Costa have recently announced that they are revamping their loyalty programme, and the changes have not gone down too well with some of their older and loyal customers. There are quite a few changes with regards to the way the loyalty points are gained but the biggest change which has angered many is that only your last 3 years cruises will count towards the total. For example if you are currently Gold Pearl having sailed with them for many years but have not sailed in the last 3 your membership level will go back to the starter level.
The new CostaClub has just been unveiled, just in time for the celebration of CostaClub’s 15th birthday. Beginning early 2016, a new program with a new look and more amenities is open to you, one that will truly amaze you.
The new CostaClub is designed to bring you even closer to the heart of Italy’s Finest. You will find excitement with amenities that are unique, for only you to enjoy; those that will reward you for your passion for Costa Cruises.
Now, two new clubs are announced, for a total of six for Guests to aspire to achieve! The Club Ambra is now open as a welcome for Guests who have never traveled with Costa. Here you will find the introduction to the CostaClub and learn about the amenities that expand as you reach new Clubs. Also introduced, the Club Perla Diamante is the hightest level of the CostaClub, the epitome of exclusive service and hospitality.
Take a look and see, there will be even more opportunities to collect points that entitle you to additional benefits.
This is the new CostaClub. A world that makes you special, and together with your CostaClub friends, you will enjoy the unique thrill of travelling with Costa.
The basic number of points awarded for each cruise day will be 100 as in the past. Now there will be extra daily points awarded based on the type of cabin you are travelling in:
100 points per day for inside cabins, 150 points for oceanview cabins, 175 points for balcony cabins, Premium cabin guests still have their points doubled, meaning they receive 200 points for inside cabins, 300 for oceanview cabins and 350 for balcony cabins. Suite Guests will receive a total of 450 points a day.
But that’s not all: the points for onboard purchases are doubled, meaning you earn 2 for each $/Euro spent, including purchases made on the website www.costacruises.com before departure. This is also valid for onboard purchases made during cruises that are purchased at a special promotional rate. As in the past however, the cost of the cruise ticket for these cruises does not afford Members these points.
Prior to the change my points total looked like this and placed me in the Pearl tier.
Club: Pearl
Issue Date: 03/05/2010
Expiration date: 13/09/2018
| Ship | Departure Date | Cruise points | On board points |
| Costa Magica | 04 May 2007 | 1400 | 320 |
| Costa Serena | 25 April 2010 | 700 | 160 |
| Costa Atlantica | 19 September 2011 | 1300 | 560 |
| Costa Pacifica | 12 April 2013 | 700 | 120 |
| Costa Fortuna | 28 March 2014 | 3600 | 960 |
| Costa Deliziosa | 13 September 2015 | 1400 | 320 |
| Total Points | 11540 | ||
With the new CostaClub the points you have accumulated will be valid for three (3) years. Each year the points you have accumulated in the previous three years will be valid, applicable for all Club levels, from the Acquamarina Club to the Perla Diamante Club. Beginning in 2016, for current Members all the points from the last three years (valid for the Club you now belong to) will be recalculated according to the new rules. This means you may be immediately awarded more points, for cruises taken between 2013 and 2015. Many of you will instantly be part of a higher Club. If the new points total means you find yourself in a lower club, you’ll be guaranteed a place in the club you are currently a member of for six months, if you take a cruise within that period. So, until June 2016 you can carry on enjoying the new privileges of your current Club and at the same time become eligible for the new CostaClub program.
After the conversion was completed I logged on to their website to see what my new points total was and I now have 12685 points (still Pearl) and its telling me I need 315 Points to reach Perla Oro Clubstatus. There is very little chance of me reaching that tier let alone me taking another cruise to claim the benefits. So eventually my points will disappear to nothing and should I ever decide to cruise with Costa again I will go back to the beginning.
| Ship | Date | Cruise points | Onboard points | Flight points | Total points |
| Costa Deliziosa | 13 September 2015 | 2450 | 514 | 0 | 2964 |
| Costa Fortuna | 28 March 2014 | 6300 | 1344 | 500 | 8144 |
| Costa Pacifica | 12 April 2013 | 1225 | 352 | 0 | 1577 |
| Total Points | 12685 | ||||
Its been great cruising with Costa but I think this is now the end of a beautiful relationship. The new Costa Club set up is not a deal breaker, it only adds to making their product less desirable than others. They have never been the easiest company to deal with and now they have decided to not use agents in the UK we would have nobody to act as a go between in the event of a dispute. It is this last matter that has broken the camels back for us and I no longer want to take the risk of booking with them and the potentially having something not go according to plan (which seems to happen often with Costa) and then have no come back.
Arrivederci Costa