P&O and Cunard make changes to their ex-military on-board credit benefit requirements

P&O and Cunard cruises have for a good while now offered extra on-board credit to serving or ex forces guests.  Previously this just had to be added on request at time of booking (not on a Saver fare) and guests may on-board be asked for paperwork to prove their eligibility on-board or lose it (although my clients said that they never got asked ).

No both P&O and Cunard have moved the goal posts and require people who book after the 1st March 2018 to be registered for a Defence Discount Service and have a Defence Privilege Card which they need to pay £5 for and will last for 5 years. The membership number of the card must now be quoted at the time of booking and adding the extra credit.

This change isn’t too bad and I guess it makes people who aren’t eligible less likely to be able to claim. At least they are still offering these benefits, that’s the main thing.

Here are the details from both the P&O and Cunard websites so you can see what benefits are available, to who and how to sign up for the required membership.

P&O

We are pleased to offer on board spending money to:

• Current serving personnel
• Veterans
• Reservists
• MOD Civil servants
• NATO personnel in the UK

for the following service divisions:

• British Army
• Royal Navy
• Royal Air Force
• Reserves
• Royal Marines
• Merchant Navy
• Home Guard

Not combinable with Early Savers, Savers, Onboard Bookings or Thank you for cruising offers or Partnership benefits. booked on a P&O Cruises Select Fare only.

As of the 1st March 2018 Military Benefits can only be applied to a booking if you are registered with Defence Discount Service and have a Defence Privilege Card.
This offer is available to Military guests who are members of the Defence Discount Service (the official MOD discount scheme) and have a Defence Privilege Card. This is a paid for membership, the cost for which is £4.99 for 5 years membership. The offer is available to those that are currently serving in the HM Armed Forces and those that have previously served within the HM Armed Forces. Guests will need to quote their Defence Privilege Card membership number for the Military Onboard Credit to be added to their booking.

In order to apply the Military Benefits you would need to supply your Defence Privilege Card Number at the time of booking along with the promotion code MLT.

The amount of on board spending money is applicable for the 1st and 2nd passengers in a cabin only and depends on the grade of cabin booked and the duration of the cruise:

Please note the latest this benefit can be applied is 7 days before departure and it is not possible to apply the Military benefit once you are on board.

Cunard

We are pleased to offer on board spending money to:

• retired and disabled veterans
• serving military

for the following service divisions:

• British Army
• Royal Navy
• Royal Air Force
• Reserves
• Royal Marines
• Merchant Navy
• Home Guard

Not combinable with Early Savers, Savers, Onboard Bookings or Thank you for cruising offers or Partnership benefits. booked on a Cunard Select Fare only.

As of the 1st March 2018 Military Benefits can only be applied to a booking if you are registered with Defence Discount Service and have a Defence Privilege Card.
This offer is available to Military guests who are members of the Defence Discount Service (the official MOD discount scheme) and have a Defence Privilege Card. This is a paid for membership, the cost for which is £4.99 for 5 years membership. The offer is available to those that are currently serving in the HM Armed Forces and those that have previously served within the HM Armed Forces. Guests will need to quote their Defence Privilege Card membership number for the Military Onboard Credit to be added to their booking.

In order to apply the Military Benefits you would need to supply your Defence Privilege Card Number at the time of booking along with the promotion code HMU.

The amount of on board spending money per person, is applicable for the 1st and 2nd passengers only and depends on the duration of the cruise:

Please note the latest this benefit can be applied is 7 days before departure and it is not possible to apply the Military benefit once you are on board.