NCL Points and Bank of America mystery

I just received new VISA debit cards from Bank of America about two months ago. I requested to be enrolled in the program that gives you NCL points based on purchases. Cards have NCL's logo on them.

I called Bank of America and they see I am enrolled, but have no information on program or points accumulated. They give me NCL'S phone #. NCL states it needs to be a credit card with MasterCard logo. NCL representative was nice enough to add Bank of America back on for conference call. Bank of America just gives me different #'s within the bank that can't help me. It seems like the bank and NCL aren't on the same page with this program. Any suggestions? Others out there have to possess this card besides me.

Wow! I have the card. I have had it for many years - 10 probably - and redeem points for onboard credit every time we cruise. It is a Master Card through Bank of America. You might try calling the NCL number that we call to redeem points. It is 1-866-954-4077. Perhaps they will know of a particular person or department at Bank of America that will be able to help you. Good luck. The card is well worth the trouble.

I have had the card for about three years in which time I've one about three cruises. I've redeemed points effortlessly all but once. That time Something got messed up between Norwegian and BofA about a year ago. Let's just say it took about five hours on the phone over two weeks to get resolved. Keep working at it. The thing that finally got it resolved was going up the chain of command at Norwegian. There was a supervisor who promised to resolve the problem and get back to me, which she did. It took a week or so but it did get fixed, and I've had no problems since. If you have a PCC start there.

Credit, not debit. Have had for 8. No sweats at all.

Credit, not debit. Have had for 8. No sweats at all.

:oOh ... I didn't notice the OP said "debit card". Mine is also a credit card.

I just received new VISA debit cards from Bank of America about two months ago. I requested to be enrolled in the program that gives you NCL points based on purchases. Cards have NCL's logo on them.

 

I called Bank of America and they see I am enrolled, but have no information on program or points accumulated. They give me NCL'S phone #. NCL states it needs to be a credit card with MasterCard logo. NCL representative was nice enough to add Bank of America back on for conference call. Bank of America just gives me different #'s within the bank that can't help me. It seems like the bank and NCL aren't on the same page with this program. Any suggestions? Others out there have to possess this card besides me.

Only the NCL MasterCard credit card issued by Bank of America has points.

VISA debit cards have never been part of the program to my knowledge.

Debit cards are under the program now and are VISA. The first card on top when you pull up the link below is it. My situation is not concerning the MasterCard credit cards.

https://www.bankofamerica.com/myexpression_banking/productInfo.do?affinity=19614&segmentid=ENTE

I was curious and went to the Bank of America website. They clearly show a debit card attached to checking or savings account with the NCL logo on them. They also show the Master Card.

However, neither show you how many points you earn for your purchases.

I would call BofA again and tell them to look at their website and figure out what the heck they are doing.

I was curious and went to the Bank of America website. They clearly show a debit card attached to checking or savings account with the NCL logo on them. They also show the Master Card.

 

However, neither show you how many points you earn for your purchases.

 

I would call BofA again and tell them to look at their website and figure out what the heck they are doing.

I am not sure if it is an issue with Bank of America, NCL or a little of both. I may need to work my way up on both sides. Called the 866-954-4077 at the NCL redemption department as suggested above. They say Bank of America should be able to tell me my point total. NCL can only see the points based on MasterCard credit cards and not Visa debit cards. This is the same information as when I called the general reservation # at NCL. Not sure how I would book a cruise if NCL can't see my points though. None of this is making any sense to me. There is no contact information on the card either.

Yet another example of why Bank of America is terrible - they offer a debit card and provide no information on what the rewards might be (if any). If you can't earn points towards NCL, it would be misleading to put the NCL logo on the card.

I got the NCL credit card a few months ago and had issues in EVERY step from application to activation to redeeming points. I was so happy to redeem all the point and know I would never have to use it again or deal with B of A.

I will withhold judgement on Bank of America until I progress with this further. I don't know where the problem lies at this point. There are two different parties involved and there appears to be a lack of communication between them.

It appeares that there are two different programs being confused here.

The World Points MasterCard program is the one that earns points to be used on NCL (on-board credits, upgrades, slot play, etc.).

There is a separate NCL/BOA offer which has a checking account & debit card that earns cash back points.

The two offers appear here: http://www2.ncl.com/world-points

The checking account offer is towards the bottom. These are not the same program.

So I switched to a card that basically gives NCL free advertising and has no benefits in regards to NCL from what I read. Can you say 'sucker'? What a waste of time on my part.. I want my old debit card back!

So I switched to a card that basically gives NCL free advertising and has no benefits in regards to NCL from what I read. Can you say 'sucker'? What a waste of time on my part.. I want my old debit card back!

Sorry, but yeah, it kinda sounds like that's what happened. Although the NCL checks look cool......might be good if I ever used a check. :rolleyes:

I got the NCL Worldpoints Mastercard a few months ago. My points earned are shown on my monthly statements. They told me to call 1-800-434-8313 to redeem. Try that and good luck.

It does sound like just and advertisement instead of a rewards system. However the debit card says you get cash back. I would at least ask about that.

keep us posted

Add It Up program with cash back is a program that I had before I switched to the NCL/Bank of America debit card. Cash back on purchases at select companies in which NCL is not a participant. The only difference I see is that I have an NCL logo on all my debit cards tied to my checking account. It is just a pain as I got a new NCL/Bank of America debit card with a new debit card number along with the rest of my family and having to deal with companies that automatically debit my old card. The charges are not going through now and I must give them my new NCL/Bank of America debit card number. I expected to have to do this, but I really thought it said in the brochure at my Bank of America branch that you earn points. If not, why would anyone want a NCL/Bank of America that just displays the NCL logo in the corner and provides no extra benefits compared to a non-branded card? Anyone out there that has one of these debit cards? I am just frustrated with Bank of America and NCL right now for the lack of answers regarding this branding program.

When I started reading this thread this morning, I went into an online chat session with BofA to ask questions about converting one of my newer accounts to this program, thinking the same as you, earning some type of reward would be a good thing. Being on the Gem in a week, I wanted in on the program.

I got nowhere with the chat session, they gave me a number to call.

I called BofA a few minutes ago, asked about the NCL My Expressions debit card program and cash back rewards for purchases.

After 4 transfers like the OP, I eventually ended up being directly transferred to an NCL PCC from BofA. (wow, just far too many acronyms for one day).

I started laughing when she answered the phone "Norwegian Cruise Lines, home of 2011's best rated cruise ship, how may I help you?"

I said, "oh this is funny", she replied "what seems to be the problem sir."

"I was directly transferred from my bank to you, but I am certain you don't have access to my banking information, and I would be really worried if you did."

Understandably perplexed she said, "If you have BofA Points you would like to exchange for OBC, I would be glad to help you, otherwise, is their anything else I can help you with?" I explained this thread to her and let her know the misunderstandings out there between the debit and credit card program, and she said she knows of no other program with BofA and NCL.

Synopsis:

I have been with BofA for 27 years, and never had problems with them in the past. But on this particular issue, they really don't know anything about their program with NCL, because other than a cool logo on the debit card, the only rewards program where NCL is involved is the Master Card credit card.

To me, this is clearly a shortfall on BofA's part not understanding or properly training their customer service people, and no real rewards program exists, for the DEBIT card.

I can't see where NCL is going wrong, they have their program with the Master Card, nothing else.

The BofA My Expressions Debit Card seems as though it is nothing other than a reflection of your favorite organization, i.e. sports team, charity, Cruise Line etc.

Advertising...

When I started reading this thread this morning, I went into an online chat session with BofA to ask questions about converting one of my newer accounts to this program, thinking the same as you, earning some type of reward would be a good thing. Being on the Gem in a week, I wanted in on the program.

 

I got nowhere with the chat session, they gave me a number to call.

 

I called BofA a few minutes ago, asked about the NCL My Expressions debit card program and cash back rewards for purchases.

 

After 4 transfers like the OP, I eventually ended up being directly transferred to an NCL PCC from BofA. (wow, just far too many acronyms for one day).

 

I started laughing when she answered the phone "Norwegian Cruise Lines, home of 2011's best rated cruise ship, how may I help you?"

 

I said, "oh this is funny", she replied "what seems to be the problem sir."

 

"I was directly transferred from my bank to you, but I am certain you don't have access to my banking information, and I would be really worried if you did."

 

Understandably perplexed she said, "If you have BofA Points you would like to exchange for OBC, I would be glad to help you, otherwise, is their anything else I can help you with?" I explained this thread to her and let her know the misunderstandings out there between the debit and credit card program, and she said she knows of no other program with BofA and NCL.

 

Synopsis:

 

I have been with BofA for 27 years, and never had problems with them in the past. But on this particular issue, they really don't know anything about their program with NCL, because other than a cool logo on the debit card, the only rewards program where NCL is involved is the Master Card credit card.

 

To me, this is clearly a shortfall on BofA's part not understanding or properly training their customer service people, and no real rewards program exists, for the DEBIT card.

 

I can't see where NCL is going wrong, they have their program with the Master Card, nothing else.

 

The BofA My Expressions Debit Card seems as though it is nothing other than a reflection of your favorite organization, i.e. sports team, charity, Cruise Line etc.

 

Advertising...

Thank you for posting your experience regarding the NCL/Bank of America debit card program. I am still scratching my head to determine if this is a lack of understanding on NCL's or Bank of America's part. Bank of America is more than happy to give you one of these NCL branded debit cards, but can't explain what if any benefits they provide when you call them once you receive your NCL/Bank of America cards in the mail. Calling Bank of America will lead you back to NCL as you have experienced. NCL does not have any information and will refer you back to Bank of America. I don't know what the real deal is. I just posted on Twitter to Bank of America's account in an attempt to get further answers in regards to this program.

...I really thought it said in the brochure at my Bank of America branch that you earn points....Anyone out there that has one of these debit cards? I am just frustrated with Bank of America and NCL right now for the lack of answers regarding this branding program.

If you can find a brochure offering points on the debit card, you may be more successful in getting relief. If not, it may just be a misunderstanding between the debit and credit card programs. If it does not offer benefits, I doubt many people have the NCL branded debit card...I do not (have credit card)...I suppose the picture on the card might make somebody happy, but advertising your interest in the company may be the only benefit. It is a pain to change card numbers and it is a shame if you did it for nothing.

If you can find a brochure offering points on the debit card, you may be more successful in getting relief. If not, it may just be a misunderstanding between the debit and credit card programs. If it does not offer benefits, I doubt many people have the NCL branded debit card...I do not (have credit card)...I suppose the picture on the card might make somebody happy, but advertising your interest in the company may be the only benefit. It is a pain to change card numbers and it is a shame if you did it for nothing.

There was a program in Canada where you could get an Affinity card (basically branding for something you like), and the company and/or organization that you chose would receive a couple of cents per transation that you made.

It was primarily used by charities, or sports teams. Haven't heard about it lately, so not sure if it was discontinued.

There was a program in Canada where you could get an Affinity card (basically branding for something you like), and the company and/or organization that you chose would receive a couple of cents per transation that you made.

 

It was primarily used by charities, or sports teams. Haven't heard about it lately, so not sure if it was discontinued.

that is a nice idea for a charity...if it were to do that, I would select a charity rather than NCL. I will make my "donations" to NCL via the casino instead.

If you get cash back rewards on the new debit card, (why BOA can not tell you this is beyond me. It is their debit card. They are the bank!) I suggest you get the cash back and dedicate that money to your cruise expenses, deposit, onboard account, etc.

It might be easier than tracking the progress of on board credits that BOA is supposed to transer to NCL and NCL is supposed to credit to your onboard account that you won't even know if it was done correctly until you get to your cabin. THEN, if there is a problem, you spend your vacation trying to straighten it out through the same frustrating telephone process you are experiencing now.

I am going to try this with the points that I have accrued with the credit card (which has been great for me, although I have not redeemed points since the big policy change a few years back.) Someone on this board suggested this and it sounds like a great idea. I believe the cash back reward was equal to the onboard credit reward for the same number of points. I did try this at one point. The BOA website said you could get a credit to your bank account or they would send you a check. Since BOA had sent me a notice the week before that their credit card records had been compromised and they had to change my credit card number to protect me, I did not want to give them my bank account number if their system was that vulnerable. I spoke to several supervisors and the last one (about 3 weeks after I started the process) said he would research it and call me back. He never did.

Bank of America is responsible for knowing the terms of the credit and debit cards that they issue. NCL does not handle the banking side of it. Seems like people working at the bank should at least know this.

Bank of America is to blame, but NCL had to give approval for Bank of America to issue cards with their logo on them. The two parties had to agree to this debit card program. Apparently, there are no NCL benefits involved in switching to one of these cards based on the lack of details from NCL, Bank of America and the NCL diehards here. It cost me nothing to switch, but the ongoing updating of companies I do business with continues to be time-consuming affair. I get no thrill in showing strangers my new debit card when I make purchases with the NCL logo on it. I can only warn others who bank with Bank of America not to waste your time in switching to this card.

I enjoyed reading this post while I was on hold with Bank of America, in regards to the same DEBIT card. I was told that it would receive points. What a joke!! I have now been on the phone with them almost an hour.