PHILADELPHIA -- Amtrak expands its Acela Express high-speed rail service between Washington, New York and Boston and offers double Amtrak Guest Rewards points for travelers who book Acela Express for travel between New York and Boston beginning now through February 28 of this year, according to an Amtrak press release.

As a member of the Amtrak Guest Rewards Program, guests earn points every time they travel on Amtrak. The points may be exchanged for an exciting variety of rewards including free travel on Amtrak, hotel and car rental awards, airline miles and gift certificates from nationally known retailers.

The expanded Acela Express service includes an earlier weekday departure from Boston that puts commuters in New York at 8:45 a.m. to allow plenty of time for making 9 a.m. meetings, six additional weekend frequencies between New York and Boston and seven additional roundtrips between New York and Washington.

With the additional frequencies Acela Express high-speed service expands from eleven to thirteen weekday departures from Washington. Currently, there are nine scheduled Acela Express weekday departures from Boston. Traveling on Acela Express between New York, Boston and intermediate points becomes twice as rewarding beginning now through February 28 as Amtrak is offering double Amtrak Guest Rewards Points for this special promotion. Through Amtrak Guest Rewards, program members have opportunities to earn points for every trip they take on Amtrak, and by purchasing services through select program partners.

Each time Amtrak Guest Rewards members book travel on Amtrak, they earn: two points for every dollar they spend on Amtrak travel, or 500 points for each trip on Acela Express or Metroliner in Business class (on select city pairs) or 750 points for every trip they take on Acela Express or Metroliner in First class within select city pairs. They may also earn 500 bonus points just for enrolling in the Amtrak Guest Rewards program online if they travel on Amtrak within 90 days of enrollment.

To book Amtrak travel or obtain more information about Acela Express or Amtrak Guest Rewards visit http://www.amtrak.com or call our reservations center at 1-800-USA-RAIL.