Amtrak offers 10% off for Military Members

Amtrak operates most of the passenger rail routes in the United States. Amtrak serves over 500 destinations in 46 states and Canada ranging from intercity to transcontinental routes. Amtrak’s train cars come with various classes of service ranging from standard coach class, business and first-class, sleeper service, and auto trains.

Unfortunately, Amtrak doesn’t have traditional transfer partners where you can credit your points or earn them elsewhere. There are a few hotel, car, and ticketing programs you could transfer from but are generally lousy redemption rates. To earn elsewhere thru shopping portals, you will need to credit your purchases to the Amtrak Guest Rewards program.

Earning and redeeming points are based on the cash price of the ticket you attempt to purchase. The Guest Rewards program members will earn 2x points per dollar spent and a bonus for business and first-class travel. Redemption starts as low as 800 points but is dynamically priced based on the ticket price and how busy/crowded the train is you are booking.

HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Recently, Amtrak began introducing ticketing kiosks that you can purchase tickets. There are hundreds of new kiosks based in the Northeast sections and continue to be added throughout California and the Midwest.

Amtrak also makes it easy to purchase tickets online and through their app. You can print off your tickets or display the QR code when a conductor asks to show your ticket.

AMTRAK MILITARY BENEFITS

Active Duty Military and their dependents can receive a 10% discount with a valid military ID. To add the military value to your fare, click on the “Traveler” drop-down button and select “Military” for each passenger to receive the discount.

One last perk is that Amtrak gives military personnel the ability to board the train from the head of the ticket line. The terms state military personnel must be in uniform, but it never hurts to try and display your ID if you aren’t in uniform. Your miles may vary.

Unfortunately, this discount doesn’t work on Amtrak’s “Saver” tickets, meaning veterans won’t be able to save on the train operator’s cheapest tickets. The discount will only work on “Value” and “Flexible” options.

After you book, don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on train purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Preferred (3x & 2x on travel) and the American Express Green Card (3x on transit).

Both Chase and American Express will waive the annual fees on the credit cards mentioned above for active-duty military personnel and their dependents. They save you $550, $95, and $250, respectively.