Is This Another "UnPerk" from CAS?

I am cruising April 12. I became Golden on my last Cruise in November. I was just told that I would be Hot on my cruise in April and That I would remain Hot until April of 2016. At that time they will review my play from April 1 2015 to March 2016. There is no way I can regain my Golden status for the entire year of 4/1/15-3/31/16.

I find this an incredible disservice to loyal gamblers. This is enough for me to look around and maybe take Princess up on some of the offers they are sending me. They seem to want to keep their casino players.

The rep told me this change just happened last week- surprise, surprise!

I am cruising April 12. I became Golden on my last Cruise in November. I was just told that I would be Hot on my cruise in April and That I would remain Hot until April of 2016. At that time they will review my play from April 1 2015 to March 2016. There is no way I can regain my Golden status for the entire year of 4/1/15-3/31/16.

 

I find this an incredible disservice to loyal gamblers. This is enough for me to look around and maybe take Princess up on some of the offers they are sending me. They seem to want to keep their casino players.

 

The rep told me this change just happened last week- surprise, surprise!

Could they be wrong. I'd call again in the morning.

According to their website as of this moment:

* Evaluation period is April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015. Tier levels are based on Reward Points earned within our 12 month evaluation period. Reward Points earned between April 1st- March 31st of the previous year determines the player tier level for the upcoming year until the next evaluation period. You can always tier higher during the year by cruising, playing and earning Reward Points that will upgrade you to the next level before the annual evaluation. Tier Levels are reevaluated each year based on the Reward Points earned within the 12 month evaluation period. Bonus and adjusted points are not considered in tier evaluation.

I know I'm calling in the morning. I should remain VIP come April 1st and I have an e-mail from CAS stating that as of about a month ago.

Truthfully, though, with all the downgrades.....not really much difference between Golden and VIP at this point in time. I do know they said there were going to be changes come April 1st, but they wouldn't say what the changes would be.

Harriet

Just called CAS myself to see if I would get the same answer as you did. Unfortunately I did. Points earned from April 1st to March 31st determine your tier status for the following year. On April 1st of every year your points will become 0 and you have to start accumulating again. In the past the points from the previous year stayed with you and you worked from there.

I will start the new year at Golden. In order for me to maintain that tier level I will have to play through a minimum of $75,000 on regular slot machines each and every year. Double that for video poker. I do not want to think what would be required if it came to table games. :eek:

With the cutbacks in the comps I am not sure it is worth it to work to reach and sustain those levels. There will be no added benefit to being a CAS guest who earned their tier level from gambling on the ships. Someone who receives a free cruise through a land based casino will start out at the very same level and will have absolutely zero obligation to play in the casino at all.

The rep on the phone was very pleasant and she did tell me that if I would like to voice any questions or concerns I can contact; casinoinquiries@ncl.com

Seeing as I was already on the line with her, I asked about the tipping on comps. She told me the 18% gratuity is paid by the casino for those with the drink card. She said at this point in time it was questionable about the comped dinner gratuity because this service charge was brand new and they had not been given any information in regards to casino comps.

whenisthemidnightbuffet (in the original thread about added gratuity on specialty dining) posted that she was not charged a gratuity on her comped dinner. I will assume until I hear otherwise that this will remain the case. My question was more to know if the casino pays the 18% automatically or should the guest be paying this? (Of course we are always free to tip more if we so choose).

I thought the NCL casino program was excellent. Now not so much. Don't get me wrong it is still a good program but there is no longer any incentive for me to reach any level above HOT. With that I can get a comped cabin, drink cards and dinner for two with wine. The extra $50,000 or $150,000 needed to reach Golden or VIP is not worth the $150 or $300 spa credit I would receive. Most other benefits come with being Platinum anyways.

I have a feeling this will upset a fair few number of casino players. This just adds more to my disappointment of late with all the changes.

Rochelle

Harriet,

It is not wrong. You will be VIP come April 1 but you will start again at zero. You will have to earn that status again from 0-35,000 in order to be that level April 1, 2016.

I thought I was going to only need 400 points to go from Golden to VIP but I have to start at 0. No points carried over.

Rochelle

Email from Casino Inquiries dated February 27, 2015 at 8:41 p.m.

"Since it is rolling year calendar your points will place you into a VIP level."

My question which was e-mailed on February 27, 2015 at 5:42 p.m.

"Will I keep my current level come April 1st or will it change April 1st and if so, to what level?"

So....since I have it in writing am I grandfathered in? LOL

Harriet

Harriet,

 

It is not wrong. You will be VIP come April 1 but you will start again at zero. You will have to earn that status again from 0-35,000 in order to be that level April 1, 2016.

 

I thought I was going to only need 400 points to go from Golden to VIP but I have to start at 0. No points carried over.

 

Rochelle

Then they better change their website info! Which I'm sure they'll be doing soon when they post what changes takes place April 1st. However, it seems as if there is nothing 'better' or even the same.....as it's just perks being taken away and none given, that I can actually see.

I can't wait until April 1st! But then again, how long will it take them to update the website?

Harriet

Then they better change their website info! Which I'm sure they'll be doing soon when they post what changes takes place April 1st. However, it seems as if there is nothing 'better' or even the same.....as it's just perks being taken away and none given, that I can actually see.

 

I can't wait until April 1st! But then again, how long will it take them to update the website?

 

Harriet

I said almost the same thing to the rep myself. I mentioned that it seems like they are just taking things away. I asked if there was anything new being added and she said the photo and art discounts. Now I know for a fact that photo discounts come with Platinum and I have never even considered the art, maybe that too is a Platinum perk. How many high level gamblers are taking time out from the casino to sit in the art auctions anyways?

You are going to have to do some serious gambling to keep your status for the ladies cruise in the Garden Villa's next year! :) My next four cruises are all port intensive Europe trips which will pretty much guarantee I am no higher than Hot next year. There is absolutely no incentive for me to go for anything higher especially when I will be on very busy cruises.

Rochelle

Harriet,

 

It is not wrong. You will be VIP come April 1 but you will start again at zero. You will have to earn that status again from 0-35,000 in order to be that level April 1, 2016.

 

I thought I was going to only need 400 points to go from Golden to VIP but I have to start at 0. No points carried over.

 

Rochelle

But this has been my understanding since these tiers came into effect... earn in the prior year... if you change tier mid-year, you get the balance of the year PLUS the full next year at the new tier. I hit VIP last cruise, and got some benefits immediately (Ultra Premium card), and will have it for both of my next two cruises which fall within the Apr 1 2015 - Mar 31 2016 window.

Email from Casino Inquiries dated February 27, 2015 at 8:41 p.m.

 

"Since it is rolling year calendar your points will place you into a VIP level."

 

 

 

My question which was e-mailed on February 27, 2015 at 5:42 p.m.

 

"Will I keep my current level come April 1st or will it change April 1st and if so, to what level?"

 

 

So....since I have it in writing am I grandfathered in? LOL

 

Harriet

LOL... oy...it's no wonder we're confused, THEY'RE confused! :)

Stephen

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sorry , new at this,

If the OP got golden in Nov 2014 , why would it go to hot?

Wouldn't it just stay golden since they earned it within the eval period April 2014- March 31,2015.

sorry , new at this,

If the OP got golden in Nov 2014 , why would it go to hot?

Wouldn't it just stay golden since they earned it within the eval period April 2014- March 31,2015.

The OP must have had points from the following year that helped to get him to Golden. If he had 5000 points in 2013 and 10,000 points in 2014. Old system would have kept him at Golden for 2015 but under new system he is back as Hot.

Under the old way the points would carry over from the previous year which would help you to get to the next level. Under the new system on April 1 everyone will start at 0 again and have to work their way up. If you were cruising this week and earned 25,000 points they would all be gone next week when April 1 rolled around. You have to restart at zero.

Easier to explain using January -December as the qualify period so I can just say a specific year.

Under the old system;

2012 - 5000 points earned ------You are HOT

2013 - 10,000 points earned---- You are GOLDEN

2014 - 10,000 points earned----You are GOLDEN

2015 - 5,000 points earned ---- YOU are GOLDEN

2016 - 5,000 points earned------You are HOT

Under the new system;

2012 - 5000 points earned -----You are HOT

2013 - 10,000 points earned--- You are HOT

2014 - 10,000 points earned----You are HOT

2015 - 5,000 points earned -----You are HOT

2016 - 5,000 points earned-----You are HOT

Under the old system the points carried over to the following year and then dropped off the next. But the carry over points helped you to reach or maintain the next level.

Under the new system at the beginning of the year you have to start earning all over again from 0. The previous year points determine your tier status for the year going forward but it terms of points you are back at the beginning.

Not sure that was a great explanation :confused: but I tried. :)

Rochelle

So I just got off the Epic yesterday. I went through my points with the host. I started the cruise with about 10,300 points. As of 4/1, I will lose about 6,000 points (from my Sun sailing). The 4,300 points from my Getaway sailing (8/2014) will be combined with my points on the Epic (3/2015) for my tier level from 4/15-3/16. I got about 4,500 points on this cruise, so I was told I will still be "hot". The difference as I am reading it is that even if I get 7,000 points on my June Breakaway cruise, I will still not get "Golden" but rather just have my first points to work on for my 2016 tier level.....proof will be in the pudding come June for me (although it would take a huge trip/increased budget to get to 7k points on a single cruise for me). On a positive note, 2 $1,500 hand pays, a dealt RF on $.25 for $1,000, and a few other cash outs of $500-$1,000 made this a pretty good trip. :)

So I just got off the Epic yesterday. I went through my points with the host. I started the cruise with about 10,300 points. As of 4/1, I will lose about 6,000 points (from my Sun sailing). The 4,300 points from my Getaway sailing (8/2014) will be combined with my points on the Epic (3/2015) for my tier level from 4/15-3/16. I got about 4,500 points on this cruise, so I was told I will still be "hot". The difference as I am reading it is that even if I get 7,000 points on my June Breakaway cruise, I will still not get "Golden" but rather just have my first points to work on for my 2016 tier level.....proof will be in the pudding come June for me (although it would take a huge trip/increased budget to get to 7k points on a single cruise for me). On a positive note, 2 $1,500 hand pays, a dealt RF on $.25 for $1,000, and a few other cash outs of $500-$1,000 made this a pretty good trip. :)

Congrats on the nice hits! Hopefully the casino will treat you just as well if not better and help you on your way.

Rochelle

Wow! That means for my Med cruise in April 2016 I will drop all the way to Lucky from my now current VIP status based on the timing of my cruises. I usually cruise twice a calendar year and have been VIP for the last two years. Three cruises between 4/1/14 and now will keep me at VIP for this year, but unfortunately, I cannot take another cruise this year. Took one in February. In 2016, I have two scheduled but they are in April and September. So I guess based on this discussion I will drop to Lucky. Glad I'm platinum and in the Haven, with the UBP and UDP. The only things I guess I will really lose are the spa credit and the credit for the convenience fee, which for me is a meaningful amount but knowing in advance I will just need to make other arrangements. Or gamble less......

Terry

Wow! That means for my Med cruise in April 2016 I will drop all the way to Lucky from my now current VIP status based on the timing of my cruises. I usually cruise twice a calendar year and have been VIP for the last two years. Three cruises between 4/1/14 and now will keep me at VIP for this year, but unfortunately, I cannot take another cruise this year. Took one in February. In 2016, I have two scheduled but they are in April and September. So I guess based on this discussion I will drop to Lucky. Glad I'm platinum and in the Haven, with the UBP and UDP. The only things I guess I will really lose are the spa credit and the credit for the convenience fee, which for me is a meaningful amount but knowing in advance I will just need to make other arrangements. Or gamble less......

 

Terry

It's also good for you that you were able to book under VIP status. I imagine that the level of comped cabins will be dropping down as well for those who will find it a bit of a struggle to keep reaching those high levels, especially if they are not able to take multiple cruises each year.

Rochelle

But this has been my understanding since these tiers came into effect... earn in the prior year... if you change tier mid-year, you get the balance of the year PLUS the full next year at the new tier. I hit VIP last cruise, and got some benefits immediately (Ultra Premium card), and will have it for both of my next two cruises which fall within the Apr 1 2015 - Mar 31 2016 window.

Stephen

 

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Agree; this has been, and is, my understanding.

We started crusing NCL because we liked them but just like anything else if they give and then take, take, away it turns me cold.

Yes, I get comped cruises but only inside rooms. I can still search for cheap, last minute cruises on any line and take my gambling dollars to Vegas. Oh, and in Vegas, I get offered cruises as well.

I never got a chance to use the Cagney's perk for Golden as I turned that toward the end of my November cruise. I knew I might drop back to Hot in April but was sure I would be able to make it up to Golden again soon. Now, there is no way. No incentive whatsoever.

As this new management makes it through the layers of NCL customer service and satisfaction, I am not sure what will be left. And no, I am not interested in art or photographs.

I will be usiing the email supplied. Thank you.

When we cruised on the Sky in January our points from the Getaway in September 2014 was not carried over.

We went to the casino desk and questioned this and in January they told us that points do not carry over. So we had to start over at 0 also. I thought points lasted a year.

All part of the plan to squeeze an extra $50 out of every passenger. Unfortunately that doesn't work if even 5% fewer passengers book as a result of all these recent changes.

kEVIN SHEEHAN!!!!!!!!!!!

COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This new guy sucks.

You all should not be surprised by these cutbacks. On Thursday and Friday of last week NCL terminated between 200 and 300 shore side personnel. The Miami Herald reported that the police were called to escort former employees from the company property. Several of those who lost their jobs were VP's.

So do you think customers should be treated any differently. I can just imagine how the morale of current employees is and how customer service will be?

This goes along with the new 18% gratuity program.

What do you think will change next?

Link:http://www.seatrade-insider.com/

All I can say is I am glad we booked the ladies cruise when we did. I am Golden now, but won't be much longer.

I will be Lucky by the time we cruise unless I get a cruise in this year, in which case I might get Hot. I doubt I will try that hard to do it though. What's the incentive, really? They have taken away all the meaningful perks anyway of being Golden with the removal of the VIP treatment. I think the only I will miss is the convenience fee removal, but I guess I need to bring more cash on baord with me.

Booking through CAS, I was always conscious of the fact that I needed to play a certain amount of time each day I could. Not that it was a sacrifice, but I did it to maintain my level for the benefits, and for future cruises. Now what will incentivize me to play as much? I will still get a room offer, and just play to play.

The OP must have had points from the following year that helped to get him to Golden. If he had 5000 points in 2013 and 10,000 points in 2014. Old system would have kept him at Golden for 2015 but under new system he is back as Hot.

 

Under the old way the points would carry over from the previous year which would help you to get to the next level. Under the new system on April 1 everyone will start at 0 again and have to work their way up. If you were cruising this week and earned 25,000 points they would all be gone next week when April 1 rolled around. You have to restart at zero.

 

Easier to explain using January -December as the qualify period so I can just say a specific year.

 

Under the old system;

 

2012 - 5000 points earned ------You are HOT

2013 - 10,000 points earned---- You are GOLDEN

2014 - 10,000 points earned----You are GOLDEN

2015 - 5,000 points earned ---- YOU are GOLDEN

2016 - 5,000 points earned------You are HOT

 

Under the new system;

 

2012 - 5000 points earned -----You are HOT

2013 - 10,000 points earned--- You are HOT

2014 - 10,000 points earned----You are HOT

2015 - 5,000 points earned -----You are HOT

2016 - 5,000 points earned-----You are HOT

 

Under the old system the points carried over to the following year and then dropped off the next. But the carry over points helped you to reach or maintain the next level.

 

Under the new system at the beginning of the year you have to start earning all over again from 0. The previous year points determine your tier status for the year going forward but it terms of points you are back at the beginning.

 

Not sure that was a great explanation :confused: but I tried. :)

 

 

Rochelle

Thanks Rochelle...Your explanation was great. thanks appreciate it.

Here is my situation. I am 400 points short of retaining Golden. I leave on my next cruise Thursday 3/26. I will easily get the 400 points before the end of the month. Somehow I bet they will not be credited until the end of the cruise and not this month. I will let you know what happens.

It's also good for you that you were able to book under VIP status. I imagine that the level of comped cabins will be dropping down as well for those who will find it a bit of a struggle to keep reaching those high levels, especially if they are not able to take multiple cruises each year.

 

 

Rochelle

Rochelle, the cabin comps are not tied-to, nor related to either your onboard comps nor your tier level. They're 3 separate calculations.

This policy change is not new. It was in place in 2013-2014. The only changes (which happened while Sheehan was still here) was the loss of Cagney's for Golden/VIP and the change from Spa Pass to Spa Credit.

They said when I asked, that the reason for the change was player requests....too many didn't want the pass, but wanted to exchange its value for services instead....so that's what they did.

Stephen

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They said when I asked, that the reason for the change was player requests....too many didn't want the pass, but wanted to exchange its value for services instead....so that's what they did.

 

 

Stephen

 

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I can see that happening. But, I wonder how many people requested not to do Cagney's for breakfast/lunch for them to have taken that way. LOL

Harriet