Flights by Celebrity

[publicpersona]

48 minutes ago, RTR 21-0 said:

Thx everyone for the replies and advice.  Went online today & Celebrity has the dates open for itinerary.  I also checked on the individual airline sites as well.  I’m interested in a Delta flight that I don’t see on X.  Is X able to book a requested flight or only the airlines they are contracted through and showing online? 

 

They should be able to book Delta. Give them a call. 

[Lastdance]

On 6/18/2021 at 10:53 AM, cruising mom 2 said:

We have never used cruiseline air but for our 2 upcoming cruises I did the rates where close to what I could get on my own and we don't have to pay for them until final payment with everything a little unsure in the cruise world we thought it was best to be safe.

I always book a decent rate, but then call many times, always finding a much better rate.  Celebrity has never disappointed me, along with finding some excellent biz class deals!

[NutsAboutGolf]

I don't know if X will deasl with code shares (if you have United status but not Hawaiian airlines status, you can book a Hawaiian flight on United, utilize your United status perks and gain United miles but the flight is operated by Hawaiian airlines).  If X doesn't deal with them that could be the issue with some flights not appearing.

[JoePDX]

19 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

I don't know if X will deasl with code shares (if you have United status but not Hawaiian airlines status, you can book a Hawaiian flight on United, utilize your United status perks and gain United miles but the flight is operated by Hawaiian airlines).  If X doesn't deal with them that could be the issue with some flights not appearing.

My experience in the past is they will do code shares.   I was able to book a KLM itinerary on the Delta flights I wanted and got one way in Delta One Business for around $1000 Edinburgh to Portland following a transatlantic on Edge in May 2019.   So always search for airline partners when searching  on the Flights by Celebrity website or when calling an agent.

One other thing to do in your searching.   When you need an open jaw ticket it is sometimes less to book two one way fares rather than a multi city open jaw.

 

Joe

Edited June 20, 2021 by JoePDX

[jg51]

Please excuse us if we are about to repeat something that has already been stated, above.  We are very pressed for time, so we are unable to read all the information that has been posted.

 

We want to start by "seconding" the fine info provided by "BruinSteve."  We have had experiences that were identical to those that he has had.

 

After booking (as he suggested) the maximum eleven months in advance -- under Flights-By-Celebrity's "Book-Now-Pay-Later" plan -- we have continued to check our booked flights very frequently (at the airline's site), because there sometimes has been a dramatic lowering of rates.  When such a discount has appeared, we have immediately called Flights-By-Celebrity [FBC], and they (without objecting) have re-booked our flights at the new, lower rate. 

 

The other good thing about FBC is their "Assured Arrival" benefit.  Their specialists will assist us if we encounter a flight disruption that occurs through no fault of our own.  In a worst-case scenario, they will get us (at no further expense) to the first port, to board the ship there -- if we cannot get to the ship for normal embarkation.

 

The whole Flights-By-Celebrity feature -- aka "Air2Sea" at Royal Caribbean International -- is one of several reasons that we are very reluctant to stray from the RCG lines (and have not done so for five years).

.

[FlyerTalker]

11 hours ago, jg51 said:

The other good thing about FBC is their "Assured Arrival" benefit.  Their specialists will assist us if we encounter a flight disruption that occurs through no fault of our own.  In a worst-case scenario, they will get us (at no further expense) to the first port, to board the ship there -- if we cannot get to the ship for normal embarkation.

 

Ha, Ha, Ha.

 

Best laugh of the day.   You must have missed the thread from the lady who relied on Celebrity's air department to help her out with her missed flight in Charlotte.  Where those "specialists" were pretty much close to useless.

 

But keep drinking the cruiseline's Kool-Aid on their air department's magical powers.

[jg51]

13 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Ha, Ha, Ha.

 

Best laugh of the day.   You must have missed the thread from the lady who relied on Celebrity's air department to help her out with her missed flight in Charlotte.  Where those "specialists" were pretty much close to useless.

 

But keep drinking the cruiseline's Kool-Aid on their air department's magical powers.

.

Hello, "FlyerTalker."  On another thread, several weeks ago, we defended you, when you were brutally attacked.  We see now that we perhaps should not have done that, because you can be awfully obnoxious (and you failed to recall that we defended you).  We wish you had been kind to us, in return for the favor we did you -- for example, by avoiding your sarcasm in this thread.

 

We are too experienced and wise to "drink the cruiseline's Kool-Aid."  What we said is what we know as factual, and it was not appropriate for you to bash us.  In fact, we did see the thread about [not "from"] the elderly woman who did not make it to the Millennium for her cruise.  We don't believe that you have characterized what happened accurately.  According to our recollection, the "Flights By Celebrity" department did not fail that poor woman.  [Besides ... even if that department slipped up on this occasion, that would not be a valid justification for you to generalize against them.  They almost always "come through" for people, but they are only human, so they cannot work miracles.]

 

We hope that you will be more respectful of us and other fellow CrCr members in the future.

.

Edited June 21, 2021 by jg51

[drowelf]

On 6/18/2021 at 6:35 PM, blackshirt said:

Are you saying United let’s you select seats before you are ticketed, in other words before final payment? I’ve never had an issue selecting seats through American using the record locator but not until ticketed.

Yes, we have our seats all selected for our flights in January/February 2022 , which will not be paid for until November. 

 

When one of our flights for this cruise was initially on American, I was able to have the Celebrity agent select our seats. I could see that seat selection on the American Site, when I check it to insure it had all our numbers (FF/Known Traveller) numbers correctly attached. 

 

It all comes down to the various airlines internal policies on seat selection in regards to ticketing/payment.

Edited June 21, 2021 by drowelf

[FlyerTalker]

1 hour ago, jg51 said:

We hope that you will be more respectful of us and other fellow CrCr members in the future.

 

Not to worry.  After my Celebrity experience this past week, it's unlikely I'll be sailing them again.  So you won't be seeing me in the Celebrity forum.

 

As for respectful....I live and deal with the world of harsh, cold realities.  Facts matter.  Details matter.  If direct, blunt, and realistic statements offend your sensibilities, so be it.  I'm not into happy anecdotal reassurances.  And as for you "defending" me....not really needed.  I stand by my postings, and by my track record on accuracy.

[camella]

We booked Celebrity air for the first time for our upcoming cruise in Athens.  The price was absolutely dirt cheap but it hasn't been without issues.  They got two of the names wrong out of the four and as you know your names need to match your passports EXACTLY and once the ticket has been issued it is too late.  They grabbed us seats wherever and didn't ask where we would like to sit but I was able to get into the records and change them but then somehow one of the flights was missing.  After several calls to my travel agent and her calling celebrity and being on hold for HOURS at a time it was all straightened out.  Hope this helps!

[publicpersona]

On 6/20/2021 at 5:11 PM, jg51 said:

The other good thing about FBC is their "Assured Arrival" benefit.  Their specialists will assist us if we encounter a flight disruption that occurs through no fault of our own.  In a worst-case scenario, they will get us (at no further expense) to the first port, to board the ship there -- if we cannot get to the ship for normal embarkation.

I’ll be a little more gentle, but do have to challenge this. As I noted above, nowhere do they guarantee to get you to this ship if there are flight issues. They use words such as “we will be there for you” and “work with you”. And no doubt they will work hard to make alternate arrangements. But this is not any sort of guarantee, nor is it trip insurance. 
 

Many times over the years, I’ve asked in these forums if anyone has ever personally been put on a flight to the first port at no expense, but never got any response beyond “that’s my understanding” or “that’s what I read/heard somewhere”.

 

If I’m wrong, please direct me to that language in their terms and conditions.

 

Also, at the moment, you can’t join a cruise down line anyway, so that benefit doesn’t matter. And please also note that I also recommended using them if the price is in the same ballpark as one could book on their own. 

[2Long2NxtCrz]

The only time I've used the cruise line's flights is when I was traveling with my elderly parents.  Cost was less a factor than convenience.

 

But, I will never say never because I booked our return for May 2022 with ChoiceAir.  We used miles to get us to Hawaii, but the cruise ends in Vancouver.  And booking with miles uses a ton of them for economy and adds at least $50 in taxes/fees.  So I decided to look at Celebrity's options.  And lo and behold I booked us into First Class on United for our return.  The ticket was less than regular economy on American and had convenient connections.  It's not at all related to our cruise, though, because we're staying a few days after we disembark, but it still counts and I got a great rate, with my seats already chosen, and I don't have to pay until Final Payment.  Seems like a good deal.

 

The bottom line is do your homework.  And keep checking!

[RTR 21-0]

Went ahead and booked our flights on American and United through Celebrity.  Looks like I will be able to select our United seats on Sunday however American said until it’s paid we cannot choose our seats.  I saw someone say Celebrity was able to do it for them.  Was that prior to final payment?  TIA

[DallasGuy75219]

4 minutes ago, RTR 21-0 said:

Went ahead and booked our flights on American and United through Celebrity.  Looks like I will be able to select our United seats on Sunday however American said until it’s paid we cannot choose our seats.  I saw someone say Celebrity was able to do it for them.  Was that prior to final payment?  TIA

Yes, Celebrity can reserve AA seats prior to final payment.

[MaVtMdFl]

We used Flights by Celebrity for an upcoming trip. Despite splurging for business class seats, my husband and I are not seated together. On a long transAtlantic flight, this is not what we are expecting. Not only did I have to wait several times on hold over an hour without getting through, but the one time I did reach them (before the flights changed) they told me to call the airline. The airline would have been willing to change seats for 100$ pp on each of four flights. I already paid enough. So I guess I'll be sleeping next to a stranger.

[jagoffee]

2 hours ago, MaVtMdFl said:

We used Flights by Celebrity for an upcoming trip. Despite splurging for business class seats, my husband and I are not seated together. On a long transAtlantic flight, this is not what we are expecting. Not only did I have to wait several times on hold over an hour without getting through, but the one time I did reach them (before the flights changed) they told me to call the airline. The airline would have been willing to change seats for 100$ pp on each of four flights. I already paid enough. So I guess I'll be sleeping next to a stranger.

What airline?

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 hours ago, MaVtMdFl said:

We used Flights by Celebrity for an upcoming trip. Despite splurging for business class seats, my husband and I are not seated together. On a long transAtlantic flight, this is not what we are expecting. Not only did I have to wait several times on hold over an hour without getting through, but the one time I did reach them (before the flights changed) they told me to call the airline. The airline would have been willing to change seats for 100$ pp on each of four flights. I already paid enough. So I guess I'll be sleeping next to a stranger.

 

Assuming the plane you get does have paired seating be sure to politely ask the gate agent to be seated together.  They'll ask the person sitting next to you and the person sitting next to your husband if they'd be willing to move so a family can sit together; most solo passengers end up saying "sure".  Also, if there are unexpected last minute no shows the gate agent can sit you together by shuffling things around.