AMEX Platinum vs OBC

[chisoxfan]

Thanks for the info- I never had used my points for a cruise before- that makes sense. I wish the AMEX TA had explained it that way.

I have a platinum card from my job and the primary reason that I got it was that they offer a buy one get one free business class or fc ticket for international travel. Obviously if you use this benefit once it pays many fold over the annual fee. Otherwise I would agree that the benefits are limited- I would not pay 450 out of my pocket for a Platinum.

[yyzatcqq]

Any canadians been able to get this to work? I am a Canadian AMEX Plat holder, and although AMEX says Princess is one of the participating cruise lines, I/We (my TA) are having nothing but problems getting this to work.

I deal with a US real person (not online agency) TA.

[yyzatcqq]

still looking for help from Canadians that have received this benefit!

[pj-atsea]

[quote name='yyzatcqq']still looking for help from Canadians that have received this benefit![/quote]
I call Amex Platinum Travel service to do my bookings and I do get these benefits . First night at Sabatini's etc. OBC's seem to vary with type of cabin booked and cruiseline. But yes, I have got benefits on Holland America ( don't know if they still participate) and on Princess. Call up PLatinum Travel service and ask...pj

[chamima]

[quote name='yyzatcqq']Any canadians been able to get this to work? I am a Canadian AMEX Plat holder, and although AMEX says Princess is one of the participating cruise lines, I/We (my TA) are having nothing but problems getting this to work.

I deal with a US real person (not online agency) TA.[/QUOTE]


I'm American and have also never been able to get it to work.
After reading all of this I will try again for our cruise next winter and let everyone on here know either way.
(I'm actually starting to wonder if my (and your) TA's aren't persistent enough)

[mammel123]

Hi there, I'm back.

Yes, you are correct, Princess IS NOT listed on the AMEX Platinum website. But, I called them (AMEX...) got transferred a couple of times, but ended up at PTS, explained that I already had a cruise booked with a different agent, and was I entitled to benefits. They said yes, I was, and to have the TA call.

MY TA called, and got me the benefits for our cruise in December.

That is for all of us Canadians. Seems like it is an "unadvertised" feature.

Sue

[mammel123]

I should add that I believe my price for this New Year's cruise to be VERY discounted - so I don't think it has any relationship to the price you've paid for the cruise. (Just in case anyone was wondering).

Sue


[quote name='mammel123']Hi there, I'm back.

Yes, you are correct, Princess IS NOT listed on the AMEX Platinum website. But, I called them (AMEX...) got transferred a couple of times, but ended up at PTS, explained that I already had a cruise booked with a different agent, and was I entitled to benefits. They said yes, I was, and to have the TA call.

MY TA called, and got me the benefits for our cruise in December.

That is for all of us Canadians. Seems like it is an "unadvertised" feature.

Sue[/quote]

[yyzatcqq]

My TA has had nothing but problems with this. I'll let you know if it works out but it looks like my upcoming Coral Princess sailing will have Sabatini's, Bottle of Champagne, and was re-priced from AB down to AD, yet I keep my AB cabin (2-category upgrade).

The problem my TA is having is that Canadian AMEX gives a different format code than US AMEX, and because the booking is made with a US TA, Princess wants a US format code. Canadian AMEX swears that the code should work, and that the Canadian benefits are ok to use when booked with a US TA.

[AK_Explorer]

[quote name='johnb0529']We used our AmEx Platinum Card last fall for a 12 day cruise out of Italy and received a reduced cabin rate (because they could not upgrade 2 levels), which saved $150/pp. We received the coupon for Free Bottle of Champagne, which we took the credit and upgraded to a better bottle of wine. And because we were traveling with a group of 10 people, we didn't want to miss the first dinner in the dining room, but Sabatini's accepted the Free Dinner Coupon on another night, no questions asked!

Just submitted for final payment on a cruise in October, so we will see in another day or two if anything has changed in the past year.

We did not book any of this through the AmEx Travel Service and our TA had no problems getting the credits on our account.[/quote]

Hi. We're also AmEx Platinum (and one of the reasons I finally upgraded after 15yrs on Gold) was this cruise (Coral NB Sept 7). Could anyone tell me how the coupons for dinner / champagne are distributed - are they waiting in your cabin when you arrive, or are they included in your cruise package from AMEX? (we did use Plat. Travel Service, and paid for the entire thing through AMEX)

Just got the package w/ our luggage tags, etc, this week (Princess had sent to our AMEX TA, and they forwarded next day air to us). Nothing but 'standard' documents in the envelopes, though.

Like a couple of others here, we had a specific cabin / class we wanted, and kept it, but were charged two classes lower (purchased AB, charged AD). To be honest, the DW has made most of the arrangements, but I saw this thread, and we were both looking forward to the dinner at Sabatini's (not that $25/pp would kill us, but if you offer it to us, we want the benefit :) Good to know that we don't necessarily have to use it on Day one, as well!

[raydon]

GRRRRR...My TA just tried to get the Sabatnins for us on our Thanksgiving cruise and the Princess rep refused since we had 2 price reductions....I may call AMEX...By the way, someone posted the international flight program was discontinued..it hasn't been and they have contracts in place through 2011.

[frankathy]

When you arrive in your cabin or shortly there after you will receive your Sabitini's / Champagne cards in your cabin. We always go the first night since that is what they say. The staff seems extra willing the first night as many people do not do this on the first night as they want to get to the dining room or seafood buffet.

The cards will say this is from your travel agent.

[chamima]

[quote name='raydon']GRRRRR...My TA just tried to get the Sabatnins for us on our Thanksgiving cruise and the Princess rep refused since we had 2 price reductions....I may call AMEX...By the way, someone posted the international flight program was discontinued..it hasn't been and they have contracts in place through 2011.[/QUOTE]

I thought this benefit comes from Amex. Why would a Princess rep have anything to do with it?

Did you get your 2 cabin class price reduction or did they refuse that also?

[MoonPet]

Price reductions shouldn't affect the PTS benefits. What MAY cause an issue is if the cruisefare is a flash promotion. Sometimes those can't be combined.

I would definitely give PTS a call, their cruise specialists do this all the time.