BCC/Casino offers changing to specific $$$ value, adding AI and bookable online? Already booking bugs/issues

[NutsAboutGolf]

Normally players received an emailed offer for a complimentary stateroom, usually a balcony, on select sailings.  When you click "book now" on the offer, the next screen is a "sailing selection form" where you see your pick your select sailings.  They generally don't include AI so you're still paying fees/taxes, tipping, wi-fi, drinks (although free while playing) in addition to airfare, pre-cruise hotel and tours at each port.  You also cannot book online, most call and some have had some success with an online form or emailing your preferred sailing.  However I've run into encounters where you call to book and your preferred sailing has reached casino offer capacity and you must chose another sailing.

 

This morning we received a new type of offer, up to $3500 off an Alaska sailing plus AI and appears to be bookable online.  When I click on the link it appears to show only the select sailings which is only six itineraries with up to 3 May or June dates each.  I have tried 5 sailings, all types of room types from Oceanview to Aqua and I keep receiving "not valid".  Sounds like there's still work to be done by X but once they get this working it's a far better booking process and better product to include both AI and a specific $$$ value.  Competitors do add "perks" to their casino offers so this does make them far more competitive.

 

Here's what I keep receiving:

 

 

[Peteymil]

Same issue here!

[Julma]

Me too!

 

[CalTexCruiser]

Same here.

[WonderMan3]

Are you aware that you can call Blue Chip anytime and inquire about a casino rate on any sailing based on your prior play? You don't have to wait to get an email or direct mail offer. Discount amounts can vary and may not be available on every sailing but it never hurts to ask. I typically get the 40% off rate on suites and can then combine that with my earned incentive from last cruise sailed and it includes the AI benefits as well as all any Blue Chip tier benefits. Only once was a sailing I asked about not available for discount.

Edited April 16, 2022 by WonderMan3

[Purplsmurf]

The first time we were offered a comped cruise from Blue Chip it was all done on line. They offered us a number of sailings and we chose the top three. A few days later we received the confirmation and never talked to anyone. The next time we received it we booked on board. We were booking a future cruise and found out that we had a casino comped cruise. What a nice surprise!

[CalTexCruiser]

10 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Are you aware that you can call Blue Chip anytime and inquire about a casino rate on any sailing based on your prior play? You don't have to wait to get an email or direct mail offer. Discount amounts can vary and may not be available on every sailing but it never hurts to ask. I typically get the 40% off rate on suites and can then combine that with my earned incentive from last cruise sailed and it includes the AI benefits as well as all any Blue Chip tier benefits. Only once was a sailing I asked about not available for discount.

 

Yes, and the percentage off suites is a great deal--the higher the suite, the more one saves, and we've taken advantage of that several times.

 

But I believe the recent $$$ discount offer is designed such that if you book a cabin (Aqua or below) that is less than the $$$ discount amount, you effectively get a comped room.

 

Of course, this assumes that one can actually succeed in making a booking with said offer, as those that have tried get an invalid code error.

[NutsAboutGolf]

7 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Are you aware that you can call Blue Chip anytime and inquire about a casino rate on any sailing based on your prior play? You don't have to wait to get an email or direct mail offer. Discount amounts can vary and may not be available on every sailing but it never hurts to ask. I typically get the 40% off rate on suites and can then combine that with my earned incentive from last cruise sailed and it includes the AI benefits as well as all any Blue Chip tier benefits. Only once was a sailing I asked about not available for discount.

 

Thanks for sharing yet as not everyone may know that.  For us, we've been offered a discount by calling but we can literally save at least a grand by waiting for a free room email.

[NutsAboutGolf]

3 minutes ago, Purplsmurf said:

The first time we were offered a comped cruise from Blue Chip it was all done on line. They offered us a number of sailings and we chose the top three. A few days later we received the confirmation and never talked to anyone. The next time we received it we booked on board. We were booking a future cruise and found out that we had a casino comped cruise. What a nice surprise!

 

That's their online form.  We personally don't have that kind of flexibility at work to pick 3 and they'll pick one for you especially since the offers lately tend to sail in the next 90 days.  We also prefer to pick our staterooms.  If we call and even if it's an hour long hold well worth the phone call to book the exact sailing and stateroom we want.  On CCL, you can book your comped sailing and stateroom online, looks like X is trying that now and is having some growing pains which I'm sure will eventually be ironed out.

[Purplsmurf]

5 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

That's their online form.  We personally don't have that kind of flexibility at work to pick 3 and they'll pick one for you especially since the offers lately tend to sail in the next 90 days.  We also prefer to pick our staterooms.  If we call and even if it's an hour long hold well worth the phone call to book the exact sailing and stateroom we want.  On CCL, you can book your comped sailing and stateroom online, looks like X is trying that now and is having some growing pains which I'm sure will eventually be ironed out.

This was around Feb 2021. They offered sailings from May through December. We knew that sailings wouldn’t start in May so since my birthday is in December we chose that as our first choice and then 2 in November. We got our first choice and after they told us our cabin I sent an email and requested a different one with no issue. When we booked on board we told them which cabin we wanted, as we already had it picked out because we knew the cruise we wanted to book. Hoping we get this offer when we sail next month!

[REEtired]

4 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

Are you aware that you can call Blue Chip anytime and inquire about a casino rate on any sailing based on your prior play? You don't have to wait to get an email or direct mail offer. Discount amounts can vary and may not be available on every sailing but it never hurts to ask. I typically get the 40% off rate on suites and can then combine that with my earned incentive from last cruise sailed and it includes the AI benefits as well as all any Blue Chip tier benefits. Only once was a ecsailing I asked about not available for discount.

So who do you call. We received same offer. Is there a separate number to call for Blue Chip. Thx. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

12 minutes ago, REEtired said:

So who do you call. We received same offer. Is there a separate number to call for Blue Chip. Thx. 

 

866-461-7170.  They're open weekends but I'm not sure what their hours are yet do they follow east coast time.  I called yesterday in regards to an existing booking, sweet agent said she lives and was currently in the Philippines.

Edited April 17, 2022 by NutsAboutGolf

[NutsAboutGolf]

The BCC phone agent said the code will only work online, they cannot book this offer over the phone. 

 

After the code still no working this morning, I just called BCC about this code, there was no wait and they're open today despite it being easter.  Phone rep stated X is aware the code doesn't work, he said "I think the email went out before the offer was scheduled to go active".  He thinks by 3pm EST today it should be active.  Said many have already called in about the code not working.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

18 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

... I called yesterday in regards to an existing booking, sweet agent said she lives and was currently in the Philippines.

 

I called a few weeks ago to book a second leg on the Reflection. I kept hearing roosters in the background and asked where she was - Philippines!

 

Let us know if/when that code goes live (though I have not received an email yet).

 

Tom

[NutsAboutGolf]

55 minutes ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

I called a few weeks ago to book a second leg on the Reflection. I kept hearing roosters in the background and asked where she was - Philippines!

 

Let us know if/when that code goes live (though I have not received an email yet).

 

Tom

 

It's now 4pm EST, still didn't work.  Overall question if anyone knows, have they used online promo codes ever in the past?

[Peteymil]

5 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

It's now 4pm EST, still didn't work.  Overall question if anyone knows, have they used online promo codes ever in the past?

The woman on the phone today said that this was the first time they used an online promo code. She said that they still need to work the kinks out which is obviously true.

[NutsAboutGolf]

39 minutes ago, Peteymil said:

The woman on the phone today said that this was the first time they used an online promo code. She said that they still need to work the kinks out which is obviously true.

Thanks.  I was guessing it was their first time.  IMO bookable online is a really good thing

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

9 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

Thanks.  I was guessing it was their first time.  IMO bookable online is a really good thing

 

Agreed - especially given the typical hold times to reach someone on the phone.

 

Tom

[as3369]

We are not big gamblers, but do enjoy playing Three Card, Four Card, Ultimate Texas and Caribbean Stud when available.    Normally bet only table minimums.  At what level do they consider you for a Blue Chip membership?

[NutsAboutGolf]

Code still isn't working

[NutsAboutGolf]

31 minutes ago, as3369 said:

We are not big gamblers, but do enjoy playing Three Card, Four Card, Ultimate Texas and Caribbean Stud when available.    Normally bet only table minimums.  At what level do they consider you for a Blue Chip membership?

 

Every passenger, even if they never play, are members.  First tier is Pearl, 1-2499 tier points.

Edited April 18, 2022 by NutsAboutGolf

[WonderMan3]

13 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

 

Every passenger, even if they never play, are members.  First tier is Pearl, 1-2499 tier points.

 

You have to earn at least one point, which means setting foot in the casino at least once and spending whatever the amount is that earns you that one point, so not every passenger.

[NutsAboutGolf]

18 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

 

You have to earn at least one point, which means setting foot in the casino at least once and spending whatever the amount is that earns you that one point, so not every passenger.

 

Fair point.  Still do not need to "register" to sign up for a membership

[NutsAboutGolf]

BTW, code STILL doesn't work...lol

[NutsAboutGolf]

Finally the code is working yet its only about 25% off.  I'll continue to wait and see if fully comped offers appear, my bad for falling for X's/BCC's marketing 🤣