Early Saver confusion

[Anyislandwilldo]

Check daily for early saver rates. Have gotten $100 OBC on 7/12 early saver promotion. Today there was a fare drop for $20 so I submitted the form and it was approved. But when I went to check my booking, I only had $20 in OBC and not $120 in OBC. Called Carnival and the agent said I was booked in a different ES promotion on 7/12 and this ES promotion would only give me $20 in OBC. While I gained a $20 drop in fare, I basically lost $80. I explained to the agent my confusion that I thought ES is ES. I should be able to keep my $100 in OBC and she said not when you go from one ES promotion to another ES promotion. And it's spelled out in the terms and conditions which I accepted. I've never had problems with ES in the past and keeping OBC. I'm so confused. What am I missing? Thanks!!

[DCCruiser1013]

So the rate you booked in July included $100 on board credit? It sounds like the rate you just found, while $20 cheaper in fare, did not include any on board credit. It makes sense that you'd lose it if you went to the new fare but I would think the agent would call you first to explain it to you before they moved you to the new fare.

 

I booked a cruise earlier this year that included I think $50 on board credit, and then a couple weeks later I found a rate that was $100 cheaper but no on board credit. Of course I wanted to go with the new rate but my PVP still called me to make sure.

[It's a Ship!!!]

Check daily for early saver rates. Have gotten $100 OBC on 7/12 early saver promotion. Today there was a fare drop for $20 so I submitted the form and it was approved. But when I went to check my booking, I only had $20 in OBC and not $120 in OBC. Called Carnival and the agent said I was booked in a different ES promotion on 7/12 and this ES promotion would only give me $20 in OBC. While I gained a $20 drop in fare, I basically lost $80. I explained to the agent my confusion that I thought ES is ES. I should be able to keep my $100 in OBC and she said not when you go from one ES promotion to another ES promotion. And it's spelled out in the terms and conditions which I accepted. I've never had problems with ES in the past and keeping OBC. I'm so confused. What am I missing? Thanks!!

The problem is that the $100 in OBC you got was attached to the specific promotion that you originally booked under. When you do a price match with early saver, it carries over every part of the new promotion with the lower price. If that $100 in OBC was from price drops you would have kept it. Unfortunately that's just how early saver works, and it's how it has always been.

 

Another thing to think about is if you had paid a reduced deposit, and the new promotion had a full deposit, you would have to pay the difference or your booking would be cancelled.

 

Call Carnival back and tell them you want to go back to your original promotion. Most of the time they should let you do this if you explain that you were confused. If they don't, call back and get another agent.

Edited August 17, 2016 by It's a Ship!!!

[sharonna3]

Same thing happened to me. Lost $50 OBC BUT it was a $130 drop. Fortunately for me it was worth it. As I didn't notice that OBC wasn't offered. When it's a loss.....that sucks. Take note I read a post on CC somewhere that someone had a drop approved but unknown to them the port fees went up. So ended up owing more money. They took a loss. The computer doesn't allow to change back.

 

You'd think Carnival could afford a better system.

 

On the flip side...found a great rate on the wesite (like a to good to be true rate) took screenshots, sent in form and was denied. Website errors a null & void.

[lizardhowson]

Check daily for early saver rates. Have gotten $100 OBC on 7/12 early saver promotion. Today there was a fare drop for $20 so I submitted the form and it was approved. But when I went to check my booking, I only had $20 in OBC and not $120 in OBC. Called Carnival and the agent said I was booked in a different ES promotion on 7/12 and this ES promotion would only give me $20 in OBC. While I gained a $20 drop in fare, I basically lost $80. I explained to the agent my confusion that I thought ES is ES. I should be able to keep my $100 in OBC and she said not when you go from one ES promotion to another ES promotion. And it's spelled out in the terms and conditions which I accepted. I've never had problems with ES in the past and keeping OBC. I'm so confused. What am I missing? Thanks!!

 

Each different promotion has different advantages, cabin costs, bonuses etc.

You traded one promotion for another without taking time to examine the differences.

It's like choosing a car - each one is built with different options and has a different sticker price. You get those options on the deal you choose, not the options on the deal you didn't choose.

[cmukid87]

It stinks but it's in their terms. Look at it this way:

 

Promo 1:

Cost $x.xx

Bonus: $100 OBC

 

Promo 2:

Cost $x.xx -$20

Bonus: None

 

You're booked on promo 2 now which offered no bonus of OBC.

 

This is why I haven't switched my booking to a cheaper one. $100OBC right now (and I have prepaid gratuities under the $12/day, not $12.95). If I switch, I lose my OBC and pay higher gratuities.

[boxermom73]

My PVP warned me about this he said it happens a lot and I should call him before making any changes... Sorry this happened to you!

[siestakeys04]

I lost a 50.00 on board credit when I switched cabins under another early saver rate. I now understand how it really works.

[k2excursion]

Yeah, unfortunately, that's how it works. I have actually called to request a higher rate that included more OBC than the increase in price would be. So we came out ahead. I have done this twice in the past. But I knew that any price adjustment would remove that OBC, because it was tied into the rate. Any OBC that is not tied into the rate would not get removed with a price adjustment.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I never had this happen in the last 10 cruises I've booked. But now I will go in with eyes wide open.

[zdcatc12]

Call Carnival back and tell them you want to go back to your original promotion. Most of the time they should let you do this if you explain that you were confused. If they don't' date=' call back and get another agent.[/quote']

 

Take note I read a post on CC somewhere that someone had a drop approved but unknown to them the port fees went up. So ended up owing more money. They took a loss. The computer doesn't allow to change back.

 

More reason why I love the stuff you read on this sight.

[Carnival_Brides]

Bonus information I have found along the way...

 

If the taxes for your cruise go up $80 and your rate goes down $60 and you "claim the drop" you'll pay CCL an additional $20 because of the new tax rate when they repackage your trip.

 

Also, with the last gratuity bump CCL PVP's and TA's made it known that you could pre-pay your tips at the old rate. However, if you claim a price drop using ES your gratuities will be priced at the new rate.

[Bases5]

Bonus information I have found along the way...

 

If the taxes for your cruise go up $80 and your rate goes down $60 and you "claim the drop" you'll pay CCL an additional $20 because of the new tax rate when they repackage your trip.

 

Also, with the last gratuity bump CCL PVP's and TA's made it known that you could pre-pay your tips at the old rate. However, if you claim a price drop using ES your gratuities will be priced at the new rate.

 

good point.

that's why we did not take our last price drop.

Would have lost $50 OBC pay higher tips and taxes so it would have been a wash.

 

When a $100 is not $100:eek:

Edited August 18, 2016 by Bases5

[Donh44]

My PVP warned me about this he said it happens a lot and I should call him before making any changes... Sorry this happened to you!

 

I made the same mistake but my PVP changed it back to the original booking for me. He told me that if I see another drop, to call him first. If it is beneficial to me, he would take care of it for me. I really rely on my PVP.

[spiritkat090909]

Being an AVID Cruise Critic reader...I've decided that Early Saver, even for those who KNOW that they will be sailing and will NOT ever, ever cancel the date...is more complicated than the smallest fine print loss leader any car dealership could ever DREAM of! You need a DEGREE in Early Saver 101 to even consider booking it and preferably a MASTER's Degree.

 

Going forward, I think I will just book past guest rate or casino rate (which is always cheaper but changing cabins/categories is not happening).

 

In the olden days (90"s) the easiest cruise line to figure out was Carnival. NOT any more. More rate options than cabins on the ships!

[marksanson]

Yes, I recommend if you have a good PVP, stay in contact with them and don't make any changes without talking to them, it's their job to keep you happy and booking through them again. Ours is great!

 

 

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