As a frugal person I always do my homework when I travel. When I stay at a particular hotel chain that I have not stayed at before I sign up in their membership program for possible upgrades / discounts. When I finally signed my family up for a cruise (finally got the wife's permission) the first thing I did was attempt to sign up for a membership program. I was a little disappointed that I could not do so becuase we had never cruised before. So I can understand how someone else in the similar situation as me would want to purchase those discounts.
And for a little background I work as a mid level manager for a large hospitality company (over $ 1.5 billion) and thoroughly encourage some type of recognition for first time guests. If my crew does an awesome job like I know they can do my guests will return not becuase of a discount.
It is worth noting that RCI offers membership in the Crown And Anchor after a person has completed just one cruise. This is not out of line with hotel programs - indeed, it provides perks after just one cruise - even if it was just a 3-day cruise. I was just looking at my Hilton Honors plan and it really doesn't approach the generosity of the RCI loyalty program. I joined HH a couple months ago. All I really got was a personalized letter in my room from the manager and some points. Big deal.
I am sorry everyone, but at present I am trying to work up to diamond status with RCI. I just don't think it is fair for someone to buy the perks on the cheap when I am paying my way up to earn those perks by taking cruises.
if the cruise line was worried about it they would check coupons closer.
we signed up the week before and got our coupon book the first night.
I give away the ones i dont care for to my tablemates.
I got some once on a carnival cruise as a perk...they are basically a way to get you to spend more....all but a few coupons are buy a few things get one free or a 10%-20% off deal.
only the buy one get one free drink, casino match play and slot/blackjack tourny entry were of value to me.
it's an advertising gimick...oooohhhh i have a coupon so that $100 worth of wine only cost $90 i'm saving soooo much by using the coupon. the seatle's best coffee and ben & jerrys is 20% less expensive....whooopppeeee.
at the risk of being a prissypants i think they ought to burn the coupons and extra charges and make everything on the ship inclusive....
why would a sane person want to pay for johnny rockets on a cruise?.. i'll never know.
Well, you are correct - most of the coupons offered require something from the passenger before the coupon can be used. Most of them require a purchase of some sort in order to use the coupon.
I think we need to put this thread to bed! Comment now or never. I will scram this thread tomorrow morning, just to avoid any further insult, innuendo, or insanity!
I am sorry everyone, but at present I am trying to work up to diamond status with RCI. I just don't think it is fair for someone to buy the perks on the cheap when I am paying my way up to earn those perks by taking cruises.
O.K. Dave, just to make sure that I have this right.....spend over 10K (by the time you include all of the extras such as airfare, drinks, meals not included, etc.) to get the coupon book, or spend $25.00 on ebay to get the same thing.........hmmmmmm...You're not a purchasing agent for the Dept. of Defense by any chance are you?
This is not out of line with hotel programs - indeed, it provides perks after just one cruise - even if it was just a 3-day cruise. I was just looking at my Hilton Honors plan and it really doesn't approach the generosity of the RCI loyalty program. I joined HH a couple months ago. All I really got was a personalized letter in my room from the manager and some points. Big deal.
I worked for Sheraton hotels and if you purchased thier Club membership for $25 you could be upgraded to a jr. suite first visit if one was available - and if suites were not available you were given a complimentary meal - before you spent 1 night in their hotel. I don't expect alot being a first timer - it just seems to me that some of those discounts could go to first timers - who have the potential to return.
Kingfisher, some people play buy the rules. Then, of coarse, there are those that break rules and encourage others to do the same. There's nothing wrong with being ethical. To try to put down someone who has some ethical perspective, reveals the character of that person. A person with ethics should be praised, not ridiculed. Rules, ever so trivial, are still rules.
Where will it end? Any one have some free US government cheese they want to sell cheap? (I am kidding, just for the record.)
I am reminded of *Sam buying Diane a discount ring to save a few bucks. How cheap can people be, spend the money on a cruise and they pack their suitcases full of $ 1.50 Champagne flutes?
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