Loyalty Survey

[david63]

Anyone else had this survey?

Looks as if they may possibly be looking at "tweaking" the Peninsular benefits with a free cruise when you reach 10,000 points!

[Quizzical Bob]

Yes, I received I on Friday. A couple of questions intrigued me; 'inclusive gratuities' which I took to mean included in the fare but who knows what they're thinking? and free wine-tasting experience. I gave a big thumbs-down to the lapel pin, slippers and especially the spa treatment. I gave highest priority to priority embarkation and disembarkation and anything involving a free lunch.

[david63]

Another point about the survey was that it assumed that those completing it were in the upper echelon - which obviously some of us peasants are not.

[oldbluefox]

Not had anything. What's the next level down from peasant?

At least they are getting some idea of what we appreciate, and what we don't appreciate. Lapel pins and slippers that don't fit were never going to be winners whereas there's a whole myriad of facilities and privileges which would be attractive in a loyalty programme and would actually cost P&O very little.

[Quizzical Bob]

Another point about the survey was that it assumed that those completing it were in the upper echelon - which obviously some of us peasants are not.

We're in the second level, Baltic or whatever that's called on Sundays. The lunch is usually very pleasant and the quality of food is much superior to the evening MDR. A free glass of bubbly at sailaway and half a bottle on formal evening go down well. I made a comment about the onboard discount not applying until the OBC is spent which is always irritating.

[Kenmo1]

Yes, I received I on Friday. A couple of questions intrigued me; 'inclusive gratuities' which I took to mean included in the fare but who knows what they're thinking? and free wine-tasting experience. I gave a big thumbs-down to the lapel pin, slippers and especially the spa treatment. I gave highest priority to priority embarkation and disembarkation and anything involving a free lunch.

Same here QB but didn't want priority entrance to Chocoholics and Galley tour and didn't want a Champagne Afternoon Tea. For the remarks at the end we said we liked receiving gifts but not the tacky lapel pins and slippers.


Maureen

[Jan Rosser]

Another point about the survey was that it assumed that those completing it were in the upper echelon - which obviously some of us peasants are not.

We're in the second level, Baltic or whatever that's called on Sundays. The lunch is usually very pleasant and the quality of food is much superior to the evening MDR. A free glass of bubbly at sailaway and half a bottle on formal evening go down well. I made a comment about the onboard discount not applying until the OBC is spent which is always irritating.

I'm in the same tier as you QB and made similar comments to you - waste of money giving slippers (which don't fit) and lapel pins but enjoy the lunch etc. I suggested a higher discount at Baltic/Ligurian level may be 12.5 % - well worth a try I wonder how many people would qualify for the free cruise for 10,000 points or over - I'm only just over a third of the way there so if they bring it in I'll be on my zimmer by then

[screwy]

OBF...the next level down is Pleb where i am currently situated and will be until January when i move up to the upper echelons of Atlantic Personally i dont want gimmicks just a fair price .!!

[towny44]

We only received our brochure yesterday so hardly likely we will see the survey for some months yet, even assuming mediterranean members get sent one.
But we will give it our full attention if it arrives.

[Dennis The Menace]

I just think they should think of some gifts a little easier to attain....such a a bright blue pair of slippers every cruise!

Now, that would be genius

[Dennis The Menace]

P.s. Can I have half a free cruise for 5000 points ?

[oldbluefox]

Sounds to me like they have just realised I am on the cusp of moving up to the next level and they're going to shift the goalposts again!!!

To some extent I agree with screwy. For little extra cost they could include slippers, the welcome aboard fizz, a small box of chocolates for everybody etc (and if necessary just 'hide' the cost in the price) which would be nice little touches to encourage people to return to P&O. It would still leave plenty of possible treats for loyal customers eg, internet time, discounts on speciality dining, discounted spa/treatment time, complimentary wine, corporate gifts, laundry deals, priority embarkation/disembarkation, canapes on Captain's Gala Night etc etc. The list is endless and it should not be too difficult to find something which would appeal to repeat passengers which does not cost the company too much.

If anybody does not want their privileges they can just leave them (or give them to somebody who may appreciate them more!!)

PS If there's a free cruise at 10000 points you can all join me on my freebie when I will also be celebrating my 96th birthday!!

[Susan Watt]

Plus the fact that the free cruise would probably be a short break one.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not had a form, being sub-peasant class, but I like the slippers! Take them home and use them there for slopping from bedroom to bathroom to save my M&S ones from getting wet!

Problem with some of the things, such as priority embarkation, which we would love if we ever get there, is that as people move up the tiers it means more and more qualify and the priority queue gets longer than the steerage queue. I reckon that's why they move the goalposts from time to time.

Trouble is that moving the goalposts is counterproductive in terms of loyalty. We were one cruise away from Gold when they moved before and might have been tempted to sneak in an extra one to get over the bar. Now the bar is several cruises away again, and likely to move again before we get there, so there is no point at all in hoping to ever reach it.

[Manoverboard]

I would scrap all the gifts and free lunches ... no such thing as a free lunch

A reward system that allows us to choose what we would like would be my ideal.

[david63]

If P&O need to have any type of loyalty/rewards scheme then the current scheme needs to be scrapped and start all over again.

I would like to see a scheme something along the lines that several airlines have which is a two tier scheme based on distance travelled. The first tier of these schemes allows you to move up/down a grade (blue, silver gold) based on the number of miles flown and these "miles" are only valid for a year and you get rewarded with things such as access to the airport lounges, upgrades and priority boarding. The second tier, again based on miles flown gives you points which can be used to purchase goods. Both types of points are enhanced by flying business class (1.5 x points) of first class (2 x points)

In the P&O model it could be based both on nights on board and spend. The first tier which would move you up/down a grade could be based on nights on board with an expiry time of, say, two or three years and would give you priority boarding, upgrades etc. The second level could be based on spend where, say, for every £100 you pay for your cruise and on board spend you get one point and these points could then be redeemed for OBC, internet time, select dining, laundry etc.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Does all that come with a free calculator to work it out?

[david63]

Does all that come with a free calculator to work it out?

No - after 10,000 nights you get a free ipad to keep track.

As I was typing I suddenly thought that any other IT department would have an app to do that for you

[Suekersh]

I have just completed the survey. On our last cruise on Arcadia we became Ligurian members but the only benefit was free pressing on the first formal night. Unfortunately the info did not arrive in the cabin until after the first and last formal night of our cruise.

We will not stay in Ligurian as we do not cruise for 70 nights per year but will probably have a year or maybe 2 in this tier. The benefits do not really make any difference except for the 10% discount, early embarkation and disembarkation. The 1/2 bottle of champagne is preferable to the tacky gifts we used to get although one of the choices was a mini bar which would also be nice.

Sue

[david63]

... one of the choices was a mini bar which would also be nice.

Knowing P&O it would be a mini Mars bar

[oldbluefox]

David's suggestion has just ensured P&O's system would go into meltdown.

[Gill W]

A reward system that allows us to choose what we would like would be my ideal.

If they'd asked me, which they didn't, that's what I would have said. Some benefits are really useful for one person, but are useless for someone else. A system where you can pick from a range of benefits would be good

I've worked out, that after my cruise booked for Feb 2016, I will have 80 nights on board within a three year period, so I'd be eligible for Baltic, before I dropped back again after September 2016. I'm sure the goalposts would have moved by then, so I'm not getting excited about my promotion!

[david63]

One thing that I do not agree with under the current system, and I am prepared to be shouted down over it, is the ability of those in certain tiers to have priority booking - although the priority booking of select dining venues has all but now gone.

I wonder whether priority booking is actually legal?

[Ray Scully]

All they need to do is follow their sister comply, Princess's model

Ray

[screwy]

Baltic,Ligurian.? It seems to me that you have to spend Tens of thousands of pounds just to Board before the rest, a few extra nibbles and a free formal attire pressing...well that is good value..!!! not to mention the slippers..or am i just cynical.?