Using OBC

[WideAwake428]

Just a few questions. How can I use OBC for tips if I am not doing prepaids? Can I go get cash out of our OBC?

 

Can I use it in the casino?

 

When I am using our OBC do I need to tell them I am buying it with the credit first or will it automatically take the credit first before charging our card?

 

If we do not use it all and they put it back on our card is the process fairly quick? Do we have to do anything to get the put back on our debit card (such as fill out a form or something) or do they do it automatically?

 

Thanks!

[temple1]

About the 2nd or 3rd day of your cruise your OBC will show up on your sea pass account. You can use it for drinks, specialty restaurants, gift shops, or even paying your gratuities once on board.

 

I think you can take some of it out in cash - but I've never done that.

[threecats]

How can I use OBC for tips if I am not doing prepaids? Can I go get cash out of our OBC?

You can do to the service desk and have them put the tips on your account. Works like pre-paid, but it is not charged to your credit card until the end of the cruise.

 

Can I use it in the casino?

I think you can get cash in the casino, but have never tried it. Some will know, I'm sure.

 

When I am using our OBC do I need to tell them I am buying it with the credit first or will it automatically take the credit first before charging our card?

They will automatically use non-refundable OBC first, refundable OBC second, charge card last. I think, only price-reduction OBC is refundable, but there might be more.

 

If we do not use it all and they put it back on our card is the process fairly quick? Do we have to do anything to get the put back on our debit card (such as fill out a form or something) or do they do it automatically?

They will automatically put what is left of refundable OBC's back on your credit card. I had it back on my AMEX within a day, but it's up to your credit card company.

[cb at sea]

Depending where the OBC came from, it will just come off your account. Your credit card isn't charged until the last night, anyway. So, whatever you purchase on the ship, be it drinks, excursions, specialty restaurants, spa, etc....it all just "adds up", until the last night. Then, your OBC is subtracted from the total amount. If you have any left over, it can be applied as a credit to your card or will be refunded some other way. Although, some OBCs aren't refunded....such as an OBC the cruiseline gives you as an "incentive". If it came from a TA or credit card point system, you'll get any remainder back.

[MMastell]

I'm basically saying the same thing as cb at sea:

 

There are two types of OBC's. Refundable and non-refundable.

 

Incentive OBC's that usually come from the cruise line are almost always non-refundable. This means they cannot be used for gratuities or in the casino. If you have any leftover they are gone and will not be refunded. These are the cruise lines "Book by November 30th and receive $100 OBC" promotions.

 

OBC's, from the cruise line, that come from either a refund because of a lower fare or downgrade of cabin are, almost always refundable: This means they can be used for anything, including gratuities and the casino. You will receive a check if any portions of these are unused.

 

OBC's that someone actually "paid" for: I.E a Bon Voyage gift or a gift from your travel agent are always refundable.

 

I have been on cruises where I have had a mixture of refundable and non-refundable OBC's and they ALWAYS charge to the refundable credits first and then charge to the non-refundable credits when you've used up your non-refundable. I will ask Guest Services to always deduct all of my gratuities at the beginning of my cruise, if I have a mixture of OBC's, in order to make sure I don't end up having them added to my account.

 

If you look on your onboard statement the OBC's will be marked as refundable and non-refundable.

 

Have a great cruise and spend those credits.

Mike

[temple1]

 

I have been on cruises where I have had a mixture of refundable and non-refundable OBC's and they ALWAYS charge to the refundable credits first and then charge to the non-refundable credits when you've used up your non-refundable. I will ask Guest Services to always deduct all of my gratuities at the beginning of my cruise, if I have a mixture of OBC's, in order to make sure I don't end up having them added to my account.

 

If you look on your onboard statement the OBC's will be marked as refundable and non-refundable.

 

Have a great cruise and spend those credits.

Mike

 

I was going to correct you - but it looks like on second reading you might have been getting the nons and the non nons reversed. :confused:

 

I think we agree - they will apply the non-refundable first to your SeaPass account and then when that is used up they will apply the refundable. After that, any refundable OBC will be credited back to your charge card.

[WideAwake428]

All of the OBC is from price drops, so it should all be refundable.

 

About the 2nd or 3rd day of your cruise your OBC will show up on your sea pass account. You can use it for drinks, specialty restaurants, gift shops, or even paying your gratuities once on board.

 

I think you can take some of it out in cash - but I've never done that.

 

It is only a 4 night cruise, is there really a possibility that it won't be able to be used until the 3rd day?? I guess I was just hoping it would be linked to our account the moment they activated our sea pass cards

[madforcruising]

All of the OBC is from price drops, so it should all be refundable.

 

 

 

It is only a 4 night cruise, is there really a possibility that it won't be able to be used until the 3rd day?? I guess I was just hoping it would be linked to our account the moment they activated our sea pass cards

 

 

It doesn´t matter when the OBC is posted. If you had a bill of let´s say $200 run up the first day and the OBC of $400 will be posted on day 2 your balance will be $200 credit.

 

It´s a real simple system.

 

You can get cash from the casino, but there is a 3% charge to get cash from the casino.

[WideAwake428]

Thanks, I understand now :)

 

Do you have to use cash at the casino or can you swipe your card at the machines? Thus avoiding the 3% charge.

[madforcruising]

they will apply the non-refundable first to your SeaPass account and then when that is used up they will apply the refundable. After that, any refundable OBC will be credited back to your charge card.

 

 

Do you have actually experienced it this way? It would be great if they did it this way and actually revised their initial policy.

 

When they announced the different handling of refundable and non-refundable OBC I sent an e to Mr. Goldstein´s office to complain about using the refundable OBC first before touching the non-refundable credits. The answer I got said explicitly yep it´s refundable has to be used first before the non-refundable will be touched, which is wrong in my eyes.

So I hope they do it right now.

[madforcruising]

Thanks, I understand now :)

 

Do you have to use cash at the casino or can you swipe your card at the machines? Thus avoiding the 3% charge.

 

If you use your card for gambling it´s like using cash from the card for gambling and you will be hit with the 3% charge.

[WideAwake428]

If you use your card for gambling it´s like using cash from the card for gambling and you will be hit with the 3% charge.

 

Okay, thanks.

[madforcruising]

Okay, thanks.

 

One thing I´m not sure about is if you have refundable OBC, I have heard that you could get cash from that at the pursers desk without any fees involved. However I don´t know if it´s a fleetwide policy or true at all. I never tried it myself.

[cruisenfever]

OBC's from Price Drops can be successfully withdrawn at Guest Relations.

 

If the credit card that you are using is the RCI Platinum Visa and you have unspent OBC...........it will be credited back to your card (as with all other credit cards)......BUT.......you will lose double points with the credit because it will be a credit from RCI.

 

Just like you gain double points for RCI purchases............you also lose double points from RCI credits.

[J & G]

Just two days ago, I spoke with a supervisor in customer service about price drops after the final payment. (The difference goes to onboard credit after the final payment date.)

 

The basic rule is that if the onboard credit is from money that the passenger actually spent (like the cost of the cabin or added amenities), then the onboard credit is refundable.

 

If the onboard credit is from something that the passenger received as a "freebie" (stockholder credit, TA incentive, credit card points, etc) then it is not refundable.

 

I hope I conveyed her message clearly......:confused: