Point System Unfair: Discussion

[MarriedInStThomas1807]

"Pass the popcorn" posts are a waste!

 

They add nothing of significance to the discussion!

 

And saying someone is acting like a kindergartener is adding something of significance? Seems as though people get flamed for everything these days.

[SkyMaster]

I think any reward system is plenty fair because they don't have to offer it at all.

 

 

DITTO! I personally, appreciate anything extra that I get.

 

"SKY"

[Surfwench]

You mean I should get more points at a hotel if I stay in a suite rather than regular room?

Or more points if I fly first class rather than coach?

Or I rent a Caddy vs a Kia?

 

Sorry. It's standard industry wide.

And please stop with is it fair. Sounds like a kindergarden kid whining

 

Hilton awards me FAR more points if I stay at the Waldorf Astoria instead of the Hampton Inn. :)

 

However, Carnival has always been more.... democratic. The current point system based on days sailed is very fair. Especially since the VIFP perks really do not amount to anything special except recognition as a loyal cruiser.

[sonicbuffalo]

Hilton awards me FAR more points if I stay at the Waldorf Astoria instead of the Hampton Inn. :)

 

However, Carnival has always been more.... democratic. The current point system based on days sailed is very fair. Especially since the VIFP perks really do not amount to anything special except recognition as a loyal cruiser.

 

I agree....once you get to the Gold status, there's really nothing that Carnival gives you that you can't buy....FTTF :confused:

[ItsAllAboutTheSass]

Hilton awards me FAR more points if I stay at the Waldorf Astoria instead of the Hampton Inn. :)

 

However, Carnival has always been more.... democratic. The current point system based on days sailed is very fair. Especially since the VIFP perks really do not amount to anything special except recognition as a loyal cruiser.

 

Actually this isn't a fair analogy since the Hilton Honors program offers points/rewards across all it's brands under 1 account where Carnival Corp only offers benefits/rewards per line (I think you can get past guest rates across lines though). Hotel programs also offer points based on room cost

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[irishnyc]

Hilton awards me FAR more points if I stay at the Waldorf Astoria instead of the Hampton Inn. :)

 

However, Carnival has always been more.... democratic. The current point system based on days sailed is very fair. Especially since the VIFP perks really do not amount to anything special except recognition as a loyal cruiser.

 

Comparing Carnival's points to Hilton's isn't quite the same. The comparison would be valid if Carnival's points were allowed to be earned across their brands like Hilton does.

[Ksea1961]

You mean I should get more points at a hotel if I stay in a suite rather than regular room?

Or more points if I fly first class rather than coach?

Or I rent a Caddy vs a Kia?

 

Sorry. It's standard industry wide.

And please stop with is it fair. Sounds like a kindergarden kid whining

 

Well, I guess an intelligent discussion is too much to ask for OP. :rolleyes:

[MrPete]

You mean I should get more points at a hotel if I stay in a suite rather than regular room?

Or more points if I fly first class rather than coach?

Or I rent a Caddy vs a Kia?

 

Sorry. It's standard industry wide.

And please stop with is it fair. Sounds like a kindergarden kid whining

 

Just food for thought instead of blatently casting aspersions.

 

You own a business. Who is your most valued customer? The one that visits you 7 days a week to buy a staple, or the one that visits you once a week and spends the most money?

[halos]

It is more fair than number of cruises.

 

Definitely.

 

We stay in balcony cabins, so are basically middle of the road. However, I wouldn't be upset in the least if they gave extra points based on cabin category/spending. It certainly wouldn't be UNfair to do it that way.

 

Again, this would take nothing away from people who book interior/OV/or balocny cabins, so why would I care?

[LHP]

It could be considered fair because....

 

the person in the interior cabin may be drinking and gambling $1,000's of dollars where the person in the suite is like us that drink little and do not gamble.

 

 

To be "completely" fair, it would have to be based on the total dollar spent (including money spent on excursions and spa ~ which we also do not do)....

 

and that is way to complicated.....

[clairentommy]

This discussion is like going back to a class system. Some of us who are new to cruising and can't afford to take multiple cruises a year like the idea that even though I can only afford to cruise every couple of years there is still some reward for loyalty to carnival. Most other promotional points or reward points have an expiration date. I like the idea that Carnival reward you for the number of days at sea rather than say that one person's money is better than anothers just because they can afford to book a suite rather than an inside cabin.

 

Carnival wouldn't make much money if they only filled the suites and all the other cabins were empty so why shouldn't those who fill the bulk of the ship by purchasing inside cabins, or balcony rooms get the same reward for their contribution to the fun filled event?

[Cyber Kat]

You know, if Carnival were smart (not saying they're not, just that maybe this hasn't occurred to them :p ), they would do it kind of like the reward credit cards. I get one point for every dollar I spend on my Carnival MC - double for spending on Carnival products, cruises, S&S, etc. If Carnival did a point system for dollars spent on a cruise - room grade, on board spending, excursions - and then set the levels according to those points, people might be inclined to spend more money.

 

I don't really have any issues with the new system. I preferred the old system, of course, because I got equal credit for the Cruises to Nowhere I took. It was all I could manage at the time. But I don't really have a problem. The only nit is that I'm Gold, my Sis is Platinum - we stayed the same, but my DH was gold and he's been demoted to Red, so he can't go to the past guest cocktail party. He said he doesn't care, he'll sit on the balcony and enjoy the view while my Sis and I go have free drinks for 45 minutes ;)

[halos]

Wow! Did not anticipate this much response. Sorry if I have offended anyone in the process.

 

It seems easy to upset people here....especially when talking about spending more and getting more. It's sad if you ask me.

 

 

Should Carnival give additional points for on board spending too?

Would it bother you if they did??

 

I know people who spend a heck of a lot more than me. If they got added points or some kind of bonus, I would think that was fine.

 

Are people this jealous?????:confused:

 

 

Agree completely, I don't choose a cruise for loyalty programs.

 

Neither do I. I am just fortunate that my cruise line of choice provides good ones...which is icing on an already delicious cake.

[MrPete]

It seems easy to upset people here....especially when talking about spending more and getting more. It's sad if you ask me.

 

 

 

.

 

It's that "I'm the same as you" mentality.

 

No, you're not.

[Sparky2]

Seeing how its "Days" cruised and not "Points" I think it's completely fair.

 

I totally agree with this.

[beachbum53]

Wow! Did not anticipate this much response. Sorry if I have offended anyone in the process. This is just my story: We are from Toronto, and we drive to Florida. Because of this we can only cruise every three years or so. When we cruise we go in 2 suites. This means a 5 night cruise is easily well over 3k. Some people who live close to the ports can jump into inside cabins and next to nothing and quickly get platinum points. I am not criticizing Carnival, they are our favourite brand. All I am saying is it would be nice to get a few perks. (double nights, free 90 min internet, 1 free laundry, etc.)

 

Let the discussions continue!

 

Fair - something you go to once a year when it comes to town...

 

I think the system in use now (days at sea vs. Number of cruises) is more reasonable than what they had previously. A person could go on 10 overnight cruises to nowhere and be platinum, while the person had to take longer, more expensive cruises because there was nothing else nearby took a lot longer to get there. Now you have to knock out x number of days to reach a given level, whether you do in with 35 overnighters or ten seven-day cruises. ( to get to Platinum for example)

 

I do appreciate that they set up the "grandfather clause." I had 8 cruises when they announced the new system, with 35 point-days, so I would have had to go a lot longer to Platinum status if they hadn't done something like that, and Carnival would have had a lot of P.O.ed customers like me that were just short of the old Platinum.

 

My grandkids were a little upset that they got set back to Red, but it makes sense...why should someone that has nine or ten cruises receive only the same "perks" as the new-b that is coming out for his second cruise?

 

As far as the more points for the higher-cost cabins? Naah... the criterion is number of days (nights?) sailed, not how much you spent. As others on this thread have noted, that's pretty much standard throughout the travel industry in hotels, etc., and the airlines and AMTRAK base their rewards on how many miles you have travelled, not which category of accomodation you have selected.

 

It's funny how something bothers one person, but not someone else. I guess that's part of human nature. Just because some people have to travel a bit farther and spend a bit more to go on a cruise doesn't mean they're entitled to anything more than those that are fortunate enough to live next door to a port and can basically hop on a ship and go pretty much anytime they want, regardless of category. Loyalty programs, points and perks are there for those that consistently choose one specific cruise line over all others, regardless of how much you spend or which category you choose. I look at it this way. When I step on the ship, I'd like to hear "Welcome aboard. Thank-you for choosing to sail with us. We hope you have an enjoyable vacation. If there's anything we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please let us know." And if the cruise line wants to give me something extra, like a free drink or free dry-cleaning, great. I'll take. But not getting a particular perk or freebie really won't bother me all that much. I don't cruise for the perks anyhow. I cruise because I LOVE TO CRUISE! Plain and simple.:)

[onthehighseas606]

I like that concept. Maybe earning one more day sailed for so much spent on board. That is very fair.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

 

I don't think that is fair at all. We don't gamble, we don't buy trinkets made in China, and our bar bill is very low. We would be penalized because we are frugal spenders. I think days sailed is a good point system regardless of what cabin you are in. JMHO.

[Sparky2]

Wow! Did not anticipate this much response. Sorry if I have offended anyone in the process. This is just my story: We are from Toronto, and we drive to Florida. Because of this we can only cruise every three years or so. When we cruise we go in 2 suites. This means a 5 night cruise is easily well over 3k. Some people who live close to the ports can jump into inside cabins and next to nothing and quickly get platinum points. I am not criticizing Carnival, they are our favourite brand. All I am saying is it would be nice to get a few perks. (double nights, free 90 min internet, 1 free laundry, etc.)

 

Let the discussions continue!

 

Would you be able to cruise more if you didn't have to have 2 suites? Maybe book 2 balconies instead?

[blondietink]

As people who have to travel a long way to cruise (Buffalo, NY), we like the new system better than the old system. We feel that since we are paying so much to travel to a port (by car or airplane) we book a longer cruise to get the most out of the money we have spent to get to a cruise (We also tack on a visit to Disney or the beach when we cruise out of Florida). Generally we book an oceanview due to the larger size than inside or balcony as there are 4 of us. We really wish we lived closer so we could cruise more often, but days cruised makes more sense to us.

[Wrinks22]

So essentially, the fairest system is the one that would benefit our personal situation the best. :D

 

Yeah I guess. Its just a little annoying that we spend so much and get so little "perks" that we would enjoy on other lines. (Sorry if I sound like a snob) We are spending more on one voyage then some people are spending on 3-4 and we get way less perks. And yes we spend a lot on board and no we do not eat like there is no tomorrow. We don't damage stuff so the line is profiting a lot of us.

 

Would you be able to cruise more if you didn't have to have 2 suites? Maybe book 2 balconies instead?

 

Its not even the money, its timing. 3 kids with three different schools (university, college, and high school) I guess I just want the platinum card :o

 

Someone said why don't I sail out of NY or Baltimore:

We are concerned about transatlantic crossings being rough. Also you get less port days and its colder?

[manmachine]

Perfect!

 

There must be a fair formula to please everyone ;)

 

[narrow56]

I prefer cruising for the vacation, not for worrying about points!

[Talex831]

Just throwing this out there, but have you considered that maybe those who stay in a suite for 7 nights only sail once a year due to the cost, where someone who chooses an inside can cruise 3 times for 7 nights and have spent the same amount of money for their stateroom. However, from a business perspective, the family who cruised

3 times spent more money on the casino, bar, etc. The whole points/days system is to get people to frequent the cruise line and spend more money. Don't think for a second, Carnival hasn't thought about this!

 

And let's be honest, what is so great about being Platinum or Diamond? Are there really perks so worthwhile that this is even really an issue?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Georgiagolfer]

Just throwing this out there, but have you considered that maybe those who stay in a suite for 7 nights only sail once a year due to the cost, where someone who chooses an inside can cruise 3 times for 7 nights and have spent the same amount of money for their stateroom. However, from a business perspective, the family who cruised

3 times spent more money on the casino, bar, etc. The whole points/days system is to get people to frequent the cruise line and spend more money. Don't think for a second, Carnival hasn't thought about this!

 

And let's be honest, what is so great about being Platinum or Diamond? Are there really perks so worthwhile that this is even really an issue?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

I really don't think perks are a main deciding point for cruising a particular line. As Platinum on CCL and RCL, we gladly accept any perk offered, knowing it can be taken at any time, like CCL with the former program for free blackjack or slot tournament entries instead on the now BOGO.

 

We like the fact that if we sail them RCI gives 2 points for JS and above, but this again isn't why we do or would sail them. As someone pointed out earlier, CCL's program is the same for everyone so it is a fair program, just like NCL's and RCI's. :D

[Cyber Kat]

Someone said why don't I sail out of NY or Baltimore:

We are concerned about transatlantic crossings being rough. Also you get less port days and its colder?

 

I can't speak for Baltimore because we always cruise out of NYC. IMO, you haven't done a sail away until you have sailed out of NYC - it's just awesome - and I live in NY and see it all the time :). I don't know why, but it's always better from the deck of a cruise ship!

 

The ships usually go to the Caribbean, sometimes Bermuda or up to Canada (where I guess you wouldn't want to go, because that's where you came from!). We done the Caribbean trip twice and are booked for June again. I love this cruise - doesn't matter which islands - you get 4 at sea days and I love that.

 

It can be rough in the period from Jan to April - when Nor'easters come up the coast. But in May, June and the summer months, as long as there's no hurricane, the seas are usually fairly calm.

 

Seems to me that NYC would be closer to Toronto than FL, but I'm not really sure.