Bilt Rewards is expanding its network of transfer partners beyond airlines and hotels to include trains. As of September 23, 2026, Bilt members can transfer their Bilt Points to Amtrak Guest Rewards at a 2:1 ratio, meaning 5,000 Bilt points will convert into 2,500 Amtrak points.
Although this transfer ratio is not the more favorable 1:1, it remains a solid option, as Amtrak Guest Rewards points can often be redeemed for more than two cents each. According to Amtrak, train tickets can cost as few as 400 Amtrak points, which equates to 800 points transferred from Bilt.
However, there is a 1,000-point minimum for Bilt transfers to Amtrak Guest Rewards, and points must be transferred in 1,000-point increments. Bilt Blue members face an even higher minimum of 2,000 points for transfers.
Here is a brief introduction to the Amtrak Guest Rewards program for Bilt members.
How many Amtrak points are needed for a ticket?
You can run a search on the Amtrak website or app to find the exact number of points you might need for a train ticket. Ensure the “Use Points” field is toggled on.
You will receive a list of different trains that meet your search parameters. For example, the cheapest train from Washington, D.C.’s Union Station to New York’s Penn Station in October would cost about 5,213 Amtrak points for a business class ticket on the high-speed Acela train.
That same ticket would cost $139 in cash, providing a cent-per-point redemption value of 2.67 cents per point.
When you factor in the 2:1 transfer ratio, the cent-per-point value of your Bilt points drops to 1.33 cents per point. This is not bad; in fact, it is higher than the median value of economy ticket redemptions with some 1:1 Bilt transfer partners, such as United Airlines.
If you are debating transferring points to Amtrak Guest Rewards, consider the opportunity cost. You might achieve better value with other Bilt partners, such as World of Hyatt or Atmos Rewards. Premium cabin tickets or suite redemptions also tend to provide more value.
Alternative redemption options with Amtrak points
If you do not have enough points for a full train ticket or have extra points left over from your transfer, you could also consider some of the other Amtrak Guest Rewards redemptions:
- Nerdy Tip: Amtrak Guest Rewards points expire after 24 months of inactivity if no points are earned or redeemed during that period.
How to earn Amtrak points with credit cards
Bilt Rewards is currently Amtrak’s only transfer partner. To earn more Bilt points for future train travel, a Bilt credit card may be a worthwhile consideration.
Amtrak Guest Rewards also offers its own branded credit cards issued by the First National Bank of Omaha. These cards earn Amtrak Guest Rewards points exclusively.
Top photo courtesy of Amtrak.
How to maximize your rewards
About the author
Meghan Coyle is an editor on the Travel Rewards team and the co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. She covers travel credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. Meghan is based in Los Angeles and has a complex relationship with LAX.
