Amex platinum

[merryecho]

I truly do not mean to be negative about HAL, but they have come up another way to 'keep the customer irritated'. HAL lists a free dinner in the Pinnacle grill on the first night of the trip as one of the benefits of using the amex/platinum card. I emailed ship services, requesting a reservation for that night. They replied "Unfortunately, we do not make advanced reservations for the American Exp. Platinum cardholders". So, the benefit is only for leftover tables?

[Cruising Illini]

We received an invitation in our cabin on one of the first days of our trip and could pick any day -- did not have to be the first day. This was on the 7 day Amsterdam trip to Alaska.

[merryecho]

Thanks Ilini- we are with a group who all wanted to dine the first night for the $10 fee. They all have reservations, HAL suggests we check with the Maitre D' when we board to see if he can fit us in. Unbelievable- other cruise lines treat amex/plat customers like VIP's, HAL acts like they are doing us a big favor.

[dakrewser]

Thanks Ilini- we are with a group who all wanted to dine the first night for the $10 fee. They all have reservations, HAL suggests we check with the Maitre D' when we board to see if he can fit us in. Unbelievable- other cruise lines treat amex/plat customers like VIP's, HAL acts like they are doing us a big favor.
Have you called Amex?

-dave

[ekerr19]

I agree with Dave, perhaps a call to Amex? This must be very frustrating for your group, maybe Amex can help.

[doone]

If your group has reservations for the first evening in the Pinnacle Grill for $10 per person and you want to be sure to be able to join them, I would just make the reservation, at this point, what's $20. Perhaps when you get onboard, you can make another reservation for your Amex free dinner at the Pinnacle as one poster said they were able to do. I know its the principle of the whole thing, but honestly, its $20 your getting so frustrated about, hardly worth worrying about, IMHO.

[ekerr19]

doone-

Excellent suggestion. :)

[sail7seas]

When we were on Rotterdam in March, we had a card in our cabin advising we could dine in Pinnacle as AmEx Members for free on embarkation night. We did not wish to but it was clear they would have a table reserved for us if we chose to go.


On Maasdam in July, I think we had the same card.

On our recent Zuiderdam cruise, there was no card. We didn't care at all as we do not wish to go to Pinnacle on embarkation day. Had we wished to dine on the first night in Pinnacle, we would have spoken with the concierge and I am quite sure she would have arranged what they have agreed with Am Ex to offer.

In the event they cannot accomodate you because they would not pre-book through ship services, I would think you would have the basis of a
'discussion' with the GRM and it is 'possible' she may rectify the situation.

But.....Doone has it right. You are not talking about a huge sum of money. Instead of the obvious stress you are experiencing over a small thing, simply make your booking with the rest of your group. It's not such a big deal IMO



(BTW.....I never found the Celebrity of Princess did zip, zilch, zero, anything for AmEx Platinum Pax. We have had that card for about 25 years and have cruised those other lines a number of times. We certainly were not treated to ANYTHING at all that not everyone in our category cabin or on the ship as whole got. What is it that has been done for you on other lines that was so wonderful?)

[merryecho]

I have emailed Amex, (just for the principle of the thing) but haven't heard back.
Yes, I decided the same thing-we made a paid for reservation. Since the reason for this cruise is enjoying time with old friends we rarely get to see, I doubt we will be using the Pinnacle any other night.
But the point of my post was my surprise and disappointment at HAL's treatment of their platinum guests- why would they irritate the passengers that other lines are going to great lengths to attract, over such a petty policy? No answer required, just an observation.

[sail7seas]

But the point of my post was my surprise and disappointment at HAL's treatment of their platinum guests- why would they irritate the passengers that other lines are going to great lengths to attract, over such a petty policy? No answer required, just an observation.



I was sOOOOOOO hoping you would share what it is that other lines are going to great lengths to do for their platinum guests. I'd like to know what it is we have missed out on when on the other lines.......we got Nothing in more than ten cruises with Princess and Celebrity.

[merryecho]

Sorry, our posts crossed, so I didn't answer about what other lines have done. I have used our card on Silversea and Windstar. Both lines gave $300 room credit to all rooms, not just suites like HAL. Both had a bottle of Perrier Jouet or equivalent champagne in the room, not an Andre' equivalent.
Windstar delivered treats in the afternoon (only to amex/plat passengers) including a huge plate of caviar one day, a plate of chocolate covered fruit another, etc. Both gave souvinier photo albums.
I know, those lines cost more in the beginning, but we often travel with grown children, and when you count all the drinks my DH ends up buying, and shop around for a discount, I think it evens out FOR US. Before I am flamed mercilessly, let me make it clear that while I love getting off the ship without being given a bill, I fully understand that this may not be the way to go for anyone else.

[sail7seas]

Thank you for your response. Of course, you are aware that you are either 'paying here or paying there'. Pay for the drinks included in your fare or pay as you buy them.


As to the $300 shipboard credit, what applies (in my understanding) on HAL is that in categories below Suites, you get a two category upgrade.
The per person credit is in place of getting an upgrade as they do not allow that anymore.....although they used to.

I sure do like the sound of some of those treats delivered to your cabin. They sound wonderful.....especially the caviar. :) We have never cruised on Windstar or Silversea (although I have visited aboard Silversea ship in Boston).

[dakrewser]

I know, those lines cost more in the beginning, but we often travel with grown children, and when you count all the drinks my DH ends up buying, and shop around for a discount, I think it evens out FOR US. Before I am flamed mercilessly, let me make it clear that while I love getting off the ship without being given a bill, I fully understand that this may not be the way to go for anyone else.
No reason for anyone to flame you, although some may [respectfully] disagree :) .

When looking for an Alaska cruise for late next summer leaving out of San Francisco, I found a 12-day Celebrity, 12-day Crystal and 10-day Princess. (all three return on the same day - should be fun!). We went with Celebrity because even figuring in the Amex Plat credit as well as the included items, it was still approx. $2500 less than Crystal for the equivalent cabin. That's too big a difference for what may be a very similar experience. That doesn't mean I won't keep looking at Crystal when the opportunity warrants (or Radisson, for that matter) but Celebrity (what with their Xpedition sailings in the Galapagos and the Khlebnikov in Antarctica) is doing a lot to diversify the destinations available on a regular basis.

-dave

[Cruising Illini]

Crystal Did the Following: ALL cabins received $300 with Plat., a box of Godiva quality chocolates in room, special cocktail party just for Plat. with officers present. I believe that is it BUT we definitely paid in our higher cruise price for all of the freebies -- such as the soft drinks, water, etc. in ref. Our standard size cabin w/balcony -- similar to A & B on HAL couldn't compare with our wonderful suites for about the same price on HAL. Was very happy with Crystal but up to this point feel we get more for our $$$
on HAL so only did 2 Crystal as opposed to #24 of HAL coming the end of this week.

[merryecho]

Friends on our HAL cruise did get a 2 category amex upgrade, from a g to an ff. It didn't seem to move them very far though, they were still on the lowest deck.

[Orcrone]

Friends on our HAL cruise did get a 2 category amex upgrade, from a g to an ff. It didn't seem to move them very far though, they were still on the lowest deck.I have very limited experience, but it seems that HAL has a tremendous number of categories. On Carnival last year there were four categories of outside staterooms, one for each deck. On the Maasdam, which is a significantly smaller ship, there are three categories of outsides on the deck we're staying. If staying within the same category (i.e. inside or outside cabin) then an upgrade of two categories is fairly meaningless. Aside from which, very often the cost differential of two categories is pretty minute ($30 - $50 per person). Not much of an incentive for using the credit card.

[ekerr19]

...we often travel with grown children, and when you count all the drinks my DH ends up buying, and shop around for a discount, I think it evens out FOR US. Before I am flamed mercilessly, let me make it clear that while I love getting off the ship without being given a bill, I fully understand that this may not be the way to go for anyone else.
Merryecho, I also hope (and do not think) you are (will be) flamed for this - we travel often with our children and family as well. IMO, there is no reason to receive other that you expect when you have booked a cruise. We have used the Amex platinum to book several cruises... we don't usually travel in Suites, so it is not a huge deal to us, as the perks are reduced because we usually need quad cabins.

I do not think you are asking too much to have HAL honor their relationship with Amex platinum regarding the Pinnacle.

I hope it works out for you - HAL should honor their commitment to Amex in regard to their platinum guests IMO - why have it if you can't commit to following through?