Well here is something I couldn't find in the new rules so I thought I would ask, What About the new ACES service. Since when you book you do it from Amtrak.com and it gives you an Amtrak Reservation number?
Sorry if this was discussed and I missed it...
No, you did not miss it. I had not worked that one over yet. But, now I have.
The NJT ACES service will not count toward the Amtrak Mileage Tally.
The ACES will be stand-alone with Amtrak only providing reservation and ticketing service. You cannot book the ACES as part of an Amtrak reservation, even on the multi-city page. Trips on ACES will not earn AGR points. Since it is not an Amtrak connecting service and does not earn AGR points, it is not part of the Amtrak network and will not count on the mileage tally. The present NJT Atlantic City Line service from PHL is treated by Amtrak like a Thruway connection. Through ticketing to and from Amtrak is offered, and the NJT segments earns AGR points. For those reasons, the regular NJT ACY Line counts, and ACES will not.
I'm leaning toward having the ability to earn AGR points be the determining factor for Mileage Tally qualification. If a segment of a bus, train, or covered wagon service earns AGR points, then the miles will count toward the tally. If not, then they don't.
Bill