AMEX Platinum and NCL

[leblais]

Ok... I have been reading that there are benefits to being an AMEX Plat member and cruising on NCL.  I set sail in August of 2021.  I booked my trip back in January. I did so with a random visa card for the initial deposit of $250. The balance is currently unpaid.  I took the free air for second person, staying in a balcony and took all 4 of the "free" at sea perks. I also added 2 additional nights prior to our sailing, in Barcelona through NCL .  My question is, are there perks I can get through AMEX Platinum card IN ADDITION to the perks I already got? ( I heard that they offer a few hundred OBC as well as a dinner for 2 at Le Bistro.)  If so, is it too late now since I did not reserve with my AMEX plat card or is it too late since I booked direct from NCL??  

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated and a big help... There is not a lot of current info out there on this and it is confusing to sort through.  Chatting with AMEX has not been as easy or straightforward as I had expected. I have yet to talk to someone at NCL, though I plan to, but I wanted to get as much info as possible from all sources.  

 

Thanks

-Tony

[BamaCruiser39]

I believe the Amex Plat benefits are only available if you book through Amex Travel and not direct with NCL.

[stefmaia]

As Bama said, you have to book through Amex Travel and use your Platinum card.

I did it a couple of times but since becoming Platinum, and getting the extra Bistro dinner that goes with that, we haven't used Amex Travel, preferring to use a TA and getting OBC from them as well as whatever other perks they are offering. (Could be a case of water , paid tips....or their gift of choice for that particular time period)

[WillCruiseForMoney]

You do not get the AMEX OBC if you book through NCL direct.

You have 2 options to get the OBC.

1) Book thorough AMEX travel.

2) Book through a non AMEX TA that qualifies as an American Express Travel representative.  The one I use gives me the extra benefits of a TA, such as onboard credit or reduced fare plus the little extras.  I also get the AMEX Platinum OBC benefit and dinner at Le Bistro as long as I pay with my Platinum card.

[complawyer]

are you sure you are not confusing this with platinum or platinum  plus  latitude status ?

you can log on to ncl website and it will advise you of all the perks available in each status category

[WillCruiseForMoney]

3 minutes ago, complawyer said:

are you sure you are not confusing this with platinum or platinum  plus  latitude status ?

you can log on to ncl website and it will advise you of all the perks available in each status category

This is in relation to an American Express Platinum card - not related to NCL status.

American Express provides additional benefits to their Platinum card holders

[DaCruiseBug]

Norwegian used to be on the list, but no longer is. Not sure if they still have a program that includes NCL or not but...

 

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/benefits/the-platinum-card/cruise-privileges-and-discounts.html

[WillCruiseForMoney]

7 minutes ago, DaCruiseBug said:

Norwegian used to be on the list, but no longer is. Not sure if they still have a program that includes NCL or not but...

 

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/benefits/the-platinum-card/cruise-privileges-and-discounts.html

I just logged into my account and NCL is still listed.  There are a few other cruise lines in addition to those shown on the link that you shared.

[leblais]

OK... So after a lot of time on the phone this AM, I was told that I would need to transfer my booking from NCL to AMEX Travel to get the AMEX PLATINUM perks. Only problem is, I am outside of the 30 day transfer window. Only other option was to cancel the reservation and rebook. The problem THERE is that they told me I had really good hotel and flight rates because I booked early and the additional perks from AMEX wont beat the increase it would cost if I were to rebook. ALSO, since I had used a different credit card at the beginning, I would have had to refund that back to my card and put my deposit down from my AMEX PLAT. Regardless, It did not work for me BUT, we can ALL learn from this. YES, AMEX DOES give plat room credit AND a free LeBistro dinner for 2. YES, They honor all the exact prices and offers that NCL gives out, so if you have a Plat card from amex, then its a no brainer to use it and do this. YES, you can book direct from NCL BUT you have to transfer to AMEX travel. Yes you can book from AMEX travel and get the same benefits as direct from NCL.

 

2 hours ago, WillCruiseForMoney said:

You do not get the AMEX OBC if you book through NCL direct.

You have 2 options to get the OBC.

1) Book thorough AMEX travel.

2) Book through a non AMEX TA that qualifies as an American Express Travel representative.  The one I use gives me the extra benefits of a TA, such as onboard credit or reduced fare plus the little extras.  I also get the AMEX Platinum OBC benefit and dinner at Le Bistro as long as I pay with my Platinum card.

How do you find a NON- AMEX TA that qualifies as an American Express Travel Rep?  That sounds like the best of all worlds!!

 

 

Also, ALL this said and done and lessons learned, I WAS able to transfer my 2022 cruise to AMEX travel and I SHOULD be getting the 200 OBC and the LeBistro dinners on top of all the perks I already had from NCL! 

 

AND... if you guys dont know it, if you own 100 or more shares of NCL stock, you can get 100$ of OBC too!  I bought some last week, its up 30% so far and it will also get me 100 bucks every time I sail !!!!   (is this right? EVERY TIME I SAIL I get this? Does anyone know? Or is it a 1 time thing???)

 

WOW... thats a lot of info. Not sure everyone will want to read all this but there it is!

[ColeThornton]

22 minutes ago, leblais said:

AND... if you guys dont know it, if you own 100 or more shares of NCL stock, you can get 100$ of OBC too!  I bought some last week, its up 30% so far and it will also get me 100 bucks every time I sail !!!!   (is this right? EVERY TIME I SAIL I get this? Does anyone know? Or is it a 1 time thing???)

 

 

From NCL.com:

 

https://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/23c8691e-2da7-4595-b132-a6ad137cf7f6

[leblais]

32 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

From NCL.com:

 

https://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/23c8691e-2da7-4595-b132-a6ad137cf7f6

Yep... So it seems you can do this EVERY TIME YOU SAIL!  I know it is not for everyone, but it seems like free money to me. 

[leblais]

36 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

From NCL.com:

 

https://www.nclhltdinvestor.com/static-files/23c8691e-2da7-4595-b132-a6ad137cf7f6

hmmm... I read this on the file:

 

"The Shareholder must own Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) stock at the time of sailing. Benefit is not combinable with any other offer"

 

So I guess that it does not apply when you get free at sea or if you get some deals from AMEX PLAT?  Has anyone used this before and know?

 

 

[Katie H]

29 minutes ago, leblais said:

hmmm... I read this on the file:

 

"The Shareholder must own Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) stock at the time of sailing. Benefit is not combinable with any other offer"

 

So I guess that it does not apply when you get free at sea or if you get some deals from AMEX PLAT?  Has anyone used this before and know?

 

 

We get the shareholders OBC on every cruise and also get whatever other offers there are at time of booking including free at sea.

[warburg]

To get AmEx perks, it has been necessary to use the card for the deposit and the rest of the cruise, as well. Last week I booked an Oceania cruise directly with the line, and will transfer the booking to Platinum Travel Services. I will get the cash benefit and the dinner at the French restaurant. Membership Rewards points will also  accrue because the cruise is a purchase. Maybe things have changed and they accept mixed cards for payment now. Call and ask a Rep.They have always addressed my concerns.

Mary

[don't-use-real-name]

Don't forget to calculate that annual FEE of some $500 for AMEXCO Platinum membership !

Although in some cases that is icing on the cake with membership privileges at airline lounges

and the Centurion clubs at some airports - It is matter to use those benefits or the card is of

questionable value for its cost.

 

Regarding acceptance of mixed cards - VISA Master Discover forget it except for details booked

directly with NCL.

My understanding is that the package requires ALL FULL charges on the AMEXCO Platinum card !

AMEXCO wants all the pieces of the pie not split with the competition.

[Rob_H]

17 hours ago, leblais said:

Yep... So it seems you can do this EVERY TIME YOU SAIL!  I know it is not for everyone, but it seems like free money to me. 

 

Yes, it's every time.  You have to fill out a form and email it well before each sailing. Sometimes takes a while to get a response, but the credit is always added eventually.

 

We've used this on more than 12 cruises since late 2018.  We like long cruises, so often get the $250 benefit for cruises over 15 days.  It's combinable with add-on offers like Free at Sea, OBC, OBC from a TA.  I think the exceptions are special fares like travel industry employee fares and maybe the casino fares. 

 

It's per cabin, so you don't get double if both occupants have their own 100+ shares.  The shareholder needs to be in the cabin, can't buy for other people.

[WillCruiseForMoney]

19 hours ago, leblais said:

How do you find a NON- AMEX TA that qualifies as an American Express Travel Rep?  That sounds like the best of all worlds!!

 

If you do a google search for "American Express travel representative" you should find the answer.  One of the larger travel franchisees will appear often in the results.

[leblais]

7 hours ago, Rob_H said:

 

Yes, it's every time.  You have to fill out a form and email it well before each sailing. Sometimes takes a while to get a response, but the credit is always added eventually.

 

We've used this on more than 12 cruises since late 2018.  We like long cruises, so often get the $250 benefit for cruises over 15 days.  It's combinable with add-on offers like Free at Sea, OBC, OBC from a TA.  I think the exceptions are special fares like travel industry employee fares and maybe the casino fares. 

 

It's per cabin, so you don't get double if both occupants have their own 100+ shares.  The shareholder needs to be in the cabin, can't buy for other people.

How far in advance do you usually contact them??  

[Rob_H]

4 hours ago, leblais said:

How far in advance do you usually contact them??  

 

I fill out the pdf form on the website with attachments like the brokerage statement to get the shareholder discount not long after final payment (or immediately after we book, if it's a cruise leaving soon).  Sometimes the response is within a day or two, sometime it's needed a follow up email after weeks, a few took multiple emails over months.  All were done by sailing date though.

[leblais]

10 hours ago, Rob_H said:

 

I fill out the pdf form on the website with attachments like the brokerage statement to get the shareholder discount not long after final payment (or immediately after we book, if it's a cruise leaving soon).  Sometimes the response is within a day or two, sometime it's needed a follow up email after weeks, a few took multiple emails over months.  All were done by sailing date though.

Well, we are supposed to sail on August 8th.  I did not want to do it too early, but maybe, since you have had some of them takes months, it would be a good idea to send it off soon.

[Katie H]

6 hours ago, leblais said:

Well, we are supposed to sail on August 8th.  I did not want to do it too early, but maybe, since you have had some of them takes months, it would be a good idea to send it off soon.

I always complete the form as soon as we book - sometimes 18 months out.  I usually hear back within a few days and they have never contacted me close to sailing date to see if we still own the stock. 

[Sthrngary]

On 3/3/2021 at 6:15 AM, leblais said:

Ok... I have been reading that there are benefits to being an AMEX Plat member and cruising on NCL.  I set sail in August of 2021.  I booked my trip back in January. I did so with a random visa card for the initial deposit of $250. The balance is currently unpaid.  I took the free air for second person, staying in a balcony and took all 4 of the "free" at sea perks. I also added 2 additional nights prior to our sailing, in Barcelona through NCL .  My question is, are there perks I can get through AMEX Platinum card IN ADDITION to the perks I already got? ( I heard that they offer a few hundred OBC as well as a dinner for 2 at Le Bistro.)  If so, is it too late now since I did not reserve with my AMEX plat card or is it too late since I booked direct from NCL??  

 

Any info would be greatly appreciated and a big help... There is not a lot of current info out there on this and it is confusing to sort through.  Chatting with AMEX has not been as easy or straightforward as I had expected. I have yet to talk to someone at NCL, though I plan to, but I wanted to get as much info as possible from all sources.  

 

Thanks

-Tony

Hello Tony:  Sound like a lovely trip.  Please do not confuse the perks you get with NCL and those given by American Express Platinum.  I take advantage of these AMX perks on every cruise.  They give you three things.  First, up to $300.00 of on board credit (OBC).  I always book Haven so I always get the entire amount.  Second, Dinner for two in the French Restaurant. This is my favorite Restaurant on the ship. Three, double the AMX points however that sometimes is only given if you book through American Express.  Ask your travel agent if that perk is given to you if you book through them. 

I Hope I Helped you.  Be well and cruise well. 

[Sthrngary]

I do the American Express Platinum Perks on every NCL Cruise. You DON'T have to book through American Express Travel. However, you have to get your travel travel agent to agree to give you the American Express Perks and they have to be part of that program.  I stay in the Haven so my 7-day cruise Perk is $300.00 OBC and dinner for two in the French Restaurant.  Good luck.

[graphicguy]

In the past I had received $300 OBC, bottle of Champaign, and dinner for 2 at Le Bistro on NCL (HAVEN booking) with my TA (not AMEX Travel).  She informed me NCL no longer participates in that program, regardless of who you book with.

 

Giving Amex WEB site a quick look, it seems she’s right.....

 

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/benefits/the-platinum-card/cruise-privileges-and-discounts.html

[jvsnana]

11 hours ago, graphicguy said:

In the past I had received $300 OBC, bottle of Champaign, and dinner for 2 at Le Bistro on NCL (HAVEN booking) with my TA (not AMEX Travel).  She informed me NCL no longer participates in that program, regardless of who you book with.

 

Giving Amex WEB site a quick look, it seems she’s right.....

 

https://www.americanexpress.com/ca/en/benefits/the-platinum-card/cruise-privileges-and-discounts.html

I just had it added to my 2 Bliss Haven cruises for 4/21 by my TA.

 

Here is the link on the Amex web site that still shows NCL.  Hope that helps and is still a "GO" 😃

 

https://www.americanexpresscruise.com/promos/cruise