Interline booking deposits

[hapster85]

Emailed my agent yesterday about a quote for a 2019 sailing, and the response I got today stated that the deposit would be non-refundable. I'm waiting for clarification as to that being the only option. Anyone else that books interline being told this?

 

If it is, fine. I'll just have to wait until December to book.

Edited August 10, 2017 by Host Clarea

[Jana]

Emailed my agent yesterday about a quote for a 2019 sailing, and the response I got today stated that the deposit would be non-refundable. I'm waiting for clarification as to that being the only option. Anyone else that books interline being told this?

If it is, fine. I'll just have to wait until December to book.

 

I can see it; the non-refundable deposit lowers the cost and then they'd take the interline discount from that.

 

It could be just your agency. We can't name agencies here but is it the biggest one that starts with a P? Do they give you extras that are important to you? You might call the cruise line itself, I've gotten interline rates directly in the past, but usually much closer to sail date.

 

Good luck!

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[hapster85]

I can see it; the non-refundable deposit lowers the cost and then they'd take the interline discount from that.

 

It could be just your agency. We can't name agencies here but is it the biggest one that starts with a P? Do they give you extras that are important to you? You might call the cruise line itself, I've gotten interline rates directly in the past, but usually much closer to sail date.

 

Good luck!

.

That's interesting. I always thought you had to go through an agency to get interline rates. I'd thought about calling to ask about the deposit policy, but figured that would fall into the trap of each rep having a different answer. May still call, depending on what I hear back from the agent.

 

I'd pull the trigger and book it anyway, but as sure as I do, the school district will break a 20+ year pattern of having spring break the first week of April. Which is exactly what happened when I booked a 2016 fall break cruise. I booked in September 2015, December came, and the next year's calendar had fall break a week later then usual.

[Clarea]

Emailed my agent yesterday about a quote for a 2019 sailing, and the response I got today stated that the deposit would be non-refundable. I'm waiting for clarification as to that being the only option. Anyone else that books interline being told this?

 

If it is, fine. I'll just have to wait until December to book.

 

Are you booking a GS or better? Suite bookings have non-refundable deposits now.

[nelblu]

Not to embarrass myself, but what is an interline discount?

[hapster85]

Are you booking a GS or better? Suite bookings have non-refundable deposits now.

Regular balcony, which was why I was surprised by the quote. Hopefully just a misunderstanding somewhere.

[Clarea]

Not to embarrass myself, but what is an interline discount?

Special rates for travel agent's personal use.

[AdGuyMG]

Not to embarrass myself, but what is an interline discount?

Special rates for travel agent's personal use.

It's special reduced cruise fare pricing for: 1) Current airline employees with flight benefits of either a domestic or international commercial passenger airline. 2. Current employees of Federal Express (FEDEX), Astar Air Cargo (formerly DHL Airways), or United Parcel Service (UPS)

 

Travel agents can cruise RC at other reduced rates available to them thru a few other TA discount programs, but not Interline.

[Clarea]

It's special reduced cruise fare pricing for: 1) Current airline employees with flight benefits of either a domestic or international commercial passenger airline. 2. Current employees of Federal Express (FEDEX), Astar Air Cargo (formerly DHL Airways), or United Parcel Service (UPS)

 

Travel agents can cruise RC at other reduced rates available to them thru a few other TA discount programs, but not Interline.

Thanks for the clarification.

[Biotcruisers]

It's special reduced cruise fare pricing for: 1) Current airline employees with flight benefits of either a domestic or international commercial passenger airline. 2. Current employees of Federal Express (FEDEX), Astar Air Cargo (formerly DHL Airways), or United Parcel Service (UPS)

 

Travel agents can cruise RC at other reduced rates available to them thru a few other TA discount programs, but not Interline.

It also applies to retired airline employees with flight benefits and also GDSs.

 

Cheers

Steve

 

P.S. For completeness just to clarify that eligibility differs depending on the cruise line. It is not the Interline Agency decision.

Edited August 10, 2017 by Biotcruisers
Clarification

[AdGuyMG]

It also applies to retired airline employees with flight benefits and also GDSs.

 

Cheers

Steve

 

P.S. For completeness just to clarify that eligibility differs depending on the cruise line. It is not the Interline Agency decision.

 

That is correct. On Royal it also allows for retired airline employees as well as GDS (Sabre, Worldspan, Galileo/Apollo, or Amadeus).

 

Yet on Carnival Interline rates are extended to the above PLUS employees of Amtrak, and the FAA.

[hapster85]

Heard back from my agent: "There is only one interline promotion on this sailing and it is non refundable."

 

So that answers that. If I still like the rates in December, I'll book then, when I'm sure of which week my wife will be off.

 

Current interline rate is $600 less than the regular, refundable deposit rate. Definitely worth the wait.

Edited August 10, 2017 by hapster85

[papaflamingo]

I've booked Interline many times. Never non-refundable. What cruise? I'd be interested if this is a new change.

[AdGuyMG]

I've booked Interline many times. Never non-refundable. What cruise? I'd be interested if this is a new change.

 

Probably changed on July 1st to bring it in line with the NR Deposits for bookings at the other standard and promotional fares.

[hapster85]

I've booked Interline many times. Never non-refundable. What cruise? I'd be interested if this is a new change.

 

March 31, 2019 sailing of Freedom out of San Juan.

 

Probably changed on July 1st to bring it in line with the NR Deposits for bookings at the other standard and promotional fares.

 

That would be my guess as well. I hadn't seen interline specifically mentioned in anything that's been posted previously, nor did I see it on the general FAQ Royal put out to agents regarding new deposit rules. I'm sure it's published somewhere. Makes sense that the changes affected the interline program.

[ILCTCRUISER]

Thanks for the clarification.

At one time, RCCL did have an interline desk. It was hit or miss. Interline rates typically weren't offered on those cruises RCCL knew would book easily.

 

I can't remember how long ago it was, but I called the phone number for the desk and I was told interline rates were only offered through the interline agencies.

[ILCTCRUISER]

I've booked Interline many times. Never non-refundable. What cruise? I'd be interested if this is a new change.

 

On the interline sites I check out, they added a new item for the filter: Show nonrefundable fares. You can assume this was added roughly the same time NR fares were created.

[hapster85]

On the interline sites I check out, they added a new item for the filter: Show nonrefundable fares. You can assume this was added roughly the same time NR fares were created.

The one I used needs to update their site to reflect the changes. At least my agent informed me before booking.

[Jana]

The one I used needs to update their site to reflect the changes. At least my agent informed me before booking.

 

Do you use the one I referenced?

 

By the way, some cruise lines also allow family and friends to get the same rate, in a separate cabin, as long as the interline-qualified guest is sailing.

 

And also by the way, travel agents generally get MUCH better rates than interline.

 

I'm just shocked that you can even be quoted an interline rate this far in advance; they usually aren't released until three months out!

 

jj

.

[hapster85]

Do you use the one I referenced?

 

By the way, some cruise lines also allow family and friends to get the same rate, in a separate cabin, as long as the interline-qualified guest is sailing.

 

And also by the way, travel agents generally get MUCH better rates than interline.

 

I'm just shocked that you can even be quoted an interline rate this far in advance; they usually aren't released until three months out!

 

jj

.

 

Yes, I know friends and family can accompany.

 

I can't speak to who has what rates when, but for the cruise in question, it was $200 less via the agency, than direct with Royal, apples-to-apples. Not as significant as when I thought it would be a refundable rate ($600), but still a good savings.

[Hey Tina]

Do you use the one I referenced?

 

By the way, some cruise lines also allow family and friends to get the same rate, in a separate cabin, as long as the interline-qualified guest is sailing.

 

And also by the way, travel agents generally get MUCH better rates than interline.

 

I'm just shocked that you can even be quoted an interline rate this far in advance; they usually aren't released until three months out!

 

jj

.

 

MSC offers a 10% interline discount which was almost $500 off my discounted TA price (so actually more than 10%) on my latest sailing for June 2018.

[Jana]

MSC offers a 10% interline discount which was almost $500 off my discounted TA price (so actually more than 10%) on my latest sailing for June 2018.

 

WOW! GO MSC! You got an interline rate on your agent discount??? That's just AWESOME!

 

I can get interline discounts direct from most lines (why would they choose to pay an agency if they don't have to?) but I haven't tried RCCL yet because I get really good casino rates.

 

jj

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[blondie from arizona]

Do you use the one I referenced?

 

By the way, some cruise lines also allow family and friends to get the same rate, in a separate cabin, as long as the interline-qualified guest is sailing.

 

And also by the way, travel agents generally get MUCH better rates than interline.

 

I'm just shocked that you can even be quoted an interline rate this far in advance; they usually aren't released until three months out!

 

jj

.

 

Sorry for my ignorance, but is the site that starts with a "P" only 4 digits +.com? I can get on that site but have to contact an agent to get any further. Not my preferred place to accurately check rates. Interline is a pretty small group. Not sure if the mods would be annoyed about us chatting about this.

 

Also, just as a side note to anyone reading this. Each line has their own special rules about interline, so you better know what you are doing when you book it. No complaining. No extra OBC. One of the lines puts you on standby. (I think it is Holland). No upgrade fairy.

[Sianli]

I called today to upgrade from my interline rate on an inside room to an interline balcony for a few hundred dollars more. Have done this several times in the past, but today was told I cannot upgrade/change an interline booking more than 48 hours after original booking. Lots of changes, but I am wondering if this is accurate since you would think they would want more $ to upgrade... Anyone else had this happen recently?

[ILCTCRUISER]

I called today to upgrade from my interline rate on an inside room to an interline balcony for a few hundred dollars more. Have done this several times in the past, but today was told I cannot upgrade/change an interline booking more than 48 hours after original booking. Lots of changes, but I am wondering if this is accurate since you would think they would want more $ to upgrade... Anyone else had this happen recently?

Sad to say, but I think this is how it is today. I'm looking at an April 2018 TA right now, JS is not avail but balcony is. I've been advised that if I were to book balcony I won't be able to do the upgrade when JS becomes available.