Hassles redeeming American Express Celebrity Rewards

[wvufan]

Just some heads up on difficulty I experienced this morning-took an hour and 15 minutes! It was a lot easier before Bankamerica took it over.

 

First, I called the number on the back of the card. This was the first mistake. They were totally clueless, and even transferred me to Carson Wagonlit (apparently they do some booking for American Express) who promptly told me that if I hadn't booked the cruise through them I could not redeem the points. On other occasions they transferred me to an office that was in CST so it wasn't even open yet. Naturally, their answering machine only said the call could not be completed and hung up, so I wasn't aware they weren't open.

 

It was a real comedy of errors until I finally got this number :

 

1-800-434-8313, option 3. They quickly verified my amounts and gave me the order number. They mistakenly told me though that points were only redeemable on Millenium class ships (this is incorrect). I then called Captain's Club, 1-800-760-0654, gave them the order number, and it was all taken care of.

 

Anyway, just want to save others the hassles I had, and suggest folks who may want to redeem points write the above numbers down for reference.

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[deb18]

Thanks. I put this in my address book for future use, I hope. Sorry it took you so long

[gracecarmo]

I have used the MBNA world points rewards with my X Amex card several times. I did notice that some of the rewards say on Millenium class ships only. ($250 shipboard credit). Others do not state this.

After applying the reward on line, I just call the captain's club and tell them.

I always ask them to give me a confirmation via e mail.

I really like this program, and the card does not have a yearly fee.

[jer_l]

That information is also on the Bank of America website. Here it is:

 

Celebrity Rewards

Q:

How can I redeem points for Celebrity® Rewards?

 

A: Cardholders can redeem Celebrity® Rewards by calling the WorldPoints® Rewards Center at 1.800.434.8313, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern Time, or by visiting the Rewards Center 24 hours a day. Once you redeem points for Celebrity® Rewards, you will receive an Order Number.

 

To schedule your next cruise vacation and use your redeemed Celebrity® Rewards, contact a U. S.-based travel agency or call Celebrity® Cruises at 1.800.760.654, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 11 p.m. Eastern, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. EST. You must provide the Order Number. All Free Cruise Rewards Must Be Booked Directly With Celebrity® Cuises.

[hisfirstm8]

Bob,

What are you redeeming your points for?

 

Barbara

[gracecarmo]

That information is also on the Bank of America website. Here it is:

 

Celebrity Rewards

Q:

How can I redeem points for Celebrity® Rewards?

 

A: Cardholders can redeem Celebrity® Rewards by calling the WorldPoints® Rewards Center at 1.800.434.8313, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern Time, or by visiting the Rewards Center 24 hours a day. Once you redeem points for Celebrity® Rewards, you will receive an Order Number.

 

To schedule your next cruise vacation and use your redeemed Celebrity® Rewards, contact a U. S.-based travel agency or call Celebrity® Cruises at 1.800.760.654, Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 11 p.m. Eastern, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. EST. You must provide the Order Number. All Free Cruise Rewards Must Be Booked Directly With Celebrity® Cuises.

 

Re the Order Number: When I ordered my reward via the web site, I was given a "Confirmation" Number". It is not the same as your "Order Number" that you must give to X for application to your cruise. The Order Number was mailed to me by MBNA (snail mail). It was all a little confusing.

[wvufan]

Good morning,

 

Well I'm glad that the purpose of the thread is being accomplished-letting people know not to try to redeem by calling the number on the back of the card.

 

I haven't tried on line, but it was an easy process by phone once I talked to the right people.

 

Barabara, I have a little over 10,000 points and will be getting $100 in shipboard credit. Note that one can get cash from the casino, it gets charged to your shipboard account, and you can use your shipboard credit to apply to that balance. So, I'll get more bang for the buck than if I selected other options. I may need that amount to get towed out of the sand in Aruba:D

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[tbelian]

We did online redemption, even after the bank of amercia take over.

 

No problems. In my opinion, that's the way to go (via the website).