Poll - how much would you pay to "buy into" CC Platinum?

[squirk]

Just curious. Some people really seem to get value out of the Platinum perks; some could not care less.

But let's say, knowing what you know now, you go back in time to your first Disney cruise and are given the option at the port to pay a one-time fee for you (just you, not your whole family) to become an instant permanent Platinum. What would you pay (if anything)?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just curious. Some people really seem to get value out of the Platinum perks; some could not care less.

But let's say, knowing what you know now, you go back in time to your first Disney cruise and are given the option at the port to pay a fee for you (just you, not your whole family) to become an instant Platinum. What would you pay (if anything)?

You need an "other". I wouldn't pay anything.

Really the only cash value to the Platinum perk is the $30 per person for Palo. Maybe the fruit/truffle/wine option - another $20?

 

[squirk]

Fair enough. I could not change "$0 - $499" to "$1 - $499", though.

 

[insureman]

Did Bob Iger put you up to this?

 

[jujubiee4]

I put nothing. I really see no additional "worthwhile" benefits. Free Palo is
nice but you can pay for that.

I think you get more value when you have elite status on an airline..

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Nothing. The one nice benefit is to first to book excursions (ie CC Cabanas) but for the last 4 Fantasy cruises all have been already taken by concierge before anyone else had a chance. Not worth anything to us.

 

[SuperDry]

I voted $0 - $499. Being able to use Concierge check-in and always getting Boarding Group 1 have at least some value.

 

[squirk]

Did Bob Iger put you up to this?

No, but I guess they kinda already have a way to do this. It's called "sailing concierge".

 

[squirk]

I voted $0 - $499. Being able to use Concierge check-in and always getting Boarding Group 1 have at least some value.

Me, too. I figure over the course of 10 cruises, those perks + free Palo equals at least $500 of convenience value. Heck, the Palo alone for me and my wife would be $600 right there.

 

[Dug720]

I voted none as I figure I'll get there when/if I get there. LOL.

I do wish they would give solo travelers double credit like I know RCCL, X, and Princess do as long as you're in a non-single cabin.

 

[hanscarlet]

I really wonder if they will make another CC level... given the duration of time DCL has been in business, one would think they are right at the point where they are seeing their platinum numbers increase... and yet from what I can observe, they seem to be drawing back the benefits.

I will say this though, this month was my first month as a gold member and was able to take advantage of earlier booking on opening day and I did see a direct advantage with both price and good room selection. I don't think I would pay extra for that advantage alone though, especially given the option of concierge.

 

[cruiser21]

Zero. What would you buying a free diner at Palo. Makes no sense.

 

[Msmit002]

For the record, I vote $0.00.

With that said, there is more 'value' here than just the tangibles like dinner at Palo and champagne/fruit. Parks, venues, etc. charge premium fees for priority treatment. Universal Studios charges extra for their "FastPass" equivalent, Southwest Airlines charges more for Early Bird Check In for 'priority' boarding of sorts. Clearly, there are people who pay for this some of the time or even all of the time.

Yes, many get these perks from day one just by sailing concierge. Figure out the percentage one pays to sail concierge above and beyond the equivalent cabin rate and you will find what is the likely 'value' for such.

 

[IrishEye]

Tricky part of the question is able to purchase at port, the real benefit is to book new releases early and event, excursion and dining reservations first. Still perhaps the price ranges are a bit big to get a good sense.

 

[Steve Dexter]

$0.00 It has so few benefits, it's approaching useless. It's sad because I remember being so excited to get there.

 

[JWG]

The Castaway Club benefits carry very little value at all. Early booking for excursions and entertainment, though still no jump on Concierge. Slight early access to new bookings but I haven't heard where a cruise hasn't been available to the public because Castaway Club members booked the entire ship, much less Platinum alone.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'd pay a small amount maybe, say $50 pp if i knew I was about to go on a high demand cruise and wanted priority booking, but it would have to be a lifelong benefit, no way would I pay for that each cruise to "jump the line" so to speak. That being said, part of the castaway club status to me is the fun of getting there. Part of the reason (honestly MOST of the reason) I look forward to getting gold status in a few years (and hopefully platinum soon after) is the trips and memories I'll make getting there. It wouldn't be fun if I could just buy my way to platinum.

 

[squirk]

Just to be clear - the deal offered in my hypothetical is a one-time fee for a permanent upgrade to Platinum.

 

[squirk]

I have to admit that I am surprised that so few people would not even pay within the $1-$500 range. I mean, one could have been willing to pay, say, $10 and gotten lifetime Platinum boarding perks and the free Palo every cruise. If you went to Palo even just once by yourself, you'd be ahead of the game from a pure dollars-and-cents perspective.

And even if you do not like Palo, $10 to get even the minor perks (advanced booking, earlier check-in, terminal check-in) seems like a screaming deal.

 

[Dug720]

I guess being first on board isn't a big priority for a lot of us?

And there is a BIG difference between "$1-$500" and "$10". That could be part of the issue as well...