Amtrak Guest Rewards pays you 2 points for every $1 you spend on Amtrak travel, and you can book a ride from as little as 400 points. Points come from riding, from Amtrak's co-branded Mastercards and, since Bilt joined as a partner, from Bilt Rewards at 2 Bilt Points for 1 Amtrak point. Every figure here comes from Amtrak's own pages, read on October 19, 2026.
How You Earn Points
The base rate is 2 points per $1 on Amtrak travel, and you add your membership number when you book. Business class earns a 25% point bonus, and Acela First earns 50%, according to Amtrak's terms. Your status tier adds a bonus on top of the base points: 25% at Select, 50% at Select Plus and 100% at Select Executive. Amtrak credits points for one train ticket per train number per day.
Amtrak partners can also credit points, usually within six weeks.
Transferring Bilt Points to Amtrak
Bilt Points move to Amtrak at 2 Bilt Points for 1 Amtrak point. Blue Bilt members must transfer at least 2,000 Bilt Points, and Silver, Gold and Platinum members at least 1,000. Each transfer is capped at 1 million Bilt Points. Amtrak says points generally arrive within 72 hours, and a conversion can't be canceled or reversed once received. The names on the Bilt and Amtrak accounts must match, and points can't go to someone else's account. Our Bilt to Amtrak guide covers when the transfer makes sense.
What Points Buy
You need 400 points to start redeeming for travel, or 100 points if you use Points & Cash. To see what a seat costs in points, search Amtrak's fare finder with Use Points turned on, and sign in to book. Check the price for your trip before you move any points.
Other uses, starting prices as Amtrak lists them:
- A One-Class Upgrade Coupon, from 2,500 points. It moves you up one class, such as Coach to Business, is used within 12 hours of departure on a one-way trip and depends on space.
- An Amtrak lounge pass, from 1,500 points.
- A $25 gift card, from 2,500 points.
Points & Cash can't be used to buy a class upgrade. Upgrade prices vary and can change without notice.
Status Tiers
Status comes from Tier Qualifying Points (TQPs) earned in a calendar year: Select at 5,000, Select Plus at 10,000 and Select Executive at 20,000. Business and Acela First travel earn extra TQPs. Amtrak's member benefits page shows the coupons and lounge passes each tier gets.
Keeping Points From Expiring
Amtrak's terms say points expire if you have no member-initiated qualifying activity for 24 months, and they are forfeited if your membership is terminated.
