Another RC Visa card points question...sorry!

[Clarea]

Quick Question. We booked through a Travel Agent and sail in 22 days....My dad went online today to redeem for OBC's (first time). Does he also need to provide this info. to the TA, or should it be on his onboard account without the extra step? I gave him the # listed in the thread to confirm next week. I thought it best to check with the experts here of whether he also needed to let the TA know or not.

The TA should not need to get involved in the case of redeeming points for OBC. However, I'd wait a week or so and then ask the TA for Royal's Guest Copy of the booking confirmation so you can have a copy in writing showing the OBC. It's always good to have this with you on board in case something doesn't show up on your account.

[cruzincurt]

I don't understand why the TA's commission should or would drop when using VISA points against the cruise fare. If they are equivalent to $$$ cash on the ship account are they any less value when used to offset your cost of the fare? Is $500 OBC not the same value as $500 fare discount? The cost of the cruise stayed the same.

 

Sounds like perhaps they are treated differently in value. I haven't gotten an answer yet if the VISA OBC can be used in the casino to be spent like cash. If I put $100 in chips on my account, does the OBC from the VISA points offset it?.

[jmom5]

I know that when using visa rewards, it only goes toward the cruise fare - not taxes or port fees - you still have to pay those no matter what.

 

Could this explain why you were only credited $996 and not the full $1000? Just a thought:)

[Clarea]

I don't understand why the TA's commission should or would drop when using VISA points against the cruise fare. If they are equivalent to $$$ cash on the ship account are they any less value when used to offset your cost of the fare? Is $500 OBC not the same value as $500 fare discount? The cost of the cruise stayed the same...

I don't know the details, but the last time I wanted to cash in 50K points for a credit against a cruise fare, I called Royal's rewards people and they told me my TA had to approve it because it changed the price.

[riviera]

FYI: Not true, that the ONLY way you can redeem is through that website. I called and told them I wasn't signed up for on-line banking but still wanted to redeem points. The lady took my info, passed it along to RCCL and a few weeks later I checked my balance due for my February cruise and the points had been applied. My balance is now $500 less. Woo-Hoo!!

[seeyakids]

just a side note re: RC VISA.....Got a RC email offering 3X points on RC purchases done by 1/5/13. So, if I apply for the card now, RC will give me $10K bonus points once my application is accepted. Then when I make my final payment on my 5/13 B2B on Allure I should get an additional $12K. That's a lot of OBC (and drinking) for 2 weeks! Called RC to confirm. Yes, you will get both bonus and 3X points.

[sr4mjc]

just a side note re: RC VISA.....Got a RC email offering 3X points on RC purchases done by 1/5/13. So, if I apply for the card now, RC will give me $10K bonus points once my application is accepted. Then when I make my final payment on my 5/13 B2B on Allure I should get an additional $12K. That's a lot of OBC (and drinking) for 2 weeks! Called RC to confirm. Yes, you will get both bonus and 3X points.

 

That's a nice deal!

[cruisenfever]

FYI: Not true, that the ONLY way you can redeem is through that website. I called and told them I wasn't signed up for on-line banking but still wanted to redeem points. The lady took my info, passed it along to RCCL and a few weeks later I checked my balance due for my February cruise and the points had been applied. My balance is now $500 less. Woo-Hoo!!

You do not have to have an on-line account with BofA to redeem points. The only account we have through BofA is our RCI Visa. I created a User ID and Password so that I can go into my account and check activity anytime I want.

 

It's really very easy. If you do this, you can then redeem points directly through RoyalCaribbean.com/RoyalRewardsOnline

 

You were lucky to have gotten someone at BofA to take your information and pass it along to RCI as that is not always the case.

[lady_cruiser]

I thought it was odd as well that they don't ask for a booking number. What if someone had mulitple bookings? :confused:

 

I think there is a field to add a note to the request and I always include my booking number there.

There is a space on the form to add notes. This is where I always book my booking number because I usually have two or three cruises booked at one time.

[BillOh]

When I redeemed points for two $50 on board credits, it asked me sail date and ship name. When I got my confirmation, it said same thing. The part I don't like is that you actually have to call RCI to see if the OBC has shown up on your reservation. They should figure out way for this stuff to show up on your on-line reservation in the my cruises section.

 

I redeemed my points over a week ago and they still weren't credited. My service rep said they are about 2 weeks behind.

 

 

That is a good idea, and they do seem to still rely on a lot of manual input. On the old system, if you were preparing ahead of time and sent in your certificate they would go to the bottom of their pile as they would do cruises coming up before ones far ahead.

[cruzincurt]

I don't know the details, but the last time I wanted to cash in 50K points for a credit against a cruise fare, I called Royal's rewards people and they told me my TA had to approve it because it changed the price.

If the TA said no I'd tell them to take a hike and transfer the booking. That would be the last of my business.

[OTownNick]

just a side note re: RC VISA.....Got a RC email offering 3X points on RC purchases done by 1/5/13. So, if I apply for the card now, RC will give me $10K bonus points once my application is accepted. Then when I make my final payment on my 5/13 B2B on Allure I should get an additional $12K. That's a lot of OBC (and drinking) for 2 weeks! Called RC to confirm. Yes, you will get both bonus and 3X points.

 

Wow. Is that only for new accounts? I have had mine for a while and I never got that offer.

[4bythebeach]

I have had my credit card for more than a year and got the 3 points per $1 spent on royal offer yesterday, they also show 2 points per $1 spent at 'select retailers'.

However, I have not been able to figure out who those 'select retailers' are!

If anyone knows which retailers are included, please post

Thanks

[cruisenfever]

Wow. Is that only for new accounts? I have had mine for a while and I never got that offer.

Yes, that is a promotional offer for new accounts only.

[cruisenfever]

I have had my credit card for more than a year and got the 3 points per $1 spent on royal offer yesterday, they also show 2 points per $1 spent at 'select retailers'.

However, I have not been able to figure out who those 'select retailers' are!

If anyone knows which retailers are included, please post

Thanks

You must log into the BofA website. Once you get there scroll down to "Special Offers & New Accounts". Then click on "Add It Up". It will show you which merchants you can earn points with.

 

I am not aware of the 3 points per $1. We've had our card since 2004 and it's always been that you earn double points on all RCI identified transactions and one point for all other transactions.

[4bythebeach]

It is a limited time offer 11/12-1/5. It states grocery stores, gas stations and other 'select retailers'

[Clarea]

You must log into the BofA website. Once you get there scroll down to "Special Offers & New Accounts". Then click on "Add It Up". It will show you which merchants you can earn points with.

 

I am not aware of the 3 points per $1. We've had our card since 2004 and it's always been that you earn double points on all RCI identified transactions and one point for all other transactions.

Patti, the 3 points per Royal transaction is some sort of a promo that starts in the next few days and goes until early January. People are reporting receiving emails (we have not received one yet) with the details. Some folks on our various roll calls are moving up final payments to take advantage of the extra points.

 

Bob

[molly361]

This is the email we received yesterday. I am assuming that the 10,000 points is only for a NEW account holder.

 

This holiday season, you can earn even more rewards toward cruise vacations with your Royal Caribbean Visa® credit card. During our 3 – 2 – 1 Holiday Promotion you can earn 3 ROYAL POINTS per $1 for your Royal Caribbean purchases, 2 POINTS per $1 for eligible gas and grocery purchases and at selected retailers, and 1 POINT per $1 for all other purchases.*

Make the most of your holiday shopping with this special offer, which ends January 5, 2013! 3 ROYAL POINTS PER $1 FOR

YOUR ROYAL CARIBBEAN

PURCHASES Earn triple points for your Royal Caribbean purchases, including cruise fares, onboard purchases and shore excursions*

2 ROYAL POINTS PER $1

FOR GAS, GROCERIES AND

AT SELECTED RETAILERS For a limited time, earn double points for everyday purchases like gas and groceries and 1 point per $1 for all other purchases* REDEEM

YOUR REWARDS

ONLINE Our online portal makes it easy to redeem your Royal Points for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades or cruise discounts

For TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Earn 1 Royal Point on all new net purchases (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) charged to your card. Between November 12, 2012 through January 5, 2013 you will earn 2 Royal Points (consisting of 1 bonus point and 1 base point) for net purchases at eligible gas, grocery and selected retail merchants and 3 Royal Points (consisting of 1 bonus point and 2 base points) for net purchases for Royal Caribbean purchases (the "Bonus Categories"). Eligible merchants and the associated merchant category codes ("MCC") for the Bonus Categories are the following: (a) Grocery Stores (MCC codes 5411, 5422, 5441, 5451, 5462, and 5499); and (b) Gas Stations (MCC codes 5541 and 5542) © Select Retail Merchants ).

**To receive 10,000 Bonus Royal Points (in addition to basic points, if any), make any purchase, balance transfer, or cash advance transaction with your new Royal Caribbean Rewards credit card account. Transaction must occur no later than the Closing Date of the second complete billing cycle ending after the account is opened. Bonus Points from this one-time offer will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you qualify. Bonus Points count towards yearly earnings limit. Refer to disclosures accompanying application for additional offer details

[cruisenfever]

Patti, the 3 points per Royal transaction is some sort of a promo that starts in the next few days and goes until early January. People are reporting receiving emails (we have not received one yet) with the details. Some folks on our various roll calls are moving up final payments to take advantage of the extra points.

 

Bob

Thanks Bob, I didn't realize that. Maybe I should pay off a cruise or two early!!:D

[Clarea]

This is the email we received yesterday. I am assuming that the 10,000 points is only for a NEW account holder.

 

 

 

This holiday season, you can earn even more rewards toward cruise vacations with your Royal Caribbean Visa® credit card. During our 3 – 2 – 1 Holiday Promotion you can earn 3 ROYAL POINTS per $1 for your Royal Caribbean purchases, 2 POINTS per $1 for eligible gas and grocery purchases and at selected retailers, and 1 POINT per $1 for all other purchases.*

Make the most of your holiday shopping with this special offer, which ends January 5, 2013!3 ROYAL POINTS PER $1 FOR

YOUR ROYAL CARIBBEAN

PURCHASESEarn triple points for your Royal Caribbean purchases, including cruise fares, onboard purchases and shore excursions*

2 ROYAL POINTS PER $1

FOR GAS, GROCERIES AND

AT SELECTED RETAILERSFor a limited time, earn double points for everyday purchases like gas and groceries and 1 point per $1 for all other purchases* REDEEM

YOUR REWARDS

ONLINEOur online portal makes it easy to redeem your Royal Points for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades or cruise discounts

For TERMS & CONDITIONS

*Earn 1 Royal Point on all new net purchases (qualifying purchases less credits, returns, and adjustments) charged to your card. Between November 12, 2012 through January 5, 2013 you will earn 2 Royal Points (consisting of 1 bonus point and 1 base point) for net purchases at eligible gas, grocery and selected retail merchants and 3 Royal Points (consisting of 1 bonus point and 2 base points) for net purchases for Royal Caribbean purchases (the "Bonus Categories"). Eligible merchants and the associated merchant category codes ("MCC") for the Bonus Categories are the following: (a) Grocery Stores (MCC codes 5411, 5422, 5441, 5451, 5462, and 5499); and (b) Gas Stations (MCC codes 5541 and 5542) © Select Retail Merchants ).

**To receive 10,000 Bonus Royal Points (in addition to basic points, if any), make any purchase, balance transfer, or cash advance transaction with your new Royal Caribbean Rewards credit card account. Transaction must occur no later than the Closing Date of the second complete billing cycle ending after the account is opened. Bonus Points from this one-time offer will be credited to your account 8-12 weeks after you qualify. Bonus Points count towards yearly earnings limit. Refer to disclosures accompanying application for additional offer details

Thanks Ellen, I'll keep this in my notes. I hope the fact that we didn't get the email does not mean that we are not eligible.

 

Bob

[molly361]

Thanks Ellen, I'll keep this in my notes. I hope the fact that we didn't get the email does not mean that we are not eligible.

 

Bob

 

 

I would not think so but one never knows. Dan has his own card and did not get the email. It was addressed to me Ellen

[sr4mjc]

Patti, the 3 points per Royal transaction is some sort of a promo that starts in the next few days and goes until early January. People are reporting receiving emails (we have not received one yet) with the details. Some folks on our various roll calls are moving up final payments to take advantage of the extra points.

 

Bob

 

OOH, I want in on this, I have final payment due in Dec! I haven't gotten an email yet though. Did their emails say they had to do anything to enroll or is it automatic?

[molly361]

OOH, I want in on this, I have final payment due in Dec! I haven't gotten an email yet though. Did their emails say they had to do anything to enroll or is it automatic?

 

See post #43- I did not see anything about having to sign up for it

[copi2boys]

I also got the email. Works out perfectly. It starts 11/12, Imake final payment 11/13. Will add on some nice OBC.

[seeyakids]

the 10K bonus is for new applications. The gal I talked to at RC says the 3X is new and they will get more info on it in the next few days. But she did say I can combine both as long as I follow the stated terms. The only thing I hope is that there are no max points for the 3X. I have a card which gives 5X but is maxed out at $2500 in purchases. If no max, I may charge a late 2013 cruise.