Changes to Carnival Loyalty Program

[JOHN 57]

I have heard, that there will be changes to Loyalty Program that Carnival has. Is anyone aware of changes.  Thank you.

[mz-s]

Been rumored for years. No news.

[JOHN 57]

thank you mz-s

[Riles34]

As mz-s stated, all rumors which included this:

 

Carnival has been considering changing the VIFP program to a spend-based system, rather than one based on the number of nights sailed. Under this new system, members would earn points based on the amount of money spent on their cruise.

 

So nothing.

 

 

[JOHN 57]

thank you Riles34

[cacruisin]

8 minutes ago, Riles34 said:

As mz-s stated, all rumors which included this:

 

Carnival has been considering changing the VIFP program to a spend-based system, rather than one based on the number of nights sailed. Under this new system, members would earn points based on the amount of money spent on their cruise.

 

So nothing.

 

 

This actually would make total sense to me....more often than not those who sail with the most # of nights sailed are gamblers who sail for free.  So, to make it more based on incoming revenue makes sense.  Now yes, I of course realize that gamblers make Carnival $ in different ways (plus gamblers can get in on a casino rate)....but my child met a buddy last cruise who was 11 years old and a platinum cruiser only because his parents gambled etc....Carnival sure isn't making $ off that "loyal" cuiser etc.

Edited March 22 by cacruisin

[mz-s]

No matter what happens, my guess is your fanny pack is safe.

[Riles34]

4 minutes ago, cacruisin said:

11 years old and a platinum cruiser

Just saw the other day that a 5 year old turned Diamond. Tough life that kid has!

Edited March 22 by Riles34

[aborgman]

20 minutes ago, cacruisin said:

Carnival sure isn't making $ off that "loyal" cuiser etc.

 

They probably are - if his having status leads to his parents taking even an occasional extra cruise.

[starstruck05]

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has stated that the new program should be rolled out by the end of the year but he's not able to give details as to what the new program is. It's been in the works for a while. I suspect an announcement maybe in the fall.

[jimbo5544]

Of course they are making money off of all cruisers, silly to suggest differently.  Do they make more off of first timers?  Sure.  We have been on a LOT of Carnival cruises.  Do I spend a ton on pictures and other things like that?  No.  Do I spend way a significant amount more my cabin than the average cruiser?  Yup.  Do I cruise way more than the average cruiser?  Yup again.  Not bragging, just showing that sometimes it is harder to see the forrest thru the trees.

 

Have they been promising a loyalty program enhancement for more than a decade?  Yup again.  Is it really going to happen this time?  Little birdie told me it will.  What it will be is the real question.  

[JOHN 57]

thank you all

[salty dingo]

Let's just hope whatever the new program looks like, the existing benefits earned will be grandfathered in!

[jsglow]

24 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has stated that the new program should be rolled out by the end of the year but he's not able to give details as to what the new program is. It's been in the works for a while. I suspect an announcement maybe in the fall.

Exactly correct. John addressed this in a video chat yesterday. I will add that he said that he has ZERO info. He doesn't even mention what might be on the table. But they do need to cull the herd.

 

Possible options (nothing JH said):

- partial spend based

- VIFP points expiry

- portability

- altered VIFP levels

- altered level rewards

- etc.

[jsglow]

2 minutes ago, salty dingo said:

Let's just hope whatever the new program looks like, the existing benefits earned will be grandfathered in!

I'm going to guess that won't be the case. The problem Carnival currently has is that far too many cruisers have achieved Platinum, for example, meaning that far too often things like priority embarkation/tenders needs to be eliminated. When ALL have priority, none do. I do think folks will be given the 'opportunity' to be grandfathered.

 

'If you haven't sailed with us in 5 years you still have a chance in the next year to retain your VIFP status' kind of thing.

[mz-s]

5 minutes ago, jsglow said:

I'm going to guess that won't be the case. The problem Carnival currently has is that far too many cruisers have achieved Platinum, for example, meaning that far too often things like priority embarkation/tenders needs to be eliminated. When ALL have priority, none do. I do think folks will be given the 'opportunity' to be grandfathered.

 

'If you haven't sailed with us in 5 years you still have a chance in the next year to retain your VIFP status' kind of thing.

 

People who aren't sailing with Carnival aren't the reason they have to suspend priority boarding for journeys cruises.

[starstruck05]

6 minutes ago, jsglow said:

I'm going to guess that won't be the case. The problem Carnival currently has is that far too many cruisers have achieved Platinum, for example, meaning that far too often things like priority embarkation/tenders needs to be eliminated. When ALL have priority, none do. I do think folks will be given the 'opportunity' to be grandfathered.

 

'If you haven't sailed with us in 5 years you still have a chance in the next year to retain your VIFP status' kind of thing.

I think they will have some sort of grandfathering process but maybe like you said, if you haven't sailed in a number of years, you lose your status. I think a few lines already do that. We missed out on being grandfathered into the current program by like 1 or 2 cruises. So it took us a while to get to Platinum but we are on tracked for Diamond (based on the current program) in the next few years or less.

[JMAE]

41 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has stated that the new program should be rolled out by the end of the year but he's not able to give details as to what the new program is. It's been in the works for a while. I suspect an announcement maybe in the fall.

Yes, and he also mentioned improvements to the milestone program that rewards cruises that have reached their 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th cruises which is in addition to the VIFP program.  

[JMAE]

4 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

I think they will have some sort of grandfathering process but maybe like you said, if you haven't sailed in a number of years, you lose your status. I think a few lines already do that. We missed out on being grandfathered into the current program by like 1 or 2 cruises. So it took us a while to get to Platinum but we are on tracked for Diamond (based on the current program) in the next few years or less.

Prior to the VIFP program, the loyalty program gave credits based on the number of cruises you sailed regardless the length of the cruise.  When they moved to the VIFP program there was transition period (I think 6 months) for individuals currently in their loyalty program. The transition period allowed individuals currently in the loyalty program to make the next level prior by 12/31/13 if I recall correctly.  So, I think there will be some kind of a transition phase.        

[jsglow]

34 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

People who aren't sailing with Carnival aren't the reason they have to suspend priority boarding for journeys cruises.

Having too many that qualify certainly is a huge factor. They are going to find creative ways to trim that down. Journeys will always have more of course so the impact there will be marginal.

[sparks1093]

Nights sailed is easy to understand and account for, total dollars spent is harder (I mean, all of the money we spend goes on my card, does that mean DW gets no credit?). I can see them increasing the number of nights needed to move up to the higher level tiers, especially since we are on the cusp and would have to wait longer 🤣.

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, starstruck05 said:

John Heald, Carnival's Brand Ambassador, has stated that the new program should be rolled out by the end of the year but he's not able to give details as to what the new program is. It's been in the works for a while. I suspect an announcement maybe in the fall.

Correct, he has mentioned it enough now for it to be fact.  

[Elaine5715]

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

I'm going to guess that won't be the case. The problem Carnival currently has is that far too many cruisers have achieved Platinum, for example, meaning that far too often things like priority embarkation/tenders needs to be eliminated. When ALL have priority, none do. I do think folks will be given the 'opportunity' to be grandfathered.

 

'If you haven't sailed with us in 5 years you still have a chance in the next year to retain your VIFP status' kind of thing.

After Delta butchered their loyalty program with the excuses of "too many" after two years of carrying status over without re-earning, they were hit hard with an exit of elite flyers so hopefully Carnival was paying attention.  Delta could have at least waited until this year since those who just carryovered, would have needed to earn their spot this year.  

I have no issues with requiring  at least one cruise in a period of time to maintain status, or even status doesn't begin until you are 18 or maybe, they actually give the status perks only to the guest who earned it so the games with moving people around stop.

[Elaine5715]

23 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Nights sailed is easy to understand and account for, total dollars spent is harder (I mean, all of the money we spend goes on my card, does that mean DW gets no credit?). I can see them increasing the number of nights needed to move up to the higher level tiers, especially since we are on the cusp and would have to wait longer 🤣.

Nongambling people would lose their minds when gamblers spending $20K a cruise lapped them in status.  

[ninjacat123]

I hope Carnival won't take away Platinum status from my DDs.  They just got it last cruise.

Edited March 22 by ninjacat123