The Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard edges out the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 20,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee.
Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard vs Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Which Card Comes Out Ahead?
Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard is the stronger all-around option for most people in this matchup because it wins more measurable categories in our scoring model. Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard still makes sense if your spending pattern lines up better with its fee profile, issuer rules, or rewards ecosystem.
Best if you want to keep annual cost lower.
Best if your main priority is the larger current welcome offer.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
Use the statement analyzer if you want the answer based on your real spending
This comparison shows the structural differences between the cards. The statement analyzer shows which one actually wins for your category mix, wallet habits, and spending pattern.
- Amtrak 2x
- Dining 2x
- Amtrak 3x
- Dining 2x
- Travel 2x
Need more travel card options?
Both cards in this comparison come from non-partner banks, so the marketplace is shown only as a separate backup path after the comparison itself.
- Look for a welcome bonus you can realistically earn.
- Compare the annual fee against lounge access, travel credits, or hotel perks.
- Check issuer rules and current terms before you apply.
Use this only if you want broader partner inventory after you finish evaluating the cards in this head-to-head comparison.
Browse partner travel cardsQuick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard edges out the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 20,000 pts signup bonus earns more (up to 3x vs 2x). The Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard is the better choice if you want no or lower annual fee. On raw upside, Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard tops out at 3x versus 2x for Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard. Current signup bonus values are roughly $312 for Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard and $520 for Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard. Summary generated June 29, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/amtrak-guest-rewards-mastercard-vs-amtrak-guest-rewards-preferred-mastercard
- Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard reaches 3x; Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard is $99/yr; Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard is no annual fee.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $312 and $520.
Common Questions: Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard vs Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard
Is the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard or Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard better for dining?
Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard earns 2x on dining; Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard earns 2x on dining. Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard wins for dining.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard currently offers 12,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard offers 20,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard and the Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from FNBO, so check their specific application rules.
Keep Researching
If this matchup is close, the stronger next step is usually to read the full card reviews or use a broader ranking page instead of comparing random pairs one by one.