The Death of the Coupon Books (Ultimate Value Booklets)?

[looking4info]

Its amazing the rush of posted D+/pinnacle books on ebay. (one of my ebay alerts is anything Royal Caribbean) One just sold for over $16 (started at 4.99 +$4.99 shipping, but that sort of loses the value of the best coupon in the book (BOGO Specialty). that is a pricey pay out.

 

That seller has two books seperately selling. One seller is selling four used books together (coupons missing from all of the books, but looks like you'll get at least one solid book of coupons). I certainly hope the buyers know they've only got a couple of months to use these by.

 

I guess that smart sellers unloading these books which won't be accepted after March.

 

 

I would say it may be a fair price considering some coupons are free picture which runs 19.99, bogo for drink could be used for an expensive glass of wine $12/$15? Not to mention 45 mins of internet and of course the free spins which can land you the priceless key chain! May not result in a huge saving but there is a savings. If you get to use them.

[Ocean Boy]

There is your problem. You have decided how this will work based on the piece I bolded.

 

How about we hold the complaining until the process is released and field-tested?

 

You might be able to link the coupons across multiple cards. You might not be able to. We don't know at this point. It might make it easier. It might make it more difficult. It might rock. It might suck. Let's wait and see.

 

First of all I don't have a problem. And I most certainly haven't decided anything. I brought up a possible scenario and I most certainly am not complaining. Everything about this topic is OBVIOUSLY speculation at this point as none of us has any clue how this will work. Maybe you should stick to criticizing people's use of quotation marks.:rolleyes:

[Trekker954]

I would say it may be a fair price considering some coupons are free picture which runs 19.99, bogo for drink could be used for an expensive glass of wine $12/$15? Not to mention 45 mins of internet and of course the free spins which can land you the priceless key chain! May not result in a huge saving but there is a savings. If you get to use them.

 

 

I guess you are right if you have no coupon book at all. I was looking at it vs my Diamond book. There are only a few of the items I mentioned that are in the D+ book. I do look forward to reaching D+ in a few months, therefore, I will have my BOGO specialty resturants.

 

I'm still curious how we are to know what type of coupons are on our sea pass.

[TravelerThom]

... that sort of loses the value of the best coupon in the book (BOGO Specialty)...

Since you have to pay for the one meal with your SeaPass, they should be able to instantly see if you are D+ and thereby eligible to use the BOGO Specialty coupon. Although it is not required that both people are D+, I thought it was required that one is D+. Don't they check this, or do they not care?

 

Thom

[poncho1973]

First of all I don't have a problem. And I most certainly haven't decided anything. I brought up a possible scenario and I most certainly am not complaining. Everything about this topic is OBVIOUSLY speculation at this point as none of us has any clue how this will work. Maybe you should stick to criticizing people's use of quotation marks.:rolleyes:

 

Did you notice how I properly used BOLD in both this post and my previous post? It was stunning.

 

There is a book called Fresh Brown "Eggs" (The Book of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks) that I would recommend to everyone. The writer has a "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks site as well. Both are incredibly funny.

 

I still believe that your post indicated you had, quite firmly, decided what was going to happen and were indeed complaining about that problem. That's cool, though. Thanks for clearing up that misconception.

[Trekker954]

Since you have to pay for the one meal with your SeaPass, they should be able to instantly see if you are D+ and thereby eligible to use the BOGO Specialty coupon. Although it is not required that both people are D+, I thought it was required that one is D+. Don't they check this, or do they not care?

 

Thom

 

I don't know whether or not they check or care; but I can confirm that my daughter and I as Diamonds once received D+ books on the Oasis (I did ask the cabin attendant and he said he didn't know, maybe they ran out but that is what he was given for us). We were a family of five on that cruise (3 Diamonds; 2 Platinums) and asked the Diamond concierge to book us into Chops - which was "sold out" . She clearly knew we were only Diamond and did get us in. And we put all five meals on DH sea pass where they promptly removed two charges with the coupons.

[pcur]

I think this is a good idea for the customer and it is also a good move for RCI. Too many people in the past have written about giving their non used coupons to other people. Now the will be pretty much limited to the person who RCI intended them for. If they do not get used RCI comes out ahead.

 

I wonder about things like the internet coupon though. In the past you could combine the two coupons from one cabin. Now I wonder if you will have to swipe your spouses seapass when your coupon time runs out?

 

My guess is you will swipe the other card to get the credit started, and then stop by the Customer Service Desk to ask the credit be transferred to your card.

[SConnolly]

My guess is you will swipe the other card to get the credit started, and then stop by the Customer Service Desk to ask the credit be transferred to your card.

 

Let's hope that us not the case and there is an electronic option to link cards / coupons as we see fit. Just like we do for onboard charges. My goal is to limit the # of trips to Guest relations on any cruise.

 

I also hope the coupon (whichever one is being used) is applied at point of service, and reflected on our receipt as opposed to a credit will be posted later.

 

Overall I think I am happy with this change, but lets see how well it is rolled out. Sailing on Allure in April so should be fun. All 4 of us are D+ so let's what mischief we can get up to.

[villauk]

It is March, I just got new Diamond member news letter and it said it would be march that it take effect.

I can see why they are doing it...but I was one that liked to take some of my coupons not used to my next one. I felt when you cruise more then once a year was nice to use them on a later one and had been never an issue. I have used many of my coupons...so sure hope it don't become an issue when they do put them on our card.

 

My compass electronic ...I don't like that ideal...I am one also early morning out on the deck like looking at it and around the pool. I just see more issues of electronic equipment working right or getting blamed for damage.

 

Going off track, but what's the Diamond newsletter :confused:? Do you have to request it separately from the usual mail shots as we've never received one?

[Coralc]

Going off track, but what's the Diamond newsletter :confused:? Do you have to request it separately from the usual mail shots as we've never received one?

 

I think they mean the Crown & Anchor (paper) newsletter. :) Not specific to loyalty level.

[stones902]

Just curious as to when they will be doing away with the coupon books? Will it be phased in by ship or fleet wide on a certain date?

[Coralc]

Just curious as to when they will be doing away with the coupon books? Will it be phased in by ship or fleet wide on a certain date?

 

The C&A newsletter says "beginning in March". :)

[stones902]

The C&A newsletter says "beginning in March". :)

 

Thanks!

[Ocean Boy]

I have read that I will be on Indy's first cruise to use the new method.... March 2 nd. I just love being the guinea pig for some new concept from RCI's IT department.

[Coralc]

I have read that I will be on Indy's first cruise to use the new method.... March 2 nd. I just love being the guinea pig for some new concept from RCI's IT department.

 

That's very funny! :D:D:D Please let us know how it all works out. ;)

[cruisenfever]

I have read that I will be on Indy's first cruise to use the new method.... March 2 nd. I just love being the guinea pig for some new concept from RCI's IT department.

Well, somebody's got to do it!:D

[rubrrick]

Okay, Rick, but I'll get flamed and its not that I'm TOO OLD to change, but thanks for caring.

 

I cruise alot sometimes 3 nighters up to 11 nighters. There are only a few Diamond coupons that I use from my books. Internet, BOGO, complimentary photo, logo shop discount, casino pull and sometimes laundry.

 

I don't always use my coupons and do carry them over (yeah, I know I'm not suppose to do that). It was easier on my conscience when they had an expiration date vs version. Maybe I'm having a bad hair day and didn't like the photo; so I use two on the next cruise. Maybe on a 3 nighter I don't use my internet, but combine them on the next 7 or 11 nighter. Maybe its raining cats and dogs on my Bahama 3 nighter and I don't want my beer if I have no pool time, so I use two coupons on my next sunny cruise. Its me who is using them and I don't give them to others, so I feel no guilt and I like my coupons, but I do know all that paper that goes to waste is awful so I can agree on some level this is a good thing.

 

I am also going to admit here something terrible. I did once buy a Diamond Plus book on ebay when I was a lonely Platinum. :eek: I used the BOGO at Chops; 45 min internet, the complimentary photo and won a ugly key chain with my casino pull from that book - I think I paid $8 for it. So is CC like confession. Am I absolved of my sin? I don't fell any better for getting that off my chest. Honestly, I figured it was going to be an $8 mistake; but Royal took the few coupons I handed in. Yeah - this would end any activities like this; which now that I look back was very naughty to do.

 

It truly amazes me the RCI things they sell on ebay, drink twizzlers, all the junk they win at Trivia, drink glasses - its crazy. I know the D+ book is good, but why on early would anyone buy the lower status books, I never did understand that. I would never, ever, ever sell any of my prized Royal Caribbean possessions.

 

 

Linda.....thanks for owning up!! My DW carries booklets from cruise to cruise. The new program will save us a couple of pounds in the suitcase!!:D

 

So, here is what she won't be able to save up. All of the Red Hot casino cards that she saves up, and gives 15 at a time to the cashier, who gives her the tokens, so that she can win....yet another couple of key chains, and, if luck is with her, a t-shirt!!:rolleyes:

 

If you are cruising soon, send me your mailing address, and $3.00 for shipping and I'll send you a few dozen booklets, with only a few internet coupons missing!!:D

 

I guess I need to let her know that the coupon books need to go out with the trash if I don't hear from you!!:)

 

Rick

[HokiePoq]

Perhaps this is not new news but it was to me. Awesome!

 

From the link below:

 

Our Crown & Anchor Society members are in line for technological benefits in the new year. Crown & Anchor Savings Certificates are already available exclusively online, enabling them to be up to date at all times. And soon the Ultimate Value Booklet of onboard savings will evolve to a paperless format where the offers will be loaded right on to our loyal guests’ Seapass cards for automatic application.

 

http://www.answeritroyally.com/blog/?p=5264

 

New to Crown and Anchor....How are we to know what the coupons are if there are no coupons? I didn't see any mention of them when I printed our sea passes this week for our April cruise (second on RCCL).

[Coralc]

New to Crown and Anchor....How are we to know what the coupons are if there are no coupons? I didn't see any mention of them when I printed our sea passes this week for our April cruise (second on RCCL).

 

Keep watching [this space] and on Cruise Critic for an explanation by Ocean Boy and others for how it will work.

 

My thought is that there will be a list somewhere of the coupons....but until it actually happens ...I don't think anyone actually knows. :D:):D

[Daghis]

One of the things I'm curious about is how they'll implement the use of the coupons. I'd hate for the register to apply a coupon automatically the first time an eligible transaction is rung up. I'd like the ability to choose when to apply my coupon (such as the 10% off at the logo shop when I'm making a big purchase or the buy-1-get-1-free drink coupon when I'm trying a more expensive glass of wine).

[Coralc]

One of the things I'm curious about is how they'll implement the use of the coupons. I'd hate for the register to apply a coupon automatically the first time an eligible transaction is rung up. I'd like the ability to choose when to apply my coupon (such as the 10% off at the logo shop when I'm making a big purchase or the buy-1-get-1-free drink coupon when I'm trying a more expensive glass of wine).

 

That's a very good point! There should be a "Do you wish to use your coupon option?"

 

I don't know how it will work.

[mommabean]

New to Crown and Anchor....How are we to know what the coupons are if there are no coupons? I didn't see any mention of them when I printed our sea passes this week for our April cruise (second on RCCL).

 

I believe they'll print a piece of paper telling us what coupons are on our card and they'll put that piece of paper in our room. Just like they now print a piece of paper telling us that we have prepaid our gratuities and that is why they aren't leaving us the piece of paper with the vouchers. They get rid of one piece of paper and print another telling us why they aren't giving us the original paper. To save paper of course. :D

 

I don't think it's working.

 

And now we are getting more art auction papers as birthday presents. If we are celebrating anything on board it is used to justify "giving us a gift" of 20% of a piece or art...and other stuff. I seem to get more paper than ever. Even the cruise compass has gotten larger with more inserts inside.

 

Gina

[foxesden1]

Might be a bit of a shame that if you do B2B or B2B2B you probably can't carry them forward to your next consecutive voyage if you don't use them all, like you can now with the paper coupons

 

I was thinking the same thing, more about fraud then saving work! (btw we also used coupons from one week to the next Om our b2b

[Ocean Boy]

One of the things I'm curious about is how they'll implement the use of the coupons. I'd hate for the register to apply a coupon automatically the first time an eligible transaction is rung up. I'd like the ability to choose when to apply my coupon (such as the 10% off at the logo shop when I'm making a big purchase or the buy-1-get-1-free drink coupon when I'm trying a more expensive glass of wine).

 

I completely agree with you on this.

[crusinpeg]

I believe they'll print a piece of paper telling us what coupons are on our card and they'll put that piece of paper in our room. Just like they now print a piece of paper telling us that we have prepaid our gratuities and that is why they aren't leaving us the piece of paper with the vouchers. They get rid of one piece of paper and print another telling us why they aren't giving us the original paper. To save paper of course. :D

 

I don't think it's working.

 

And now we are getting more art auction papers as birthday presents. If we are celebrating anything on board it is used to justify "giving us a gift" of 20% of a piece or art...and other stuff. I seem to get more paper than ever. Even the cruise compass has gotten larger with more inserts inside.

 

Gina

 

I do believe that printing a piece of paper though, is less expensive than printing a booklet.