Last updated: October 3, 2026
On September 23, 2026, Bilt added Amtrak Guest Rewards as a transfer partner. It’s Bilt’s first partner that isn’t an airline or a hotel, and Bilt is now the only transferable points currency that sends points to Amtrak. Chase Ultimate Rewards used to, until it dropped Amtrak in 2015.
I love trains, and I wanted to love this. But the ratio is 2:1, and that changes everything.
The Details
- Ratio: 2 Bilt Points = 1 Amtrak point (1,000 Bilt Points become 500 Amtrak points)
- Minimum: 1,000 Bilt Points, in 1,000-point increments.
- Speed: The Points Guy reports transfers arrive almost instantly.
- Expiration: Amtrak points expire after 24 months with no earning or redeeming activity.
The Math
Amtrak doesn’t have an award chart. Points are redeemed against the cash fare, so each Amtrak point is worth a fairly steady amount. The Points Guy estimates about 2.6 cents per Amtrak point.
At 2:1, that makes each Bilt Point worth roughly 1.3 cents when sent to Amtrak.
Here’s how that stacks up against other ways to use Bilt Points:
| Use of 10,000 Bilt Points | Approx. value | Cents per Bilt point |
|---|---|---|
| Amtrak (2:1) | ~$130 | ~1.3¢ |
| World of Hyatt (1:1 through Dec 31, 2026) | Often $200+ | 2¢ or more |
| World of Hyatt (4:3 from Jan 1, 2027) | Often $150+ | 1.5¢ or more |
| Airline partners for premium cabins | Often $200 to $400 | 2¢ to 4¢ |
So in most cases, Amtrak is one of the weakest ways to use your Bilt Points. It’s better than cashing out for a statement credit, but not by much compared with Bilt’s best partners.
When It’s Actually Worth It
That said, there are three situations where I’d do it.
1. During a Rent Day transfer bonus. This is the big one. On October 1, Bilt ran a Rent Day bonus of 25% to 125% on Amtrak transfers, depending on your Bilt status. At 125%, 1,000 Bilt Points became 1,125 Amtrak points, which is about 2.9 cents per Bilt point. That beats most hotel transfers. Bilt runs Rent Day promos on the first of each month, and the partners change. If you want Amtrak points, wait for a bonus to come back. Don’t transfer at the base ratio unless you have to.
2. When you’re short a few points for a booking. If your Amtrak account is 2,000 points short of a ticket you need, moving 4,000 Bilt Points to finish it is fine. Small top-offs are what this partner is best at.
3. When the alternative is paying cash on a route you’ll take anyway. If you live on the Northeast Corridor and take Acela between New York, Washington, Philadelphia or Boston regularly, Amtrak points are useful money. A predictable 1.3 cents beats points sitting unused.
When It’s Not Worth It
- Don’t transfer speculatively. Points expire after 24 months of inactivity, and you lose the flexibility of Bilt Points.
- Don’t use Bilt Points on Amtrak if you can book Hyatt or an airline award instead. Even after Bilt’s Hyatt ratio drops to 4:3 on January 1, 2027 (details), Hyatt usually beats 1.3 cents.
- Don’t send Bilt Points to Amtrak just because it’s new. New partner excitement is not a strategy.
The Verdict
Amtrak is a nice addition to Bilt’s list, and I’m glad someone finally brought rail back to transferable points. But at 2:1 it’s a niche partner: worth it during a big Rent Day bonus or to top off a booking, and usually a waste otherwise.
If you earn Bilt Points from rent, the bigger question is whether your Bilt card is earning as much as it could. Our Bilt Rewards card guide and Bilt Palladium vs Venture X comparison cover that, and the MaxPoints optimizer will rank your options. Current promos live on our transfer bonuses page.
Sources: NerdWallet and AwardWallet on the September 23, 2026 launch, ratio and minimums; The Points Guy on Amtrak point value, transfer speed and expiration; One Mile at a Time on the October 1, 2026 Rent Day bonus. Values are estimates. Check the ratio shown in the Bilt app before transferring; transfers can’t be reversed.
