United and Amtrak have long had a partnership that resulted in some code sharing on itineraries that included both train a plane (to my knowledge, most notably on deals “departing” Philadelphia’s train station to connect to a flight via Newark airport). Those code share sales have apparently ended. Reciprocal mileage earning is slated to end December 24, 2020 and reciprocal lounge access will end February 4, 2021.
Most readers won’t find this news terribly relevant, but those who have been able to take advantage will surely see this as a big disappointment (indeed Matthew Klint at Live and Let’s Fly laments the end of it). That Live and Let’s Fly post clued me in to one big thing I’d long missed: it has apparently been possible (and still is until December 24th) to credit United flights to Amtrak and earn 1 Amtrak point per mile flown. Given that Amtrak points can be quite valuable (and that United instead awards miles based on fares, which have been decreasing domestically for years), this was a significant opportunity to earn a nice return that I’m sad to have missed. I’ve redeemed Amtrak points a few times over the past few years and been happy with the experience and value.
Furthermore, while Amtrak lounges aren’t quite what you may be used to if you’ve spent much time at international business class airline lounges, they have (had?) free food and coffee and a slightly more comfortable place to sit while waiting for your train. I guess you’ll now have to pony up for the business class fare rather than rely on United status to get you in the lounge.
Again, this news will only be relevant to a segment of readers, but that segment will surely feel some nostalgia and disappointment to see this end.
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Disappointed as a ZFV rider. Revenue fares at times were cheaper at times since EWR counted as a layover vs non stop out of EWR long haul. Or a Philadelphia area resident could get ZFV-EWR for the same saver awards as departures from EWR. Sigh!
Thanks for the info. Also wish I’d learned about the Amtrak credit of United miles flown earlier. The BOA Amtrak Guest Rewards World MasterCard is worth considering for anyone with an interest in Amtrak, especially sleeper travel.