About

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions from our members:

Q: What is the difference between membership dues and donations?

A: Membership dues payments require us to provide membership benefits, while donations do not. Further, we are legally required to pay for benefits like membership cards and Amtrak Guest Rewards (AGR) points using your membership dues, while donations can be used to pay for any expenses our work may incur. Both are fully tax-deductible, unless you have received AGR points (the value of AGR points (2.5 cents per point) must be deducted from your dues payment before including the dues on your taxes).

Q: I sent in a payment, but my membership hasn’t been renewed. Why not?

A: Historically, the distinction between donation and membership dues has not been clear. We’ve clarified our wording in our outreach on our website, and in our weekly Hotline. Our donation mailings have a form specifying that it is for donations, and renewal mailings have a form specifying membership renewal for another year. If you send in a payment with one of our donation forms and it is not clearly marked for “MEMBERSHIP”, we will assume it is a donation. As a result, your membership may not have been renewed.

Q: Where is my dues & donation acknowledgement letter?

A: Upon receiving a donation through the mail, a donation or dues acknowledgement letter is mailed once it is processed in our office. If you make a gift via our portal or website, a receipt is automatically generated from our system. To request an additional dues or donation acknowledgement letter, please email our Chief of Staff, Jonsie Stone, at [email protected]. For more information, please contact our office at 202-408-8362.

Q: Where is my membership card, and how do I add family members to my account for membership levels that include that benefit?

A: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we discontinued issuing physical (“hard copy”) membership cards due to the labor and cost involved. Most of our discount programs now accept your member ID as proof of membership.

While we no longer send physical cards, we are working on new software that will allow you to print your membership card at home. Please note that Amtrak NO LONGER requires a Rail Passengers Association membership card for travel – though some veteran conductors may still request to see it.

We are also developing tools to let qualifying members add sub-members (such as family members) to their account. Until those features are available, if your membership level includes sub-memberships, or you need a printable card, please contact Kimberly Notarianni at [email protected]

Q: I just signed up/renewed my membership. I opted in to receive Amtrak Guest Rewards points, but I don’t see them in my account. When should I expect them?

A: If you opted in for additional Amtrak Guest Reward (AGR) points, please note that memberships are processed monthly. We send your information to Amtrak at the end of each month, and it typically takes Amtrak an additional 3-4 weeks to upload that data into their system.

So, depending on when you joined or renewed, it could take up to 4-6 weeks from your sign-up date for the points to appear in your AGR account.

Important: Your membership with Rail Passengers Association is fully tax-deductible, as we are a 502(c)3 non-profit organization – except for the value of any Amtrak Guest Reward points received, which are considered taxable (valued at 2.5 cents per point).

Q: How much are membership dues?

A: You can find a full listing of membership dues here: https://www.railpassengers.org/all-aboard/join/?referer=/all-aboard/join/become-a-member/

Q: I received a renewal form, but I've sent in my payment already. Am I still a member?

A: Please disregard the letter if you have sent in a payment; we will update your account as we receive your payment. All members receive renewal messaging to remind them of their upcoming membership expiration. Do not send in a second payment!

Q: Is my membership renewal due on the anniversary of my join date or at the beginning of the calendar year?

A: All membership terms are on an anniversary cycle, so you will renew annually on your join date (i.e. if you join on January 21, your dues for the next year are due on January 21). Your membership period is for one year if you pay annually, and your membership period is for one month, if you have a monthly membership. If your membership lapses beyond your join date, your membership will begin immediately when you renew.

Q: How do I cancel my membership/recurring payments or update my membership level?

A: We are happy to quickly assist you with your membership needs by cancelling or refunding justified payments. Please contact us at [email protected] to cancel your monthly membership or end your recurring payments, with the subject line "CANCELLATION". If you have an annual membership, please be sure to disallow auto-renewal of your dues. Annual memberships automatically end at the date of expiration. Please note that we do not offer refunds for membership dues or general donations.

If you’d like to change your membership level or any payment method, please contact our office at 202-408-8362 instead of contacting your financial institution for a chargeback. By working through your bank, Rail Passengers will be assessed fees. If we are assessed chargeback fees for unjustified refunds, we may levy a fee of up to $250. Please edit your payment information by logging into www.railpassengers.org and selecting "My Account."

Q: How do I edit my membership auto-renewal?

A: Please log into your account at www.railpassengers.org and select "Your Member Account" > "Membership Auto-Renewal." If you are a monthly member, you cannot change your auto-renewal settings, as monthly memberships require auto-renewal each month. Monthly members can end their auto-renewal by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line "CANCELLATION".

Q: May I pay two years of membership dues at the same time?

A: Yes! Let us know by including a note with your payment that your dues include a multiyear membership.

Q: How can I support your work further?

A: Please become a rail leader for your state in our Council of Representatives! We also accept general donations to support our work to improve rail access across America (donations are not the same as membership dues).