your area — and if you decide you like trains enough to incorporate them into your next vacation, you’re going to want to know how to earn rewards on train travel.

Can you earn credit card rewards on train travel?

It’s easy to earn credit card rewards on train travel, even if you don’t have an Amtrak-branded credit card. Nearly all rewards credit cards offer at least 1 point or mile per dollar spent on train tickets, and many credit cards offer boosted rewards rates for travel purchases like airlines, cruises and trains.

How to earn rewards on train travel

To earn rewards on train travel, you’ll need a credit card that offers rewards in that category, plus loyalty programs to earn rewards with popular train networks.

Use the right rewards credit card

Many of today’s top travel credit cards and top cash back credit cards reward train travel. Even if the reward structure doesn’t specifically mention trains by name, you may still earn rewards on train purchases — especially if the card rewards general travel purchases, which would include Amtrak trains and other passenger railways.

Even credit cards that don’t offer bonus rewards on travel can still be beneficial when you travel by train. A credit card with flat-rate cash back rewards, for example, can earn cash back on your train ticket — as well as the taxi you take to the train station and the meal you buy on-board. Plus, you can redeem cash back rewards for statement credits to cover the cost of your hotel, dining or entertainment.

If you want to choose the best credit card for train travel, look for a credit card that offers at least 2 percent cash back on all purchases or at least 2X points or miles on travel purchases.

Earn rewards for your daily commute

Train travel doesn’t have to be limited to passenger train railways. Many credit cards also cover “public transit” as part of their general travel category, so you can earn rewards for taking your city’s light rail or subway, too.

Join Amtrak Guest Rewards

You’ll get more out of your train travel if you join a railway rewards program. If you do most of your train travel in the United States, this means signing up for Amtrak Guest Rewards.

As a member, you’ll earn 2X points per dollar spent on Amtrak travel, plus a 25 percent points bonus on business-class travel and a 50 percent points bonus on Acela first-class travel. You can also earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points with partner hotels, car rental agencies, retailers and more.

You can redeem Amtrak Guest Rewards points for Amtrak travel, with reward travel starting at just 400 points. You can also redeem points for gift cards to use for hotels, dining, entertainment and shopping — which makes the Amtrak Guest Rewards program versatile enough to handle whatever experiences come your way.

If you’re a frequent Amtrak traveler, you’ll probably want to earn as many Amtrak Guest Rewards points as possible. The best way to maximize Guest Rewards is by applying for an Amtrak credit card. Not only will you earn accelerated rewards on Amtrak purchases, but you may also be eligible for rebates, upgrades and other travel benefits.

The bottom line

Many regular Amtrak commuters already know how to use Amtrak Guest Rewards to earn free trips, but using the right credit card can make your next train experience even more rewarding.

And don’t forget that you can earn rewards for daily train usage, too, which is perfect if you take public transit like the metro or subway.

Key takeaways

• By using the right rewards credit card, you can earn rewards on your train travel.
• Joining the Amtrak Guest Rewards program allows you to earn even more rewards on train travel.
• To make the most of your train trip, consider redeeming some of your travel rewards for hotels, dining or entertainment.

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