Current AMEX White Glove

[Otisp]

There are a number of reports floating on the boards of AMEX White Glove upgrades going around. Most seem to involve paying an extra $59 or $120 for various bennies, including $250 shipboard credit. Past deals have required:

1) Full payment on AMEX
2) At least a cat. 7.

If you've recently received a White Glove upgrade, please let us know what your ressies are for and who you had to talk to to get the upgrade.

Thanks!!!!

[Coach]

Dear Otisp,
Check out the link below. My TA told me about the AMEX White Glove upgrade. It cost me $149.00 for a family of four. We're going on the 7 day land/sea October 13 of this year. Staying in a CAT. 3 room. It seems like a good deal. The ship board credit alone is worth it.


http://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/lmt/detail.asp?bcid=1&cat=4&lmt=1&page=5&bcr=cat&sort=0&tpid=11304

Good luck,
Coach

P.S. The seven day cruise will give you a $350.00 ship board credit.

[MrsG]

DH and I booked a 7 day Western and paid completely with AMEX through DCL. I read on a message board that for additional money we could get a shipboard credit, etc. I called DCL and for $57 (billed on our AMEX of course) we will get:
A letter with a request for resv. at Palos for a day of our choice
Collector Pin
$250 shipboard credit
beach bag
8X10 pic at Shutters

PLUS the regular white glove treatment of:
lanyard for pins
10% of non-motor rentals at Castaway Cay
10% off certain merchandise

This is slightly different from the land and sea cruise cited on the above message.

Hope this helps

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

I am sooo confused - what would we get if we have a 7 day land / sea (3 nights at the CR and 4 nights on the Wonder 10/31/02 - 11/07/02) with a cat 5 or 11?

Also, I thought you needed a platinum card to get the $300.00 on-board credit.

Does the Optima Platinum qualify?

Do you get all these things:
$250.00 on-board credit
Beach Bag or chair???
Collector Pins
8X10 picture at Shutters
Advanced ressies at Palo

PLUS white glove treatment while on the land portion

What is the cost? I read it is $54, $57, $59, $120 ... ???

Can someone please clarify all this info for me - BRAIN OVERLOAD!!!

Also, I booked through a TA - What info do I need to give her and does she call DCL now or when it is paid (09/01/02) (Will that be too late?)

Thanks,
Lisa

[chmb1]

Coach:

My TA told me that the AMEX add-on you are talking about is only valid for cat. 4 -7. How did you get it for a Cat. 3?

CMB

[rgionet]

I have an Amex Platinum Delta Skymiles card so I received the $300 shipboard credit for $59 on the Sept 14th sailing. To get my discount I called DCL directly and had them apply it.

[MCazer]

Ok, I just paid for the remainder of my (7 days Magic) cruise For August 3rd with my Amex card (deposit was also made with my Amex Card). I booked through Dreams and also got the Castaway Credit. Can I still get the White Glove Package and their shipboard credit?

Anyone else doing this, please help me out. Can I call Disney Cruise Line directly and ask for this package?

Help! I want to get everything I can, as this is costing me a fortune... oh , we are booked in a category 6 (guaranteed)

Thanks!

[MrsG]

DH and I booked a category 5 through DCL and paid for totally with AMEX. I called DCL and for $57 we got a $250 shipboard plus goodies. When I read here about a $300 for AMEX platinum (which ours was) I called DCL back. They said that DCL is not allowed to ask which type of AMEX you have. They said if I wanted to convert to the $300 shipboard credit AMEX package there would be no additional charge but I would have to transfer the registration to AMEX Platinum Travel.

So I called AMEX Platinum Travel (I didn't know who to believe at this point) and they agreed with what DCL said. I would have to transfer the regis to them and for no additional fee we would get the same package but with $300 shipboard credit instead.

HOWEVER, AMEX said that the cruise rate is different under AMEX and the price will probably go up enough to wipeout the extra $50 we would be saving. She said to take the $250 regular AMEX credit and book through AMEX next time. WHEW!

Hope this answers any questions about this nonsense!

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Well, I called my TA and she is going to call DCL and have them apply it to our stateroom, however, when she called DCL to get general info about this package she got conflicting info from them regarding the $59. I asked this question before because there were so many discrepancies about how much it is. I am waiting for a resonse from my TA regarding this.

Lisa

[KenP]

What happens if you, on board, book the onboard repeat cruiser rate (7day) with $200 castaway club credit (Cat 7) and at that time had the reservation transferred back to AMEX Platinum Travel. Do I get the $300 AMEX platinum credit too?

I hesistate to call AMEX or DCL as I suspect they will be confused too :-)

[MCazer]

Just to update you guys. And a big thanks to Donna at Dreams for all my email inquiries.

Just to fill you in... I have a category 6 (guarantee) on the Magic Aug 3rd cruise. We cruised last year, so I got the Castaway Credit ($200) for booking within the 120 days.

I paid in full with my American Express Card last week. However, you can't have both the Amex White Glove and the Castaway stateroom credit. So, weighing the options and lots of emails to verify different things, we decided to take the Amex package and pay $59, and get a $250 stateroom credit, the Amex Pin, the Amex Beach Chair Bag, Photo, and Palo reservation. We cancelled the Castaway credit, but will still receive any Castaway gift that they will be giving, and will also get our invite to the Castaway party (with free drinks). So, for a difference of $9 total, I get alot more stuff.

It was worth it for us. Too bad we can't get all the promos out there! LOL

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Well, I have more info - DCL is still telling my TA that there is NO CHARGE for this package - she has spoken to more than one cm because sometimes one knows something the other doesn't, anyway, that is the word so far.

Also, I was under the impression that I woul dhave to pay this off now (our pay date is 09/01/02) because DCL only gives out so many packages per sailing. My TA said that this AMEX package does not require us to pay this off beforehand, they just have to add this to our package now so they know how we will be paying for it.

There also still seems to be some discrepancies as to what you are actually going to get. Can someone elaborate on this a bit more for me?? Also, how do you make your Palo reservations before you sail??

Also, what are the benefits of the White Glove Treatment while on land? Do you still get the fanny pack? Also what options do you get with the flex feature?

I hope someone can help and answer these questions.

Thanks for your help.
Lisa

[MrsG]

DCL said that the instructions on how to make advance Palos resv would be sent out in a letter requesting what day and time we would like. I didn't get the info yet (we sail 7/6) and am not sure if we call it in ahead of time or what. I'll keep you posted.

[KennyK]

Before I call my TA, does anyone know if the Amex white glove program is available on the 4 day Wonder cruises. We sail on October 13th, 2002 and will be payiing the cruise by Amex and was wondering if this program was available for us also. We currently have Disney Club on board credit only.


thanks
KennyK

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

MrsG: Thanks for your info and please keep us posted on what to do to make the advance Palo ressies.

KennyK: I believe it is only for 7 day packages whether it be 7 day land/sea or 7 night cruises. I don't think it applies to 4 night cruises or 3 night cruises - if you are doing land and sea and booked your land/sea package separately then you would get another type of AMEX deal while you are on land - as long as you booked a minimum of 3 nights at certain resorts - check the AMEX website as I do not know how to link yet - sorry.

Lisa

[Otisp]

AMEX linkies to Land/Sea: http://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/lmt/detail.asp?bcid=1&vnd=9&page=1&bcr=vnd&sort=0&tpid=11304

and to 7-day:
http://travel.americanexpress.com/travel/lmt/detail.asp?bcid=1&vnd=9&page=1&bcr=vnd&sort=0&tpid=11524

[vacationqueen]

Has anyone gotten any written documentation of what they would be receiving with this American Express package? We leave Saturday and all of have to offer if my word that my travel agent said I have it!!!:rolleyes:

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Ok - my TA called me today and told me a little bit more of what she found out - The $59 is the package difference from what you currently have to the AMEX package. You basically switch your whole ressie over to AMEX, you still get all the benefits, but with extra's. The AMEX $59 is not an "add-on" package. This is the reason why there were so many different prices.

[cumickey]

I am still confused (which is easy to do!! ;) ), but I 'd like to know this:

I have already paid our deposit to Costco using Visa. Can I now call Costco and say I want to change things and pay the deposit with AMEX?. Would this lead to a huge mess?, would I still have my original room number and price quote?. I booked end of april time and our cruise is in sept. My dh thinks it's best to leave it!, but I love the onboard credit!, and all the other goodies!. So if anyone can put my mind at peace!!, appreciate it!

TIA

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

cumickey: I agree - this whole this is very confusing. From what my TA has told me and what we are going to do is have our Discover card (the cc that we paid our depsoit with) credited for the $400.00 deposit ($200.00 per adult).

Then we are going to have the $400.00 deposit applied to our AMEX card.

At that time our TA will have DCL state on our ressies that we want the AMEX land/sea package (the $250.00 ship board credit and all the other benefits).

The difference between the packages (for us) is an additional $59.

When our final payment is due (09/01/02) we will put the balance on our AMEX card.

I am assuming (and maybe I shouldn't) that when we get our documents there will be more information regarding how to go about getting our Palo ressies and the other things such as the pins and beach bag/chair?? You are going to be sailing before me so please let me know the scoop on this if you go with the AMEX package.

This is what we are going to do!! My TA said it will not change our original ressies (stateroom on the ship, early dining, early booking savings, etc...)

If I get more info than this I will post it here.

I hope this info is helpful.

Lisa

[cumickey]

That was very helpful RDISNEYLOVERS, thanks!, so how do did you find the difference in packages re:

The difference between the packages (for us) is an additional $59.

Is that the price difference between your TA's quote and an Amex quote for the land/sea cruise is $59?.

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

cumickey: Yes, $59 is the difference in the package between my TA (booked originaly through DCL) and the AMEX package. I surely don't mind paying the difference because you get soooo many more benefits - just the $250.00 shioboard credit is worth it alone - it is more than what the returning cruisers get when you book onboard!!

Lisa

[chmb1]

Is it true that all of the AMEX package add-ons are for Cat. 4 - 7 only?

Thanks.

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

Yes - they are for categories 4 - 7 only. You only get it on 7 day Eastern Cruises and the 7 day land/sea packages!!

Hope this helps.

Lisa

[Mjasp]

Is the white glove treatment a DCL promo or an Amex promo?

If its a DCL promo I can see not combining the castaway club on board credits.

BUT... If its an Amex promo what does one company have to do with the other? Why then can't you have both on board credits.
I would ask Amex platinum travel about that one. Especially if you have to book thru them.

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

mjasp: I agree with you!! The AMEX and the Castaway club or Disney Club or Annual Pass Holders or 1st time cruiser or etc... should be able to be combined because these are offers from different compies.

[bennett]

I called our TA to ask about the AMEX package-I was curious about Palo's advanced ressies-they also said I should receive a letter to send in to request our evening we wanted to dine there-well, I said--we leave next week--she put me on hold-I got disconnected-called back then was told I had to wait until we get onboard-we paid $57. more to get all the goodies-I went round and round with this-I cannot believe how confusing it has been-they said all the goodies will be in our stateroom-we'll see!

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

bennett: Please let us know what you received in your stateroom regarding the AMEX package when you get back. I think that would help to answer many of these questions.

Have a great trip!!

Say hi to Mickey for me!!

Lisa

[MrsG]

Bennett,

I too was told I would receive a letter re: Palo ressies, but I have not and we leave 7/6. Please let me know how it works out with you. If it wasn't for the $250 shipboard credit, I would not have gone through this hassel and tons of phone calls. On AMEX site it says Priority Seating not Advance Reservations so I am wondering if they just squeeze you in on the night you want. Confusing!!!!!


Mrs. G:confused:

[Diamond_Girls]

Since there are 3 different dining rotations, and we do not know which one we have until we board, how are we supposed to make advance Palo's reservations? I have three different nights based on which rotation I get...

[Flik]

Mrs. G,

Priority Seating in WDW language = advance reservation.

We have the same white glove treatment that you talked about. Our TA told us that 30 days from date of travel, DCL will send us info to make priority seating. It doesn't sound like you got that.

I share the same concern as many that it's a hassle. If it weren't for the shipboard credit, it's not worth it. Different people tell you different things. What makes me nervous is our TA is out on a leave now.

When you get back, please let us know how everything turned out with the white glove treatment.

Enjoy!!!

[MrsG]

I just called DCL reservations and the rep said that we are entitled to advance ressies. She left a long voice mail for the Dining Consultant who won't be in until Monday stating that we haven't gotten any info mailed about this, as was promised. She appologized profusely and said if I don't hear back by Wed., call again. I'll keep you posted.

Mrs. G

[Tybus]

If you do not hear from someone on Monday, you should call your travel agent. We had this package in January and it was an add-on package that we could get through any travel agent not just AMEX travel. We never were contacted by DCL to make advanced reservations at Palo. They told us we would be able to book Palo's 30 to 45 days prior to our sail date. So when I had heard nothing by 30 days prior, I called our travel agent and had her call DCL. My travel agent then called me back with a way to contact DCL to make our priority reservations. I immediately made our priority reservations at Palo's without any problem. I went immediately to Palo's as soon as we boarded to check on our reservations because we had 5 different ones and I wanted to make sure that they were actually made and were correct and they were! So that was nice. We also received everything else we were supposed to get : photo op with characters (keep in mind it is a group, not individual photo op - but very few people were there on our cruise), 8x10 picture, beach chair bag, pins, and onboard credit. I hope this helps! Good luck!

[MCazer]

I went immediately to Palo's as soon as we boarded to check on our reservations because we had 5 different ones

were you allowed to make 5 reservations at Palos with one White Glove Package? Or were there more than one family and you were just checking on all of the reservations.

I thought it was good for only one reservation, and I would like to go there 2 times on this trip, since we enjoyed it so much on our last.

Thanks for any help!

[Tybus]

We had 2 cabins. We made 2 dinner, 2 brunch, and 1 high tea reservations. We ended up cancelling our high tea reservation because it was on the same day as the brunch and we were too full! So if you do both, try to do them on seperate days.

[bennett]

We had the White Glove package-paid additional $58. for it with Delta Sky Miles Plat AX--we did get a $250- on board credit-could have gotten $300 credit if it wasn't Sky Miles--just Plat-received a chair cover and neat pin in the room when we boarded-obviously it was worth the additional $$ to get the credit but thats about it

[Diamond_Girls]

Is the 8 x 10 voucher good for any picture we want? Or does it have to be for the photo at the photo opportunity with the characters? When is that photo opportunity? Thanks!

[MrsG]

Bennet,

Glad that it worked out for you. How did you make out with the Palo ressies. I don't think you ever got the letter so did you tell them when you got on the ship? We're confused there and time is getting shorter.

Thanks,

Mrs. G

[Tybus]

The voucher is good for any 8X10.

The photo-op was at 1:40 pm on Monday in the Buena Vista Theater on the Eastern cruise.

Then Island Magic started at 2:00.

[Tybus]

I am not Bennet, but I think I can answer your question - I wrote a post to you earlier, but I guess you did not see it. When we had this package we were never contacted by DCL. We had to contact them. When it was 30 days prior to our sail date I had our travel agent call DCL. She called me back and gave me a phone number to call to make our priority reservations. I would have your travel agent call today. I looked for the number because I know I have it (I never throw anything like that away) but I haven't been able to find it so far. If I find it I will let you know!

[MrsG]

Thanks RIDISNEYLOVERS for the push to call DCL. I called the 800 info # for DCL and asked for the Dining Coordinator. She was very helpful and confirmed our rotation as LAP (we are not taking the kids on the cruise) and said that we could book Palos Dinner, High Tea, and Champagne Brunch on the phone which we did. They couldn't have been nicer.

So don't wait for a letter about Palos to arrive. Call DCL and book Palos ASAP.

Thanks for all your help. Hope this clears up Palo Advance Ressies!

Mrs. G

[bennett]

Sorry- I would have responded earlier but was out of town on an emergency-We did not get that one picture that had the characters in the theater-we didn't care to have the all the people that had the White Glove in the picture with us-we had plenty of other opportunities to get pictures with the characters all together-we picked another 8x10 from Shutters-As far as Palo's goes-when I called before we left, I was told I would have to do it on the ship-I didn't make a big stink out of it-once on the ship-I was able to get right in-picked the time we want-(after I checked the rotation)-

[dreamflight99]

This offer includes the following:

$300 Onboard ship credit
priority seating Reservations for Palo's (we have both dinner & brunch reserved..priceless!) DCL contacted my TA--and made the ressies promptly. No problems.
Bottle of Champagne delivered to your room
Voucher for Shutters
Beach Bag
Pin
Tour of ship's bridge
discounts on Castaway Cay
$10 off merchandise over $75.00 onboard
Other Misc.

This is the AMEX Platinum offer we received for our upcoming 7-night W.C. Cruise (Cat. 5)! If you are an AMEX Plat. Card holder...just mentioning this to the Disney Cruise Line Agent qualifies you for this exclusive offer. Enjoy!!;)

[Diamond_Girls]

That is the first I heard about champagne (yum!)... even Amex website does not mention that...

has anyone received that as part of their package in the past?

[mog]

Does anyone know if this would work if our American Express is my husbands corporate Amex through his company? It is still in his name/credit, etc. but done through his company.
Also - do you have to book through Amex to get this package, or can my TA get it for us?
Thanks

[mog]

Still looking for more info! My TA said that according to her info, it is only if you have a Platinum AMEX, not a regular one. Can anyone confirm that they have done this with a regular AMEX??

[bennett]

We used our Plat Amex (Sky Miles) which they say is different than the regular Plat Amex-with ours we received $250. credit with regular Plat you can receive $300. room credit--I hate to see all of this confusion-they may think its not worth this confusion and do away with it--

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

We have not gone on our trip yet, but we did book 5 staterooms (cat 5) with the AMEX. Two of those staterooms had the platinum card and received the $300 and the rest had regular and received the $250. This is supposedly on our "reservation", but like I said we had not sailed yet!! We'll see!!

I would really like info from someone that sailed recently that used the "parks and ports" package!!

Lisa

[MrsG]

When I called DCL I told them we had an AMEX (it was actually platinum but I neglected to mention this) We got the $250 package for $57 so you CAN get it with a regular AMEX. When I called back after I heard you can get $300 with the platinum and ours was platinum, DCL said that they were not allowed to ask if it was platinum or not. Anyway both DCL (who we booked through) and AMEX said that you can only get the $300 credit if you switch the reservation to AMEX. If you do this, AMEX charges their cruise prices which will probably more than cancel out the extra $50 credit. Hope this helps. Also check the AMEX website, there is info about the shipboard credit packages there. Good luck, don't give up! You will get it!

Mrs. G

[Soccer Princess]

Would it be worth it to go ahead and get an AMEX card before we book our cruise???

[MCazer]

Would it be worth it to go ahead and get an AMEX card before we book our cruise???

Yes, because you can get a Amex card (Blue Card) with no annual fee!

[Diamond_Girls]

I got a Hilton Honor's program Amex card. No annual fee but all purchases put points in your account where you can earn free stays. I figure if I keep the account for 100 years, I may get a week's stay in Hawaii for free!!

This card works for all the special Amex Disney Cruise programs.

[mcnuss]

Just remember that the White Glove program has lots of date restrictions. It did not apply the week of our cruise (11/23) bc of the holiday.
:(

[MrsG]

We just got back from the incredible Western 7 night! We paid $57 for the AMEX add on and it was well worth it. We had a note in our stateroom when we arrived stating we had a $250 credit to our shipboard account. The beach bag and pin were on our bed. Two days later we received in our room the coupon for the free shutters pic which we used for one of our formal portraits. You do not have to use it at the White glove photo op. Well worth the $57 we paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!