Continental-Amtrak go the Kim Kardhsian-Kris Humphries way
Just like the breakup between Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries, the not unexpected breakup between Continental OnePass and Amtrak Guest Rewards is here. As of the end of this year, with the merger of Continental OnePass Mileage program into United MileagePlus, one will no longer be able to earn Continental Miles on Amtrak train trips or transfer miles between the two programs. According to Amtrak, they are in talks with United, but no deal has been reached yet to transition the relationship between the two programs from Continental to United.
For those looking to transfer miles between the two programs, do so before Dec. 31st, 2011. Remember, only Elite Amtrak travelers or holders of their Credit Cards are eligible to transfer Miles between the programs.
Here is an email from Amtrak, that was sent out today:
Dear Sanjeev,
While the Continental® OnePass® program will formally end in December, we’re happy to inform you that a new Amtrak Guest Rewards® partnership with the United MileagePlus®program is in the works.
In the meantime, here’s what the changes mean for you as an Amtrak Guest Rewards member:
• December 31, 2011 is the last day that Amtrak Guest Rewards members will be able to
convert Continental OnePass miles to Amtrak Guest Rewards points
• Members may convert OnePass miles to Amtrak Guest Rewards points in increments
of 5,000 miles for 5,000 points
• To convert your miles, contact the OnePass service center. Learn MoreEligible members* may convert Amtrak Guest Rewards points to OnePass miles at AmtrakGuestRewards.com through December 31, 2011. Transfer of points and miles will not be a benefit of the new partnership with United MileagePlus.
As always, thank you for your continued loyalty.
Sincerely,
Michael Blakey
Senior Director, Loyalty Marketing & CRM
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Not too much of a surprise, though I do hope they’ll manage to bring this one back. OnePass->Amtrak was a great value for travel in the Northeast Corridor.
Love the title 🙂
This article’s title is misleading in that Amtrak and Continental are not breaking up; rather, Continental is ceasing to exist as an independent entity.
Transfering miles to AGR points ended on December 31 and apparently isn’t going to be part of a United-Amtrak deal, but travelers can earn points from Continental flights through March 31, and Amtrak has announced that AGR members will be able to earn points from United flights as of April 1.