Amtrak Offering Customers New International Credit Card Options

WHY IT RATES: Travel agents serving clients who prefer to travel via rail will be able to offer them the chance to purchase fares with new credit card options.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.

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Amtrak is now accepting Diners Club International, JCB and UnionPay credit cards as payment options for Amtrak travelers.

The credit cards, which are part of the Discover Global Network, are accepted through Amtrak’s multiple payment channels including Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile apps, Quik-Trak kiosks, staffed stations (where available) and by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.

“Acceptance of these new payment options highlight our readiness to support demand in rapidly-expanding global markets to travel on Amtrak,” said Kerry McKelvey, Amtrak Vice President, Marketing. “Smoother, even more efficient payment platforms for our many business and international travelers allow our customers to focus on the journey – seeing America at the ground level.”

Amtrak’s international market share has grown significantly. Last year, Amtrak served visitors from 195 countries throughout the world generating more than $76.6 million in revenue. In the last five years, international point-of-origin revenue increased more than 19 percent.

“We’re excited that our cardholders will now be able to purchase Amtrak tickets,” said Ricardo Leite, Vice President of Global Commerce for Discover Financial Services, the parent company for Diners Club International. “Adding Amtrak provides cardholders on the Discover Global Network with yet another key travel merchant in the U.S. and adds to the millions of locations that already accept all of our brands across the globe.”

“UnionPay acceptance at Amtrak is welcome news for UnionPay cardholders from all over the world,” said June Chen, General Manager of UnionPay International America. “To date, more than 6.3 billion UnionPay cards are issued in over 40 countries and regions, and the United States is a crucial market where our cardholders use their cards. Now UnionPay cardholders are able to use their preferred card at Amtrak, enjoying a better travel experience in the U.S.”

“Adding Amtrak means that our customers will now be able to experience international travel more freely and easily,” said Dan Skaling, Executive Vice President, Business Development Manager at JCB. “JCB’s goal has always been to be more than just a conventional credit card – we want to provide above and beyond service and opportunities for our cardholders. Introducing Amtrak will help us do that in the U.S.”

For more information, reach out to your local travel agent.

SOURCE: Amtrak press release.