AdequateAndy

13 hours ago, aggiejd2000 said:

If you make Amethyst before the end of 2023, your tier status will remain Amethyst for all of 2024 but your points will reset to zero at the beginning of 2024, which means you will have to "re-earn" another 25K points in 2024 to maintain your Amethyst status.

 

Blue Chip has just started to issue Instant Certificates onboard based on your level of gaming.  People have been frustrated because there is misunderstanding as to how the points are calculated.  It is NOT based on the tier points earned for Blue Chip status.  It is based on points before multipliers.  For example, Blue Chip gives 5x per $1 on slots and 8x per $1 theo on table games to calculate tier points. For the instant certificates, it is just the points before the multipliers.  It is much more straightforward if you play slots because it is based on coin-in.  You can see what your points are on the machine after you insert your Sea Pass card.  However, if you play table games, you'll have to figure out your average daily theoretical (ADT).  That differs based on which game you play, how long you play, etc.  You can try to estimate it, first by asking the pit boss what they have you down your average bet size.  I think it's best to stick to a particular bet size, say $25/hand, so that it is easier to track.  Then, it is matter of calculating: (Average size of bet) x (Hours played per day) x (Hands per hour) x (House Advantage) to get your ADT.  You'll have to research online the "hands dealt per hour" and the "house advantage" for the table game you're playing.  Then you multiply your ADT by the number of days you played to get the number of points for the purposes of the instant certificate.  

 

As you can tell, it's much harder to estimate for table games than for slots.  For slots, you can clearly see where you're at and how much you need to play to earn the certificate. For table games, the math is fuzzy.  Every casino, including Celebrity's, holds close to its vest how it calculates the ADT.  At best, you can confirm what average bet size they have you down at, and you can confirm the number of hours played.  But you won't know what number they're using for "number of hands dealt per hour," as that can change based on the number of players, though the house advantage should be static for each game.

 

If you are going on a 5 night cruise, you will either have to bet pretty big or play a lot of hours if you hope to get to Amethyst in one try.  

 

I recently sailed twice within weeks of each other and played the same games.  I estimated my ADT based on the games I played and compared it to the tier points I received afterwards, and the instant certificate I received, and they were both pretty much spot on.

 

Now, as for offers, here's where many people are frustrated with Blue Chip and I share their frustration.  It is entirely unclear how and why Blue Chip determines the type of offers it makes and to whom, at least for their email and postcard offers.  That has been the case for quite awhile now.  The instant certificate is supposed to provide more transparency on that front.  So far I think it does.  But it is not clear whether the instant certificates will entirely replace the email/postcard offers that Blue Chip has been sending out in the past.  The casino host I spoke with on my most recent cruise told me that the instant certificates are a promotion so it seems like Celebrity has not decided yet.  For the time being, I'm still receiving email and postcard offers.  I live in the US so I don't know the answer to your question re Australians.     

 

This is what I would recommend if you want to get the most out of your play as a first timer if your intent is to maximize comps:

1. When you first go to the Casino, find the Casino Host, introduce yourself, express interest in the Blue Chip program so as to get on his/her radar.  Say hello/chat at every opportunity when you're in the casino.  Some hosts are good, some are not but it doesn't hurt to try to get friendly with them.

2. Engage with the dealers and pit bosses when you're playing at the tables.  The dealers will ask for your Sea Pass card when you sit down.  Ask the pit boss at the end of each session what your average bet size was and what they have you down for the number of hours you played.

3. Keep track of your play.  Confirm everything before you get off the ship.  You won't be able to contest anything after you get off.

4. If you really want to get an instant certificate, you probably should front load (as in, play early) as they will generate the stats for the certificate on the second to the last night and put the certificates on your cabin door the night before.

5. BUY a Future Cruise certificate while onboard, even if you're not sure if you're going to get an instant certificate.  It's only a $100/pp deposit and if you don't use it in 6 months, you get the deposit back.  My instant certificate got lost and didn't get delivered to my cabin on the last night.  By the time the casino opened and they sorted it out, Future Cruises was closed and we had to disembark early the next morning.  I couldn't buy a Future Cruises certificate and missed out on the "bonus," which is usually a cabin category upgrade if you buy a Future Cruise while onboard.  

 

  

 

Thank you so much for sharing your insight and experience. This has been so informative and helpful.

 

4 hours ago, Fly and Sail said:

My honest suggestion: After the recent changes with Blue Chip Club, I wouldn't bother anymore. I got a very solid offer over the past 6 years, but now nothing anymore, and the benefits for Amethyst are deceptive at best. You will NOT receive a free cruise as outlined in the pamphlet and program pdf. They will tell you it's based on your play of the most recent cruise, so even after you risked enough money for Amethyst, they still tell you to bugger off.

 

There are no tangible benefits associated with Amethyst. Unless you plan to become a heavy gambler and get to the higher levels stay clear of gambling on Celebrity.

 

If you earn 25,000 points for the current period, then it will reset, and the status counts for the next cruise onward. No status changes on the actual cruise either, no matter how many points you earn.

Appreciate the honest insight. I'd be gambling at the casino either way but may as well try and milk it for all it's worth. Such a shame that they seem to be getting tighter and tighter with the offers they are offering.

6 hours ago, sixpackeddie said:

I had the exact same question and emailed Blue Chip Club a few months ago. Here is their response.

 

Thank you for reaching us at The Blue Chip Club. May I inform you that December 31, 2023 will be the last day to earn points for the current earning period. Whatever tier status you finish at this date, you will keep and maintain for 2024. But, very importantly, next year 2024 you will need to earn the same amount of points you finish with at the end of this year so you can maintain tier status for the year 2025. 

In example:
You currently have 114,284 points and currently Sapphire. Next year you will remain as Sapphire, but next year 2024 you will need to earn 100,000 or more points so you wont drop tier level in 2025. 

I also just got off the Apex on Saturday, I did a fair amount of gambling. I had over 24 hours of time at the table. On day 5 the Pit Boss told me I had 21 hours of gambling and average bet was $120 per hand. The last night of the cruise I saw the casino host and she told me I had 14.2 hours of gambling and average bet was $80 per hand. Total BS. Really watch how they are tracking you, nothing like Vegas.  

I am done gambling on Celebrity accept when my $500 free play chips are gone. 

The Blue Chip Club has really changed, not for the better in my opinion.

That sucks that the reporting is so inconsistent. Are all cruise lines this bad at tracking their casino play or is this exclusively a Celebrity issue? 

Here is hoping they release something better in 2024...

8 hours ago, DingoMom said:

If you earn Amethyst status on play this calendar year, that status would be good for the REST of this period (currently Dec 31) and for all of the next period, which starts on Jan 1. (I am not sure how long the next period is. It used to be for a year. CoVid changed the length of the period.)

On the ship, you can periodically check with the casino host/hostess to get updates on where you stand.

Have a great cruise!

Thank you so much for the clarification. We are beyond excited for our first cruise!

Hello!

My wife and I are cruising for the first time on the Celebrity Edge in 5 days sailing to New Zealand from Sydney.

I plan on spending some time in the Casino on the sea days and had a few questions regarding the Blue Chip Club.

Hypothetically, If I reach the Amethyst Tier (25,000 Points) during my cruise, will my tier reset on the 1st of January 2024?

Or will I remain Amethyst in the new year due to reaching this during the current earning period?

All I can find online is about the current earning period which doesn't state what happens once the 1st of January, 2024 comes long.

"The current earning period is from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 but has been extended to December 31, 2023."

Secondly, Is there anyway I can track my progress while I am on the cruise?

My final question relates specifically to Australians. Has anyone who cruises with Celebrity who is Australian, received offers due to their volume of play in the Casino on any Celebrity cruises?

Any insight into this would be most appreciated.

Thanks!