Can someone please clarify the American Express Platinum shipboard credit rules?

[KateQ22003]

Good morning,

 

I have asked this question in a couple of other threads, but they are older ones and aren't getting much attention. So, thought I'd start from scratch and hope someone in the know can help me!

 

My TA is trying to book us an SA suite on the Westerdam for an October sailing. She has been advised by HAL that we cannot get the $150pp AMEX credit because the fare for the suite is an "inventory clearance" fare. Nowhere on AMEX does it say the credit is only for certain fares paid. Have any of you had this experience? I'm so mad I have my TA looking at other cruise lines where the program will be honored.

 

Have any of you had this experience? Am I doing something wrong?

 

Kathy

[sail7seas]

That has happened to us on several occasions.

 

They have the unilateral right to deny the credit when the fare you are paying is what they consider to be a particularly low one.

 

It falls into the 'some exceptions apply' sort of language. They decide when it is an exception.

 

We have discussed it with them until the 'cows come home' and they stand firm. They can do it.

 

 

[dakrewser]

I answered you in the other thread. Note that it can often take 24 hours to get an answer to a question you post to these boards.

[KateQ22003]

I answered you in the other thread. Note that it can often take 24 hours to get an answer to a question you post to these boards.

 

Thanks for the information - I hate to be impatient but Holland is saying they will only hold the cabin until the end of the day. I hate having to make snap decisions like that!

[Cruising Illini]

The approval decision is from HAL and not American Express. Am. Ex. gets frustrated over this situation also because it does not encourage good PR to it's Plat. card users but they are helpless. You might have understood this point but thought I would just make sure and add it to clear up any doubt.

[sarplum]

I know this has been covered ten zillion times. I just realized we have

an Am Ex Platinum Delta card. Does that count? Sorry for the repetition.

[gizmo]

I know this has been covered ten zillion times. I just realized we have

an Am Ex Platinum Delta card. Does that count? Sorry for the repetition.

 

Sorry, no. It is only the Amex Plat card, variations like Amex Delta, Amex Costco etc. do not qualify even if they are Platinum.

[Odd Ball]

This American Express fiasco doesn't seem right. You get a good fare and now they deny you the perks for the card. Is there anywhere that this is documented ?

[dakrewser]

This American Express fiasco doesn't seem right. You get a good fare and now they deny you the perks for the card. Is there anywhere that this is documented ?

 

Yers, by both HAL and Amex. Few (if any) companies allow you to aggregate multiple promotions on a single purchase.

 

THe purpose of the Amex promo is to entice you to book at any time rather than waiting for a sale.

[sail7seas]

This American Express fiasco doesn't seem right. You get a good fare and now they deny you the perks for the card. Is there anywhere that this is documented ?

 

It's the standard exemption language we see with almost every offer from almost every company .....

 

"Some Restrictions Apply".

 

I guess that is what they mean. They can (and do) restrict the offer in some rare cases. Out of all our cruises, I only remember maybe twice when they did not allow the Am Ex offer but it was in cases when we had a particularly low price.

[Alexborngal]

Good morning,

 

I have asked this question in a couple of other threads, but they are older ones and aren't getting much attention. So, thought I'd start from scratch and hope someone in the know can help me!

 

My TA is trying to book us an SA suite on the Westerdam for an October sailing. She has been advised by HAL that we cannot get the $150pp AMEX credit because the fare for the suite is an "inventory clearance" fare. Nowhere on AMEX does it say the credit is only for certain fares paid. Have any of you had this experience? I'm so mad I have my TA looking at other cruise lines where the program will be honored.

 

Have any of you had this experience? Am I doing something wrong?

 

Kathy

 

I believe there are people at Amex Platinum's travel department who are giving wrong information and that might be the case with you. I was told that the upgrade was only for new bookings, not for bookings where I charged the deposit on one Amex card prior to obtaining a Platinum. I spoke with someone called Joyce at Amex who was very helpful and knowledgeable. She got me the correct information. Her number at Amex Platinum is 1-800-452-3945 and her extension is 57283. I suggest you give her a call, tell her your situation and I am sure she'll get you the correct answer. Good luck.

[fb0075]

Yers, by both HAL and Amex. Few (if any) companies allow you to aggregate multiple promotions on a single purchase.

 

THe purpose of the Amex promo is to entice you to book at any time rather than waiting for a sale.

 

 

This is totally FALSE--Dak is always so very hard in his responses--

The purpose of the Amex "PERKS" is to get you to use THEIR CARD at any time!!They do not care at what rate you are charged as Amex wants the little bit of surcharge,apx 2%, BUT more important to get you in the habit of using THEIR card--

 

I talked with AMEX last week about HAL'S rejection of benefits--Amex was "very upset"--most of the time,this happens not because of some corporate decision but the RES AGENT going overboard by making a decision that is not up to her or him--

I would reccommend calling the Platium Rewards dept at Ames and expressing your concerns --

I repeat it is not AMEX doing this but HAL and the ONLY way to fix it is to do it at the corporate level!

FRANK

[dakrewser]

This is totally FALSE--Dak is always so very hard in his responses--

The purpose of the Amex "PERKS" is to get you to use THEIR CARD at any time!!

 

Since it's HAL who bears the costs, it's actually a HAL perk for AMEX cardholders. And of course AMEX is unhappy when HAL doesn't honor the benefit. It's at no cost to AMEX!

 

And, yes, AMEX would like you to use their card exclusively. So what? HAL would like you to cruise exclusively with them. Starbucks hopes you only drink their coffee, etc., etc.

[fb0075]

DAK,

You must not have a Platium Card, or you would know that Amex spends BIG $$$$ every quarter on a very nice catalogue--

And HAL and the other ADVERTISERS are promoted--not AMEX but its PARTNERS!!!

And for this HAL and others PAY AMEX!! They ,also, have a contract , that should be honored!

 

I dont want to offend you ar get into a contest with you but you shouldnt try and answer every question,especially those that it is obvious that you really dont understand or know the answer.

 

Hope you have a good day

FRANK

[dakrewser]

DAK,

You must not have a Platium Card, or you would know that Amex spends BIG $$$$ every quarter on a very nice catalogue--

And HAL and the other ADVERTISERS are promoted--not AMEX but its PARTNERS!!!

And for this HAL and others PAY AMEX!! They ,also, have a contract , that should be honored!

 

<sigh!> I don't think I'd call Departures a "catalog" but, yes, the advertisers do pay to be included - just as in any other magazine. What that has to do with who sets the terms for the various platinum benefits, I've no idea.

 

There are also quite a few restrictions on the "Cruise Privileges" benefit:

"1. The 2006 Cruise Privileges program(CPP) is only valid on voyages of 6 days or longer and may not be combinable with group promotions depending on cruise line. CPP may not be combined with other American Express Card offers, including American Express® Mariner Club. Blackout dates, category and fare restrictions may apply. CPP is a special benefit for Platinum Card members. Certain Platinum Cards are not eligible for certain benefits and services.

 

2. The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit cannot be used in the casino or for payment of gratuities, is non-transferable, cannot be redeemed for cash or credit and is not combinable with other shipboard credit offers. One of the travelers must be a U.S. Platinum Card member and there is a three-cabin limit per Card member, per sailing. Deposit and final payment must be made with an American Express Card in the Platinum Card member’s name. Book through Platinum Travel Service (PTS) or refer your participating U.S. travel professional to PTS. To receive CPP amenities, travel agencies are responsible for following CPP bookings guidelines provided by the Agency Services Desk (ASD): 1-800-443-7672, prompt 5. Bookings made directly with the cruise lines are not eligible for CPP amenities. Program valid for sailings completed by 12/31/07. Partners and amenities are subject to change without notice. Ships’ registries: Crystal Cruises: Bahamas; Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Bahamas, Wallis & Futuna; The Yachts of Seabourn: Bahamas; Silversea Cruises; Bahamas; The partners and benefits described herein are accurate as of time of printing and are subject to change or cancellation without notice. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. acts solely as sales agent for travel suppliers and is not liable for the acts or inactions of such suppliers. CST#1022318-10,Washington UBI# 600-469-694, ML-1192, TA-002 registered Iowa Travel Agency, NV# 2001-0126. "

 

 

I do my homework.

[fb0075]

sigh,sigh,triple sigh

 

Now you admit that it is HAL who pays to be part of this promotion--

Just because you went to the Amex website to get the name of the magazine,doesnt mean that you have one and I dont understand the cut and pasting of rules but whatever--you frustrate me --

[GloriaF]

Supposedly, if you own a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corp stock you can collect shipboard credit on any cruise on the Carnival Corp cruise lines ~~ but the same thing happens, once it is submitted the request is denied because the fare doesn't meet their criteria. I think you have to book brochure rate to earn the SBC, and I never do that!

[dakrewser]

sigh,sigh,triple sigh

 

Now you admit that it is HAL who pays to be part of this promotion--

Just because you went to the Amex website to get the name of the magazine,doesnt mean that you have one and I dont understand the cut and pasting of rules but whatever--you frustrate me --

 

No, HAL pays to advertise in the magazine. But you've changed argument so many times I no longer understand what your point is. Not that I really care any longer. I'll leave it to other readers of this thread to try to figure out.

[Grumpy1]

Supposedly, if you own a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corp stock you can collect shipboard credit on any cruise on the Carnival Corp cruise lines ~~ but the same thing happens, once it is submitted the request is denied because the fare doesn't meet their criteria. I think you have to book brochure rate to earn the SBC, and I never do that!

No, it is not necessary to pay book brochure rate. I booked with the absolute lowest discount online TA that I could find for one upcoming cruise. The rate was far cheaper than the HAL Mariner pricing, which was far cheaper than brochure. I called HAL about stockholder credit (the online TA refused to handle it) and here, almost verbatim, is what the HAL rep said. " I see that the rate you paid DOES qualify you for this credit". So, from her comment, I can infer that there are discounted rates that are too low to qualify. Possibly when using a 25% off future cruise coupon, or taking the free cruise you won at bingo... who knows?

[ocngypz]

That is correct. You have to use basically, what is the most expensive fare code on the sailing in order to get the OBC.

 

The rate code for Limited Inventory clearance is not applicable to the Amex Plat obc promotion.

 

It's the same with the other cruiselines as well. Example, Regent's promo rates do not qualify either.

 

Cunard Flash rates, do not qualify.

 

Crystal Value sailings do not qualify.

 

And on.. and on.. and on....

[sail7seas]

With all due respect, I beg to differ.

 

We have gotten the OBC dozens and dozens and dozens of times when we most assuredly have not paid an excessively high rate.

 

There have only been maybe two cruises when it was denied. We have had cruises when we got 70% discount from book rate and got the AmEx shipboard credit.