Extra Points

As far as airline points go, United do sell you miles that can be applied to status, they just cost twice as much as regular purchased miles. I do admit to doing that once or twice to keep my status :D

 

There really isn't much point in us worrying about this. We are D+ but have a long way to go to get to Pinnacle but one thought I did have. Would they classify money spent in the Casino towards the $450 per person? If someone had a mind to and they needed to top up to the magic $450 number, they could get cash on their seapass card for 'gambling' but pocket the cash. Ok, so it's going to cost you $3? per $100 but it's a cheap option if it works.

 

J

I believe T&C state that casino charges will not count. Bummer

I believe T&C state that casino charges will not count. Bummer

Correct, and that's too bad. I wonder why, because that's a huge profit center for them.

Correct, and that's too bad. I wonder why, because that's a huge profit center for them.

I believe joandian pointed out it only cost 3% or so to charge money in casino. You don't have to play it, just cash it back in. Easy peasy. Royal is smarter than we give them credit for.

I believe joandian pointed out it only cost 3% or so to charge money in casino. You don't have to play it, just cash it back in. Easy peasy. Royal is smarter than we give them credit for.

Makes sense. They probably cannot accurately keep track of how much money each person plays in the casino.

Makes sense. They probably cannot accurately keep track of how much money each person plays in the casino.

They can if the guest uses an Mlife player's card. But that's a whole different rewards points system.

So is it only freedom that's getting the points? We are on Independence on the 13th and we always spend that much money. I'd love some some free points. ( or bought) for those that say that's impossible, you def do not drink or eat at the specialty restaurants much. I think the chefs table was 200 plus , plus the others. And we hardly book excursions through them....

And yes we always have credit.... Not 500 though. :eek:

I'd love to get rewarded for what we spend. We never do suites and that is def buying double points. I'd like a chance to catch up.... :D

So is it only freedom that's getting the points? We are on Independence on the 13th and we always spend that much money. I'd love some some free points. ( or bought) for those that say that's impossible, you def do not drink or eat at the specialty restaurants much. I think the chefs table was 200 plus , plus the others. And we hardly book excursions through them....

 

And yes we always have credit.... Not 500 though. :eek:

 

I'd love to get rewarded for what we spend. We never do suites and that is def buying double points. I'd like a chance to catch up.... :D

I'm not sure. Check your emails,

I think it's a great idea. If we spend enough we get points for nothing - as I was spending it anyway. If we don't spend enough - on things we were already buying we don't get points.

I see it as a bonus.

Raina

Makes sense. They probably cannot accurately keep track of how much money each person plays in the casino.

They can on those ships that have slots that have the ability to track play by inserting the seapass in the machine slots. For table games, the supervisor can track the play amounts.

The problem with this is that if you play and win, there's no profit involved and it has to be based on some other combo. Losses, that is where the profit is and not the amount of play.

I see changes coming.......just the toe testing the water with this? My toe:D is telling me I feel something is underground and not decided on yet.:eek:

 

Maybe INside gets less than OV or a Balcony E or Ds........?? If they count what you spend on board-- then why not what you spend on your cabin first? One credit now for inside and a D cabin but a bigger spread in money spent.

 

The new fellow from Carnival Jim Berra is head of C&A now, so maybe he is switching it all up.

 

Jim Berra, who was Carnival’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer since late 2008, will become CMO for Royal Caribbean at month’s end, assuming responsibility for brand strategy and positioning, consumer and trade advertising, web and loyalty marketing, research, brand development and communications. He will report to Michael Bayley, who became president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International in December.

 

Maybe tweaks are lurking.... Felt it for some time something is going to change, we were in on the C&A change before, when we were Ds...... That was a big change then and not for the better for those like us caught in it.

Thanks for the update, I was unaware of his arrival. I hope we see good changes to the C&A program, if there are going to be changes (and I assume there will be). :)

Correct, and that's too bad. I wonder why, because that's a huge profit center for them.

Maybe that's why the casino is excluded -- no need for any incentive to generate more revenue there. It's other areas onboard that need the boost. (Just a thought.)

The original poster of that comment, later replied that he got three extra points on his HAL cruise and when he asked why, he was told "because of specialty dining". That is the only time I had ever heard of that "policy".

 

Ray in NH

Yeah, that was me, sorry about that. I've only cruised HAL twice, so when I received those points, I thought it was their normal policy.

They can on those ships that have slots that have the ability to track play by inserting the seapass in the machine slots. For table games, the supervisor can track the play amounts.

 

The problem with this is that if you play and win, there's no profit involved and it has to be based on some other combo. Losses, that is where the profit is and not the amount of play.

Since the casino rewards program on RCCL are associated with MGM's Mlife player's club, I would assume they work pretty much the same way. With these casino rewards programs, you are given credit for the amount of money played, not necessarily what you win or lose. Since most players re-play their winnings, they aren't too worried about equating the player's winnings with casino's losses.

While the occasional player may win big, or even go home "up", the casinos always win - they pay out less than they take in. Let's say the casino's overall payout is 90% of the money wagered, so if you spend $1000 at a slot machine, regardless of whether you win some, or of that was based on you only brining in $50 of your own money to play with, the casino sees it as making $100. For slots and other electronic games, this is quite simple to track. For table games, they basically give you credit based on the time you sit at the table.

Because of the casino rewards program, I can easily see gaming being exempt from the new Extra Points program. It just doesn't make sense to reward guests twice. Plus, I'll bet they make much less profit on gaming than they do selling spa treatments, dining, drinks, excursions and souvenirs.

Thanks, but no thanks. If I have to spend $450, I will take a 3 night cruise for 2. :)

Thanks, but no thanks. If I have to spend $450, I will take a 3 night cruise for 2. :)

It's $900 for 2 to earn the bonus points.

We just got off a b2b on Liberty (8/13 & 8/22). On the 8/22 cruise the casino instituted a new rule. If you win big they give you a form and they notify the IRS. In the past big wins, since you are out to sea, were not reported to the IRS.

We just got off a b2b on Liberty (8/13 & 8/22). On the 8/22 cruise the casino instituted a new rule. If you win big they give you a form and they notify the IRS. In the past big wins, since you are out to sea, were not reported to the IRS.

Sorry to hear that.

We just got off a b2b on Liberty (8/13 & 8/22). On the 8/22 cruise the casino instituted a new rule. If you win big they give you a form and they notify the IRS. In the past big wins, since you are out to sea, were not reported to the IRS.

Sorry to hear that.

I'm just happy to read that someone won big! ;)

We just got off a b2b on Liberty (8/13 & 8/22). On the 8/22 cruise the casino instituted a new rule. If you win big they give you a form and they notify the IRS. In the past big wins, since you are out to sea, were not reported to the IRS.

I did not think that casino spends entered into the added points for spending aboard ship. If they did, then you would have to give up points when (if ) you win -- correct ? :D :D

Ray in NH

From what I've read, it appears that the drink package would count.

Delete

I only see this deal is good for those that are trying to get a few more points to get to the next level. We are D+ and need hundreds of points to get to Pinnacle. WE drink for free in the CL and DL, no point in buying the drink package. We also get the buy one get one specialty coupon and two free pictures, etc. When we are on the Freedom next week., we have $325 OBC, prepaid gratutities, and a voucher for two at the Specialty Restaurant. What in the world could we purchase to get to $900 after we spend everything our TA has given us? There is no way we could ever spend that much. Even if we dined in the Specialty Restaurants every night. Usually we wind up cashing out on the last sea day and getting back $100-$200 that we couldn't spend.

 

This is a great deal for those that are below Diamond, don't use a TA and who buy the drink package. It's just not worth it for us to spend $900 for three stinking points. Now, if it were 6 points I may consider booking some excursions and going to the spa and biting the bullet. LOL!

With my next 3 cruises ill be at 137 so this would put me at 140 which was my next goal.But i bought my drink packages already i wonder if i should cancel and buy on board.

With my next 3 cruises ill be at 137 so this would put me at 140 which was my next goal.But i bought my drink packages already i wonder if i should cancel and buy on board.

I don't think it is being offered on all ships, all sailings yet. Looks like they are just trying it out on Freedom?

I wish it were - we will be on a 3 day on Enchantment, and after that cruise we will be 1 point away from Diamond. I would spend the money to get Diamond before our longer cruise next year.

With my next 3 cruises ill be at 137 so this would put me at 140 which was my next goal.But i bought my drink packages already i wonder if i should cancel and buy on board.

Strictly a trial on Freedom, strictly a trial the month of September.

Strictly a trial on Freedom, strictly a trial the month of September.

Yes i am on the Freedom on the 27Th was wondering if pre booking drinks packages will not count.Do i need to buy on board.Thanks

Strictly a trial on Freedom, strictly a trial the month of September.

Any idea is solos only need to spend $450

Any idea is solos only need to spend $450

$450 per person or $900 per couple - so yes (as I interpret the e-mail).