AMEX Offer - $350 off $1200 Holland America

[chisoxfan]

I don't think this should be a problem but the terms are 'confusing'.

 

 Valid only for reservations and any additional purchases booked at the time of initial reservation purchase.

 

Based on these terms I think you would be excluded. That said I had added a payment after initial reservation some months ago (similar offer), did not get credit, but went back to AMEX and they eventually applied a credit even though by my reading of terms ????? I guess you could argue additional money was for reservations?  Frustrating as they only offer to certain cards (I was years with Platinum and Gold and never got any). One year with Plat I called and they said no worry we rotate the offers and you will get it soon- never happened.

 

So I will probably add an additional 1000 payment (through big box TA) and see what happens. 

 

These offers in my mind are a hassle. There is enough money involved that you want to take advantage but if you don't qualify it is frustrating. Not sure the offer (intention I am sure) would cause me to make a new booking so what does it accomplish?

 

EDIT I should add that my offer on Blue Card was 300 for 1000.

Edited May 20 by chisoxfan
add info

[MisterBill99]

9 hours ago, LAX said:

Has anyone successfully redeemed this offer after making a payment to HAL through a big box TA?

 

LAX

 

 

 

It should be fine with any TA so long as the charge comes from HAL. I think the odds are very slim that it won't work, but you could always confirm what the initial deposit looked like.

 

[Mike B Landlubber]

I just used my Green card with the AMEX offer ($350 off $1200 for me) to make payment on an existing reservation with a prominent online cruise agency. A few minutes later, I got an email from AMEX congratulating me on using my HAL offer, which is usually what happens when I redeem an offer. I will watch for the payment to post. My Vacation is ready to go…

[chisoxfan]

5 minutes ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

I just used my Green card with the AMEX offer ($350 off $1200 for me) to make payment on an existing reservation with a prominent online cruise agency. A few minutes later, I got an email from AMEX congratulating me on using my HAL offer, which is usually what happens when I redeem an offer. I will watch for the payment to post. My Vacation is ready to go…

That's what you want to see.... immediate confirmation of your credit. Otherwise you have to call and 'roll the dice'.

[singleflyer]

Anyone yet tried purchasing on board credit in advance of their cruise to see if it triggers?  

[LAX]

14 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

 

It should be fine with any TA so long as the charge comes from HAL. I think the odds are very slim that it won't work, but you could always confirm what the initial deposit looked like.

 

My reservation was made directly with HAL and subsequently transferred to the big box TA, so I have yet to make any payment through the TA. I think you are right that it most likely works as I don't think the payment is made to the TA who then in turn pays HAL, but I thought I would check here first before calling.

 

LAX

 

[chisoxfan]

4 hours ago, LAX said:

My reservation was made directly with HAL and subsequently transferred to the big box TA, so I have yet to make any payment through the TA. I think you are right that it most likely works as I don't think the payment is made to the TA who then in turn pays HAL, but I thought I would check here first before calling.

 

LAX

 

I think you are correct. I got excited about the credit and then realized my well known big box TA doesn't take AMEX. Not worth rebooking with club orange and everything involved and I believe price has gone up a bit. Toying with adding a cabana and a booked excursion. Actually my AMEX offer on blue card was 300 back on 700. Hope everyone can take advantage of this offer.

[NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope]

4 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

I think you are correct. I got excited about the credit and then realized my well known big box TA doesn't take AMEX. Not worth rebooking with club orange and everything involved and I believe price has gone up a bit. Toying with adding a cabana and a booked excursion. Actually my AMEX offer on blue card was 300 back on 700. Hope everyone can take advantage of this offer.

Double check with them. I'm pretty certain that while you can't use AMEX in store, you can use for travel

[chisoxfan]

2 hours ago, NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope said:

Double check with them. I'm pretty certain that while you can't use AMEX in store, you can use for travel

Negative. Not accepted. May do Retreat Cabana but according to AMEX terms I do not think this will qualify. As I stated earlier these offers can be a pain and life is too short to engage in things that will likely turn into a hassle.

[MadManOfBethesda]

On 5/19/2024 at 3:57 PM, MadManOfBethesda said:

That's the one I received as well ($300 credit for spending $750), although it can only be used once, not twice. I haven't been on a HAL cruise since 2009 when my wife and I took a 30-day South Pacific cruise on the Ryndam, but coincidentally just this morning, we talked about booking a 10-day Mysteries of Iceland & Scotland cruise on Niew Amsterdam in July since we don't have any cruises booked right now until October.  Thank you very much Mr.Bill for creating this thread and saving me (and others) $300!

 

Well, I booked and paid for this cruise today and within 30 minutes of making payment, I received an email from AmEx congratulating me on redeeming the offer and confirming the $300 statement credit.

[rj59]

Mine is $250 off $1000 on the Blue Cash Everyday. I make sure to increase my chances of getting the offers by adding all the cruise discounts and some other travel ones, to increase the chances of me being targeted. I also found that when I later cancel a cruise, they haven't taken the credit back, although the conditions say they can do so. So I'm planning to use it for the standby program, but if I don't get a spot the money is refunded, so I'll see if they still let me keep the credit. 

[mcrcruiser]

We have 2 AMX CCs  .The 0ne that has the offer is the Blue AMX  card ,Spend $1000 at HAL intil 8/31/24 & get back $250  .Read all the details 

[mcrcruiser]

The Cash back credit is not on my Hilton Honors AMX credit card . I would say non of the co branded AMX CCs have the   offer of cash back 

[kentuckycruiser]

On 5/20/2024 at 7:31 PM, singleflyer said:

Anyone yet tried purchasing on board credit in advance of their cruise to see if it triggers?  

This is what I want to know. We leave in 10 days and the cruise is long paid for, but if I knew the offer would work, I would buy some OBC now.

[mcrcruiser]

On 5/17/2024 at 8:46 AM, MisterBill99 said:

The AMEX Offer is back, this time it's $350 off $1200, expiring 8/31.

 

The $1200 does not need to be on a single transaction, they say "one or more purchases". It does not need to be on a new reservation and can be booked with HAL directly or through your travel agent, so long as they process the payment through HAL (and I'd never use a TA who did it any other way). In the past, I believe it's worked on purchases of OBC and excursions made through their website, but you'd need to check one of the old threads.  It does not work for onboard charges.

 

Here are the terms:

 

Spend $1,200 or more, get $350 back
Holland America Line
Expires 08/31/2024

 

 

DETAILS

Get a one-time $350 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible Card to spend a minimum of $1,200 in one or more purchases of cruise reservations online at hollandamerica.com, via Amex Travel, or through your preferred Holland America Line travel adviser by 8/31/2024. See terms.

---

OFFER TERMS

Enrollment limited. Must first add offer to Card and then use same Card to redeem. Only U.S.-issued American Express® Cards are eligible. Limit 1 enrolled Card per Card Member across all American Express offer channels. Your enrollment of an eligible American Express Card for this offer extends only to that Card. Offer valid for cruise reservations booked between 5/17/2024 and 8/31/2024 for any departure date, directly with Holland America Line online only at US website hollandamerica.com, by calling 1-877-932-4259, via Amex Travel, or through a Holland America Line travel advisor. Valid only for reservations and any additional purchases booked at the time of initial reservation purchase. Excludes onboard spend, gift and services, Denali Square, McKinley Chalet Resort, Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services, Cancellation Protection plan, online shops, formalwear rentals, charitable donations, and any standalone purchases paid for separately from initial reservation. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands. American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. is acting solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. Certain suppliers pay us commission and other incentives for reaching sales targets or other goals and may provide incentives to our Travel Consultants. For more information visit www.americanexpress.com/travelterms. California CST#1022318, Washington UBI#600-469-694. Offer is non-transferable. Valid only on purchases made in US dollars. Limit of 1 statement credit per Card Member. You may not receive the statement credit if we receive inaccurate information or are otherwise unable to identify your purchase as qualifying for the offer. For example, you may not receive the statement credit if (a) the merchant uses a third-party to sell their products or services; or (b) the merchant uses a third-party to process or submit your transaction to us (e.g., using mobile or wireless card readers); or (c) you choose to make a purchase using a third-party payment account or make a purchase using a mobile or digital wallet. Purchases may fall outside of the offer period in some cases due to a delay in merchants submitting transactions to us or if the purchase date differs from the date you made the transaction (for example, the purchase date for online orders may be the shipping date). Statement credit will appear on your billing statement within 90 days after 8/31/2024, provided that American Express receives information from the merchant about your qualifying purchase. Note that American Express may not receive information about your qualifying purchase from merchant until all items/services from your qualifying purchase have been shipped/provided by merchant. Statement credit may be reversed if qualifying purchase is returned/cancelled. If American Express does not receive information that identifies your purchase as qualifying for the offer, you will not receive the statement credit. Limit 1 enrolled Card per American Express Card online account. The enrolled Card account must be active, not past due, canceled, or have a returned payment outstanding to receive the statement credit. Any benefit earned from this offer is in addition to the rewards (i.e. Membership Rewards or cash back) earned as part of your existing Card benefits, but your ability to earn spend-based rewards for the purchase will be based on the amount after any statement credit or other discount is applied. Amex Offers are available for varying and limited periods of time and are dynamic and personalized. If you navigate away from the Amex Offers page, you may see different offers when you return. For questions regarding your Card Account, please call the number on the back of your Card. By adding an offer to a Card, you agree that American Express may send you communications about the offer. POID: K7VF:0001

What is the AMX  CC that you are getting $350 back from AMX ?  We have only the  blue AMX CC & would get $260 for $1000  ;but ,we like the $350   AMX credit rebate  .Is your AMX CC   one of the free ccs or do you pay a yearly fee /

Thanks in advance for your reply

[Mike B Landlubber]

2 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

What is the AMX  CC that you are getting $350 back from AMX ?  We have only the  blue AMX CC & would get $260 for $1000  ;but ,we like the $350   AMX credit rebate  .Is your AMX CC   one of the free ccs or do you pay a yearly fee /

Thanks in advance for your reply

It is pretty common for there to be slightly different versions of offers for different people. And many people never get offers that would seem very appropriate. Either it is a carefully-programmed algorithm sending the most profitable offer to each customer based on detailed data analysis, or it is a random scattershot thing. You choose! 🙂 but I strongly suspect you are stuck with the offer you received.

[IamHungry]

11 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

What is the AMX  CC that you are getting $350 back from AMX ?  We have only the  blue AMX CC & would get $260 for $1000  ;but ,we like the $350   AMX credit rebate  .Is your AMX CC   one of the free ccs or do you pay a yearly fee /

Thanks in advance for your reply

Buy it anyway and report back. If you don't get cash back you can spend OBC at casino and take OBC back in cash.

Edited May 23 by IamHungry

[MaxThrusters]

It looks like this offer is not available to Canadian AMEX Cobalt card users. Oh well.

[Mike B Landlubber]

(Mostly) Success!

 

I had noticed that the original offer I clicked on was for $250 back, but the congratulations email I received mentioned $350 back. I am lucky I even noticed the change. Naturally, I hoped to get the $350 offer. Last night my payment went from pending to done, and my rebate posted as well. Alas, it is for $250! But I’m glad to have success at getting that. I still count it as a win, especially since it is what I actually signed up for.

[roxybear135]

How long did it take everyone to get confirmation of the redeemed offer? I loaded the offer onto my card about a week ago and booked and paid for my cruise this morning (so about 5 hours ago now) but still haven’t received the congratulations email. The charge is pending on my card and the cruise consultant said the transaction went through. 

[logan25]

On 5/24/2024 at 3:40 PM, roxybear135 said:

How long did it take everyone to get confirmation of the redeemed offer? I loaded the offer onto my card about a week ago and booked and paid for my cruise this morning (so about 5 hours ago now) but still haven’t received the congratulations email. The charge is pending on my card and the cruise consultant said the transaction went through. 

I booked a new cruise just this afternoon, and received the congratulations email in about an hour.

[Mike B Landlubber]

On 5/24/2024 at 3:40 PM, roxybear135 said:

How long did it take everyone to get confirmation of the redeemed offer? I loaded the offer onto my card about a week ago and booked and paid for my cruise this morning (so about 5 hours ago now) but still haven’t received the congratulations email. The charge is pending on my card and the cruise consultant said the transaction went through. 

I don’t remember the exact time before I got the congratulations email, but it was an hour or less.

[roxybear135]

I finally got my congrats email late last night. So about 14 or so hours after the charge was put on my card

[Sayuil]

Anyone who have used this current or past HAL offer, appreciate if you can help me below question. First time using AMEX offer on HAL.

 

1) Unlike other cruise lines (RCL or Carnival), HAL doesn't allow adding Prepaid gratuities to the initial reservation. So do you know if paying prepaid gratuities after the reservation qualify for the credit?

 

2) Are there other purchases other than cruise fare and taxes that I can add to my booking to reach the $ threshold to trigger the discount. I am currently $57 short of the said amount.

[chisoxfan]

4 minutes ago, Sayuil said:

Anyone who have used this current or past HAL offer, appreciate if you can help me below question. First time using AMEX offer on HAL.

 

1) Unlike other cruise lines (RCL or Carnival), HAL doesn't allow adding Prepaid gratuities to the initial reservation. So do you know if paying prepaid gratuities after the reservation qualify for the credit?

 

2) Are there other purchases other than cruise fare and taxes that I can add to my booking to reach the $ threshold to trigger the discount. I am currently $57 short of the said amount.

Assuming you are making a new reservation I would simply instruct the T/A or PCC to make a deposit of the amount needed to qualify for the promotion.  I know this could tie up a few more dollars but in my mind makes life easy and you can deal with all the other stuff, excursions, tips, etc. etc. later.  If you have a current res. my reading of the terms are that it does not qualify for promo but of course there are apparently exceptions. My terms for Blue Card 700/300 (there are several offers out there) state:

  Valid only for reservations and any additional purchases booked at the time of initial reservation purchase.

If you have an existing reservation things are more interesting. In a previous promo I added to my deposit for an existing booking to meet the $$$ and I did not receive immediate confirmation from AMEX (what should happen) and contacted them. They said they would do an investigation and ultimately provided promo (even though I cannot argue that I was within the terms).

I usually only go into these things if there is total clarity that I qualify but like many things the reality can be as clear as mud. So if you are contemplating a HAL cruise this can be a nice add on but for some others it is a dangling fruit that can be a hassle to claim.