Michael Godek/Getty Images: Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate
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.
Trains are one of the most affordable and environmentally-friendly ways of getting from one place to another. Trains can also be one of the most comfortable and enjoyable methods of traveling, 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 one 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.
Here’s what you need to know about earning rewards on train travel, along with some of the best credit cards to consider for your next trip.
How to earn rewards on train travel
To earn rewards on train travel, you’ll have to look at using a credit card that offers rewards in that category, plus 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 travel purchases in general, which includes 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, could be a great way to 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 your cash back rewards towards statement credits that can help you 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. You may also want to consider a few of the credit card recommendations listed below.
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.
Amtrak Guest Rewards points can be redeemed for Amtrak travel, with reward travel starting at just 400 points. Your points can also be redeemed for gift cards that can be used 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 your 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.
Another way to earn more Guest Rewards points is by transferring Audience Rewards® ShowPoints to Amtrak Guest Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. Audience Rewards is a loyalty program for New York City theatergoers, and it is currently the only program that transfers points to Amtrak Guest Rewards.
Best credit cards for earning rewards on train travel
The following cards can help you earn boosted rewards rates for train travel:
Rewards rate: 3X points on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases; 2X points on dining, travel, transit and rideshare; 1X points on all other purchases
Welcome offer: 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three billing cycles
Annual fee: $99
Regular APR: 28.24% variable
If you frequently use Amtrak, you’re going to want to consider the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®*. The card comes with a $99 annual fee, but you’ll get plenty of benefits in return — including a round-trip companion coupon, a station lounge pass and a one-class upgrade, all of which are offered upon account opening and each account anniversary. You’ll also earn a 20 percent rebate (in the form of a statement credit) on onboard food and beverage purchases, plus a 5 percent points rebate when you redeem your rewards for Amtrak travel.
Rewards rate: 2X points on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases; 2X points on dining; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
Welcome offer: 12,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three billing cycles
Annual fee: $0
Regular APR: 28.24% variable
If you like the idea of earning Amtrak Guest Rewards points but you don’t like the idea of paying an annual fee, you might want to consider the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard®*. You won’t earn as many rewards and benefits as you would with the Preferred card, but you’ll get a 10 percent rebate (in the form of a statement credit) on onboard food and beverage purchases and a 5 percent points rebate when you redeem your rewards for Amtrak travel.
Rewards rate: 5X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3X points on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs); 2X points on other travel (including train travel); and 1X points on all other purchases.
Welcome offer: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening (worth $750 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠). Plus, for a limited time, get up to $300 in statement credits for Chase Travel purchases in your first year.
Annual fee: $95
Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% variable
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best travel cards around, especially if you’re new to travel rewards. It comes with a $95 annual fee, but benefits include up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotels purchased through Chase Travel, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and a trip delay reimbursement. Plus, any points you earn with the card are worth 25 percent more when redeemed for travel through Chase.
Rewards rate: Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, along with 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Welcome offer: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening (equal to $750 in travel)
Annual fee: $95
Regular APR: 19.99%–29.99% variable
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a good choice if you’re looking for a flat-rate travel rewards card with flexible redemption options. You can redeem your miles for statement credits toward eligible travel purchases made within the last 90 days, miles transfers to airline and hotel partners or gift cards or merchandise at a lower value. The card comes with a $95 annual fee, but frequent flyers will appreciate the statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck and two free Capital One lounge visits per year.
Rewards rate: 3 percent cash back on category purchases of choice, including gas (plus electric vehicle charging stations), online shopping (plus cable, streaming, internet and phone services), dining, travel (including train travel), drugstore or home improvement; 2 percent cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Rewards cap at $2,500 of combined 3 and 2 percent category purchases per quarter, then 1 percent.
Welcome offer: $200 online cash rewards after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and on any balance transfers made in the first 60 days from account opening
Regular APR: 18.74%-28.74% variable
If you want to earn cash back rewards without paying an annual fee, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card is worth considering. You can change your 3 percent category once per month as your spending needs change, so you only have to have it set for the travel category during the months you’ll be purchasing your train tickets. Plus, if you’re a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, you can earn 25 percent to 75 percent more rewards in each category depending on your membership level. That means your 3 percent category could instead earn 3.75 percent to 5.25 percent back.
The bottom line
A lot of regular Amtrak commuters already know how to use Amtrak Guest Rewards to earn free trips, but using the right credit card — like one of the cards mentioned above — 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 often.
For more travel tips and tricks, check out Bankrate’s travel toolkit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about earning rewards for train travel
No, you cannot transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards to Amtrak. Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders used to have this option, but it was discontinued in 2015. Current Chase transfer partners include popular hotels and airlines with rewards programs such as Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.
No, you cannot book train tickets with Chase Ultimate Rewards points. The Chase Travel portal allows you to book flights, hotels, cars, cruises and activities. It does not allow you to book train travel.
*Information about the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard® and Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.
The Bank of America content in this post was last updated on September 30, 2024.
