Amtrak Guest Rewards

[Prevostman]

I'm new to using Amtrak Guest Rewards, and I am chagrined to discover that the multi-zone use is very restrictive. I had planned a 'round-robin' trip, San Antonio, MSY, CHI, LAX, SEA, CHI, SAT and discovered that although that only encompasses two zones Amtrak will not allow it. So I modified it to SAT, CHI, Wolf Point, MT, SEA, LAX, Maricopa/PHX, and that won't work either. Are there any ways to maximize the mileage on something in the way of a 'round-robin' trip through the western and central zones?

Thanx,  [e-mail]

[CMStPnP]

Yeah you need to read up on what Amtrak specifies as a RT ticket I think.   They specifically limit what they call stopovers.     I'll tell you the free travel certs they issue on Amtrak outside of guest rewards.........say for conversion of 50,000 air miles on Frontier Airlines, they offer more freedom than Amtrak Guest Rewards awards do.     I have a RT Superliner Roomete Certificate that is "unlimited" in zones and in mileage for up to two people.     The Amtrak ticket agent at the counter was shocked when she saw it and read the terms and said "Do you know what you have there?"............"How did you get that?"

I am a guest rewards member and their rewards are so restrictive and most of the time rather cheap.   You do better with the airline miles conversions, IMHO.