5 Things to Know about the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard

5 Things to Know About the Amtrak Credit Card

At least one version of the card offers decent rewards for Amtrak regulars, but its biggest selling point may be its lucrative perks — including a companion coupon.

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Updated Feb 4, 2026 11:31 a.m. PST · 2 min read Written by Lead Writer & Content Strategist + more + more Edited by Managing Editor + more + more Co-written by Lead Writer + more + more SOME CARD INFO MAY BE OUTDATED

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If you’re a frequent rider, be it for daily work trips or for longer adventures, you might be considering an Amtrak credit card to help you lower your fares and keep you on the right track. But of the two versions of the card — both issued by First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) — one offers more value, including better rewards and some lucrative side perks (such as a companion coupon) that can make up for its $99 fee. Still, regardless of which card you hold, if you’re not hopping aboard frequently it might take you a while to rack up a pile of points. In that case, a general rewards credit card might make more sense. Here are five things to know about the Amtrak credit cards. » MORE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for transit and commuters » MORE:

1. There are two versions of the card

Amtrak offers two different cards, with different fees and rewards structures: The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard ($0 annual fee). Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard The Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard ($99 annual fee). Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard Both earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points, but as you might expect, the more expensive "Preferred" version offers richer rates: 3 points per $1 spent on Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases. 2 points per $1 on dining, eligible non-Amtrak travel, transit, and rideshare charges. 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. The $0-annual-fee version earns 2 points per $1 spent on dining and Amtrak travel, including onboard purchases, plus 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. If you’re a frequent Amtrak passenger, a 3X rate on those trips is pretty good. But beyond that, the rewards categories for both cards are underwhelming. You can find a number of credit cards that earn 2X back on all purchases, not just in narrow categories. » MORE: NerdWallet's best travel credit cards » MORE:

2. You'll get exclusive perks and benefits

The no-annual-fee version of the card offers a couple of perks, including a 10% rebate toward Amtrak food and drink purchases, plus a 5% points rebate when you redeem points for Amtrak travel. But the $99-annual-fee Preferred card goes a lot further, including multiple benefits that can help defray that yearly cost:

Ongoing perks

A 20% rebate in the form of statement credit toward Amtrak food and drink purchases. A 20% rebate A 5% points rebate when you redeem points for Amtrak travel. (Redeem 100 points for an Amtrak ticket and you can expect to get 5 points back.) A 5% points rebate 1,000 Tier Qualifying Points or TQPs for every $5,000 in purchases with no cap. If you have a certain number of TQPs, you can qualify for elite status, which can get you a 25% to 100% points bonus. 1,000 Tier Qualifying Points or TQPs

Perks that renew annually

A companion coupon after opening an account and each year when you renew your card — a value of up to $300 when redeemed for Amtrak travel. This alone could offset the card’s $99 annual fee. Blackout dates apply. A companion coupon A free one-class upgrade after opening an account and each year when your account is renewed. Again, blackout dates apply. A free one-class upgrade A single-visit Amtrak lounge pass after opening an account and each year when your account is renewed. A single-visit Amtrak lounge pass » MORE: Amtrak Guest Rewards: The complete guide » MORE:

3. Redemption is flexible ...

if you hold one of the Amtrak credit cards, points don't expire as long as your card account remains open and active, meaning that you earn or redeem rewards within a 24-month period. (For non-cardholders seeking additional ways to keep points from expiring, check out some suggestions from Amtrak.) Points can be redeemed for a variety of options, including Amtrak travel, car rentals, hotels and gift cards. Redemption for travel will get you the most value for your points. (And as noted above, when you redeem for Amtrak trips this way, you’ll get a 5% point rebate.)

4. ... But point values vary

But the redemption process can be confusing because the value of your points will differ depending on what you redeem for and the amount of your redemption. In June 2024, NerdWallet did a route simulation between New York and Washington, D.C., and found a trip on a Northwest Regional train costing $137 for a coach seat and $250 for business. That's equal to 5,138 and 9,375 points, respectively — a redemption value of roughly 2.7 cents per point. That's an outstanding value. (Typically, you want to aim for a value of at least 1 cent per point.) When redeemed for other options, though, points seem to be worth much less. A $50 Airbnb gift card will set you back 6,000 points (as of June 2024) — a point value of around 0.83 cent apiece. Meanwhile, a $50 Amazon gift card will cost only 5,000 points (as of June 2024). » MORE: How to get the biggest bang for your buck on Amtrak » MORE:

5. You'll be eligible for a sign-up bonus

NerdWallet rating Apply now Apply now Read Review Both versions of the card offer a sign-up bonus for new cardholders. As of September 2025: For the $99-annual-fee version — earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first three billing cycles. For the $0-annual-fee version — earn 12,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in the first three billing cycles. That's certainly not bad and can definitely cover some Amtrak trips. But it's worth noting that many travel credit cards offer higher bonuses, especially if you're considering the annual-fee version. For example, the $95-annual-fee Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card has this welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip. $95 Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first 3 months – that’s $600 toward your next trip. » MORE: Beyond airlines and hotels: Credit cards can help you save on buses and trains, too » MORE: Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. About the authors Funto Omojola Funto Omojola is a writer at NerdWallet. Funto's work has been featured in MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance and Nasdaq. See full bio. Craig Joseph Craig Joseph is a NerdWallet authority on credit cards and travel rewards. His work has been featured by The Associated Press, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Nasdaq and Yahoo Finance. See full bio. Helpful resources Best Cash Back Credit Cards Best Travel Credit Cards Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards

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