Can Someone please Explain the Deal with Ship Board Credit and the Plat. American Exp

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I remember seeing a few posts about people getting ship board credit from having a Plat. American Express. How does this work? I only use one credit card and that is my United Mileage plus. Because I use this for everything I earn enough miles to fly at least 2 times a year for both of us. I already have tickets for Ft Lauderdal and Boston. So when I book a cruise I don't have to worry about paying for airfare too. I guess my question is how much do you get and id it enough to off set the year cost of this card. Also is this shipboard credit in additional to the one you get from HAL with their different Promo's?

[merryecho]

With HAL you get $150pp shipboard credit for suites, outside cabins get a 2 level upgrade (or if that is not available the price is downgraded two levels), all cabins get champagne in the room on boarding, and free dinner at the pinnacle the first night. On HAL the credit cannot be combined with any other promo's, like 7032.
Different cruise lines have different rewards. On silversea and windstar all cabins get the 150$pp. As we often take our grown kids, for us the card pays for itself rapidly.
You also earn american express reward points, which can be exchanged for airline miles with many airlines (not united though). We are using them to fly to florida for our next cruise. And, if you book through the AA travel service, you get big perks and upgrades at luxury hotels, but you pay full book prices, so you don't really save anything.
Hope that helos.

[ekerr19]

This benefit is only for the Amex Platinum, not the Costco or Delta Amex Platinums.

The annual fee on this card is very hefty.

I have the Amex Platinum Corporate Card and it is eligible for the shipboard credit and other little perks.

[flatwallet]

Couple of questions.
Do you have to use American Express Travel Agency or can you use your own TA?
Is this the Amex Plat card costing approx. $395 per year?
I too have seen this posted before and no one has ever fully explained it. I even called Am Ex one time and got vague answers, expecially about whether Amex. Tvl or personal TA is used.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

$395.00 per year OOOOUCH:eek: I went to American Express Web Site and it looks like you can only get this on one cruise per year. That seems really expensive. Plus it makes it sound like it cannot be combined with any other offers from the cruise line. Which to me sounds like you cannot get the other ship board credit. In reading all the other benefits it does not sound that attractive. I think I only pay $35.00 per year for my Plat. United card and have flown for free on at least 7 round trip flights and many were Hawaii. Plus I pay it off monthly with no interest acruing. Now if they give you this $150 per person on as many cruises as you can take in a year it might be worth it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

AM EX Plat - Costs $395 a year.

We have been getting the shipboard credit on each cruise. As some of you know we book several cruises a year.

When we do back-to-back cruises, we get 2 separate booking numbers - therefore we qualify for the $150 per person shipboard credit on each cruise. Those shipboard credits more than pay for the card for the year.

[trvlnliz]

You can book through your own TA. They just need to call AMX Platinum Travel Service and get a tracking number. It can also be used in conjunction with some other promos, nmaybe not all. We are using it in conjunction with a group offer that give us a 30 minute massage and a dinner any night at the Pinnacle. It can also be used more than once a year. Next year I am using it on 2 cruises, different lines. Hope this answers some of your questions.
Liz ;)

[dakrewser]

$395.00 per year OOOOUCH:eek: I went to American Express Web Site and it looks like you can only get this on one cruise per year.
Nope. $150/pp, up to 3 cabins per cruise for all of your cruises (although it does depend on the cruise line). Plus there's the once a year travel bonus ($150) and the savings on your other cards (cancel the green & the gold). Plus the "no extra charge" medical evac insurance, baggage insurance, and on and on. I'd been routinely throwing out the offer until a couple of folks here explained the many benefits. It should really be called "The Cruisers' Card"!

:) -dave

[garydm]

This works well for me. For example, we cruised in August on Crystal and got $500 onboard credit ($300+200 for shore excursion=$500), are cruising in December on Silversea and will get $300 plus Dom Perignom champagne, then we have two cabins on HAL in February for which we will receive $300 each or $600 credit plus other bennies. So, for my $395 investment, I get back $1400 plus other benefits this year. Wish my other investments had this kind of return. And, I do not book with Amex.

Gary

[gizmo]

What is the once a year travel bonus ($150)? How does this work?

Thanks,
Giz

[LAFFNVEGAS]

OK it sounds like a lot ofpeople on this boards are really sold on this. Let me ask, if I were to apply for this card would I be able to get these credits for the 4 up coming cruise I already have booked? DH paid the deposit today for our New England cruise next July. Plus Gary just mentioned that he does not even pay with his Amex, so could I still pay with the United card and get my miles and just have my TA call the booking into Amex????

[Krazy Kruizers]

The original booking must be with the AM EX Plat card as well as the final payment. No other credit cards for booking or final payment.

Our TA calls HAL after a couple of days booking a cruise and gets our tracking numbers.

You figure, with some back-to-back cruises, we have 7 cruises booked for next year - that's $2100 in ship board credit - that more than pays for the card for several years.

P.S. - even though the AM EX Plat card does have travel insurance and emergency evacuation - we still buy cruise insurance as our health care plan does not cover anything out of OUR state and since DH has had a heart attack, we need to know that we are covered if something should happen at the cruise embarkation or debarkation port, etc.

[dakrewser]

What is the once a year travel bonus ($150)? How does this work?Once a year, you can receive a statement credit of up to $150 when you book a qualifying cruise and/or land vacation with Amex's Platinum Travel Service.


LAFFNVEGAS: You'll need to check with AMEX, but the payment must be made with an Amex card (not necessarily the platinum card) in the same name as the platinum card. Don't know how that works for existing bookings when you get the card. I'm about to find out, though. :)
The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit cannot be used in the casino or for payment of gratuities, is non-transferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit. One of the travelers must be a U.S. Platinum Card or Centurion member and there is a three-cabin limit per Card member, per sailing. 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 travel professional to PTS.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I decided to call my TA on this matter since she would be very much in the know based on her parent company of this travel agency (if you know what I mean.) She said she was actually very familiar with the Amex Plat. program and benefits. She said if I would like to apply she would be able to get my number fairly fast to use for this program but one little glitch. She would have to book the cruise at a higher rate. We would have to pay about $600 more for the cruise to get $300 shipboard credit. She said to be honest the discounts she gives us is always far better than we could get other wise. She also said that to do this program you must pay the deposit and final payment with the Amex Plat.
I then called the On Line agency that I booked my Oct 05 cruise with and asked them about the Amex Plat. program and they told me that with the discounts they offer they do not participate with the Amex program.
I guess I will wait and maybe at somw other point may ge this card, it sounds like I am already saving money.

[garydm]

To clarify, I paid with my Amex card, but did not book with Amex Travel. The comment about the travel agent not giving a good rate if you use an Amex Platinum Card suggests the need for a new TA. For the February HAL trip we just booked, the price I received was $50 less per cabin than the rumored lowest cost online agency and I am getting the full Amex benefits plus a free full day shore excursion with lunch and a cocktail party funded by the company with which this agency is affiliated.

Gary

[fb0075]

That info is incorrect! What you have is a LAZY TA---It does NOT matter who you book with--all the TA has to do is to call AMEX with booking # and PRESTO its done!!
Disclaimer
This SC comes from HAL and NOT from TA ---BUT I have heard of instances-(ask SAIL) of HAL saying that price was to low and would not qualify---strictly HALs call--
AGAIN __IT COSTS TA NOTHING!!!!
FRANK

[LAFFNVEGAS]

It does NOT matter who you book with--all the TA has to do is to call AMEX with booking # and PRESTO its done!!
Disclaimer
This SC comes from HAL and NOT from TA ---BUT I have heard of instances-(ask SAIL) of HAL saying that price was to low and would not qualify---strictly HALs call--
AGAIN __IT COSTS TA NOTHING!!!!
FRANK
OK, then why would I need to pay for it with an Amex card, if all they do is call in and give them the booking number. How would they even know if I have an Amex Plat. card. You are making it sound like Amex just confirms with HAL the booking number and presto you get credit. So know I have 4 cruises booked why could I not just call Amex myself with the booking numbers????

[Krazy Kruizers]

The $300 shipboard credit that we got through AM EX for our May cruise was allowed to go towards the automatic tipping.

[fb0075]

When they call amex --they look and see what card you used and then when your TA gives then the booking # it is credited! I have the rules and it says that SC can NOT be used for TIPS---but they always have!
FRANK
I can fax to anyone interested

[sail7seas]

The reason you have to pay with the AmEx Platinum card in order to get the credit is the merchant (TA) pays a percentage to AmEx for every charge you make......same for Visa and M/C etc


It sounds to me like your TA is (a) either paying more to AmEx than other credit cards or (b) does not want to do the small amount necessary to call the outside agent desk and get the tracking number. She would then have to call that number into HAL in order for you to get the credits. It is possible she doesn't want to bother????

[fb0075]

BTW LISA
Coming to vegas in oct and taking in Celine DION---would like to do 1 more show--any reccomendations? also
restaurants or buffets not to be missed?
THANKS FRANK

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Frank, I can definitely help with Buffets, although I like the pricey ones but they are sooo good. One of the Best is at the Bellagio Resort.Then we also like the Mandalay Bay Resort. Then also the Aladdin has a great Buffet and also the Paris is pretty good.

I have not seen Celine but hear she is not to be missed. Another great show is Cirque Du Soleil "O" at the Bellagio. I have seen this 2 times and amazed both times. I hear that Danny Ganz is good but over priced. Of course they are all extremely expensive anymore.

[fb0075]

Well that confirms other recs--looks like Bellagio and "O"-
THANKS

[merryecho]

A couple more points I didn't see here- HAL gives the 150$pp for SUITES ONLY- outside rooms are upgraded 2 levels, inside rooms only get champagne and free dinner at the pinnacle grill the first night out.

The first time we used the Amex platinum we had already paid a downpayment with a different card. My wonderful internet TA managed to refund the first payment, then bill it all to AMEX, so we got the room credit. This was a half price silversea cruise, so I would quickly dump the TA who says it doesn't apply to discount tix.

We have booked 3 rooms on windstar a couple of months ago, (each room got $300 credit) and 3 rooms on Hal in November. No problem.

Amex giives upgrades at some luxury hotels when you book the room through them, but of course the room costs more than rack rate. When checking into one of these I use the plat. Amex card and ask if there is an upgrade- they usually give me something if they can.

As I wrote in my first reply, Amex does give reward points that are comparable to airline credit card points, and can be transferred- but not on United.

[sail7seas]

[QUOTE]As I wrote in my first reply, Amex does give reward points that are comparable to airline credit card points, and can be transferred- but not on United.




This is called Membership Reward Program but it does not include ALL airlines. American Airlines (which we fly often) is not part of the program.

[viennacruiser]

Does anyomne know if you get the credit if one person in the cabin uses their Am Ex? the reason I ask is we have a family cruise Aug 05 and my kids are sharing a cabin with my sisters kids and she paid her deposit with Am Ex. I paid mine with my USAA Mastercard... Should I have her make the final payment for the whole cabin and just give her the $$ and than she and I can split the shipborad credit and each get a spa treatment??
Nancy

[robertmartha]

To those who have received the credit on b to b's
Just booked our first and told by our ta that we would only receive the $150pp on the first segment. Is the key to receiving for both having (2) booking numbers? WOuld love to get $600 credit!!!!!!

let me know

thanks!

[sail7seas]

We have done MANY b-to-b's and always have a different booking number for each segment. We ALMOST ALWAYS only get the shipboard credit for one segment. Makes no sense to me. It is a unilateral decision HAL makes and only on a very few occassions have we gotten the credits for both segments. We have booked and paid for two cruises; we get the credits for only one.

It's their cruiseline and they do what they please.

[ekerr19]

Does anyomne know if you get the credit if one person in the cabin uses their Am Ex? the reason I ask is we have a family cruise Aug 05 and my kids are sharing a cabin with my sisters kids and she paid her deposit with Am Ex. I paid mine with my USAA Mastercard... Should I have her make the final payment for the whole cabin and just give her the $$ and than she and I can split the shipborad credit and each get a spa treatment??
Nancy

vienna-

It is my understanding that the $150 shipboard credit is only given to those booking a Suite and using the Amex Platinum card with $395 annual fee. We have tried to use it on outside cabins, but were told no - only a Suite. If you are all booked in a Suite, you may give it a shot. The $150 does not apply to the 3rd/4th pax in the cabin either.

I may be wrong - I'm sure someone else will point out - but I have used my platinum card numerous times for bookings. The only time we received the $150 pp shipboard credit was when we booked a Suite and it was not applicable to the kids, just 1st/2nd pax... :)

[merryecho]

vienna- only tickets entirely paid for with the plat. amex card get the credit. Sometimes your TA can reufund the deposit and rebill you on amex. Once again, on Hal only suites get the credit, outside cabins get an upgrade.

[flgirl]

Thanks for starting this great thread!!!

Guess what i did after reading this...I called my TA and had her immediately put the cruise on my husband's AMEX Platinum business card. I am in the midst of upgrading our home AMEX Gold to Platinum so now I'll have one too.

Anyway...the good news is I got a $300 shipboard credit!!!! That's right, made $300 for just reading cruise critic.

The other good news Is I'm going to change my future Alaskan cruise to the AMEX too. The Platinum card also has the trip insurance I need to cover 3 biggy trips I'm taking this next year. So it pays for itself.

Oh yes, if you have a Plat AMex, when I'm travelling w/my husband, you can usually get into most airline club rooms.

Thanks everyone.

[ohdyana]

the amex perks are great and well worth it! and yes it is about lazy ta's, ta's that can't or won't do the xtra steps. also, certain "agencies" will not allow the ta's to do their jobs....takes too much "time" and they could be booking another cruise for someone else....... a little food for thought!

[sail7seas]

Thanks for starting this great thread!!!

Guess what i did after reading this...I called my TA and had her immediately put the cruise on my husband's AMEX Platinum business card. I am in the midst of upgrading our home AMEX Gold to Platinum so now I'll have one too.

Anyway...the good news is I got a $300 shipboard credit!!!! That's right, made $300 for just reading cruise critic.

The other good news Is I'm going to change my future Alaskan cruise to the AMEX too. The Platinum card also has the trip insurance I need to cover 3 biggy trips I'm taking this next year. So it pays for itself.

Oh yes, if you have a Plat AMex, when I'm travelling w/my husband, you can usually get into most airline club rooms.

Thanks everyone.



You can get into Northwest Airline's Club And Delta. Not American.



What insurance are you referring to? Medical Evacuation and some small baggage insurance? Is that what you have in mind?



ekerr......Yes, you are correct. The $150 credit pertains to "S" and "PS" and is only good for a maximum of two pax in a suite to equal $300.

[merryecho]

Benefits are different on different lines- if you want to know the details go to americanexpress.com/platinum and follow the travel/cruise thread.

[shipgirl56]

When they call amex --they look and see what card you used and then when your TA gives then the booking # it is credited! I have the rules and it says that SC can NOT be used for TIPS---but they always have!
FRANK
I can fax to anyone interestedI have $600 shipboard credit on my cruise next week. I was planning on using some for tips. I can't do this?

Also - can you get cash at the casino - is there a charge if you put it on your ship acct.?

[sail7seas]

Benefits are different on different lines- if you want to know the details go to americanexpress.com/platinum and follow the travel/cruise thread.

We've had Platinum for over 20 years and have used it for 50+ cruises. I am only interested as it pertains to HAL. We've given up on Princess and Celebrity. RCI ----once was enough, for us.

[flgirl]

What insurance are you referring to? Medical Evacuation and some small baggage insurance? Is that what you have in mind?

I'm wrong..I thought Platinum card had trip insurance on it...I guess it's just flight insurance.:(

[fb0075]

Looking at Program Rules---it says that SC can Not be used for tips or used in casino. Also,non-refundable,transferable,etc. BUT ---i dont see how they can enforce--
On the Westerdam ,in July, I had this plus another $300 in various SC perks and it was all thrown in together!!
ALSO, SAIL
$150 is good for CAT B-A-S-PS
FRANK

[merryecho]

I too have used the credit for casino's etc., when the rules said you could not. I would give it a try, but don't count on being able to do it. After all, the point is to get you to spend money on something you may not have spent money on. With tips, they assume you are going to be spending that money anyway.

[sail7seas]

Looking at Program Rules---it says that SC can Not be used for tips or used in casino. Also,non-refundable,transferable,etc. BUT ---i dont see how they can enforce--
On the Westerdam ,in July, I had this plus another $300 in various SC perks and it was all thrown in together!!
ALSO, SAIL
$150 is good for CAT B-A-S-PS
FRANK
You're right, Frank. Because the cruiseline will not allow an automatic 2 category upgrade to those cabins (as they used to, by the way), they apply the $150 pp shipboard credit.

For years, it used to be possible to book a Category "B" and be upgraded to the "S" automatically at the time of booking and picking just which "S" you wanted. (assuming availability, of course. ). When they took away that benefit, they instituted the shipboard credit.