AE Platinum Credit For 2006 sailings

[jcjbloca]

Does any one know if the $300 AE onboard credit will apply for 2006 Crystal sailings? I've heard that the AE credit for Radisson has been cancelled for '06.

[Judith02]

As far as I know, there has been no change to the amount of on board credit that is given to Platinum Card holders for Crystal cruises. Our data for our 2006 cruises shows the amount of credit. Where did you see that it was cancelled for Radisson?

[Margate Cruiser]

That the 300.00 ax ship board credit is given by the cruise line not american express. This is an advertising agreement between the cruise line and american express. And cannot be combined with anyother offers that the ship's might give away.:mad:

[Judith02]

Sorry but I disagree with you. It may or may not be given by the cruise line, I am not questioning that. I do disagree that it is not combinable with other offers. We also get $100 from the Plat Card Amex agency toward a shore excursion and any special on board credit they give when they combine us with a group plus any Crystal discounts or Crystal Society benefits. I have been told by friends who use their Amex Platinum Card with other agencies, that they also get that agency's offers such as paid gratuities and a special shore excursion.

[nancygp]

Just as Judith stated, we've received the same benefits when we used our AMEX platinum card. We received the $300 credit plus a shore excursion credit and the other Crystal credits we were do. I am not aware of any changed for 06 per my TA. Nancy

[Margate Cruiser]

If you book threw amex travel you get a 100.00 credit from them. But the 300.00 credit is if you pay for the cruise with your pl card. That 300.00 is given by the cruise line as if it was given by ax. You can use any travel agent and still get the 300.00 but then you won't get the 100.00 if you don't book threw ax travel

[kitty9]

Sorry to disagree with currencies, but I booked my August Symphony cruise with my usual TA, not a Plat Services TA, and received the $300 plus the additional $100 towards a shore excursion. I didn't need to book with Am Ex Plat in order to get the $100.

[merryecho]

currencies- as I posted on another thread, we just returned from a crystal trip, booked though an online travel agent (not amex) where we (3 people, one cabin) received $400 from amex platinum, and $300 from leading hotels of the world, plus another credit from the travel agent.

[nancygp]

Just like Kitty9, we received the same on board credit of $400. I did not book through AMEX, I just used my amex platinum card. Nancy

[jcjbloca]

As far as I know, there has been no change to the amount of on board credit that is given to Platinum Card holders for Crystal cruises. Our data for our 2006 cruises shows the amount of credit. Where did you see that it was cancelled for Radisson?
My TA told me that due to strong objections from ATS (AE Travel Service) agents, the Radisson contract for 06 currently under negotiation would severely limit the eligibility of onboard credits. Crystal's contract negotiation for 06 is unknown at this time.

[Margate Cruiser]

My ax credit was for 300.00 Platimum credit plus a 100.00 shore excursion credit

[wilbar46]

:confused: My TA told me yesterday that I would get the AE Plat credit if I charged the trip on any AE card (Costco AE Plat=2% rebate) as long as I had the AE Plat costing $395 a year.

[kitty9]

You cannot use any Am Ex plat card, only the one from Am Ex that does cost--not the Costo card or the Celebrity card. But, if you cruise even once using that card, it pays for itself.

[Host Dan]

You cannot use any Am Ex plat card, only the one from Am Ex that does cost--not the Costo card or the Celebrity card. But, if you cruise even once using that card, it pays for itself.
You can use ANY Amex card, as long as you are in posession of the regular Amex Platinum or Business Platinum!

Host Dan

[Bruce4fun]

You must use the Platinum Amex to get the $300/cabin shipboard credit, plus $100/cabin shore credit. *Its $150pp for single, and $50 for shore tour single occupancy.
You cannot use Platinum Amex cards that earn milage points (ie Delta Skymiles, etc.). It must be the generic American Express Platinum card, and THIS card must be used to pay for the entire cruise including deposit.
Other poster said Any Amex, this is not correct. Your TA must obtain a "tracking number" for that Platinum card used to pay for the cabin, and cardholder that matches the amount paid for your Crystal Cruise. The Onboard Cruise Privliges are not activated until the Platinum cardholder checks in for the cruise. Thus preventing Platinum cardholders from charging friends or associates cruises unless the actual Platinum Amex cardholder is traveling. The Platinum cardholder may in fact pay for up to 3 cabins and ALL THREE will receive the Onboard credits.
IMHO
Bruce4fun

[Host Dan]

Bruce4fun,

I too felt the way you did, until another poster set me straight on another board.

I will quote from the terms and conditions of the Platinum Amex Cruise Privileges (CPP) section for my Business Platinum Card:
"CPP is a benefit for Business Platinum Card and Business Centurion Card members. Certain Business Platinum Carrds are not eligible for certain benefits and services. The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit (SBC) cannot be used in the casino, is non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit. One of the travelers must be a Business Platinum Card member and there is a three-cabin limit per Card member, per sailing. Payment must be made WITH AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD in the Business Platinum Card members name."

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Host Dan

[wilbar46]

Now I am really confused. You two previous guys sound so very certain!

My situation:

I have a Costco Platinum Amex I would like to charge the cruise on.

I applied for a Fidelity Plat card (not a Business card) today which lists the CPP as a benefit and costs $220 but won't have that for two weeks.

I must deposit the cruise Monday.

I've called Amex and Fidelity but nobody really knows. So if Dan is right, I win and if Bruce, I lose!

Perhaps someone who has charged a cruise on another AMEX card while holding a paid for AMEX Plat will add to this thread.

Thanks, everybody!

[jcjbloca]

The only AE Platinum card that is entitled to the $300 + $100 onboard credit on Crystal is the regular AE Platinum card (not Costco, Tiger Woods or whatever), it must start with the card number 37350........... and cost $399 annual subscription. I have verified this with AE.

[wilbar46]

I have a Fidelity AmEx Platinum card for which I paid $320.

I charged the cruise on Costco AmEx Platinum card.

And, yes, I did get the $300 plus $100 on my upcoming cruise as verified by a PTS agent who called Crystal.

[jcjbloca]

The 2006 AE program with Crystal consists of $300 onboard credit plus $250 shore excursion credit per stateroom.

[Judith02]

My travel agent said that the new $250 instead of $100 for a shore excursion (per stateroom) is just for bookings after 1/1/06. Since we booked three Crystal cruises before that date for 2006, I have asked her to check that further.

[deborahdarling]

Just a note- the qualifying CANADIAN card starts with 37350... the qualifying US card starts with 3713... The program may be different in the US but I know that in Canada you MUST pay for your cruise using the original Plat card (37350) or you will not get the benefits. The 3 stateroom limit applies to almost all of the participating cruise lines- there ARE exceptions. The following is from the Canadian AMEX website (see paragraph 3):

"The Cruise Privileges program ("CPP") may be combined with other passenger or group promotions, depending on the cruise line. CPP may not be combined with other American Express® Card offers. Category, fare restrictions and number of cabins limits may apply. CPP is an exclusive benefit for Platinum Card® members.

The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit ("Credit") cannot be applied against the cost of the cruise prior to departure and is only available for redemption once the Platinum Card member is on the ship. The Credit may be used for any goods or services, including shore excursions, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and purchases at the on-board gift store, but excluding any goods or services available at the on-board casino. Any unused portion of the Credit will be forfeited by the Platinum Card member at the end of the cruise. No certificate of credit will be issued to Platinum Card members. The Credit is non-refundable and non-redeemable for cash or credit.

One of the travellers must be a Platinum Card member. Payment must be made with a Platinum Card in the Platinum Card member's name. American Express Travel Related Service Company, Inc. and Amex Canada Inc. act solely as agents for cruise lines and are not responsible for the acts or inactions of such cruise lines.

In an event the ship's captain is not available, a ship's officer will be available for cocktails, dinner or bridge tour. Ships' Registries: Seabourn Cruise Line: The Bahamas; RSSC: Bahamas, Wallis and Futuna; Windstar Cruises: Bahamas; Crystal Cruises: Bahamas; Cunard Line: Great Britain; HAL: Netherlands and Bahamas; Silverseas Cruises: Bahamas."

Debbie

[Judith02]

"In an event the ship's captain is not available, a ship's officer will be available for cocktails, dinner or bridge tour."

The above is not available for Crystal cruises whether or not the captain is available, but is for some other cruise lines. Using the Amex card will not assure a person of dinner or cocktails with the captain or another officer, and Crystal no longer gives bridge tours.

[deborahdarling]

Here is the link for Canadian cardmembers that details what you receive from each cruiseline:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif/cda/page/0,1641,19385,00.asp

As Judith stated Crystal does not include drinks/dinner or a bridge tour with the Captain. I suspect that the note is there to cover all bases!

[tiffnco]

My travel agent said that the new $250 instead of $100 for a shore excursion (per stateroom) is just for bookings after 1/1/06.

Just wondering...we secured an open booking while on the Harmony in November which we will be transferring to a booking after 1/1/06. Do you think this will qualify for the new $250 credit or not? I'm not sure how the booking will show...since a partial deposit was paid in November. I will check with my agent as well...but I often find that I have more information on these types of things than she does. :o

Thanks!

[Northern Dancer]

The link you gave is for the old 2005 Terms and Conditions. I have been trying to get tracking numbers from Amex Canada for our Feb/March cruises. They have advised that they have yet to finalize contracts with Crystal and other cruise lines for their 2006 program. They say to call back in the New Year when they hope to have these finalized. They are aware of the Amex U.S. 2006 Cruise Privileges program but are not free to say what theirs will be.

Warren

[deborahdarling]

Hi Warren- thanks for the clarification and sorry for any confusion! I tried to remove the info but it's too late to edit.