AMEX Platinum cruise benefits question

[Host Dan]

Hi all,

I booked my next RCCL cruise using my Amex Plat card. The cruise benefits offered are:

Two-category upgrade or up to $300 per stateroom shipboard credit (depending on ship and category booked)
Complimentary dinner for two in specialty restaurant
Bottle of premium champagne

Does anyone know how the dinner works? Is it first night only (like HAL) and which restaurant? (Ill be on FOS) Thanks in advance!

Host Dan

[skibyrd]

No clue, but I want that card!! Just found out college tuition only is Amex - ok, a few benefits!

[yogimax]

Originally Posted by skibyrd

No clue, but I want that card!!

I believe the annual fee is $450.

Still want it?

[beachbuddy]

Originally Posted by yogimax

I believe the annual fee is $450.

Still want it?

Is it really that much annually??

[debmarie]

Originally Posted by beachbuddy

Is it really that much annually??

Yes, but you need to decide for yourself if it is worth it to you. For me, the benefits far outweigh the cost.

[Loonbeam]

Yes it is, but as another poster noted, if you travel a lot there are a ton of benefits involved, including airport lounge access, fee rebates, insurance and more.

Originally Posted by beachbuddy

Is it really that much annually??

[beachbuddy]

Originally Posted by Loonbeam

Yes it is, but as another poster noted, if you travel a lot there are a ton of benefits involved, including airport lounge access, fee rebates, insurance and more.

Thank you for the information......but it wouldn't be for me as we don't travel enough to make up for the annual fee. I get plenty of benefits from my Diamond Status, shareholder benefits and Visa points.

[baychilla]

Originally Posted by yogimax

I believe the annual fee is $450.

Still want it?

• Membership in the top tier of certain car rental programs
• Access to certain airline clubs even when not going 1st/business class
• BOGO for 1st class international tickets
• Upgrades in certain hotels/cruises
• OBC/premium champagne (on Silversea it was Dom which IMO is FAR superior to that Nick F stuff)
• Concierge
• Special access to certain events
• No limit (put all 4 years of college on it - great point builder or a whole cruise)
• Easy transfer of miles to partnered airlines
• They cover the cost of your NEXUS application

While not everyone will find it worthwhile, I certainly have.

[crbonfiber]

Originally Posted by yogimax

I believe the annual fee is $450.

Still want it?

2 cruises a year and you have made back more than the fee. So I say yes.

My question is are the AMEX benefits combinable with all RCL C&A Benefits?

[CFIGuy]

I have found the sweet spot to be a five day cruise, since RCI's discounts and on board credits are small for anything under 6 night cruises. I booked a 5 night in a Jr Suite, and received the following...

$300 OBC (Plus additional OBC from TA)
Champagne
Specialty dining for 2

If I booked using the Next Cruise program, I would have received $25-50 for a balcony discount OR $75 if a coupon was available, plus $25 OBC. So, $300 more by booking via Amex Platinum services. Now, if this was a 7 day example, the Amex program would only be worth about $100-150 more. It is not applicable on cruises of 4 nights or less.

[CleveRocks]

I booked through a local TA and paid with my AMEX Platinum card. Can I realize any benefits at this point? I already made the final payment for a late-August cruise on Allure.

THANKS!

[Florida_cruisers]

Originally Posted by CleveRocks

I booked through a local TA and paid with my AMEX Platinum card. Can I realize any benefits at this point? I already made the final payment for a late-August cruise on Allure.

THANKS!

You would have to book through their agency or transfer the booking to the Amex cruise agency in order to get the benefit. It is not really about paying with the platinum card

[ctcruiser1721]

I have the Plat but have never booked through them as my TA gives 10% OBC which is usually quite a bit higher. But I would be interested in knowing how you make out with regard to the 3 cat upgrade. The last time I called to check, RC was not one of the lines participating in this program. Please keep us posted!

Also, as I'm sure you are aware, we can now choose an airline and receive up to $200 in credits for things like baggage fees, meals, drinks, etc. It's one of my favorite benefits.

[bigeagle12]

Dinner should be for any night.

[Host Dan]

Originally Posted by ctcruiser1721

I have the Plat but have never booked through them as my TA gives 10% OBC which is usually quite a bit higher. But I would be interested in knowing how you make out with regard to the 3 cat upgrade. The last time I called to check, RC was not one of the lines participating in this program. Please keep us posted!

Also, as I'm sure you are aware, we can now choose an airline and receive up to $200 in credits for things like baggage fees, meals, drinks, etc. It's one of my favorite benefits.

Any TA can get you the AMEX benefits. I booked a GS, so got the $300 SBC instead of the upgrade, so cant comment on that. RCCL have been participating since last fall.

Host Dan

[debmarie]

Dan, I booked directly with RCCL. Do you know if I would call AMEX or the cruise line to have benefits applied? For some reason I seem to recall that the SBC or upgrade and Crown and Anchor Balcony discount could not both be used.

[Host Dan]

Originally Posted by debmarie

Dan, I booked directly with RCCL. Do you know if I would call AMEX or the cruise line to have benefits applied? For some reason I seem to recall that the SBC or upgrade and Crown and Anchor Balcony discount could not both be used.

many times promotions cannot be combined. If you decide that the amex benefit is better, I believe you will need to transfer the booking to any TA, and have them contact amex on your behalf.

Host Dan

[azlove2cruise]

Originally Posted by debmarie

Dan, I booked directly with RCCL. Do you know if I would call AMEX or the cruise line to have benefits applied? For some reason I seem to recall that the SBC or upgrade and Crown and Anchor Balcony discount could not both be used.

This is what I found as well. I booked my upcoming cruise on the Oasis by contacting RCCL directly to apply my Diamond balcony discount. I had forgotten about the recent addition of RCCL to the Platinum cruise benefit program so when I realized this, I contaced Amex to see if I could receive their benefits in addition to my diamond discount. The answer was NO. They said I had to choose one or the other. So, I'm a bit confused by the folks here who have had success combining both? Should I call Plat Amex back?

[ctcruiser1721]

Originally Posted by Host Dan

Any TA can get you the AMEX benefits. I booked a GS, so got the $300 SBC instead of the upgrade, so cant comment on that. RCCL have been participating since last fall.

Host Dan

Interesting. Hadn't re-checked the RC benefit since since I first got the card.

I just booked a cruise and haven't transferred to my TA yet. Hoping the Amex OBC is separate agreement that won't cost my TA anything so that I might be able to have both. That would be SAWEET!

I also booked a GS and so I'm sure the OBC would be the better option for me as well.

[Host Dan]

Originally Posted by ctcruiser1721

Interesting. Hadn't re-checked the RC benefit since since I first got the card.

I just booked a cruise and haven't transferred to my TA yet. Hoping the Amex OBC is separate agreement that won't cost my TA anything so that I might be able to have both. That would be SAWEET!

I also booked a GS and so I'm sure the OBC would be the better option for me as well.

The OBC will not cost your TA anything.. Enjoy!



Host Dan