Best Credit Card for Amtrak in 2026

Other Options to Consider

‍

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Annual Travel Credit"} ]]

‍

Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.

‍

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "438", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "High Travel Rewards" } ]]

‍

‍

‍

How to Choose a Credit Card for Amtrak

‍

If you're a regular on Amtrak's rails, selecting a credit card that rewards your loyalty can significantly enhance your travel experience and save you money.

‍

Avoid the common trap of choosing a card based solely on a large welcome offer, as the long-term value is often found in the details. It's crucial to weigh the annual fee against the card's benefits and earning structure to ensure it truly aligns with your spending and travel habits. A less flashy card might offer superior value in the long run.

‍

Key Factors

‍

• Earning Structure: Look at how many points you earn on Amtrak purchases and other everyday spending categories like dining and travel. A card that rewards your typical spending habits will accumulate points faster.
• Redemption Options: Consider the flexibility of your points. Can they be transferred directly to Amtrak Guest Rewards, or do they offer other valuable redemption paths like statement credits or booking travel through a different portal?
• Welcome Bonus: A substantial welcome bonus can provide a significant head start, but it should be weighed against the card's long-term earning potential and benefits.
• Annual Fee: Evaluate whether the card's annual fee is justified by the value you get from its rewards and benefits. Sometimes a card with a fee can offer more value than a no-fee card.
• Travel Perks: Check for additional benefits that enhance your travel experience, such as statement credits for travel purchases, trip delay insurance, or complimentary elite status with Amtrak or other travel partners.
• Co-branded vs. General Travel Cards: Decide between an Amtrak-specific card, which may offer unique perks like onboard discounts, and a general travel card that provides greater flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards across different airlines and hotels.

‍

What to Watch Out For

‍

Avoid the trap of chasing high point-earning rates without checking their actual redemption value for Amtrak fares, as point values can vary significantly. Furthermore, don't dismiss flexible travel cards from major issuers, which may offer superior overall value through transfer partnerships and broader travel insurance benefits compared to a dedicated Amtrak card.

‍

Decision Flow

‍

Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the choices based on your travel style and spending habits:

• If you are a frequent Amtrak rider and want benefits directly tied to your train travel, such as onboard food and beverage credits or a fast track to elite status, then a co-branded Amtrak Guest Rewards credit card is your most direct route to value. These cards are specifically designed to reward loyalty within the Amtrak ecosystem.
• If you value flexibility and want the option to use your rewards for flights, hotels, or cash back in addition to Amtrak tickets, then a general travel rewards card is the superior choice. Cards that earn points transferable to Amtrak Guest Rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, allow you to diversify your redemption strategy.
• If you prioritize premium travel perks like airport lounge access, comprehensive trip insurance, and annual travel credits, then a high-end card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is worth considering. Its flexible annual travel credit can be applied to Amtrak fares, enhancing the overall value. Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
• If your primary goal is to avoid an annual fee while still earning points on your travel, then focus on no-annual-fee co-branded or general travel cards. While the earning rates and benefits will be less robust, you can still accumulate points for future Amtrak trips without the yearly cost.

‍

Maximize Your Return with Amtrak

‍

To get the most value from your train travel, here are several strategies for maximizing your credit card rewards on Amtrak purchases:

• Choose the right card:Decide whether to use an Amtrak co-branded credit card for direct point earning or a general travel rewards card that may offer a higher rewards rate on all travel purchases.
• Stack with shopping portals:Before booking on the Amtrak website, click through a credit card or airline shopping portal to earn additional points or miles on top of what your card offers.
• Transfer flexible points:Leverage transferable currency programs, as some allow you to move points to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account, which is an excellent way to top off your balance for a specific award ticket.
• Redeem for high value:Always compare the cash price of a ticket to the number of points required to ensure you are getting a strong redemption value for your hard-earned rewards.

‍

Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

‍

Stop guessing which card to use at checkout. Kudos automatically selects the best card for every purchase to maximize your rewards. Get started for free.

‍

Other Things to Consider

‍

While an Amtrak-specific card is a great choice for frequent riders, it's wise to consider your overall spending habits. If most of your budget goes toward a specific retailer, a store-branded card might offer more value in the long run. Regardless of which card you choose, financial discipline is paramount. The rewards you earn are only beneficial if you pay your balance in full each month, as interest charges can quickly outweigh any points or miles. Finally, be mindful of how your credit card use fits with your broader financial picture, including cash flow and any Buy Now, Pay Later plans you might be using, to ensure you're not taking on unmanageable debt.

‍

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can I use any credit card to pay for Amtrak tickets?

‍

Yes, Amtrak accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You can use them to purchase tickets online, through the mobile app, or at a station.

‍

How do I transfer points to Amtrak Guest Rewards?

‍

You can transfer points to the Amtrak Guest Rewards program from several flexible credit card rewards programs. This process is typically handled through your credit card issuer's online rewards portal.

‍

Is an Amtrak co-branded credit card worth it?

‍

For frequent riders, an Amtrak co-branded card can be highly valuable due to benefits like bonus points on Amtrak spending and an annual companion coupon. However, casual travelers may find a general travel rewards card offers more flexibility.

‍

‍

‍

‍