Royal Points and not getting credit if booked thru an online agency

[lauren0309]

I sent in my royal points coupon as I have done in the past to Crown and Anchor for $50 OBC and another coupon for one free guest on a 4 day cruise. I've always used this specific online travel agency and sent in my coupons to Royal Caribbean and never had a problem. Well I just found out my online travel agency denied the one free guest coupon this time and instead put it towards $300 onboard credit. The reason being because they don't want to lose their commission. I called Royal Caribbean and they said they would gladly credit my account for the free passenger but needed the online agency's approval which was turned down so now I'm stuck with $300 onboard credit for a 4 nighter with a 17 year old. I'll never use up all the credit. Next time I'll know better and if I have these visa points for coupons I'll book directly through the cruise line.

[jmom5]

you can probably get any of that leftover onboard credit back in cash from the guest relations desk the day before you disembark. i have never done this because no matter how much i have i always spend it:), but i have seen many people post on this board that they have done this.

[rubrrick]

you can probably get any of that leftover onboard credit back in cash from the guest relations desk the day before you disembark. i have never done this because no matter how much i have i always spend it:), but i have seen many people post on this board that they have done this.

 

 

I, too have received monies back on my credit card at the end of a cruise for unused OBC's. It's a question that you could ask someone at RCCL, and they should be able to answer you, or the agent that you booked with also should be able to answer that.

 

Sorry you had a bad experience with an agency. We all gain knowledge, especially when reading Cruise Critic.:)

 

Rick

[mpbmark]

I always book directly through RCCL to maintain control over the booking. If you had done that, there probably would not have been a problem using the points. If you book with an agency, they control the booking and everything has to go through them, hence you problem

 

Once the reservation with RCCL is set (and you don't forsee anything you would like to change), you can transfer the booking to your agent and reap whatever OBC or other perks they will give you.

 

As Rick said, this is one of those lessons you learn based on the experiences of others.

 

That being said, enjoy the cruise and try and spend as much of the credit as you can. You should be able to have any unused portion returned to your credit card. Just make sure you ask for it, as it won't automatically be applied.

[lauren0309]

I'll make sure to ask for it. I should have alot left over!

[kyriecat]

I always book directly through RCCL to maintain control over the booking. If you had done that, there probably would not have been a problem using the points. If you book with an agency, they control the booking and everything has to go through them, hence you problem

 

Once the reservation with RCCL is set (and you don't forsee anything you would like to change), you can transfer the booking to your agent and reap whatever OBC or other perks they will give you.

 

As Rick said, this is one of those lessons you learn based on the experiences of others.

 

That being said, enjoy the cruise and try and spend as much of the credit as you can. You should be able to have any unused portion returned to your credit card. Just make sure you ask for it, as it won't automatically be applied.

On my January RC cruise, I had way more OBC that I would normally use, from several sources - shareholder OBC, price drop OBC, Visa point OBC, next cruise booking OBC, and gift card OBC. The leftover was automatically applied to my credit card at the end of the cruise. I had a statement in the cabin the last night showing how much credit that I had left. I didn't have to ask for it to be put on my card.

 

I had a TA who wouldn't accept Visa point coupons in the past because of the commission reduction. I wanted to use the coupon for $300 off not for a free passenger but same issue. I ended up using it for OBC, which I did use all of because it was a 12-night cruise. I don't use a TA for RC cruises anymore, but I still do for some other lines. Before I book, I always ask about coupons, price reductions, etc. I probably drive the poor TAs nuts, but I don't like surprises.

[alwalaska]

You can always add your tips to your on board account as well. This will help dwindle it down, especially if there are 4 people.

[kc320]

If you plan on having the leftover onboard credit applied back to your credit card DON'T fund your account with your RCL Visa..you will lose double points as it is considered a RC refund...use another card instead..or ask for cash back from Guest Relations the day before the end of your cruise..

[carefreemom]

Wow, 6 cruises and I never knew I could get OBC put back to my CC. Last year was the first time I had a credit since I chose MTD and had to prepay tips when I booked. For years, I would go to the casino to turn my room credit into real cash but last year noticed they now charge 5% commission to get cash back!

[temple1]

Unfortunately, the OP will probably not get a credit back. She is using VISA points. She should call the VISA number and see what they suggest. She might want to see if she can bank her points rather than lose them.

[John Henry on CC]

wow, 6 cruises and i never knew i could get obc put back to my cc. Last year was the first time i had a credit since i chose mtd and had to prepay tips when i booked. For years, i would go to the casino to turn my room credit into real cash but last year noticed they now charge 5% commission to get cash back!

 

 

3%.

[alwalaska]

I was looking for the article that was on the RCCL web site about what onboard credits are refundable at the end of the cruise and which as use or lose.

 

If I remember correctly, and you have onboard credits from a mixture of refundable and nonrefundable sources, they actually use the refundable sources first, so if only a portion is left, it may all be of the "use or lose" type.

[golfpccc]

I too had excess OBC from price cuts. Went to Customer Relations and asked for the cash--was told I could not get the cash and that it was nonrefundable OBC. So, I went to the Casino cashier and asked if I could get cash and charge it to my account--they said yes and since I had OBC on my account they did not charge me the 3% to get the cash.

[Richiebaseball]

I sent in my royal points coupon as I have done in the past to Crown and Anchor for $50 OBC and another coupon for one free guest on a 4 day cruise. I've always used this specific online travel agency and sent in my coupons to Royal Caribbean and never had a problem. Well I just found out my online travel agency denied the one free guest coupon this time and instead put it towards $300 onboard credit. The reason being because they don't want to lose their commission. I called Royal Caribbean and they said they would gladly credit my account for the free passenger but needed the online agency's approval which was turned down so now I'm stuck with $300 onboard credit for a 4 nighter with a 17 year old. I'll never use up all the credit. Next time I'll know better and if I have these visa points for coupons I'll book directly through the cruise line.

 

Is the agency giving you onboard credit? If yes then it would make sense for them to not accept the coupon as that directly affects their commission. And if you are receiveing onboard credit for booking through them then they probably can't give you onboard credit as well as take the commission hit with the coupon. Or it could be that they just don't want to give up the commission. For a 4 night cruise it's likely to be pretty small unless you're in a JS or higher. I would suggest next time you have a coupon to use you could also just let the agency know in advance and find out what their policy is. That way there are no surprises.