kennethfine

The AMEX Plat card has a cruise benefit good for a two-category upgrade under certain conditions.

This would seem to be a very good deal, depending on whether or not "Q" and "O' bookings are upgraded. If you have to "Full Y" cruise fare, it ain't really a savings.

Does anyone have experience applying this perk? Where did you buy from? What was your experience?

I can't imagine a lowball shop like "vacationstogo.com" would mesh with this benefit...or would it?

Here's the fine print from the AMEX site; I can't extract anything useful from it:

39. Cruise Privileges Program: 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. One of the travelers must be a U.S. Business Platinum Card or Centurion® member and there is a three-cabin limit per Card member, per sailing. Payment must be made with an American Express Card in the Business Platinum Card member's name. Book through Business Platinum Travel (BPT) or refer your travel professional to BPT. To receive CPP amenities, travel agencies are responsible for following CPP bookings guidelines provided by BPT Agency Services Desk (ASD): 1-800-553-9497. Program valid for sailings completed by 12/31/06. Amenities are subject to change without notice. Ships’ Registries: Crystal Cruises: Bahamas; Cunard Line: Great Britain; Holland America Line: Netherlands and Bahamas; Princess Cruises and Tours: Great Britain and Bermuda; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises: Bahamas; Wallis & Futuna; Seabourn Cruise Line: Bahamas; Silversea® Cruises: Bahamas; Windstar Cruises: Bahamas.

Kagehitokiri

either $300 per suite for 2 people

or on some, 2 category upgrade within same grouping for outside cabins.

the thing to look for is the promos though, where you can get a lot more credit, or other things. like upgrades on regent or windstar.

cwc

This benefit best apply to Luxury cruiseline where you will get 300$ onboard credit. For the mass market like Holland & Princess, you can get better upgrade by just praying for the upgrade fairy to visit.

You do not need to book through PTS to get this benifit, I learned that the hard way. My PTS TA was so bad, I almost canceled my cruise. As long as your TA is willing to work with you and send in all the needed info to AE and get confirmation. You will have your "privilege" waiting for you when you get onboard. Last cruise I used an online travel agency, which specialized on most luxury cruise. I received my benifit not problem.

Kagehitokiri

ive heard that before, that you dont have to book through PTS.

any virtuoso agents willing to combine?

RichardInSF

My TA was able to work with PTS and get the benefit for us the last time we did Windstar, although my TA said that it was a real pain dealing with PTS.

The benefit was a one category upgrade (doesn't mean much on Windstar, most all cabins are identical, it just gets you up one deck higher) and the onboard credit, which was helpful.

kennethfine

What is PTS? What online TA did you use? Any "discount" cruise providers that would work with AMEX's premium?

-KF

Kagehitokiri

platinum travel service... for platinum cardholders.

kuroneko

Which online agency did you use?

cwc

If you go to another cruisetalk forum. It is the sponsered travel agency.

ABG

Most lines won't allow Amex to combine with Virtuoso..... and generally speaking, the Virtuoso shore event is worth more than the Amex ship board credit. The problem is, people often forget how much a shore event costs prior to boarding a ship.

I don't believe you will find many online discounters willing to do all the extra work required to get the Amex credits

gmorgan

We've booked five Regent (ex-Radisson) cruises through Costco using the Amex platinum card. Although Costco has its own troubles as a TA, the discounts are good and there's never been a problem with the $300 shipboard credit. ditto the one Holland America cruise...but that was upgrade, not credit.

MJonTravel

Anyone ever use PTS to book a NON cruise privileges cruise? I suppose I'm trying to ask if PTS is any good as plain old travel agent?

I'm thinking of booking my upcoming honeymoon through them just to have an intermediary have to deal with everything given we'll have enough going on with wedding planning.

Trying to determine if PTS would be ok for this, or if I'm just better off going out on my own.

kennycrudup

Are shore excursions that popular? I've been on 4 cruises, and 0 shore excursions. (Of course, last time I was on a cruise the GF & I ran up $1500 of on-board charges in a week, so we might be a little anomalous in that regard )

Kagehitokiri

flyastrojets, id recommend finding a good virtuoso TA. they can book FHR/etc for you when necessary, if you have amex plat.

with regards to shore excursions, all-inclusive cruiselines usually include 1 i believe.

MJonTravel

Thanks for this. I've started searching for one in the DC area.