SFX Platinum Rewards??

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

Welcome to ICE Gallery - ICEGallery Login

In a previous post on this thread pittle mentioned ICE Gallery. When I bought my first points membership with Geoholiday in 2001 we received a year's free membership with ICE Gallery, which we never used. I also believe that I can get better cruise and hotel deals in other ways. When you go to this ICE Gallery link their website is listed in North America as Welcome - New Platinum Rewards

So the plan has been around quite a long time, probably 10 years or more. I guess the business model is NOT doomed to failure if it has survived this long. It just seems to have limited value for most of us.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark,

I just got a call from "SFX" telling me that I had been "upgraded" to a Platinum membership. It was apparent that what he was really doing was trying to sell me the Platinum Rewards product, which I am not interested in. But he insisted that the only Platinum membership that SFX has is the vacation club.

Someone at the real SFX needs to set these guys straight.

Bellesgirl - thank you for your post. If you would be kind enough to pm me your name, we can find out which agent spoke with you, and address this issue probably with some extra training.

The regular Platinum membership is currently still available.

I look forward to your pm.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Welcome to ICE Gallery - ICEGallery Login

In a previous post on this thread pittle mentioned ICE Gallery. When I bought my first points membership with Geoholiday in 2001 we received a year's free membership with ICE Gallery, which we never used. I also believe that I can get better cruise and hotel deals in other ways. When you go to this ICE Gallery link their website is listed in North America as Welcome - New Platinum Rewards

So the plan has been around quite a long time, probably 10 years or more. I guess the business model is NOT doomed to failure if it has survived this long. It just seems to have limited value for most of us.

Hi Eal and thank you for your post. There are several different variants of the Platinum Rewards program. Depending on the company, the co-branding offers different benefits.

Isn't it quite presumptious to assume "it just seems to have limited value for "most of us"? It all depends on the lifestyle of the most of us crowd. As I have repeatedly stated.... This program is not for evryone. If you are not a consistent cruiser, there is no value. If you cruise often, and the upper tier cruise lines fit your lifestyle, then there are substantial savings in most instances, where the savings are greater than the cost of the membership.

If you are into the lower tier cruies, then I also do not recommend this program, as the savings are not that significant. The regular Platinum membership remains a very popular membership offer great benefits and money savings.

Hope this repeat explanation helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[whodat Member Find all posts View Profile Close whodat]

I too am getting calls from 'Platinum Rewards'. Also got a letter. The letter mentions 4 "Princess sailings w/prices not available to the general public". I found it interesting because i AM planning on cruising in the near future. Here is the sampling:
$289 p/p inside cabin on Island Princess (5/14/10 sailing)
$449 p/p inside on Crown Princess (1/16/10)
$499 p/p inside on Diamond Princess (5/15/10)
$824 p/p Oceanview on Emerald Princess (1/3/10)

So to the internet I go....straight to the Princess website.
I found the following pricing respectively:
$249
$449
$499
$899

The results make me question where my 'savings' are coming in. I'd consider Princess one of the 'upper tier' cruise lines. Yet, I'd pay MORE with Platinum Rewards on one cruise, the SAME (as compared to Princess site w/o even looking for discounts yet) and a little bit less ($75) on the other. What kind of incentive is that?

"Prices not available to the general public"?

So if I've got my facts straight, SFX/Platinum Rewards says I can pay *somebody* to 'upgrade my membership' for the right to pay what the general public pays anyway.

Frankly, I found this is rather comical.

I think this is what an earlier poster was alluding to when he/she mentioned, 'doomed-to-fail' business model.
I know what you're saying Mark....consistent cruisers and high tier cruises experience the best value/savings.
But cruises seem to be the 'meat' behind this Platinum Rewards offer. It would seem (to me at least) to offer deeper discounts to get a prospective client's attention. Look, I love SFX and everything they've been able to do for me so far, but to be honest, this 'offer' on the surface appears to be bogus...not worthy of even a second sniff. The real shame is, I want to be able to use it but even on the high-end cruiseline sampled, it appears I'd 'save' absolutely nothing (ok, $75 dollars at the most). Even if I were a frequent cruiser, I'd certainly need to hear something with a little more 'oomph' to even consider this.
Again, I DO love SFX and won't hold it against em though. LOL

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I too am getting calls from 'Platinum Rewards'. Also got a letter. The letter mentions 4 "Princess sailings w/prices not available to the general public". I found it interesting because i AM planning on cruising in the near future. Here is the sampling:
$289 p/p inside cabin on Island Princess (5/14/10 sailing)
$449 p/p inside on Crown Princess (1/16/10)
$499 p/p inside on Diamond Princess (5/15/10)
$824 p/p Oceanview on Emerald Princess (1/3/10)

So to the internet I go....straight to the Princess website.
I found the following pricing respectively:
$249
$449
$499
$899

The results make me question where my 'savings' are coming in. I'd consider Princess one of the 'upper tier' cruise lines. Yet, I'd pay MORE with Platinum Rewards on one cruise, the SAME (as compared to Princess site w/o even looking for discounts yet) and a little bit less ($75) on the other. What kind of incentive is that?

"Prices not available to the general public"?

So if I've got my facts straight, SFX/Platinum Rewards says I can pay *somebody* to 'upgrade my membership' for the right to pay what the general public pays anyway.

Frankly, I found this is rather comical.

I think this is what an earlier poster was alluding to when he/she mentioned, 'doomed-to-fail' business model.
I know what you're saying Mark....consistent cruisers and high tier cruises experience the best value/savings.
But cruises seem to be the 'meat' behind this Platinum Rewards offer. It would seem (to me at least) to offer deeper discounts to get a prospective client's attention. Look, I love SFX and everything they've been able to do for me so far, but to be honest, this 'offer' on the surface appears to be bogus...not worthy of even a second sniff. The real shame is, I want to be able to use it but even on the high-end cruiseline sampled, it appears I'd 'save' absolutely nothing (ok, $75 dollars at the most). Even if I were a frequent cruiser, I'd certainly need to hear something with a little more 'oomph' to even consider this.
Again, I DO love SFX and won't hold it against em though. LOL

Whodat - thank you for your post and sharing your "Love" with us

SFX values our loyal owners and appreciates you taking the time to share your questions or concerns. We welcome this type of feedback since we continually strive to make sure the products and services we’re providing our members meet their vacation needs.

The special offers that were enclosed with your letter introducing SFX Platinum Rewards, as referenced in your post below, did include exclusive Rewards discounts that are only available to SFX Platinum Rewards members on select Inside cabin categories offered on these sailings. The pricing you pulled from the PCL website below are in fact the lowest minimum Inside cabin prices available for a Category JJ on that particular sailing. However the member price advertised on the SFX Platinum Rewards flyer you received is giving you a $100 discount off the total cabin price on the highest Inside cabin available (Category II) with the redemption of 2,500 SFX loyalty rewards, which is currently advertised on PCL’s site at $339 per person.

In other previous posts, we have "consistently" stated the savings on the low priced cruises are very slim, as there is harldly any profit margin to begin with in which to reduce the price. And even more so on just a 3 or 4 day cruise. Savings on the mid to higher end cruises can be significant, and of course a far greater value-proposition for our Members.

This particular example is a 3-day cruise, which are primarily marketed as inexpensive, quick cruise getaways. With these shorter cruises, you’ll find the Rewards savings you’ll receive with the redemption of 2,500 points generally only ranges from $50-$100 per cabin, because the cost of the cruise is already so low. Whereas you can save upwards of $1,200 per cabin off longer itineraries of 7+ days or more when you exchange your week toward a cruise . You might be paying more per person for 7+day itineraries, but it is a much different cruise experience that allows you to ports of call in popular destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean and even Europe, which are not offered with 3 or 4 day itineraries.

I’d be more than happy to have one of our knowledgeable cruise representatives contact you to show you comparable sailings that are currently available on the SFX Platinum Rewards on major cruise lines including Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America where you can receive exclusive SFX Platinum Rewards discounts of $400 - $1,000 off per cabin with the redemption of 10K loyalty points.
Hope this helps...

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Hi Mark
I checked the website today for corrected info on renewing/extending my original platinum membership but still find nothing. I anticipate placing a request at the 18 month mark for a future vacation and my membership doesn't extend to the dates I am looking for so I need to renew to place my request. Must I call SFX to do this? I am not interested in the "new" platinum club since we are not cruisers.

May I add that I have had really nice exchange service from Oscar and Scarlet recently. I really appreciate the customer service I've recieved from these reps.

Julie

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Hi Mark
I checked the website today for corrected info on renewing/extending my original platinum membership but still find nothing. I anticipate placing a request at the 18 month mark for a future vacation and my membership doesn't extend to the dates I am looking for so I need to renew to place my request. Must I call SFX to do this? I am not interested in the "new" platinum club since we are not cruisers.

May I add that I have had really nice exchange service from Oscar and Scarlet recently. I really appreciate the customer service I've recieved from these reps.

Julie

Hi Julie - Thank you for your post. You may certainly call Customer Service, and they will gladly renew your Platinum Membership for you.... or you may login to your SFX account, then click the "Profile" tab, and you will see on the right a Membership box witha Renew button.

In our new site (currently in development), the user interface will be much more functional and friendlier in it's design.

Thank you also for the kind feedback regarding service. It is very appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Hi Julie - Thank you for your post. You may certainly call Customer Service, and they will gladly renew your Platinum Membership for you.... or you may login to your SFX account, then click the "Profile" tab, and you will see on the right a Membership box witha Renew button.

In our new site (currently in development), the user interface will be much more functional and friendlier in it's design.

Thank you also for the kind feedback regarding service. It is very appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

I just tried this, it eventually directs use to call without disclosing the cost of the platinum membership. Can you let us know what the "standard" "platinum membership" costs?

[whodat Member Find all posts View Profile Close whodat]

Whodat - thank you for your post and sharing your "Love" with us

SFX values our loyal owners and appreciates you taking the time to share your questions or concerns. We welcome this type of feedback since we continually strive to make sure the products and services we’re providing our members meet their vacation needs.

The special offers that were enclosed with your letter introducing SFX Platinum Rewards, as referenced in your post below, did include exclusive Rewards discounts that are only available to SFX Platinum Rewards members on select Inside cabin categories offered on these sailings. The pricing you pulled from the PCL website below are in fact the lowest minimum Inside cabin prices available for a Category JJ on that particular sailing. However the member price advertised on the SFX Platinum Rewards flyer you received is giving you a $100 discount off the total cabin price on the highest Inside cabin available (Category II) with the redemption of 2,500 SFX loyalty rewards, which is currently advertised on PCL’s site at $339 per person.

In other previous posts, we have "consistently" stated the savings on the low priced cruises are very slim, as there is harldly any profit margin to begin with in which to reduce the price. And even more so on just a 3 or 4 day cruise. Savings on the mid to higher end cruises can be significant, and of course a far greater value-proposition for our Members.

This particular example is a 3-day cruise, which are primarily marketed as inexpensive, quick cruise getaways. With these shorter cruises, you’ll find the Rewards savings you’ll receive with the redemption of 2,500 points generally only ranges from $50-$100 per cabin, because the cost of the cruise is already so low. Whereas you can save upwards of $1,200 per cabin off longer itineraries of 7+ days or more when you exchange your week toward a cruise . You might be paying more per person for 7+day itineraries, but it is a much different cruise experience that allows you to ports of call in popular destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean and even Europe, which are not offered with 3 or 4 day itineraries.

I’d be more than happy to have one of our knowledgeable cruise representatives contact you to show you comparable sailings that are currently available on the SFX Platinum Rewards on major cruise lines including Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America where you can receive exclusive SFX Platinum Rewards discounts of $400 - $1,000 off per cabin with the redemption of 10K loyalty points.
Hope this helps...

Mark @sfx
Member Communications

Yes, it was confirmed that the best savings occur on the more expensive cruises. And no, i still won't hold it against you guys.

[I-DE-HO Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close I-DE-HO]

I just tried this, it eventually directs use to call without disclosing the cost of the platinum membership. Can you let us know what the "standard" "platinum membership" costs?

Mark,
Your website still says "Call 1-866-855-1214
for membership specials"

Can you give us the Plat. price options?

Thanks!

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark,
Your website still says "Call 1-866-855-1214
for membership specials"

Can you give us the Plat. price options?

Thanks!

I-DE-HO - thank you for your post.

Our regular Platinum Membership is priced at:

3 year - $299
5 year - $399

• Platinum exchange fee is only $129 Domestic or International (Gold fee is $159).
• Platinum members can request a one size unit upgrade.(Gold Members are charged $199).
• Platinum Members receive $100 off our Vacation Sell-off list for
  every booking.
  
• Platinum Members receive free Guest certificates. (Saves $39).
• Platinum Members can place their request up to 18 months in advance. (Gold Members, 12 months in advance).

The money savings are greater than the actual costs.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[travelSFO Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelSFO]

I-DE-HO - thank you for your post.

• Platinum exchange fee is only $129 Domestic or International (Gold fee is $159).
• Platinum members can request a one size unit upgrade.(Gold Members are charged $199).
• Platinum Members receive $100 off our Vacation Sell-off list for
  every booking.
  
• Platinum Members receive free Guest certificates. (Saves $39).
• Platinum Members can place their request up to 18 months in advance. (Gold Members, 12 months in advance).

The money savings are greater than the actual costs.

Mark, can you tell us why Platinum membership information is not published on SFX's website? I found the following table which indicates only Platinum Rewards and Gold-level membership: SFX Preferred Resorts the San Francisco exchange company

Just to confirm, Platinum members pay $129 for exchanges, not $159?

Thank you.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark, can you tell us why Platinum membership information is not published on SFX's website? I found the following table which indicates only Platinum Rewards and Gold-level membership: SFX Preferred Resorts the San Francisco exchange company

Just to confirm, Platinum members pay $129 for exchanges, not $159?

Thank you.

SFO - thank you for your post. The reason the regular Platinum Membership is not currently posted in our site is because a few months ago there was a decision to replace it with the Platinum Rewards membership. That decision has been reversed, and we will be updating our site with the revised web page displaying all three levels of membership by the end of next week.

We have not increased our prices in about 4 years, while virtually all other companies have had one or more increases.

The new current exchange fees are...

Gold Members: The exchange fee is $189 domestic or international. Membership is still FREE, saving you around $80 a year compared to the major exchange companies.

Platinum Membership: $159 domestic or international.

For comparision: Our fees are much less than both RCI and I.I. when you add their membership fees and the exchange fee. There are also other tremendous savings, such as free guest certificates (Platinum membership) and pricing of our Bonus Weeks that can be requested up to a year in advance.

Hope this helps....

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[travelSFO Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelSFO]

Thanks for the confirmation, Mark.

I must have missed the notification that exchange fees had gone up.

[travelSFO Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelSFO]

Mark, FYI:

After putting in an online request, I am still seeing the old pricing on the SFX website:

Services Gold Platinum
Exchange Fee $149 $129
Extra Guest Certificates $39 Free!
Optional Room Upgrade $149 Free!
Estimated Exchange Fees: $337 $129

When exactly did the fees go up?