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With our first Regent cruise booked in the spring, I’ve been wondering about OBC’s, so this thread seems as good a place as any...

I read people say that one benefit of using a TA well versed with Regent is to get OBC’s. But with nearly everything included, what do people generally use their OBC’s for? I can see them useful if you’re going to frequent the spa, which we probably will not. And for paid excursions if a person decides to go that route. What else?

 

And at risk of getting off topic (I can begin another thread if necessary), but a question about TA’s...

I have sought out three different travel agents/agencies so far who deal with luxury travel. They all offer some bit of OBC, but none have said anything about any sort of rebate that I have heard people speak about. And the prices I’ve been quoted are all exactly what I see on the Regent website. Does it depend on the particular cruise itinerary? Length of cruise? Length of time/amount of money spent with the particular agent/agency? How charming and/or persistent a person is? Is it something I need to specifically ask about? Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

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With our first Regent cruise booked in the spring, I’ve been wondering about OBC’s, so this thread seems as good a place as any...

I read people say that one benefit of using a TA well versed with Regent is to get OBC’s. But with nearly everything included, what do people generally use their OBC’s for? I can see them useful if you’re going to frequent the spa, which we probably will not. And for paid excursions if a person decides to go that route. What else?

 

And at risk of getting off topic (I can begin another thread if necessary), but a question about TA’s...

I have sought out three different travel agents/agencies so far who deal with luxury travel. They all offer some bit of OBC, but none have said anything about any sort of rebate that I have heard people speak about. And the prices I’ve been quoted are all exactly what I see on the Regent website. Does it depend on the particular cruise itinerary? Length of cruise? Length of time/amount of money spent with the particular agent/agency? How charming and/or persistent a person is? Is it something I need to specifically ask about? Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

 

The "rebating" is essentially the travel agent giving you some of their earned commission from the sale. Not sure I agree with the concept but let's NOT start a debate here!

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The "rebating" is essentially the travel agent giving you some of their earned commission from the sale. Not sure I agree with the concept but let's NOT start a debate here!

 

Sorry didn’t mean to open a possible Pandora’s Box. We can just keep the discussion about OBC’s.

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If you have OBC that is completely refundable at the end of the cruise (this is not OBC from the Amex card, Regent promotion, etc. but usually money directly contributed by your TA), then I believe you can use these funds in the casino.

 

gnomie :)

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We used our OBC for laundry. I don't want to spend my vacation doing laundry and depending on where we are travelling we end up needing more change of clothes than we can possibly pack. Also it is nice to take home some clean clothes.

 

 

If the OBC is refundable then you can just cash it out at the end and it is like a discount to the cruise fare.

 

If you like more expensive wines you can use OBC to buy a wine that is not included.

 

We peruse the shops but generally don't buy though we have used OBC to buy a heavier sweatshirt for DH when the weather was colder than we expected.

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We get OBC's for using our AMEX card to book through our TA. We use it to buy premium wine at dinner. The prices (for the wine) are very reasonable and my DH really likes Duckhorn Merlot. We go to the casino but use cash. Have never tried to use OBC's

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With our first Regent cruise booked in the spring, I’ve been wondering about OBC’s, so this thread seems as good a place as any...

I read people say that one benefit of using a TA well versed with Regent is to get OBC’s. But with nearly everything included, what do people generally use their OBC’s for? I can see them useful if you’re going to frequent the spa, which we probably will not. And for paid excursions if a person decides to go that route. What else?

 

And at risk of getting off topic (I can begin another thread if necessary), but a question about TA’s...

I have sought out three different travel agents/agencies so far who deal with luxury travel. They all offer some bit of OBC, but none have said anything about any sort of rebate that I have heard people speak about. And the prices I’ve been quoted are all exactly what I see on the Regent website. Does it depend on the particular cruise itinerary? Length of cruise? Length of time/amount of money spent with the particular agent/agency? How charming and/or persistent a person is? Is it something I need to specifically ask about? Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

 

The answer to the second paragraph is that Regent does not allow discounts so the cruise price will always be the same. TA's cannot "advertise" rebates of over 5% but, are not restricted to the 5% if not advertised. IMHO rebates are much better than OBC's as they are real money you can spend as you choose.

 

You simply have not found as yet the TA's who provide rebates of 10% or a little more but, are not advertised. Keep looking and next cruise ask around with other cruisers and you might just find the TA you are looking for. As you know people here cannot lead you to the TA you are looking for, against CC rules.

 

Good luck finding the TA's who can reduce your cruise costs.

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Thankfully, either meeting people on a cruise or via an email hint these secrets are revealed. :evilsmile:

 

Via email is a good thing.:halo: I am aware of some TA's with high rebates but their customer service reportedly is not as good as some TA's that give the 5% rebate. IMO, especially when you are new to cruising, someone who knows the ins and out of Regent (and doesn't just call their Customer Service number to get answers) is invaluable.

 

P.S. It is not true that Regent does not discount their rates. Our last cruise was a "covert rate" advertised by one TA and we booked the same discounted rate through our TA. However, when you book this way, you do not get OBC's.

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