Fair to not receive Crown & Anchor points?

[tlatrice]

If you've got such a serious medical emergency that you had to cancel a vacation that you've already paid for, I would think that '7 measly cruise points' would be the least of your concerns. If you've got travel insurance, you get your money back. So rebook later and collect the points then. If you don't have travel insurance, well, you rolled the dice and now have to pay the penalty. The 'penalty' is just that - a 'penalty'. You don't get a penalty AND a consolation prize (cruise points).

 

And people always say "it wouldn't cost the cruise line anything to give me...'. Maybe it wouldn't cost anything to give YOU whatever, but multiply that by the X number of guest sailing on 21 ships, 52 weeks a year, who have a reason to miss a cruise. It adds up.

[RoyalC]

It's a loyalty program for going on cruises, not a loyalty program for paying for cruises.

 

False, you have to pay and cruise to get the points. My parents booked and PAID for a cruise via travel agent once and the agent used her free cruise credit to book. My parents cruised and did not receive credit.

[tlatrice]

False, you have to pay and cruise to get the points. My parents booked and PAID for a cruise via travel agent once and the agent used her free cruise credit to book. My parents cruised and did not receive credit.

 

 

OK, then it's a loyalty program for paying AND cruising, not just paying.

[RoyalC]

If you've got such a serious medical emergency that you had to cancel a vacation that you've already paid for, I would think that '7 measly cruise points' would be the least of your concerns. If you've got travel insurance, you get your money back. So rebook later and collect the points then. If you don't have travel insurance, well, you rolled the dice and now have to pay the penalty. The 'penalty' is just that - a 'penalty'. You don't get a penalty AND a consolation prize (cruise points).

 

And people always say "it wouldn't cost the cruise line anything to give me...'. Maybe it wouldn't cost anything to give YOU whatever, but multiply that by the X number of guest sailing on 21 ships, 52 weeks a year, who have a reason to miss a cruise. It adds up.

 

Or you could argue that everyone pays and does not show up and RCI becomes the most profitable company in the world for doing nothing more than booking cruises/collecting money. Besides, they will try to re-sell your cabin that was paid in full- we could all play the game and give our money away and RCI could book ships two times over, making Wall Street very happy.

[S.A.M.J.R.]

False, you have to pay and cruise to get the points. My parents booked and PAID for a cruise via travel agent once and the agent used her free cruise credit to book. My parents cruised and did not receive credit.

I'm still confused by this. What do you mean the agent used her free cruise credit?

[RoyalC]

To answer your question, YES, they "should" continue with the current rules. YES, I feel it is "fair" to say you have to complete the cruise before you get your points. How is it "unfair"? :confused:

 

O.K., then how is it different from someone that goes on the cruise, vs. someone that does not- both paying 100% in full?

 

RCI has an expense per passenger when they sail- food, gas, maintenance, insurance, cleaning, salaries, etc. Much of that is saved when someone cannot travel. I understand the "policy" but I think it makes the "Crown & Anchor loyalty program" sound like an oxymoron.

[RoyalC]

I'm still confused by this. What do you mean the agent used her free cruise credit?

 

The agent had a free cruise from Royal Caribbean- perhaps from booking so many clients. She used those two free cruises and put my parents name on the cabin. My parents paid in full to the agency. After many phone calls to C & A, RCI finally said you did not receive credit because you did not pay for your cruise- but they did "sail."

[bouhunter]

People could book, cancel, get points and then get a full refund through insurance. Someone could theoretically be D or D+ without ever setting foot on a ship.

 

What an absurd, pathetic argument. Yeah, I'm sure people would risk a couple thousand dollars on a cruise, hoping that an insurance company would reimburse them, all to get 7 C&A points......:rolleyes:

 

I'm sure all the people who have said "it's the rules....." would feel the same way if their C&A points were devalued 50% tomorrow and they dropped from D or D+ to platinum..............:rolleyes:

 

Ur fighting a losing battle here RoyalC, arguing with people who not just love to cruise RCCL (which I do), but people who practically worship the corporate crown......

Edited February 19, 2014 by bouhunter

[Debde]

I just love these threads that state what the rules are!!;)

 

OP-you will read many threads here where rules are not followed and when new rules come up people go off on a tirade. Some immediately try to figure out how to beat the system or over ride that rule.

I was even told once, right here on CC a rule is only truly a rule if it is enforced. :confused:

 

With your case-I don't think you have a shot at that!!! Now if you want the rule changed you'll need to get fellow CCers here to rally with you as they have done on many different things. Start writing letters to the Mr. Goldstein and see where it gets you.

Personally, if you did not take out insurance and got nothing back in return, that is neither here nor there. If Royal gets to keep all of your money, 100% of a fully paid for stateroom, it sure would not be all that bad of an idea to dole out some points. Just sayin' :)

[Retired LEO]

The question was "should" they do this! Not "rules are "rules." I know what the rule is. Apparently you too never heard of the Mensa society.

There are people that agree with me too, but go on being a fanboy.

 

And the answer is "NO" they shouldn't.

[phoenix1181]

False, you have to pay and cruise to get the points. My parents booked and PAID for a cruise via travel agent once and the agent used her free cruise credit to book. My parents cruised and did not receive credit.

 

Your parents used a BAD travel agent!!

[Ken at the beach]

Simple - he/she didn't like the answers they got, and hoped if they repeated the question they'd get different answers! :D

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 via Tapatalk

 

It's just like calling RCI. Keep calling back till you get an answer you like.:D

[RoyalC]

What an absurd, pathetic argument. Yeah, I'm sure people would risk a couple thousand dollars on a cruise, hoping that an insurance company would reimburse them, all to get 7 C&A points......:rolleyes:

 

It is absurd. No way you can do this without getting very ill or injured. If you take out cancel for any reason insurance, you spend at least a few hundred on insurance, and only get 75% back on the vacation, for 7 cruise points! Only 73 points to go before Diamond! Yaaaa!!!!

 

p.s.- you are looking $100 per point, or $50 per point per person double occupancy.

What a deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LetsGetWet!]

The question was "should" they do this! Not "rules are "rules." I know what the rule is. Apparently you too never heard of the Mensa society.

There are people that agree with me too, but go on being a fanboy.

 

OK, I'll bite... Please explain to us how the Mensa society has anything to do with this whatsoever?? :rolleyes:

[S.A.M.J.R.]

O.K., then how is it different from someone that goes on the cruise, vs. someone that does not- both paying 100% in full?

 

RCI has an expense per passenger when they sail- food, gas, maintenance, insurance, cleaning, salaries, etc. Much of that is saved when someone cannot travel. I understand the "policy" but I think it makes the "Crown & Anchor loyalty program" sound like an oxymoron.

Gas, maintenance, insurance, and salaries aren't going to change if a handful of people don't cruise. Food MIGHT slightly change, but I doubt it. It's not like the food they had budgeted for on that trip can be used on a later trip.

 

As far as how it's different... one person went on the cruise, one person didn't. You can't get much simpler.

 

The agent had a free cruise from Royal Caribbean- perhaps from booking so many clients. She used those two free cruises and put my parents name on the cabin. My parents paid in full to the agency. After many phone calls to C & A, RCI finally said you did not receive credit because you did not pay for your cruise- but they did "sail."

And RCI followed their rules. If I had gotten a free cruise (either from winning the cruise, or earning it by getting points, or whatever), I wouldn't be entitled to the C&A points. Delta has the same rule for FF miles. If I use (earned) FF miles to pay for a flight, I don't collect more miles for that flight. Do I like it? No. But I still think it's "fair".

 

Personally, I think your (your parents) gripe should be with the agent. Unless she notified your parents what she was going to do, along with the ramifications, I think what she did was unethical.

 

As far as having to pay for the cruise, as I understand it, if I paid for my parents to go on a cruise, they would still get the C&A points. The issue with your parents is because the cruise was FREE.

[Oppalopa]

The agent had a free cruise from Royal Caribbean- perhaps from booking so many clients. She used those two free cruises and put my parents name on the cabin. My parents paid in full to the agency. After many phone calls to C & A, RCI finally said you did not receive credit because you did not pay for your cruise- but they did "sail."

Wow what a crocked agent your parents had. I agree with you regarding the points also.

[Langley Cruisers]

Simple - he/she didn't like the answers they got, and hoped if they repeated the question they'd get different answers! :D

 

Yeah, I considered that...

 

The question was "should" they do this! Not "rules are "rules."...

 

Your thread title is this (copy and pasted):

 

"Fair to not receive Crown & Anchor points?"

 

We answered you. Most of us say YES, it is fair. Sorry you are obviously going through something with RCI but I truly believe you know the answer.

[awhcruiser]

Nope...You must cruise to get the points.

So what do you think?

 

You pay in full for a cruise and are unable to go on the cruise

due to illness or injury. You must pay the 100% penalty because you are in the narrow cancellation window, should you at least receive your Crown & Anchor points for he sailing?

 

[travelplus]

So what do you think?

 

You pay in full for a cruise and are unable to go on the cruise

due to illness or injury. You must pay the 100% penalty because you are in the narrow cancellation window, should you at least receive your Crown & Anchor points for he sailing?

 

Seems to me if you pay in full, and have to cancel, you could at least get credit. It is not like they have to expend to wash your towels or feed you!

 

Sorry to say but this is fair. When I fly and if I had to cancel my flight and I paid in full the airlines don't give me miles for my trip. I may get miles for purchasing the trip with my Credit Card.

 

If you had insurance you would get all of your money back.

 

My point is the travel industry reward programs operate in this manner. If you think you need insurance then purchase it.

 

CSA Insurance allows you to buy insurance up until 48 hours before sailing at least this is what our travel agent is selling.

[Debde]

It's just like calling RCI. Keep calling back till you get an answer you like.:D

 

Yup!!! don't like what they have been told so call until they get someone who will let you do it!! I've often read that here.

 

OK, I'll bite...

I did. what do we have to loose!!:D:p

[Dajbman22]

On the one hand, it probably wouldn't be the worst financial decision for RCI to give the points as long as the cruise was paid in full, since even if they take a minor loss in larger rewards when the customer hits the next level faster, the customer retention/good PR would most likely be worth it. This is especially true if they are able to re-book the cabin (which they cannot always do, hence the policy of no partial refund after the date).

 

On the other hand, I think this speaks to the RCI (and all mass market cruiselines) business model. They price the fares to get you on the ship and into their closed market. Often times, the average base fare for a sailing is sold as a loss-leader. The assumption is that you will be spending money once on the ship. Sure there are a number of frugal cruisers out there who have an amazing time eating just in the MDRs/Windjammer, drinking iced tea and water, taking advantage of the included entertainment, and spend next to nothing on board. This is not the average mass market cruiser, though. The bread and butter of cruising is now the on-board (and pre-cruise) purchases like alcohol, specialty dining, shore excursions, casino, etc. Since the costs for moving, staffing, maintaining the ship (and to some degree the food) are fixed, paying just the base fare and even not showing up still on average would put the cruise line at a loss. If your cabin goes unfilled, that's an expected huge profit loss from onboard spending. This is the mentality behind not offering C&A points for paid but not-completed cruises. You may very well be an exception to the general trend in your cruising style and payment, but I can see where the company is coming from not rewarding a loss. Even if you happen to be one of those no-frill cruisers and get your points, you were at least subjected to the hard sell. Not being there means there was no chance for the line to break even/turn a profit on you.

[LetsGetWet!]

Yup!!! don't like what they have been told so call until they get someone who will let you do it!! I've often read that here.

 

 

I did. what do we have to loose!!:D:p

Exactly - and I'm hoping for an entertaining answer! :D

[nolesrule]

False, you have to pay and cruise to get the points. My parents booked and PAID for a cruise via travel agent once and the agent used her free cruise credit to book. My parents cruised and did not receive credit.

 

No, that was a TA pocketing your parents' money. Next time make sure that payment goes directly to the cruise line.

[Ocean Boy]

Simple - he/she didn't like the answers they got, and hoped if they repeated the question they'd get different answers! :D

 

Sent from my Galaxy S4 via Tapatalk

 

RCI's customer service staff has taught us well. Don't like the answer? Hang up and call back.;):p

[TC1957]

OK, then it's a loyalty program for paying AND cruising, not just paying.

 

Can't all guest in a cabin have a C&A Number? So if my daughter shares a cabin and I pay for all three on a 7 day cruise she would earn 7 C&A points...without paying a dime.