Why do we get onboard credits?

[tomc]

My travel docs came the other day and there was a $75 onboard credit enclosed. Why would HAL give me this out of the blue? (I assume that a $75 gift to me is probably something like $25 out of their pocket.) Why does anyone get an onboard credit?

Just as reference, I'm in steerage on a single share booked well in advance. It's my 14th cruise with HAL; ever faithful, I have slept with no other line, nor has my eye ever wandered to check out the twin stacks on other ships.

Inquiring Minds --or at least this one-- want to know.

[dakrewser]

My travel docs came the other day and there was a $75 onboard credit enclosed. Why would HAL give me this out of the blue? (I assume that a $75 gift to me is probably something like $25 out of their pocket.) Why does anyone get an onboard credit?

Most likely something your TA wangled for you....

-dave

[Ziggy7]

It was possibly a promo that your TA got for you :) or HAL just being nice and saying Thank You for being Loyal ????

And it is really $75.00 off your tab so enjoy it hehehehe!

[WindyCity]

Actually, it's a good idea, on the cruise line's side, to give a shipboard credit. They lose nothing because you have to use it onboard and they gain customer satisfaction (getting something for free). It's a win-win situation for cruise lines. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

That $75 shipboard credit does sound like something that your TA got for you.

Our TA has wanted to give us a shipboard credit through AAA but we get a better one using our AM EX Plat card.

That $75 is a help towards the new automtic tips that will appear on your account.

[Nasmas]

Maybe its because you're worth it? 14 cruises, I'd say should qualify you for something. We have a 10/30 cruise coming up that will be our 7th. I wonder if they'll put a little something in our stocking? I tried to get the 7031 promo but they said we were booked under another promo. Don't know what it was but I didnt' argue.

[jollycruiser]

Speaking of credits and promos, anyone know if there are any credit promos available for 2005 bookings?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Speaking of credits and promos, anyone know if there are any credit promos available for 2005 bookings?
I was able to get a $50.00 per person credit on the 3 cruises I have booked for 2005. All different locations, Western Caribbean, New England and Mexican Riveria. Just get with your TA. I understand it was a bit difficult getting the one for my New England one because HAL would not offer and they kept telling my TA they needed a Promo number she was then able to get it handled

[RuthC]

Didn't you book this cruise while you were on the last one? :confused: If so, that's the reason for the credit. Amount's right, too.

I remember it came up in a posting a lo-o-o-ng time ago that you didn't know about the credit for booking while sailing. I heard cash register sounds going off as you mastered the possibilities.

As for the "perv" reference, well....:p

[tomc]

Anytime I book a cruise, you will hear a cash register ringing as I figure out possible discounts, onboard credits, etc. And, yes, now that I think of it, I do remember something about a credit for booking onboard. Gee, that was back in May of last year, I think. And I may have been the first person to book on this cruise, as it hadn't been loaded into the computer the first time we tried and a few minutes later it was.

I go for any discounts I can. Plus, I will do professional favors on-air or in the newpaper (ka-ching). Someone I know said, "Is that stuff ethical?" I said, "It's a dance pax do with the cruise lines. We both know the steps. They are willing to cut a deal if I can do them favors. I want the best cut and they want the best favors. I send them an article with, 'Look at this,' and I get another break." (ka-ching)

Use what you learn here, use what your TA knows and you, too, will hear that lovely "ka-ching" noise on a regular basis. There are lots of ways ordinary people can get really good deals; just work at it.

[ger_77]

tomc: Don't worry about the credit, simply accept it and use it to buy me a cute little pair of earrings from the gift shop! :D If you don't want it, just have it transferred to my account for my next sailing ... which I haven't booked yet, but will soon.

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[tomc]

My brother, who puts me to shame, got our mother a nice little pair of brown lumpy earrings. I had to tell her, months later, that they were plastic-covered moose poop.

[Slinkiecat]

Oh, Tom - That's GROSS!!!! Mouse poop indeed! mutter, mutter. Some people's kids...

Slinkie

[ger_77]

Um, I'll pass on the moose poop, but there's usually something in Swarovski that would use up your credit quickly - really, anything other than moose poop is fine by me!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[RaffinOrganGrinders]

Speaking of credits and promos, anyone know if there are any credit promos available for 2005 bookings?

We just booked using Promo #300 for a Feb. 05 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise. Call your TA as there were several others available.

[Cruiseoften]

We'd also like to know how cruise credits are handed out.........jeeze having each spent over a year of our lives in HAL beds you'd think we'd be in line for something but we've never been upgraded and doubt that we've received more that $200.00 each.

As Canadians, are we discriminated against

:confused: and :mad:

[pollux]

Tomc, I am happy for you. I got my first freebee from HAL free parking in San Diego that is about for 7 days $ 96.Oosterdam Jan 29 th Mexican Riviera.

[dewhit6959]

Dear TomC,

I guess the question I want to ask is," Is it ethical" ? I can only go by the content of your post to think that you are publishing articles or broadcasting remarks favorable to HAL and forwarding them to their offices in the hope of receiving some type of credit or incentive. Do you always bring your quotes to their attention as you mentioned? I do hope you are not being published in any type of reputable travel publication or broadcasting as a unbiased critic for "public service"? Am I "cha-ching" in my understanding of your post?

I also would be interested in your location, so that I may disregard or clarify any travel news or review that originates from your journeys.

[tomc]

The regulars here know me well enough and perhaps I should have included a handful of smilies.

:) :) :)

Put them in my post, as needed.

In my side job as a newspaper columnist, I publish what I want, when I want, positive and negative. Actually, I think I've only done one HAL piece that was sent to hq and I'm not sure if that got me an upgrade or if it was just the luck of the draw. I suspect the latter, but it could be the former: My last cabin was 2612 on the Rotterdam, which is under a crew stairwell and next to the laundry. In reality, marketing probably never sees booking except at the annual Christmas dinner. I sent it to them as a "you might be interested in this," and I'm sure they get a ton of those from writers. But it makes a great story.

No, I don't ****. I'm not a travel writer but a radio news anchor who never reports on HAL or activities in which I have a personal stake.

No, you are not understanding of my post. Stick around and check my style. On the air, I'm matter-of-fact; here at CC it's a bit different. I'm pretty good at limericks, too. ("There once was a poster, dewhit...")

[flgirl]

,

I also would be interested in your location, so that I may disregard or clarify any travel news or review that originates from your journeys.
Relax Dewhit....you obviously don't understand Tom's style. His posts are pretty funny and honest.

[tomc]

My location? According to my online immigration form, it's Cabin 000. I tend to end up there every voyage with a lot of other passengers. Judging by the number of people on guarantees, it looks like the cabin the Marx Brothers were in (but I forget which film).

Disregard my opinion? Please do; you probably have seen "YMMV" on the boards. I never read reviews. RuthC and I took the same cruise and we saw lots of things differently.

Can I be bought? Not at all. Rented, maybe; but not bought.

21 days from now (Oct 20) and I'm outta here. Always hoping they'll put me in with another single-share who is a cute chick with a guy's name. (I know a striking woman named "Kevin.") Unfortunately, all I get is the typical HAL demographic (false teeth, in bed by 9:30, cane, hearing aid) guy who probably posts to another message board about this guy with the long hair who's been in radio since they invented the thing.

Here's a few smilies; put them around the post as needed: :) :) :)