Free Pinnacle Cruise - Urban Myth dispelled?

[John&LaLa]

With a lot of new Pinnacles being added to the ranks, I thought I would verify a question often asked, and often answered incorrectly. ;)

 

Do you get C&A points for your free cruise?

 

Yes, no need to spend a dime upgrading the fare. You do pay taxes and are on the hook for pre-paid tips.

 

Oh the horror.

 

Anyone have a different opinion or experience?

 

 

[steamboats]

John,

 

 

This seems to be another glitch of Royal IT. I´ve been on a couple of pre inaugurals. Usually I got points for those and then they were removed. Last was the Symphony... hmm, this was listed as 4 nights although we were on board only for 2 nights (only RCI employees were onboard for 4 nights with the ship staying in Barcelona for those extra 2). The cruise was listed with 4 nights and 4 points. But the points weren´t added to my total. This was at the end of March. In May I´ve been back on the Symphony for a regular 7 nighter (paid cruise). Showed up in my history but points not added to the total. Recently I checked and now both cruises are added - the 4 and 7 points. So I´m waiting to see those 4 points disappear... If not I´m not really unhappy :').

 

 

steamboats

[John&LaLa]

Your case seems different than mine. I guess time will tell.

 

Forgot to add points posted at midnight of the 6th day following cruise.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[heatherb1958]

Our first free Pinnacle Cruise for reaching 700 points was in 2013, Adventure , 7 nights . I just checked my past history online and it shows as zero for C&A points.

I also checked all the freebie invites for the new ships and they also show as zero.

Hope that helps.

[John&LaLa]

Our first free Pinnacle Cruise for reaching 700 points was in 2013, Adventure , 7 nights . I just checked my past history online and it shows as zero for C&A points.

I also checked all the freebie invites for the new ships and they also show as zero.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for participating

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[steamboats]

Heather,

 

 

Same for me (o.k., no free Pinnacle cruise but a bunch of pre inaugurals since Oasis). None of the pre inaugurals show any points but zero. All of them first showed the points and later it was changed to zero.

 

 

The Symphony pre inaugural not only shows more points than I had nights but after more than two months those points were added to my count (took a while for the Symphony cruise in May too - way longer than those regular 2 weeks). And now after 3 months those 4 points are still on my count... By that time they usually had disappeared.

 

 

steamboats

[John&LaLa]

Heather,

 

 

Same for me (o.k., no free Pinnacle cruise but a bunch of pre inaugurals since Oasis). None of the pre inaugurals show any points but zero. All of them first showed the points and later it was changed to zero.

 

 

The Symphony pre inaugural not only shows more points than I had nights but after more than two months those points were added to my count (took a while for the Symphony cruise in May too - way longer than those regular 2 weeks). And now after 3 months those 4 points are still on my count... By that time they usually had disappeared.

 

 

steamboats

Truthfully I can see how the free inaugurals don't get the points. That's an outright gift, or an opportunity to market the ship. Free PC cruise is an earned benefit

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[rimmit]

I am nowhere near Pinnacle, and just gonna hit D+ this upcoming Feb, so I never had a free cruise, but from everyone that is Pinnacle I have talked to they have all stated that there are no C&A points for the free cruise.

 

This included Super Mario, as when I met him, I know he wanted to get his I think it was 3000th point or some other big milestone like that on the Liberty in 2012, but because he forgot to calculate the fact that he didn't get points for the free cruises, he ended up being on the Voyager in the Mediterranean a little later that year when he hit it, and I know he was a little upset about it. Not significantly so, but I know he loved the Liberty and really wanted to hit that milestone on the liberty.

 

Wonder if this is a permanent change, or a system glitch? Given RCI's penchant for website issues, I am going with the latter for now.

[John&LaLa]

Well, this is my first one as PC.

 

I did get C&A points for my free BOA cruises.

One I upgraded, one I did not.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[rimmit]

Well, this is my first one as PC.

 

I did get C&A points for my free BOA cruises.

One I upgraded, one I did not.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

That's great! Was the one you upgraded the more recent or the first free cruise? Just trying to figure out if upgrading makes a difference if the points stick or don't stick, or if it could be a recent policy change.

[Desert Cruizers]

I commend all of you who have reached Pinnacle, myself, I will never see it, should have started cruising umpteen years ago. With any luck I might get D +. After our Allure cruises for 2020 I will be 1 point shy so need to find a short cruise possible on the West Coast if I can before the Allure cruises.

 

Gay

[Retired LEO]

Truthfully I can see how the free inaugurals don't get the points. That's an outright gift, or an opportunity to market the ship. Free PC cruise is an earned benefit

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

I don't see a difference. The key word is "Free". Free = 0

[John&LaLa]

I don't see a difference. The key word is "Free". Free = 0

Have you taken yours yet?

 

No answer for the BOA free cruise question?

 

Free cruises from casino get points. [emoji848]

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[mattpro]

Free cruises (actually complementary) do not receive C&A points. Includes casino , Pinnacle or any other complementary sailings.

 

However, if you spend any amount of money for an upgrade you will receive C&A points.

 

This was explained to me over the phone by a C&A rep and a Casino Royale rep.

[John&LaLa]

Free cruises (actually complementary) do not receive C&A points. Includes casino , Pinnacle or any other complementary sailings.

 

However, if you spend any amount of money for an upgrade you will receive C&A points.

 

This was explained to me over the phone by a C&A rep and a Casino Royale rep.

I have many casino royals members telling me they get points with no upgrade.

 

Also, no one has addressed the free cruise with credit card points. Still seems like a lot of misinformation.

 

I think someone at Royal is handing out the old Magic 8 ball to answer questions.

 

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Retired LEO]

Have you taken yours yet?

 

No answer for the BOA free cruise question?

 

Free cruises from casino get points. [emoji848]

 

 

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

I haven't taken mine yet but I am no way expecting points for a cruise I didn't pay for (except taxes fees and gratuities)

[Clarea]

... Also, no one has addressed the free cruise with credit card points. ...

Back when it was not a bad deal, we got points for all of our "free" cruises with Visa points. We redeemed 50K points for an OV on a 3 or 4 day cruise and cruised in a JS, so we were paying extra, over and above the credit for the "free" cruise. We've never taken a "free" cruise on credit card points where we didn't have to pay extra.

[rt1092]

I have been on the phone with both C&A and Casino Royale booking our free cruises.

I was told that for the Pinnacle cruise (Oasis 07/15/18) no points unless I upgraded. I booked a balcony. And paid the port fees, taxes, and tips. Then about a week later I saw a price drop for a WS guarantee. I called and was able to upgrade for $700. I was told the only way to receive points was to upgrade. The points to me were meaningless at the time. (until I saw that I could get my next crystal block on the Symphony)

I booked a "free" (prime status) cruise with Casino Royale 2 weeks later. I booked the Harmony for 07/07/18. The only inside cabins available were the Central Park View cabins.

They were quite a bit more than a standard inside room. I paid the taxes and port fees (I was told the tips could be paid on the ship). I was told I would be getting the C&A points for the cruise. I was able to pay the difference ($700) and upgrade to a WS guarantee. Which wound up a GS on deck 11.

The Casino Royale restrictions were any 8 night or less cruise that didn't cross a holiday. (Casino Royale holidays are any bank holiday and Easter, not Christmas and New Years like C&A pinnacle cruise.)

C&A pinnacle cruise was any 7 night Caribbean cruise (ship must be in service at least 6 months) balcony cabin. Excluding Christmas and New Years.

Also when upgrading you can't use the balcony discount.

Old Casino Royale rules were you had to upgrade to get points. Now you get points without upgrading

These are the facts. I've been on the phone enough to verify them.

[heatherb1958]

Heather,

 

 

Same for me (o.k., no free Pinnacle cruise but a bunch of pre inaugurals since Oasis). None of the pre inaugurals show any points but zero. All of them first showed the points and later it was changed to zero.

 

 

The Symphony pre inaugural not only shows more points than I had nights but after more than two months those points were added to my count (took a while for the Symphony cruise in May too - way longer than those regular 2 weeks). And now after 3 months those 4 points are still on my count... By that time they usually had disappeared.

 

 

steamboats

 

Hi, I wouldn’t worry about it too much if it is in your favour :D.

[heatherb1958]

Thanks for participating

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

You’re welcome.

[John&LaLa]

I haven't taken mine yet but I am no way expecting points for a cruise I didn't pay for (except taxes fees and gratuities)

Then you may not know the answer. [emoji6]

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[John&LaLa]

Back when it was not a bad deal, we got points for all of our "free" cruises with Visa points. We redeemed 50K points for an OV on a 3 or 4 day cruise and cruised in a JS, so we were paying extra, over and above the credit for the "free" cruise. We've never taken a "free" cruise on credit card points where we didn't have to pay extra.

I have 200k on my card and 75K on Laura's. Used her points on the last one. I think they are a little more flexible these days. Hope to cash in one in 2019.

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[steamboats]

Truthfully I can see how the free inaugurals don't get the points. That's an outright gift, or an opportunity to market the ship. Free PC cruise is an earned benefit

 

Actually I don´t see any difference. For RCI it´s a non revenue passenger on both cruises (maybe the exempt free casino cruises as the passenger will pretty likely spend a lot of money in the casino :')).

 

 

BTW PCs are invited to the pre inaugurals too. So do you regard this as an "earned benefit" too and expect to get points?

 

The general rule used to be ... if you don´t pay for the cruise you´re not eligable to get any points... obviously now the free casino cruises are now exempted from that rule. But I fear anything else is just Royal IT.

 

 

Hi, I wouldn’t worry about it too much if it is in your favour :D.

 

I don´t worry... just wondering and waiting for those points to disappear...

 

steamboats

[John&LaLa]

Not earned since its not set in stone. They just happen on occasion. And no guarantee you get the invite

 

Any thoughts on the BOA credit card cruise?

 

Also what is the longest it's taken for Royal to claw back the extra points?

 

Actually I don´t see any difference. For RCI it´s a non revenue passenger on both cruises (maybe the exempt free casino cruises as the passenger will pretty likely spend a lot of money in the casino :')).

 

 

BTW PCs are invited to the pre inaugurals too. So do you regard this as an "earned benefit" too and expect to get points?

 

The general rule used to be ... if you don´t pay for the cruise you´re not eligable to get any points... obviously now the free casino cruises are now exempted from that rule. But I fear anything else is just Royal IT.

 

 

 

 

I don´t worry... just wondering and waiting for those points to disappear...

 

steamboats

 

Q

 

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[Clarea]

... Any thoughts on the BOA credit card cruise? ...

Last time I checked, they would only let you apply the "free" cruise credit to the fake base price, so it was usually better to use the points for the straight discount. I don't know if this is still the case.