Better Sign-Up Bonus for Folks Who Like Train Travel!
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Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.Via Doctor of Credit, there’s a better offer on the annual fee version of the Bank of America Amtrak card.
With the Bank of America Amtrak World MasterCard, you can earn 30,000 Amtrak points (worth up to ~$870 in Amtrak tickets) after meeting minimum spending requirements.
This is the highest bonus we’ve seen on this card, so it could be worth considering if you like train travel. But it’s NOT the best card for folks new to miles & points.
We don’t earn a commission for this card, but we’ll always tell you about the best deals.
Increased Offer on the Bank of America Amtrak Card
Link: Bank of America Amtrak Credit Card
With the latest offer on the Bank of America Amtrak World MasterCard, you can earn 30,000 Amtrak points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
The card also comes with:
- 3X Amtrak points per $1 spent on Amtrak
- 2X Amtrak points per $1 spent on travel purchases including
- 1X Amtrak points per $1 spent on other purchases
- 5% of your points back when you redeem for award travel on Amtrak
- 1,000 Tier Qualifying Points toward Amtrak elite status per $5,000 spent on purchases (earn up to 4,000 Tier Qualifying Points per calendar year)
- A one-day Acela Club, Metropolitan Club, or First Class lounge pass upon account opening valid for yourself and 1 companion or immediate family
- A one-class upgrade certificate from coach to Business Class, or from Acela Business Class to Acela First Class, on a single travel segment or leg certificate (not valid on sleeper cars) upon account opening, and each year you renew your card
- A companion certificate for Amtrak travel with the purchase of a regular round-trip or one-way full-fare ticket (not valid on Acela or long distance trains) upon account opening, and each year you renew your card. You and your
- NO foreign transaction fees
The $79 annual fee is NOT waived the first year. But you’ll be getting 10,000 more points than the usual 20,000 Amtrak point sign-up offer. And 30,000 Amtrak points is worth ~$870 in regular Amtrak tickets (30,000 X ~2.9 cents per point) or ~$768 for travel on Acela Express (30,000 points X 2.56 cents per point).
For example, say you want to travel between Boston and Washington, DC, to visit our nation’s capital. I found a ticket between these 2 cities in September 2017, for ~9,516 Amtrak points or ~$244.
For more ideas on ways to make the most of Amtrak points, check out this post!
Is It Worth It?
Because the sign-up bonus is worth hundreds of dollars in Amtrak travel, this card could be a good choice if you’re planning an Amtrak trip or are over Chase’s 5/24 rule and have lots of other cards.
And because you can no longer transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Amtrak, it’s harder to earn Amtrak points without spending a lot on Amtrak tickets.
Million Mile Secrets team member Jasmin took her 3 kids on an Amtrak trip a few years ago between Rochester, New York, and New York City. Is was super comfortable and an easy ride on the Empire Service train. So much so that her kids thought they were in Business Class! But you had to pay for food and drinks, and the Wi-Fi was a little spotty.
Just remember, this is NOT a good card for folks new to miles & points. Because there are other cards that offer bigger sign-up bonuses and earn more flexible points.
Bottom Line
The Bank of America Amtrak World MasterCard is now offering a 30,000 Amtrak point sign-up bonus after spending $1,000 on purchases within 90 days of opening your account.
Amtrak points are worth ~2.9 cents each for most award tickets, so the sign-up bonus alone is ~$870 in regular Amtrak tickets. Meaning you could save hundreds if you’re planning a trip on Amtrak!
That said, this isn’t the best card for beginners. Because there are other cards that earn more flexible rewards and come with better sign-up bonuses.
We don’t earn anything from the Bank of America Amtrak card, but we’re committed to telling our readers about the best offers!
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