Amex Platinum: $300 Credit......

[aaannnthony]

......anyone ever have any problems with Princess, like restrictions?

[Lynda90]

Could you be a little clearer in your request. What exactly do you want to know?

[aaannnthony]

I've had rejections, more than once.....that cruise is not qualified.....that cruise only offers a 2 category pricing adjustment!

[ahracer]

It would be helpful if you could explain exactly what you are talking about. I wasn't aware of any benefits with the Platinum card but i'd be interested to find out if I overlooked something.

 

Scott

[gatour]

Although I am not aaannnthony, I do have an AMEX platinum card and believe I know what he is asking about.

 

One of the things that they advertise is that you can get $150 per person cabin credit or upgrades on certain cruiselines. Princess is one of the cruiselines in the program. Of course the cruiselines are able to have restrictions. For example a couple months ago I took a HAL cruise and got a $300 cabin credit, since it was me and my wife in the cabin. :)

 

However, I have booked a Princess cruise over New Years, and the AMEX TA said you won't get the credit, since "Princess never offers on holiday bookings" and sure enough she was correct.

 

The other nice benefit is that if you flying (to a cruise or not) you are also eligible to use certain airlines' airport clubs if you are taking their flights on that trip. On my last day of a cruise out of San Juan, I came down with a cold. We left the ship and went directly to the airport for a late afternoon flight because I was in no condition to sightsee. Once we checked in at the airport, we headed to the Delta club, there was no more than 7-8 people max at anyone time in the club. When we walked out of the club to board the plane, the airport terminal was PACKED. I would have been absolutely miserable sitting in the terminal for those 4 or 5 hours. To me, considering that the card costs $300/year, and I can get a $300 shipboard credit plus use certain airlines' clubs, it is worth it.

 

Back to the original poster's question. I got a feeling that Princess may be a little more stingy with the credits etc, but based on a previous Princess cruise, I may decide to make Princess my "home" cruise line. It is time to make some inquiries on a late spring cruise for next year, so I will try to remember to post about any credits/upgrades Princess offers in connection to AMEX platinum.

[spongerob]

As I understand it, the AMEX credits are no different than those offered by any other TA. The only thing is, you have to book with Platinum Travel Service. I've compared their prices, and decided I could save more on a Princess cruise booking elsewhere. That might not be true with the premium lines.

[usavvy2]

I have an AMEX Platinum but it's the Delta Skymiles one - never offered any bonuses for cruising or air perks etc. so I assume you're talking about the std. AMEX Platinum not a vanity (?) one -

[auntieann]

Spongerob is correct. You have to book through American Express. I called and asked if they would match another TA's price and they said no. My fare was way less (including $300 cabin credit they would have given me.) I told them I would let the CC group know that it was no deal!

[happydays]

You do not have to book your cruise through Platinum AMEX travel service but you DO have to book it through a travel agency - or as I did - book directly with the line and then transfer it to an agency. I have used Costco on several Disney (used to be with the AMEX program but not any more) and Radisson cruises. Each time, I received 10% off of the fare and the $300 onboard credit. I booked our first Princess cruise - Sapphire in August - and, after asking when transferring the reservation to Costco, was also given the $300 credit as well. I have reconfirmed twice with Costco that this credit shows on my invoice. One other note: I believe the credit is usually only offered with balcony staterooms and suites. I know that with Radisson, we also get a bottle of champagne and some sort of treats as well as a cocktail party and bridge tour. Not sure if the extras will come with Princess.

 

As someone posted earlier, the card is pricey. I think I pay $395 a year, but two cruise credits more than makes up for it and, like mentioned above, the use of the airport lounges is great - never had a problem with this.

 

REALLY looking forward to our first Princess cruise! Thanks for all the great info here.

[fig414]

We booked through my Amex related Travel Agent and we are receiving a $150.00 (per cabin) credit after the cruise. We had to use any Amex card, not a Platinum card per se.

[JanetMarie]

I was just charged $85 for a yearly fee on my AmEx platinum. I must not have the $300 platinum! Will the $85 yr. fee card get me the discount? Thanks ~ :cool:

[spongerob]

Here is a quote from a brochure sent out by American Express. There are offers for Carnival, Princess, HAL, Seabourn, Cunard, Celebrity, and Crystal. The specific Princess offer includes a "one category" upgrade with promo fares for JJ, FF, and BB cabins on Golden Princess 10/10/04. There is no specific mention of cabin credits for this offer.

 

Upgrade offer applicable to new bookings only...on select American Express group dates listed 3/7/04 - 12/11/04. Upgrades applicable only within the same class of cabins...Shipboard credit based on availability and not redeemable for cash or credit (my italics). Not applicable to holiday sailings.

. Other agencies might offer credits, but I don't think they are the same as the $300 AMEX credit that the original question refers to. I almost always get some kind of cabin credit when booking, not tied to my P-card, although I always use it for payments.

[aaannnthony]

Thanks for the replies!

 

The cost is $395!......and, you don't have to book through Platinum Amex Travel Services!

 

What I've learned today is that Princess has many restrictions. The $300 shipboard credit, almost always, is restricted to suites only; otherwise, the two category price adjustment applies.....so, if you're in a mini, o/v, or an inside cabin, your adjustment may be as little as $20pp, for two categories, or, only $40! Amex does not disclose the fact that the $300 credit is for suites only!!

 

Also, only cruises of 7 days or more are eligible.....Amex, in their information, does not disclose this fact.

 

The cruise lines, eight, offering this Amex credit are: Crystal, Silversea, Radisson, Seabourn, Cunard, WindStar, Princess, and HAL.....no others at this time.....no Celebrity, Carnival, or RCCL.

 

To summarize my situation, I was rejected on our Alaska cruise because we received a two category upgrade b/4 final payment. We were rejected on our 5 day coastal because it wasn't 7 days, I guess that's okay. And, on our seven day Mexican Riviera, although booked in a mini, we were limited to a two category price adjustment, which amounted to $200 instead of the $300 shipboard credit!

 

So, I purchased the card for $395, expecting $900 in shipboard credits, and, received a price reduction of $200, with zreo shipboard credits!

 

The message is to inquire first......as to what benefits to expect b/4 you apply for the Amex Platinum!!!!

[JanetMarie]

Oh, boy, so many options with all of these charge cards!!! Yikes! :eek:

[TMWOOD1012]

WE ARE BOOKED ON THE SAPPHIRE FOR SEPT AND USED ONE AMEX PLATINUM CARD TO BOOK/PAY FOR 3 CABINS.

YES, YOU MUST BOOK A SUITE TO QUALIFY FOR $300 CREDIT, BUT 2 CATEGORY UPGRADE WILL REPLACE THAT, ONLY WITHIN SAME TYPE OF CABIN. ie: OUTSIDE FOR OUTSIDE, ETC.

IN ADDITTION WE ARE TO RECEIVE A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE IN EACH CABIN AND DINNER FOR 2 FOR EACH CABIN FOR DINING AT SABATINI'S THE FIRST NIGHT OF THE CRUISE.

YOU CAN BOOK UP TO 3 CABINS ON THE AMEX TO RECEIVE THE PERKS..PLUS YOU GET TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH THE PURCHASE, TOO.

[spongerob]

Did you use Platinum Travel Service, or another TA? And if you used another TA, did you have to ask for the credits and perks? Thanks in advance.

[summer2004]

We are on the Grand at the end of the month. We booked three AD mini-suites using one AMEX platinum card through a cruise agency and we will be receiving a $300 cabin credit for each cabin and two bottles of wine for each cabin. You should definitely not assume your TA will get you the cabin credit. Stay on top of the TA and even call the cruiseline directly to double check that you got it.

 

We have been booked for almost a year now and I believe that the $300 cabin credit policy has recently changed, but they were kind enough to honor the credit for us based on the year ago booking date. I am unaware of any restrictions on what the credit can be used towards. The only one I can think of may be casino related.

 

Not all "platinum" cards are the same. This applies to the AMEX $395 annual fee card only. The qualifications for the card are much more strict. Wonder what you get with the AMEX Centurion card!

[spongerob]

Wonder what you get with the AMEX Centurion card!

The Captain picks you up personally at your hotel and carries your bags on board for you!:D

[Lynda90]

Can anyone link me to the website for this card. I have tried to find it but there are so many different Amex cards it's almost impossible to wade through all the different sites.

 

Thanks!

[summer2004]

Just did a quick check of the AMEX website and it does say under "Terms & Conditions", footnote #16 "2004 Cruise Privileges Program" for the "Platinum Card":

 

"The $300 ($150 per person, double occupancy) shipboard credit cannot be used in the casino or for payment of gratuities, is non-transferable, and cannot be redeemed for cash or credit."

 

Lyndabaker: at the AMEX website go to "cards" then "apply for a card now", then it should say "I know which card I want", look under "Premium Rewards" then Platinum Card. Sorry I couldn't just post a link.

 

Spongerob: Sign me up for the Centurion!!

[californiagirl]

There is one other annual perk that has not been mentioned if a vacation is paid for with the AMEX platinium card. This perk can be used once annually and applies to any vacation paid in full with the platinium card. (Does not have to be a cruise. I believe there is a minimum charge of $1000.00 or $1500.00.) That is a refund of $150.00 in addition to any other offer. When we cruised on the Grand, we received a great price initially and then $300.00 cabin credit and a $150.00 refund on our bill. We did NOT use Platinium Travel Service. If you travel frequently, this benefit along with all of the other perks really offset the $395.00 annual fee.

 

Lisa

[decr]

You can get a refund with using the Delta Am Ex Platinum. As Californiagirl says, the card benefits listing says 1 $150 refund per year. When I booked with it through Am Ex travel, they matched the best fare that I had found and then gave us $150 credit on the Am Ex bill for each of our 2 cabins, plus $50 room credit per cabin.

[aaannnthony]

Lisa, my T/A inquired as to your point regarding the $150, once a year credit/refund, and was informed it must be through Platinum Travel Services.

 

Further, I just read the section in the web-site info, and, it specifically states that the travel must be through PTS. How did you receive the refund if you did not use PTS? What's the "trick"?

 

The $150 amount is for travel over $2500; the refund is only $100 for travel between $2000 and $2500.