Free Pinnacle Cruise - Urban Myth dispelled?

[John&LaLa]

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.

I'll check this afternoon.

 

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[John&LaLa]

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.

At the website now, you don't see any value associated with the certificate. It also no longer has the insane amount of points for an Oasis ship. Can't use during first 13 months or over Christmas and New Years.

 

Caribbean only

 

125,000 points for 5-7 OV, CP view, and BW view

50,000 points for 3/4 day OV

250,000 points for 9-12 OV, this redemption is limited to $2,000

350,000 points for 7 day balcony, this redemption is limited to $3,500

 

Calling 888-305-4626 to see if I can find a qualifying 4 day Mariner or 7 day Oasis

 

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[Clarea]

...

250,000 points for 9-12 OV, this redemption is limited to $2,000

350,000 points for 7 day balcony, this redemption is limited to $3,500 ...

I don't get these numbers. 250.000 points can be used for a straight $2500 discount. Why would anyone choose to redeem a lesser amount.

[John&LaLa]

I don't get these numbers. 250.000 points can be used for a straight $2500 discount. Why would anyone choose to redeem a lesser amount.

Never said it made sense. [emoji6]

 

They also list, in the fine print, 250,000 points for a balcony on a Mexican Riviera cruise. [emoji16]

 

Sign me up. [emoji33]

 

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[rt1092]

At the website now, you don't see any value associated with the certificate. It also no longer has the insane amount of points for an Oasis ship. Can't use during first 13 months or over Christmas and New Years.

 

Caribbean only

 

125,000 points for 5-7 OV, CP view, and BW view

50,000 points for 3/4 day OV

250,000 points for 9-12 OV, this redemption is limited to $2,000

350,000 points for 7 day balcony, this redemption is limited to $3,500

 

Calling 888-305-4626 to see if I can find a qualifying 4 day Mariner or 7 day Oasis

 

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This is the main reason I gave up my RCL Visa card. I do much better with Barclays, and a whole lot better with Chase Sapphire Reserve (3% and free insurance)

[John&LaLa]

I don't get these numbers. 250.000 points can be used for a straight $2500 discount. Why would anyone choose to redeem a lesser amount.

Janice at the 888 number said to find a cruise I wanted that met the parameters, call back and book it. Did say I was limited to $2,500.

 

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[John&LaLa]

This is the main reason I gave up my RCL Visa card. I do much better with Barclays, and a whole lot better with Chase Sapphire Reserve (3% and free insurance)

Oh, we don't use it anymore. Use a Sam's card for 3% cash back on travel and dining.

These are old points. I just need to get rid of 272,000 points. [emoji6]

 

The 125,000 points for a 7 day end up being 4%, if done correctly

 

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[Clarea]

Janice at the 888 number said to find a cruise I wanted that met the parameters, call back and book it. Did say I was limited to $2,500.

Here is what I have from a couple of years ago:

 

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/visa/royal_rewards_chart_10_05_2016.pdf

 

Notice the 50K point redemption for 3/4 day cruise in an OV. Max value of $1000.

 

Also, one of the options for the 100K redemption has a max value of $2000.

 

If you are redeeming 250K for $2500, you can do that on any cruise. Just make 5 redemptions (5x50K) for straight discounts, no parameters to meet.

[John&LaLa]

Here is what I have from a couple of years ago:

 

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/visa/royal_rewards_chart_10_05_2016.pdf

 

Notice the 50K point redemption for 3/4 day cruise in an OV. Max value of $1000.

 

Also, one of the options for the 100K redemption has a max value of $2000.

 

If you are redeeming 250K for $2500, you can do that on any cruise. Just make 5 redemptions (5x50K) for straight discounts, no parameters to meet.

I'm wondering if 100K in points will buy you a 3/4 B2B. Use the savings from 125K to get some OBC.

 

I don't have many points expiring till December, so I'm hoping for the early release of itineraries in November

 

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[Clarea]

I'm wondering if 100K in points will buy you a 3/4 B2B. Use the savings from 125K to get some OBC.

 

I don't have many points expiring till December, so I'm hoping for the early release of itineraries in November

One caveat on redeeming points for a discount (or "free" cruise), they will not let you transfer that amount to another cruise or even another stateroom on the same cruise. They don't treat it like a credit, they treat it like a one-time discount. So if, for example, you had a fare of $1500, put $500 down, and used 50K points for a $500 credit. So you owe $500. Then you decide you want to upgrade to something that costs $2000. Poof, your 50K points are gone and you would owe $1500.

[John&LaLa]

One caveat on redeeming points for a discount (or "free" cruise), they will not let you transfer that amount to another cruise or even another stateroom on the same cruise. They don't treat it like a credit, they treat it like a one-time discount. So if, for example, you had a fare of $1500, put $500 down, and used 50K points for a $500 credit. So you owe $500. Then you decide you want to upgrade to something that costs $2000. Poof, your 50K points are gone and you would owe $1500.

Wow

 

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[Blizzard54]

Thanks for starting this thread John. We will be ascending to Pinnacle in December and will be looking at how best to use the free cruise.

[John&LaLa]

Thanks for starting this thread John. We will be ascending to Pinnacle in December and will be looking at how best to use the free cruise.

We used it to take a summer cruise. Typically they are a little pricey.

 

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[Blizzard54]

We used it to take a summer cruise. Typically they are a little pricey.

 

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We rarely cruise in the summer except to Alaska. So far I have kept our 2019 schedule on the light side to have more options for the free one.

[John&LaLa]

We rarely cruise in the summer except to Alaska. So far I have kept our 2019 schedule on the light side to have more options for the free one.

It was Father's day and our anniversary.

 

Rate should have been over 3K.

 

$2,400 value doesn't apply as long as you want a 7 day Caribbean balcony cabin.

 

We even got the spacious one on the hump.

 

BTW, the 7 points are still in my account, tomorrow will be 1 week

 

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[svillager]

Blizzard54 -

I was able to use my free Pinnacle cruise that I earned last year while I was on Vision with you - the dollar value - towards an Ovation Alaska cruise when they announced them - which was over a year away - it's only going to cost me a few hundred dollars for a balcony.

 

Tami

[steamboats]

Thanks for starting this thread John. We will be ascending to Pinnacle in December and will be looking at how best to use the free cruise.

 

 

Come on, SJ, the two of you are still not Pinnacle? So why are you back home mowing your lawn ;)?

 

steamboats

[itsmeagain]

I have to ask, why when you make pinnacle do people still chase points? I know that when we get their we will have taken 117 cruises to get to that point based on current projections. Over the years we have seen people booking alone, staying in separate cabins and such just for the points. I know that pinnacle is nice but are the perks worth spending all the extra money to achieve it.

[Clarea]

... are the perks worth spending all the extra money to achieve it.

Nope.

[itsmeagain]

Nope.

 

That is kind of what I thought. The free bottles of wine at dinner are nice, but don't see a lot more in it when we reach pinnacle. Or at least not enough to spend extra money just for the points. Would rather do 2 cruises than one in a JS or above. Guess that is why it will take us so long to reach it.

[heatherb1958]

I have to ask, why when you make pinnacle do people still chase points? I know that when we get their we will have taken 117 cruises to get to that point based on current projections. Over the years we have seen people booking alone, staying in separate cabins and such just for the points. I know that pinnacle is nice but are the perks worth spending all the extra money to achieve it.

 

Nope.

 

Totally agree with Bob.

[John&LaLa]

I have to ask, why when you make pinnacle do people still chase points? I know that when we get their we will have taken 117 cruises to get to that point based on current projections. Over the years we have seen people booking alone, staying in separate cabins and such just for the points. I know that pinnacle is nice but are the perks worth spending all the extra money to achieve it.

 

For now they are. Especially on a newer ship.

 

Just my opinion

 

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[Blizzard54]

I have to ask, why when you make pinnacle do people still chase points? I know that when we get their we will have taken 117 cruises to get to that point based on current projections. Over the years we have seen people booking alone, staying in separate cabins and such just for the points. I know that pinnacle is nice but are the perks worth spending all the extra money to achieve it.

 

I could not see spending the extra money either. We will be getting there without any double points. After getting there some are interested in being top cruiser and some are looking for the next free cruise. (every 350 points) nether are worth paying extra for.

When we get there 86 of our 125 cruises will have been on Royal. Several were more that 7 nights.

[Blizzard54]

Come on, SJ, the two of you are still not Pinnacle? So why are you back home mowing your lawn ;)?

 

steamboats

 

We are spending the summer at home because the weather is nice and there are took many kids on ships this time of the year. Last year we spent 175 nights on ships but I cut it back to only 160 this year. We have 2 - 6 week trips planned before the end of the year.

[rt1092]

That is kind of what I thought. The free bottles of wine at dinner are nice, but don't see a lot more in it when we reach pinnacle. Or at least not enough to spend extra money just for the points. Would rather do 2 cruises than one in a JS or above. Guess that is why it will take us so long to reach it.

These were my sentiments exactly. till we got to about 600 points. When you see the goal on the horizon. It became a quest for us. We did a 10 nighter in 2 connecting inside cabins (my wife still likes this idea). Did a couple of JS's .

We had it all planned to make it on the Presidents cruise 2018. But Royal found 4 points they had overlooked. And that would have had us making it in Sept on the Oasis. A few people told us to try to make it on a smaller ship (more attention). So we made it on the Rhapsody Apr 27, 2018.

We were treated great and with us on that cruise was Super Mario. We were honored when he agreed to get in the picture with us. The newest Pinnacles and the highest in one photo.

Mario explained to us that back when they changed the points, and started Pinnacle that there was no fanfare whatsoever. And that for a while they were giving him Gold member status. They had to knock on the door to get in the lounge (isn't Royal's IT dept "special")

We are now packing to go on our prime "free" casino cruise. Harmony Saturday 07/07 then our "free" Pinnacle cruise Oasis 07/15