Amex Gift Card/OBC

[seashells08]

Would I be able to add amex gift cards to my OBC? I know I have to leave my creditcard info, but a have a few amex gift cards I would like to use on the ship. Thanks in advance!

[johnql]

I doubt it based on American Express's terms and conditions:

 

https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/dom/us/en/personal/cardmember/additionalproductsandservices/giftcardsandtravelerscheques/amexgiftcard_cardholderagreement.do?vgnextoid=2d49e6e93492a110VgnVCM200000d0faad94RCRD&vgnextchannel=95ddb81e8482a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD

 

Are there restrictions on where the Card can be used?

The Card cannot be used at cruise lines, casinos, ATMs, or for recurring charges (such as monthly utilities or subscriptions). Car rental establishments may accept a Card at the end of the rental, but may not allow you to reserve a car with a Card.

 

That said, I suppose there are exceptions to every rule. Only NCL can give you a definitive yes or no.

[EIBCaLen]

I doubt it based on American Express's terms and conditions:

 

https://www212.americanexpress.com/dsmlive/dsm/dom/us/en/personal/cardmember/additionalproductsandservices/giftcardsandtravelerscheques/amexgiftcard_cardholderagreement.do?vgnextoid=2d49e6e93492a110VgnVCM200000d0faad94RCRD&vgnextchannel=95ddb81e8482a110VgnVCM100000defaad94RCRD

 

Are there restrictions on where the Card can be used?

The Card cannot be used at cruise lines, casinos, ATMs, or for recurring charges (such as monthly utilities or subscriptions). Car rental establishments may accept a Card at the end of the rental, but may not allow you to reserve a car with a Card.

 

That said, I suppose there are exceptions to every rule. Only NCL can give you a definitive yes or no.

 

I agree, you probably won't be allowed to set up your on-board account with AMEX gift cards but you should be able to settle your account with them at the end of the cruise.

[peg013]

I agree, you probably won't be allowed to set up your on-board account with AMEX gift cards but you should be able to settle your account with them at the end of the cruise.

 

Try to buy OBC with it before the cruise. They will not let you use it on the ship because of their exclusions.

[erdoran]

I've used it to buy myself OBC before sailing - just call main NCL number, give your reservation # & explain what you want to do. No problem! Get them to email you a confirmation and be sure to bring it along just to be safe.

[seashells08]

Never thought to buy the OBC, thanks all for your help!

[cnw2000]

I've used it to buy myself OBC before sailing - just call main NCL number, give your reservation # & explain what you want to do. No problem! Get them to email you a confirmation and be sure to bring it along just to be safe.

 

This was also my suggestion. I was able to use a Visa giftcard for my final payment prior to sailing but they had to charge 125% then refunded back 25% after a holding period.

[lacrossemitch]

This is great to hear! We plan on purchasing a good amount of obc with these gift cards on our honeymoon. Great question!

[lacrossemitch]

This is great to hear! We plan on purchasing a good amount of obc with these gift cards on our honeymoon. Great question!

[ohioNCLcruiser]

I think they just mean you can't put them to set up your account then cash it out at the end of the cruise. You can go to the Guest Service/OBC desk to put the value of them towards your account. One thing I've noticed with these cards is some of them charge a small fee to use. For example if you have a $100 card and we try to authorize it for $100 it might not go through. Normally we would have to put it in for $98 etc.

[lacrossemitch]

I just got off the phone with NCL and they weren't able to apply some AMEX and VISA gift cards to OBC. For anyone who has done this before (purchasing OBC with Gift Cards) how did you do it? Would it help if I had my travel agent do it? Thanks!

[lacrossemitch]

I thought that I would just post an update that AMEX is not able to be used on cruise lines, as posted earlier. Additionally, only 1 of the 5 gift cards (VISA) that I tried to use went through for OBC. Apprently there is an issue with using gift cards... Just in case any one was curious.

[peg013]

I thought that I would just post an update that AMEX is not able to be used on cruise lines, as posted earlier. Additionally, only 1 of the 5 gift cards (VISA) that I tried to use went through for OBC. Apprently there is an issue with using gift cards... Just in case any one was curious.

 

I know the AMEX and VISA I received Christmas 2009 both had not valid on any cruiseline right on the card. The kids bought them for us to use on our Jan 2010 cruise and never noticed the "terms and conditions."

[ohioNCLcruiser]

I know the AMEX and VISA I received Christmas 2009 both had not valid on any cruiseline right on the card. The kids bought them for us to use on our Jan 2010 cruise and never noticed the "terms and conditions."

 

 

Correct because then you would be purchasing a "refundable credit." Just go to the Guest Service desk onboard and say "Please apply $XX from this card towards my account please" and it should work fine.

[erdoran]

From experience - I bought OBC pre-sailing with a couple of Visa or Mastercard (I forget which) gift cards, and I used a $100 Amex gift card as a payment towards my cruise fare over the phone....this was all 2010/2011.