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Rail travelers along the Northeast Corridor who wish to be among the first to ride Amtrak’s Acela Express train now may purchase tickets. Tickets went on sale for the 150-mph ride from Washington to Boston Nov. 29; daily service is slated to begin Dec. 11.



But along with tickets, Amtrak began offering its passengers a new service: Amtrak Guest Rewards. For every dollar spent on Amtrak travel nationwide, passengers may earn two points. Metroliner and Acela Express business-class passengers earn 500 points for each segment of travel on the Northeast Corridor — first-class passengers earn 750.



Other ways to earn points include renting a car from Hertz (50 points per day after Jan. 1, 2001), and for enrolling in the program and traveling with Amtrak within 90 days (400 points immediately — 500 for registering online).



Points may be redeemed for free Amtrak travel; transferred to United, Continental and Midwest Express airlines for free flights; or exchanged for free stays at eight hotel chains and for free Hertz car rentals.



Points also may be redeemed for retailer and restaurant gift certificates, including Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Bath & Body Works, Bloomingdales, SapWish.com, and more. Newsletters would advise Guest Rewards members of new partners and promotions.



Minneapolis-based Carlson Marketing Group Nov. 29 was named Amtrak’s relationship marketing agency of record, and will be responsible to help negotiate and secure partner agreements, maintain a toll-free call center, create a consumer Web site, and oversee and print creative work including member kits, advertisements and solicitation mailings.