azbirdmom

32 minutes ago, milolii said:

Excellent post by @azbirdmom.  
 

Not United, but on American, there is a big change coming regarding  award miles for fares “ticked” after April 30, 2024.  American will only issue award miles for tickets purchased on their website, One World Partner websites and approved travel partners. 
 

So far United and Delta haven’t responded with like changes. 

I saw that but I think they also allow miles earned by using their branded credit card.  I would not be surprised if other airlines followed suit although you never know.

53 minutes ago, ualstar said:

Thank you so much for sharing this.  I guess Princess EZ Air would fall under the "bulk ticket" category.  Looks like quite a decrease in PQP's for this type of booking.  I'd have to really compare the price difference.

Yes, EZAir is considered a bulk ticket.  Back when I cared about PQPs I did the math before choosing how to book so I definitely paid attention to this stuff.

Looks like it wound up being a beautiful day in Papeete after all.  Hope you are enjoying shopping!

Just to add on to my last post I did find the section I appended above on this page so it is still accurate https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/premier/qualify.html

And this is still exactly the same:

Yes you will but it is calculated differently from what you would normally earn.  This is the page on the United website which describes how the credit works along with pertinent verbiage https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/earn-miles/united.html#specialty

Note that I also found something I had copied from another source to show how it works and I've shown that below - not sure if it's still 100% accurate (I've achieved 1MM status so I don't watch this as much now):

Members will earn PQP on bulk tickets for flights operated by United according to the specialty ticket award mile earn and fare class bonuses. Premier qualifying points will be equal to specialty ticket award miles* earned divided by 5.

*When calculating PQP, specialty ticket award miles should not include any Premier bonus miles earned from specialty tickets.

For example, if you flew one way from New York/Newark (EWR) to London Heathrow (LHR) on a bulk ticket in P fare class:

Base miles: 3,465

Base miles earn: 100%

Fare class bonus: 50%

Award mile earn: 5,198

PQP earn: 1,040 (Award miles earned divided by 5)

54 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

The issue is not the location of the call center. It is the poor training provided to the customer facing staff.  Other than overblown linguistic issues, the results would be no better if the call center were populated with untrained people somewhere in America.    

Yes that is true but it's not just the training but also empowering them to solve simple issues.  The major problems started IMO after they moved the call center offshore hence my comment about it but there are lots or things behind that.  I honestly could care less where the person is located if they can resolve my issues AND if I can understand what they are saying to me.  A pretty low bar that Princess reps frequently cannot clear...

13 hours ago, ldubs said:

It is easy to get angry with the customer facing people at the other end of the phone.  Let's not forget it is Princess management who is not providing the needed training and who should be blamed for these kinds of mess-ups.   

Actually it is Princess management that is to blame for outsourcing something as critical as customer service to another company who then fulfilled that obligation in the Philippines.  And they have been hearing about what a disaster this is but seemingly aren't doing anything to change the situation.

9 hours ago, Kari and David said:

Can you recommend a shop or two. My aunt wants to purchase loose pearls for jewelry making and is wondering if they have 2nd hand pearls or slightly imperfect. Any suggestions appreciated

There are a LOT of folks selling black pearls in the Municipal Market that is across the street and a half block in from where the ship docks.  No idea of quality but basically you can't throw a stone without hitting someone selling black pearls when in French Polynesia.

21 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

It is now 1:20 pm and even though it's in the 80's, it did not clear-up.  It is actually looking worse.

 

 

Whoa that looks scary!  Hope you get through it quickly.

19 minutes ago, Jetswdo said:

Unfortunately none of the listed persons at the customer relations phone numbers have those same emails as written above. 

Hmmm, not sure what you mean?  I have written to that group and have had a swift response from the Customer Relations area.  That is if you're referring to the email addresses that I posted in post 12 - they are all accurate.

20 minutes ago, dides said:

So from the FAQ, it seems the first Sun Princess voyage to be impacted by these changes will be the first US inaugural on 14th October? So the remaining European cruises and the Transatlantic this year will follow the current rules?

 

Very interesting!  I had posted pricing for an August cruise on the Sun with casino rates back in post 382.  When I looked at the website earlier today the rates were higher as shown and all of the foo-fa-rah about Sanctuary was on the page.  Now that pricing has reverted back to the way it was yesterday and the Sanctuary verbiage is gone.  Good to see because we can still get everything except Premier at the old rates for a full suite.

1 hour ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Today is a new day and I'm ready to get back to enjoying my cruise!!

That's the right attitude!  Wishing you a wonderful day today and several more to follow.

I've been eyeing a sort of last minute cruise this summer on the Sun from Barcelona to Rome.  It's 7 days and I get a free interior but typically buy up to a mini suite or suite.  We were thinking of suite and until yesterday these were the prices:

This is what they are now and the increase is a LOT more than the price of the Premium package - our suite days may be over LOL:

Wow, adding in mini suites and balconies kind of dilutes the amenities added.  And they are automatically including the Premier plan?  It would be OK for us but I know that there are some people who do not think that particular package is worth it.

15 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Tonight has not been a good experience... at all. Ugh. 

Wish there were more choices of reactions than just like, laugh, and thank you.  I'd click the hug choice.  You really do need to catch a break!

So sorry this happened to you.  It is definitely worth a try to send an email in about your experience as they may be able to restore what you lost.  Here's the list of current executive contacts courtesy of elliottdotorg

8 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

My answer to the issue at the moment is being double fisted!  

Yes!  That's a good start.

Something new will be announced tomorrow.  And there's a FB webinar this Thursday too, for a change it's not just TAs (or so it says).

Thinking this must have something to do with suites.  It's another webinar this Thursday and it looks like everyone is invited.  And apparently there will be something new announced tomorrow too.

8 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

No idea what caused it. We came back to hearing water running and it was pouring out of the toilet. Shows and stuff on the floor was wet 

So sorry this happened to you especially after you had such a nice day.  That's awful!  They need to clean your stuff and find you a replacement cabin.

Yes, it seems there's more news like that to come.  Saw this article last week https://greekreporter.com/2024/04/15/cruise-ship-cancels-santorini-visit-overcrowding/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3YHNRyUnT8tDUHJC5Krp-Sb_x2iZuRZdhWvKg3MchsDpdYZyo3_yjsS_g_aem_AWXbTjQvEJjBPrcrHo_zB6rcl1eI1IPIZRUXvjoZHq67GieTuhA6y5_TBmxrUmyxkqiaJfpmixXna4i3x7Kbay6I

21 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

Looks like we might have some rain in Papeete.

 

When we were in French Polynesia in February for 12 days rain was forecast every day.  And we ended up getting a little drizzle one day.  Hope it works out that way for you too!

11 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

And soon you’ll be in our HST…3 hours behind PDT ⏰

 

Tahiti and Moorea are on the same time so they will soon be on their usual timezone.

15 minutes ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

I couldn't imagine being in a better spot at this moment. 😊

IMG_3159.mov

Looks like you have it all to yourself!  Enjoy the quiet and all of the treats.

13 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

I have a question, do you prefer seeing a photo of the actual menu or the app version???

 

Whichever is easiest for you.  They are easy to read either way,  It's just nice that you are doing that for those of us following along.