CAS perk question

[tel2]

Has anyone who has booked through CAS and sailed since the new promotion started in January noticed whether CAS offers any additional perks on board, even on an individualized basis, to gold and VIP players who already have gotten, through the promo, both the UDP and the UBP? Thru the promo, I'm already getting both perks, plus gratuities, so the drink card and the one or two comped specialty dinners are useless. And they had already eliminated the Cagneys perk. But I'm in a suite so I get that anyway, as well as the afternoon treats. So, is the spa credit and waiver of cash advance fee now it? Or are they picking up more in the way of excursions, etc to substitute something for the perks that are completely duplicative?

 

Terry

[hpecorari]

Has anyone who has booked through CAS and sailed since the new promotion started in January noticed whether CAS offers any additional perks on board, even on an individualized basis, to gold and VIP players who already have gotten, through the promo, both the UDP and the UBP? Thru the promo, I'm already getting both perks, plus gratuities, so the drink card and the one or two comped specialty dinners are useless. And they had already eliminated the Cagneys perk. But I'm in a suite so I get that anyway, as well as the afternoon treats. So, is the spa credit and waiver of cash advance fee now it? Or are they picking up more in the way of excursions, etc to substitute something for the perks that are completely duplicative?

 

Terry

 

They are all very good questions but I don't have an answer. I won't know until my June trip. However, I think I'll shoot off an e-mail to CAS. I'll report back when they reply.

 

Harriet

Edited March 13, 2015 by hpecorari

[tel2]

Harriet,

 

I sent an email to CAS and they got back to me with a link to the page that lists the perks. Very useful NOT. That is what prompted me to post. Maybe you will have better luck or a better connection there....

 

Terry

[hpecorari]

Harriet,

 

I sent an email to CAS and they got back to me with a link to the page that lists the perks. Very useful NOT. That is what prompted me to post. Maybe you will have better luck or a better connection there....

 

Terry

 

True, that link isn't much help with the UDP and UBP in play now...

not to mention those who are staying in suites.

 

I also asked them if they could share what, if anything, will change come April 1st.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

Terry,

This is the reply e-mail I got today from CAS:

 

"Hello Harriet,

 

Since the promotions that the company at large do have an expiration date, even when they overlap there will be no substitutes for casino guests. With Golden and VIP there are upgraded beverage choices that you can enjoy in the casino that you will not be able to enjoy outside of the casino. In a month or so, once the promotions end, the perks of the CAS Player’s club with have the full value. Also, the majority of the cabins booked on these promos are offered only one choice or even no choices in the case of inside cabins. With these bookings the Player perks will be more relevant.

 

While there may be overlap with some of the dinner perks, that is just one component of the entitlements. The spa credits, convenience fee waiver, VIP tender tickets and show reservations are all entitlements that can still be taken advantage of for Golden and above. In the next couple weeks we will be updating the website to reflect the new details of the program. Stay tuned for these updates."

 

Of course, we know with booking a Suite we get all three. Looks like they're not saying what will come/change come April 1st so we'll have to keep our eye out for whatever changes do happen via the website.

 

Harriet

[cruisingcasinos]

We were on the Getaway week of Feb 28th. I did Not have the UDP or UBP package. I was staying in an AFT PH suite so did have Suite perks. Both DH and I are platinum so we had 2 dinners at le bistro- we also received free dinner at Cagney's twice via CAS. I was Golden and made VIP mid way through. One night we were eating at Le Bistro on Latitudes- Platinum and we declined the "free" bottle of wine. We asked for 2 glasses of champagne to be covered and ordered a bottle of Jordan's cab -waiter and Host reminded us the jordan's would not be covered - we said - we don't care- Much to our surprise everything was comped by the casino when we asked for our check even though our reservations were from Latitudes! We did this twice!! So we were treated extremely nice by CAS.

I was also witness to a Casino Host stopping by a neighbor on the slot machines and asking her if they could comp her dinner. She politely declined saying she was already UDP and UBP. Afterwards- I told her she should have asked about a "decent" bottle of wine. I have learned it never hurts to ask. Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes Not. This past trip I was Extremely Lucky- I hit 2 jackpots- one for 2400 and the other for 1500!! Needless to say, It was a GREAT Trip. Between free OBC and CAS, our bill at the end was 20.00 for Deal or No Deal!! :D (Oh BTW- we ate Every night at a Specialty restaurant! We also prepaid our gratuities) So our out of pocket expenses were our gambling and our cash tips.

Of course, we all know, I paid in a different form (at the slots ;)) But no matter where I vacation I would spend that! I am a true Believer with NCL CAS! I will have to see how CAS takes care of us next March when we travel on Escape with UDP and UBP included.

Edited March 17, 2015 by cruisingcasinos

[hpecorari]

We were on the Getaway week of Feb 28th. I did Not have the UDP or UBP package. I was staying in an AFT PH suite so did have Suite perks. Both DH and I are platinum so we had 2 dinners at le bistro- we also received free dinner at Cagney's twice via CAS. I was Golden and made VIP mid way through. One night we were eating at Le Bistro on Latitudes- Platinum and we declined the "free" bottle of wine. We asked for 2 glasses of champagne to be covered and ordered a bottle of Jordan's cab -waiter and Host reminded us the jordan's would not be covered - we said - we don't care- Much to our surprise everything was comped by the casino when we asked for our check even though our reservations were from Latitudes! We did this twice!! So we were treated extremely nice by CAS.

I was also witness to a Casino Host stopping by a neighbor on the slot machines and asking her if they could comp her dinner. She politely declined saying she was already UDP and UBP. Afterwards- I told her she should have asked about a "decent" bottle of wine. I have learned it never hurts to ask. Sometimes you are lucky and sometimes Not. This past trip I was Extremely Lucky- I hit 2 jackpots- one for 2400 and the other for 1500!! Needless to say, It was a GREAT Trip. Between free OBC and CAS, our bill at the end was 20.00 for Deal or No Deal!! :D (Oh BTW- we ate Every night at a Specialty restaurant! We also prepaid our gratuities) So our out of pocket expenses were our gambling and our cash tips.

Of course, we all know, I paid in a different form (at the slots ;)) But no matter where I vacation I would spend that! I am a true Believer with NCL CAS! I will have to see how CAS takes care of us next March when we travel on Escape with UDP and UBP included.

 

I never had a problem with CAS......and I've been VIP for two years now. They have always been more than accommodating. I, also, wonder what or how things will change when I have the UBP and UDP. I also wonder what will change come April 1st.

 

Harriet

[tel2]

Thanks Harriet for the update. The comment about the promotion ending is rather stupid. The ability to get the promotion might end, but thousands of people who booked during the promotion period will be sailing well into 2016.

 

I wish they would offer a menu of choices, just like the current promotion does, so one could choose perks that might have some value to them.... There are lots of things that would not be very costly that at least might make people feel like they are getting some special treatment, i.e., a free photo or two, a free bag of laundry, free passes to posh or vibe, free behind the scenes ship tour are a few that come to mind.

 

Cannot wait to see what they do in April. Have the feeling it will not be an upgrade. Glad I booked a suite on next two.....

 

Terry

[CRAustin]

I just got back Sunday from the Epic and made Golden for the 2nd year. I have a suite booked for next year on the Escape. I have a aft minisuite booked to Alaska for July. I called my CAS contact when I got back to add 2 reward certificates to the payments. I also asked if my recent play would give me a better comp room on the Alaska cruise - it did, so now all I pay is taxes and port fees for MS Aft Balcony! Saved us $400.

 

While on the Epic, since I was already in a spa room I asked if I could use the benefit towards the Cagney Dinner for 2 and make it for 5 comped by CAS with 2 bottles of wine, they said yes! I have also in the past used that 2 day spa pass towards the price of a weekly pass and cut the cost by 90 dollars. I also was approached by a host and offered another comped dinner, this time I just asked for 2 to LeBistro. If you don't want wine each person dining can get two free drinks. I used all my freeplay and then went and asked for cash back towards my charges, they gave me $250. They seemed to have stepped it up a bit. When I go next year and have all the perks, dining, drinks, spa. I will ask them for champagne (decent bottle or bottles). Can't hurt to ask but I wouldn't ask until I'm on the ship.

 

Between CAS and Platnium I'm loaded up every night with goodies and always have 1 or 2 bottles of champagne also.

 

Remember to always call after a cruise and see if you have earned any additional upgrades based on your play! You can't get all the perks if you book on a comp - that is why I used my 7* tier discount to get all the UDP,UBP,OBC, and gratituities. It worked out better than paying the upgrade and just getting one perk from this months offer.

[tel2]

CR Austin

 

Confused about your statement that you cannot get the perks when you book a comped room. Perhaps they just changed it, but I certainly did -- but maybe it was because I did a tiny upgrade???? I am sure I have made a big pain of myself....but it was sure worth it. I called in December to book a Med cruise for April 2016 on the Epic and I priced out both a Penthouse Haven located suite and a Penthouse aft suite under our 7 Stars discount, a Harrahs certificate we had, and what CAS could give me outright. CAS told me they could fully comp us outright on either the aft or Haven suite, but because the price for the 2 bedroom suite was actually lower than the price for the Penthouse, that they could upgrade me to the 2 bedroom for a total of a couple of hundred dollars (not each, total). So we booked the 2 bedroom via CAS. Then, when the first promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the then current promotion (UBP, UDP and OBC). Then, when they added 3-8 sail free, I called and added my sister-in-law for port taxes only etc. She got the soda package and the UDP. No booze, but she will get the CAS drink card. Then, when the most recent promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the gratuities for the first two guests paid as well. So, it was a MUCH better deal than I could have gotten using my 7 Stars discount. Are you saying you can no longer get perks with a comp? That would be disappointing. Or are you saying that have to upgrade from the comp they offer to get the perks? If the latter, it is still worth pricing it out under the various scenarios. This was an amazing deal that would have cost me literally thousands more using 7 Stars discount or my 7 STars annual cruise certificate.

 

Terry

[hpecorari]

Thanks Harriet for the update. The comment about the promotion ending is rather stupid. The ability to get the promotion might end, but thousands of people who booked during the promotion period will be sailing well into 2016.

 

I wish they would offer a menu of choices, just like the current promotion does, so one could choose perks that might have some value to them.... There are lots of things that would not be very costly that at least might make people feel like they are getting some special treatment, i.e., a free photo or two, a free bag of laundry, free passes to posh or vibe, free behind the scenes ship tour are a few that come to mind.

 

Cannot wait to see what they do in April. Have the feeling it will not be an upgrade. Glad I booked a suite on next two.....

 

Terry

 

I agree and don't think it will be an upgrade. How can it be when they've already 'downgraded'. I, also, am glad I booked a suite on my on cruise # 2 and 3. My cruise, however, in June is an Aft Mini.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

You can't get all the perks if you book on a comp - that is why I used my 7* tier discount to get all the UDP,UBP,OBC, and gratituities. It worked out better than paying the upgrade and just getting one perk from this months offer.

 

You can get all the perks on a comped cruise from CAS. However, if all they will comp you for is an inside you can only get the comps that come with the inside even if you upgrade to a suite. Basically, you get the comps for the cabin you're eligible for that CAS comps you. You can upgrade at anytime but you won't get the comps for the upgraded room only for the original room CAS comps you for.

 

Harriet

[hpecorari]

CR Austin

 

Confused about your statement that you cannot get the perks when you book a comped room. Perhaps they just changed it, but I certainly did -- but maybe it was because I did a tiny upgrade???? I am sure I have made a big pain of myself....but it was sure worth it. I called in December to book a Med cruise for April 2016 on the Epic and I priced out both a Penthouse Haven located suite and a Penthouse aft suite under our 7 Stars discount, a Harrahs certificate we had, and what CAS could give me outright. CAS told me they could fully comp us outright on either the aft or Haven suite, but because the price for the 2 bedroom suite was actually lower than the price for the Penthouse, that they could upgrade me to the 2 bedroom for a total of a couple of hundred dollars (not each, total). So we booked the 2 bedroom via CAS. Then, when the first promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the then current promotion (UBP, UDP and OBC). Then, when they added 3-8 sail free, I called and added my sister-in-law for port taxes only etc. She got the soda package and the UDP. No booze, but she will get the CAS drink card. Then, when the most recent promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the gratuities for the first two guests paid as well. So, it was a MUCH better deal than I could have gotten using my 7 Stars discount. Are you saying you can no longer get perks with a comp? That would be disappointing. Or are you saying that have to upgrade from the comp they offer to get the perks? If the latter, it is still worth pricing it out under the various scenarios. This was an amazing deal that would have cost me literally thousands more using 7 Stars discount or my 7 STars annual cruise certificate.

 

Terry

 

Terry,

I think that's because you went from a comped suite to an upgraded suite. You still were in a suite. If CAS comped you a mini suite, for instance, and you upgraded to a suite, Haven or otherwise, you'd have only been able to get the comps for the mini suite. You, otoh, went from a comped suite to another suite.....staying in the suite irregardless of what suite. Make sense?

 

Harriet

[tel2]

Ahhh. Thanks Harriet. I got them because I upgraded from a comped suite to a bigger comped suite. But now that you said that, I recall having only gotten perks for a balcony or mini before even when I upgraded to a suite. Now I understand.

 

This is actually the first time I got a full suite comp. I usually get a balcony or mini. My husband commented that it can only mean I am spending and losing much more than I admit to. LOL! He is correct.

 

Terry

Edited March 18, 2015 by tel2

[hpecorari]

This is actually the first time I got a full suite comp. I usually get a balcony or mini. My husband commented that it can only mean I am spending and losing much more than I admit to. LOL! He is correct.

 

Terry

 

Yes, I have two comps for an H9 or an SE if there is no H9 that must be booked by April 5th and used by April 2016. And my husband agrees with your husband! LOL

 

Now, a bit off topic and I don't remember if I ever asked you this before or not....but where in the Phila area are you? I'm around Glen Mills, PA

 

Harriet

[tel2]

Harriet

 

Practically neighbors. Drexel Hill. Work in Philly. Ever go to Chester Harrahs?

 

Terry

[hpecorari]

Harriet

 

Practically neighbors. Drexel Hill. Work in Philly. Ever go to Chester Harrahs?

 

Terry

 

Is that really a question? LOL

 

Oh, and it's now called, Philadelphia Harrahs! LOL

 

Harriet

[tel2]

Harriet,

 

When I have to drive by the prison towers and see guards with rifles on my way into the parking garage, it is still Chester no matter what they call it......

[hpecorari]

Harriet,

 

When I have to drive by the prison towers and see guards with rifles on my way into the parking garage, it is still Chester no matter what they call it......

 

Agree and very true. I believe that's why they changed the name to 'Philadelphia' instead of 'Chester'. LOL

 

Harriet

[CRAustin]

CR Austin

 

Confused about your statement that you cannot get the perks when you book a comped room. Perhaps they just changed it, but I certainly did -- but maybe it was because I did a tiny upgrade???? I am sure I have made a big pain of myself....but it was sure worth it. I called in December to book a Med cruise for April 2016 on the Epic and I priced out both a Penthouse Haven located suite and a Penthouse aft suite under our 7 Stars discount, a Harrahs certificate we had, and what CAS could give me outright. CAS told me they could fully comp us outright on either the aft or Haven suite, but because the price for the 2 bedroom suite was actually lower than the price for the Penthouse, that they could upgrade me to the 2 bedroom for a total of a couple of hundred dollars (not each, total). So we booked the 2 bedroom via CAS. Then, when the first promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the then current promotion (UBP, UDP and OBC). Then, when they added 3-8 sail free, I called and added my sister-in-law for port taxes only etc. She got the soda package and the UDP. No booze, but she will get the CAS drink card. Then, when the most recent promotion came out, I called and they re-booked me with the gratuities for the first two guests paid as well. So, it was a MUCH better deal than I could have gotten using my 7 Stars discount. Are you saying you can no longer get perks with a comp? That would be disappointing. Or are you saying that have to upgrade from the comp they offer to get the perks? If the latter, it is still worth pricing it out under the various scenarios. This was an amazing deal that would have cost me literally thousands more using 7 Stars discount or my 7 STars annual cruise certificate.

 

Terry

 

Terry - My comp through CAS was a balcony when I called to book a Haven Spa Suite. I was told if I paid the upgrade fee and used the CAS comp I was only entitled to the offer based on the Comp which was balcony. Only way I could get all of the perks and not just one which would have been based on a balcony, was to use my 7* tier instead of the CAS comp. Price difference was 3700 CAS Comp but only receive 1 perk, i.e. UBP or 3900 get all 4 (no brainer cause of the 300) through 7* tier. So in your case your original comp was a suite or better so I don't think it mattered but for lower comped players it does.