Matching your Status from another line

[JSnow789]

Will MSC give you matching status in their frequent cruise club if you can show your super duper status on another line? At least as a one time so you can try it out on your first cruise?

[Skier52]

Will MSC give you matching status in their frequent cruise club if you can show your super duper status on another line? At least as a one time so you can try it out on your first cruise?

As they are a family owned independant business with no ties to any other group of cruise lines the short answer is No.

 

I'm afraid you'll have to earn your super duper BLACK CARD status just as the rest of us have to. Saying that progress through th first 3 grades (Classic; Silver; Gold) is fairly quick as you earn points for onboard spend as well as nights on the ship.

 

There are rumours that they are going to introduce an even more super duper status (Platinum??) in the not to distant future

 

 

 

Pete

 

 

and Yes I've got a BLACK card

Edited August 18, 2014 by Skier52

[JSnow789]

You never get anything without asking. And I've had it happen in the past. :)

[alexkrn46]

which cruiselines match Statius!

[JSnow789]

HAL did it for me... But it was only for one cruise.

[sidari]

Princess and P and O used to do that but no longer despite having the same parent company, RCI and Celebrity still do being the same company, cannot understand why all the Carnival brands are not allowed to do it.

[GOLDENBONNY]

Will MSC give you matching status in their frequent cruise club if you can show your super duper status on another line? At least as a one time so you can try it out on your first cruise?

 

No. why would they do so? :confused: Would Royal much MSC status ? I cannot think of line who would do so.

[FLAMOM24]

As they are a family owned independant business with no ties to any other group of cruise lines the short answer is No.

 

I'm afraid you'll have to earn your super duper BLACK CARD status just as the rest of us have to. Saying that progress through th first 3 grades (Classic; Silver; Gold) is fairly quick as you earn points for onboard spend as well as nights on the ship.

 

There are rumours that they are going to introduce an even more super duper status (Platinum??) in the not to distant future

 

 

 

Pete

and Yes I've got a BLACK card

 

Hi Pete,

I've been following along with your posts on CC and you always have such great info. I signed up for the MSC Club but I am curious how it works exactly. I've been holding off booking/paying for anything until I'm onboard. From what I've read, you get points added to your card that way but not if you prebook. This is my first sailing...what would you recommend doing? Will I even earn points this go 'round?

TIA,

Michelle

[Mikesa1721]

Hi Pete,

I've been following along with your posts on CC and you always have such great info. I signed up for the MSC Club but I am curious how it works exactly. I've been holding off booking/paying for anything until I'm onboard. From what I've read, you get points added to your card that way but not if you prebook. This is my first sailing...what would you recommend doing? Will I even earn points this go 'round?

TIA,

Michelle

 

Michelle,,we signed up for the MSC Club prior to our 3 day sailing back in May and were awarded 2 points for the nights we spent at sea as well as the points for the money we spent onboard. You will definitely earn your points after your first sailing,,they just take a few weeks to show up. Currently the only way to check to be sure your points are awarded correctly is to call MSC directly, and keep your final invoice just in case you need to dispute a point discrepancy regarding your onboard spending.

Edited August 20, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[FLAMOM24]

Michelle,,we signed up for the MSC Club prior to our 3 day sailing back in May and were awarded 2 points for the nights we spent at sea as well as the points for the money we spent onboard. You will definitely earn your points after your first sailing,,they just take a few weeks to show up. Currently the only way to check to be sure your points are awarded correctly is to call MSC directly, and keep your final invoice just in case you need to dispute a point discrepancy regarding your onboard spending.

 

Thanks, Mike! I'm almost as excited for your cruise as I am mine ;)

I signed up online....so I should expect (hope for) 1 pt for each night and points for spending on board? Do you know how they figure or award the points per dollar spent?

Edited August 20, 2014 by FLAMOM24

[Mikesa1721]

Thanks, Mike! I'm almost as excited for your cruise as I am mine ;)

I signed up online....so I should expect (hope for) 1 pt for each night and points for spending on board? Do you know how the figure or award the points per dollar spent?

 

That's correct Michelle. You'll receive 7 points for the nights at sea,,plus one point for every $200.00 spent onboard. :D Forgot to mention,,the points for onboard spending will be awarded to the account of whomever's credit card is on file when you check in at the terminal, so be sure to use your cc if you want the points added to your account.

Edited August 20, 2014 by Mikesa1721

[FLAMOM24]

That's correct Michelle. You'll receive 7 points for the nights at sea,,plus one point for every $200.00 spent onboard. :D Forgot to mention,,the points for onboard spending will be awarded to the account of whomever's credit card is on file when you check in at the terminal, so be sure to use your cc if you want the points added to your account.

 

Just the info I was wanting. Thank you, Mike! :)

[Mikesa1721]

Just the info I was wanting. Thank you, Mike! :)

 

You're welcome Michelle!!! Single digit dance for you today I see!!!!

[Skier52]

Hi Pete,

I've been following along with your posts on CC and you always have such great info. I signed up for the MSC Club but I am curious how it works exactly. I've been holding off booking/paying for anything until I'm onboard. From what I've read, you get points added to your card that way but not if you prebook. This is my first sailing...what would you recommend doing? Will I even earn points this go 'round?

TIA,

Michelle

 

Hi Michelle

 

You get 1 point for every night spent on board and 1 point for each multiple of $200 on board spend. You will get the points "this go around" appplied to your account after the cruise. You'll need to check on the MSC Club web site that the points have ben credited to you ( that can take a few weeks), so keep a copy of your final account in case you have to contact MSC to get them apllied

 

Pre-booked , but not pre-paid, via the web site, things such as drinks packs excursions etc will be added to your account and count towards the "spend" total.

 

The daily service charge will also count towads the "spend".

 

I would suggest that on the penultimate day you ask for a print out of your account and see if a small extra spend will trigger another multiple of the $200 and earn another point. Remember to allow for the service charge that gets added daily as there may one or possibly two outstanding.

 

The points are credited to the person who registers their card for the onboard account. it is possible for each person in a cabin to register their own card for their own onboard spend.

 

If you are a couple it is worth putting all the spend on one card as the discount applies to the cabin booking and is given to all the occupants on that booking.

So if one person is Gold and their partner is Silver the 10% Gold discount applies to both people.

 

 

The levels are

Classic:- 1 -21 points

Silver:- 22 - 42 points

Gold:- 43 - 99 poimts

Black:- 100 points and above

 

 

 

THe current benefits are shown here.

 

The big benefit of course is the discount on future cruises. this discount is applied to the price you see for the cruise and not the brochure price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

Edited August 20, 2014 by Skier52

[mikesteg]

That's correct Michelle. You'll receive 7 points for the nights at sea,,plus one point for every $200.00 spent onboard. :D Forgot to mention,,the points for onboard spending will be awarded to the account of whomever's credit card is on file when you check in at the terminal, so be sure to use your cc if you want the points added to your account.

 

The points are credited to the person who registers their card for the onboard account. it is possible for each person in a cabin to register their own card for their own onboard spend.

 

 

That is an excellent tip. Thank you both. I would assume that the points go to the person who's name is given with the card, not the person who the credit card company considers to be primary, right? I wouldn't think MSC has visibility to who actually owns the account.

 

It sounds as if you cannot see the points, or even current status level, on the website?

 

~~~

 

In regards to the original question: airlines and hotel chains will match status in order to win your business. However, they generally attach some major criteria to keeping the status. The cruise industry is different in that most people take 1 or 2 cruises a year (or achieve elite status very quickly). It would be too easy to game the system for one cruise on a given line.

 

Also, cruise line status does not (currently) require renewal or periodic patronage to maintain. The airlines, along with their 'earned' elites, might get screwed in the short term, but the matched status will disappear at some point unless truly earned. The cruise lines could wind up with a ton of people with permanent status across the board, and no way to accommodate without watering down the perks.

[Mikesa1721]

That is an excellent tip. Thank you both. I would assume that the points go to the person who's name is given with the card, not the person who the credit card company considers to be primary, right? I wouldn't think MSC has visibility to who actually owns the account.

 

It sounds as if you cannot see the points, or even current status level, on the website?

 

~~~

 

In regards to the original question: airlines and hotel chains will match status in order to win your business. However, they generally attach some major criteria to keeping the status. The cruise industry is different in that most people take 1 or 2 cruises a year (or achieve elite status very quickly). It would be too easy to game the system for one cruise on a given line.

 

Also, cruise line status does not (currently) require renewal or periodic patronage to maintain. The airlines, along with their 'earned' elites, might get screwed in the short term, but the matched status will disappear at some point unless truly earned. The cruise lines could wind up with a ton of people with permanent status across the board, and no way to accommodate without watering down the perks.

 

Correct Mikesteg,,here in the states, you would have to call MSC directly to get your current membership level and point information. One day,,hopefully soon, they will change this!!

[Skier52]

That is an excellent tip. Thank you both. I would assume that the points go to the person who's name is given with the card, not the person who the credit card company considers to be primary, right? I wouldn't think MSC has visibility to who actually owns the account.

 

It sounds as if you cannot see the points, or even current status level, on the website?

 

~~~

 

In regards to the original question: airlines and hotel chains will match status in order to win your business. However, they generally attach some major criteria to keeping the status. The cruise industry is different in that most people take 1 or 2 cruises a year (or achieve elite status very quickly). It would be too easy to game the system for one cruise on a given line.

 

Also, cruise line status does not (currently) require renewal or periodic patronage to maintain. The airlines, along with their 'earned' elites, might get screwed in the short term, but the matched status will disappear at some point unless truly earned. The cruise lines could wind up with a ton of people with permanent status across the board, and no way to accommodate without watering down the perks.

You present the card. you sign the authority for payment slip (at time of embarkation). you get the points.

 

You get the points however you pay, CC or Cash, its onboard spend that gets the points not use of a CC.

 

Pete

[JSnow789]

~~~

 

In regards to the original question: airlines and hotel chains will match status in order to win your business. However, they generally attach some major criteria to keeping the status. The cruise industry is different in that most people take 1 or 2 cruises a year (or achieve elite status very quickly). It would be too easy to game the system for one cruise on a given line.

 

Also, cruise line status does not (currently) require renewal or periodic patronage to maintain. The airlines, along with their 'earned' elites, might get screwed in the short term, but the matched status will disappear at some point unless truly earned. The cruise lines could wind up with a ton of people with permanent status across the board, and no way to accommodate without watering down the perks.

 

 

Excellent Point! :)

[FLAMOM24]

You're welcome Michelle!!! Single digit dance for you today I see!!!!

 

I didn't even realize until you mentioned it. WOOHOO!!!! :)

[FLAMOM24]

Hi Michelle

 

You get 1 point for every night spent on board and 1 point for each multiple of $200 on board spend. You will get the points "this go around" appplied to your account after the cruise. You'll need to check on the MSC Club web site that the points have ben credited to you ( that can take a few weeks), so keep a copy of your final account in case you have to contact MSC to get them apllied

 

Pre-booked , but not pre-paid, via the web site, things such as drinks packs excursions etc will be added to your account and count towards the "spend" total.

 

The daily service charge will also count towads the "spend".

 

I would suggest that on the penultimate day you ask for a print out of your account and see if a small extra spend will trigger another multiple of the $200 and earn another point. Remember to allow for the service charge that gets added daily as there may one or possibly two outstanding.

 

The points are credited to the person who registers their card for the onboard account. it is possible for each person in a cabin to register their own card for their own onboard spend.

 

If you are a couple it is worth putting all the spend on one card as the discount applies to the cabin booking and is given to all the occupants on that booking.

So if one person is Gold and their partner is Silver the 10% Gold discount applies to both people.

 

 

The levels are

Classic:- 1 -21 points

Silver:- 22 - 42 points

Gold:- 43 - 99 poimts

Black:- 100 points and above

 

 

 

THe current benefits are shown here.

 

The big benefit of course is the discount on future cruises. this discount is applied to the price you see for the cruise and not the brochure price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete

 

 

Thanks, Pete! I knew you'd have a great answer! Too bad they don't give double points/day for booking the YC ;)

[GOLDENBONNY]

Correct Mikesteg,,here in the states, you would have to call MSC directly to get your current membership level and point information. One day,,hopefully soon, they will change this!!

 

 

I can see it on web .

[mikesteg]

I can see it on web .

 

Thanks. Where do you see it? When I click "dashboard", the site blinks/updates/reloads/whatever, but the actual content doesn't change in the end. None of the other links show me much of interest either.

 

~~~

 

Separately, I don't think anybody else has noted in this thread that "casino purchases" are not included in the 1 point per $200 calculation. Not a factor for me, but those who drop 1000s in the casino could get surprised.

 

OTOH, very nice that drink packages and excursions do count as long as they go against the onboard folio.

[Skier52]

Thanks. Where do you see it? When I click "dashboard", the site blinks/updates/reloads/whatever, but the actual content doesn't change in the end. None of the other links show me much of interest either.

 

~~~

 

Separately, I don't think anybody else has noted in this thread that "casino purchases" are not included in the 1 point per $200 calculation. Not a factor for me, but those who drop 1000s in the casino could get surprised.

 

OTOH, very nice that drink packages and excursions do count as long as they go against the onboard folio.

 

You're absolutely correct,

 

Here's the wording from the T&Cs

 

 

2. MSC CLUB POINTS SYSTEM

2.1 Gaining points for previous cruises (points for nights and on-board spending): When registration for the loyalty programme is confirmed, the points for nights and on-board spending pertaining to the new member’s most recent cruise (taken prior to registration for the programme) will be added to his or her MSC Club card. If a passenger has taken more than one cruise before registering for the MSC Club, points for nights and on-board spending pertaining to earlier cruises cannot be requested or obtained (only the points for nights and on-board spending pertaining to the most recent cruise will be recognised).

 

2.2 You will gain 1 point for every night actually spent on board an MSC Cruises ship and 1 point for every 200 euros/dollars spent on board (excluding casino expenses). Applicable for cruises beginning on or after 15 October 2008.

 

 

 

Pete

Edited August 21, 2014 by Skier52

[Skier52]

 

OTOH, very nice that drink packages and excursions do count as long as they go against the onboard folio.

Under the New "EXPERIENCES" system some of the experiences include a drinks package in the price:- eg Aurea includes the Allegrissimo, some suites only come with that package and you can't have a lesser package. So some of the "bigger" spenders, based on the cruise cost, are penalised on that basis.

 

Only drinks packages and excursions that are pre-booked and NOT pre-paid count

 

 

Pete

Edited August 21, 2014 by Skier52