CAS Upgrade Fairy

[thelion]

Interesting tidbit I just found out:

 

When doing CAS upgrades, this is the scale they use to contact folks. It may explain why some get called often and some never do:

 

1. CAS level

2. Category booked

3. Rate category booked (may be different if you have already received and upgrade)

4. Rate category price

5. Rate paid (may be reduced if you have balcony discounts, future cruise credits, etc)

 

So those who pay little or book lower categories are less likely to get upgraded than those who book higher end staterooms and pay the price for them.

 

This comes from a buddy of mine in the Loyalty department. Take it or leave it, but it explains a lot :)

[cruisenfever]

Interesting tidbit I just found out:

 

When doing CAS upgrades, this is the scale they use to contact folks. It may explain why some get called often and some never do:

 

1. CAS level

2. Category booked

3. Rate category booked (may be different if you have already received and upgrade)

4. Rate category price

5. Rate paid (may be reduced if you have balcony discounts, future cruise credits, etc)

 

So those who pay little or book lower categories are less likely to get upgraded than those who book higher end staterooms and pay the price for them.

 

This comes from a buddy of mine in the Loyalty department. Take it or leave it, but it explains a lot :)

How do you explain then why first time cruisers are getting upgraded before D+?? And some upgrades are coming from The Revenue Department and not C&A.

 

Seems to me that we hear more about folks with less/more cruises booking lower cabin categories and getting upgraded to suites!!

 

Our cabin of choice is a JS, so does that should mean that now we would be upgraded before someone who is booked in a lower cabin category even though they may have more cruise credits??

[Karter]

How do you explain then why first time cruisers are getting upgraded before D+?? And some upgrades are coming from The Revenue Department and not C&A.

 

Seems to me that we hear more about folks with less/more cruises booking lower cabin categories and getting upgraded to suites!!

 

Our cabin of choice is a JS, so does that should mean that now we would be upgraded before someone who is booked in a lower cabin category even though they may have more cruise credits??

 

First I do not believe everything I read on this or any other forum so until I hear from somebody I know and trust that they were upgraded as a first time cruiser I will remain skeptical.

 

Secondly I have also wondered what the first time cruisers paid for their cabin if they really did get upgraded. Maybe they paid full price with no OBC.

 

The list seems to make sense but with RCCL that probably doesn't mean anything.

[thelion]

How do you explain then why first time cruisers are getting upgraded before D+?? And some upgrades are coming from The Revenue Department and not C&A.

 

Seems to me that we hear more about folks with less/more cruises booking lower cabin categories and getting upgraded to suites!!

 

Our cabin of choice is a JS, so does that should mean that now we would be upgraded before someone who is booked in a lower cabin category even though they may have more cruise credits??

 

Those are Revenue upgrades. I am talking about CAS upgrades that only go to Diamond and Diamond+ members. That is two totally different systems and allotments. Revenue is, well, rather random.

 

And no, the top tier is still Cruise Credits which means they first look at cruise credits and THEN look at stateroom. So if you both have 11 but you book a JS and they book a D1, you are higher on the list. But if they have 12 and you have 11, they are higher.

[cruisenfever]

Those are Revenue upgrades. I am talking about CAS upgrades that only go to Diamond and Diamond+ members. That is two totally different systems and allotments. Revenue is, well, rather random.

 

And no, the top tier is still Cruise Credits which means they first look at cruise credits and THEN look at stateroom. So if you both have 11 but you book a JS and they book a D1, you are higher on the list. But if they have 12 and you have 11, they are higher.

Thanks for the clarification. :)

[cruisenfever]

First I do not believe everything I read on this or any other forum so until I hear from somebody I know and trust that they were upgraded as a first time cruiser I will remain skeptical.

 

Secondly I have also wondered what the first time cruisers paid for their cabin if they really did get upgraded. Maybe they paid full price with no OBC.

 

The list seems to make sense but with RCCL that probably doesn't mean anything.

The explanation that has been posted above is what C&A has listed on their benefits page but is a little hard to understand. The OP is just giving you what steps are supposed to be considered when upgrades are given out. Now, that doesn't mean that the Upgrade Fairy follows the rules that are written.:D

 

This is what is listed under Footnote #13 on the C&A Benefits Page..........

"Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fare".

[EVALUATOR]

Those are Revenue upgrades. I am talking about CAS upgrades that only go to Diamond and Diamond+ members. That is two totally different systems and allotments. Revenue is, well, rather random.

 

And no, the top tier is still Cruise Credits which means they first look at cruise credits and THEN look at stateroom. So if you both have 11 but you book a JS and they book a D1, you are higher on the list. But if they have 12 and you have 11, they are higher.

 

Doesn't explain how one can get the bottle of champagne for most cruise credits, but not get an upgrade from C&A when others did. All booked the same day, in same category, for the same price.:confused:

[thelion]

When everything is tied, naturally they have to pick one.

[EVALUATOR]

When everything is tied, naturally they have to pick one.

 

They were not tied. Not even close. There was a big difference in the cruise credit totals.

 

And it wasn't about accepting the upgrade, or having do not upgrade in the reservation.

 

I had top secret inside information on all their bookings from a close friend.

 

I booked and paid for all of them!!!

[thelion]

They were not tied. Not even close. There was a big difference in the cruise credit totals.

 

And it wasn't about accepting the upgrade, or having do not upgrade in the reservation.

 

I had top secret inside information on all their bookings from a close friend.

 

I booked and paid for all of them!!!

 

Could have been a revenue upgrade fairy pretending to be a CAS upgrade fairy. All I know is this is how their system pulls the bookings that will be offered CAS upgrades.

[papakaiser]

I don't give any credit to what RCI has written for their upgrade criteria. We generally book a JS or above, are Diamond Plus, and have NEVER been offered an upgrade. Never so much as sniffed an upgrade.

 

From where I'm standing, it looks like RCI pulls it out of a hat, or takes good care of their relatives, whichever comes first.

[billsgal]

After talking to C&A about not getting an upgrade on a previous cruise, when others with half the cruise credits we have were upgraded, I also found out that reservations in groups tend to get left off the upgrade list, and back to back cruisers also fall by the wayside.(Which they used as an excuse why we weren't upgraded with the others.) They did offer an upgrade about 3 days before our first cruise (for the second half of the back to back). Also, Revenue gives C&A the list of cruisers to upgrade. I understood no more revenue upgrades when they announced the new C&A upgrade policy, but apparently that's not the case. Seems more like the fairy spinning around and throwing darts........that's how the upgrades seems to work. In spite of this, we were upgraded to the RFS on the third of our cruises last month (not our third cruise, just our third cruise last month), so maybe talking with them in a reasonable manner helped with that upgrade, who knows how they do it?:D

[PH8]

After talking to C&A about not getting an upgrade on a previous cruise, when others with half the cruise credits we have were upgraded, I also found out that reservations in groups tend to get left off the upgrade list, and back to back cruisers also fall by the wayside.(Which they used as an excuse why we weren't upgraded with the others.) They did offer an upgrade about 3 days before our first cruise (for the second half of the back to back). Also, Revenue gives C&A the list of cruisers to upgrade. I understood no more revenue upgrades when they announced the new C&A upgrade policy, but apparently that's not the case. Seems more like the fairy spinning around and throwing darts........that's how the upgrades seems to work. In spite of this, we were upgraded to the RFS on the third of our cruises last month (not our third cruise, just our third cruise last month), so maybe talking with them in a reasonable manner helped with that upgrade, who knows how they do it?:D

Not sure it works that way.......we got upgraded on both segments of our B2B this past month(and it was booked after the new upgrade policy)......got a GS from a balcony both times(in fact,same cabin)......

 

Now Im not sure who gave us those(revenue or CA):confused:,but I do know I got a RS and a FRS this year,and neither one was from CA.....

 

who the heck knows how they do things?????????

[billsgal]

Kathy, your back to backs were probably linked in the" Consecutive Cruises" section. Ours couldn't be, because of being two different groups, so that may have been the problem. Supposedly, when the new policy started, no more upgrades thru revenue (who were the ones giving the upgrades to first timers as opposed to D+), all were going to be thru C&A status......that is what I was told by a Royal Caribbean Business Manager. The Business Managers would no longer be able to request upgrades for VIP's, TA's, etc., but it sure looks like revenue is still running the upgrades. When I called to ask why we weren't upgraded when others with a lot less credits were, the C&A agent told me they only CALL the people for upgrades from the list that Revenue gives them. So how is that different from what was going on before? Oh well, at least we do get upgraded once in a while, but we usually are able to book the room we want anyway.

 

When we got upgraded to the RFS on Liberty, the call came from C&A (just three days before the cruise, in fact we were onboard Jewel when we got the call) but I have since been told that was sent in by a RC person before we even left for the first cruise, so who knows.:confused:

[thelion]

Revenue will always give upgrades as they always attempt to oversell certain categories or they oversell guarantees.

[PH8]

Kathy, your back to backs were probably linked in the" Consecutive Cruises" section. Ours couldn't be, because of being two different groups, so that may have been the problem. Supposedly, when the new policy started, no more upgrades thru revenue (who were the ones giving the upgrades to first timers as opposed to D+), all were going to be thru C&A status......that is what I was told by a Royal Caribbean Business Manager.

No,they weren't linked as consecutive cuz I booked them 2 different ways..........one directly.........one with a TA..even on the ship,it took forever for them to put us on the list,so on turnaround day,we would know where to go...

and as far as what the Business mgr told you,revenue is still upgrading(at least as far as I experienced with my upgrade for my latest cruises--Nov 27th and Dec 2nd)...and I know of some who have gotten OS as upgrades lately and according to RCCL's own site,that is not supposed to happen.....so it must be revenue...

 

 

Complimentary stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 21 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on cruise credits and category booked. Upgrade will be given only from standard inside stateroom to a standard outside stateroom, standard outside stateroom to a balcony stateroom or a balcony stateroom to a Junior Suite or Grand suite.

[Esmerelda]

There were MANY Diamond (and+) on our recent Oasis cruise and as best as I know, none of them were upgraded. One friend of ours even inquired several times about an upgrade but she was never upgraded either (she is status quo). We were offered to pay for an upgrade but we declined ($3,000 for a Crown Loft suite).

 

I don't think there is any real rhyme or reason to the upgrades. I also know that they were still giving away numerous suites in Bingo and in the casino on day 2 and 3 so obviously not a lot of upgrades were passed out or so it would seem. Just my 2cents..

[Merion_Mom]

The explanation that has been posted above is what C&A has listed on their benefits page but is a little hard to understand. The OP is just giving you what steps are supposed to be considered when upgrades are given out. Now, that doesn't mean that the Upgrade Fairy follows the rules that are written.:D

 

This is what is listed under Footnote #13 on the C&A Benefits Page..........

"Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fare".

 

And what's up with THAT?

 

I understand that such cruises are usually booked solid. Then there would be no cabins for upgrades.

 

But if there ARE cabins, why shouldn't D+ get them ahead of firsttimers or golds?!?!?!?!?

[maggieq]

I would like to know what the "real deal" is.....

 

I have heard that they go by the c&a level first......on our Oasis cruise, I heard that a couple got upgraded (that used the same ta as us) and they were platinum.....:confused:

 

We are only diamond, so I don't expect an upgrade when there are so many diamond +'s.

[cruisenfever]

Complimentary stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 21 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on cruise credits and category booked. Upgrade will be given only from standard inside stateroom to a standard outside stateroom, standard outside stateroom to a balcony stateroom or a balcony stateroom to a Junior Suite or Grand suite.

This is what is listed under Footnote #13 on the C&A Benefits Page..........

"Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fare".

[rubrrick]

I also understand that when booked on a "group" booking, the chances of being upgraded are not good, even with over 100 cruise credits.

 

We have received several upgrades, even when we have booked a GS, we have been upgraded to an OS. When we have seen many OS's and GS's available, we will book a JS, knowing that our chances of receiving an upgrade are very good.

 

When there are not that many full suites available, we will book what we want, as we don't want to take the chance of not being upgraded.

 

We know the number of passengers that have over 100 Cruise credits, and we have experienced where some of the higher cruisers have been passed over for cruisers with lesser credits getting the upgrades.

 

So, with everything said, I'm still confused on how Royal Caribbean is really handing out upgrades. They certainly don't follow their own rules.

 

Rick

[PH8]

This is what is listed under Footnote #13 on the C&A Benefits Page..........

"Stateroom upgrades available on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer based on availability within 14 days of departure date. Offer varies by ship and sail dates with certain restrictions. Offer is not valid during Christmas and New Years sailings. Upgrades will be given in priority to Crown & Anchor members based on tier level, cruise credits, time of booking and the original fare paid by the guest. To be available for this benefit, we must have your loyalty membership number in your reservation and your valid email address and/or valid phone number. A Royal Caribbean associate will contact you upon availability. A response is needed within 24 hours or the upgrade will be given to the next guest on the priority list. Upgrades are final up to 4 days before your sail date, and cannot be done by a pier agent or onboard any of our ships. Offer may be withdrawn at any time and cannot be combined with any other upgrade offers or certain restricted fare".

and what I quoted is for DP,I think..........the ones they call(supposedly) 3 weeks out..

[scorpluvsdolphins]

I couldn't believe it, but my cruise friend and I booked the Radiance on our Monarch on December 17th. A couple of days ago, he got a call and asked if we wanted to be upgraded. Wow. The Dec. 17th cruise made him Diamond Plus and me 23 credits. We only paid $339 each (not including the balcony discount) for a guarantee balcony. I can't believe we got a GS for 4 nights on the Radiance on Jan. 13th!!!!

[cruisenfever]

and what I quoted is for DP,I think..........the ones they call(supposedly) 3 weeks out..

Yes, I think you are right. ;)

[cruisenfever]

I couldn't believe it, but my cruise friend and I booked the Radiance on our Monarch on December 17th. A couple of days ago, he got a call and asked if we wanted to be upgraded. Wow. The Dec. 17th cruise made him Diamond Plus and me 23 credits. We only paid $339 each (not including the balcony discount) for a guarantee balcony. I can't believe we got a GS for 4 nights on the Radiance on Jan. 13th!!!!

Please, I mean no offense nor disrespect..........but now you see why D+ are upset that they are overlooked by the Upgrade Fairy......this is a great example of C&A not even adhering to their own rules.:eek::rolleyes: