Didn't know reward points worked this way. Hope they are correct.

[dadecitycruiser]

We should have 200,000 points by September or October so we have been looking at cruises. That much gets you $4000 credit on a cruise. The chart actually says a free cruise up to $4000 I think.

 

We were looking at a 7 day that would price out at around $2000 so I was curious to find out if they would take half my points (100000) or what the chart says for $2000 which is 135000 points. Sure didn't want to waste 35000 points.

 

According to Barclay's rep in the rewards dept. all you do is give them the booking number and ask for the award you want. They don't care or even check what the value of the cruise is according to her. So I can book a 7 day and ask for all my credits and they will post a $4000 credit to my Visa. I can spend or save the excess anyway I want. Sounds correct but sometimes things aren't always that way. Can anyone confirm or refute this?

 

While I had her I asked about the five year life of the points. She thought it showed on the monthly statement which we confirmed that it didn't. She conferenced in another rep who checked and said my points don't ever expire. Didn't know why just that that they didn't. Perhaps I was an early adopter? Any ideas? The program literature on-line does say they expire. Don't want to get this close and lose any of them.

 

Anyway it looks like I have 14 days if cruising coming. Just don't know if it is one or two cruises. Gotta like it.

 

DCC

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I think you may have been told a bit of mis information. You must make the charge on your HAL Barclays card then apply to have points cashed in but they to my knowledge and experience will only credit you up to the dollar amount you spend on the cruise purchase. If you cruise cost is more than point you have available they will max out and give you the full dollar value but if you cruise is less than what points you have they will only match the credit up to what you spent. But maybe they have changed it recently but I kind of doubt it. It works pretty similar to American Express and paying with their points.

[dadecitycruiser]

That was my expectation (fear) but she was clear. I was asking her the process for getting the credits since you typically pay a deposit and a few other payments then the final payment. I asked her when you asked for the credits; along the way or only after the final payment was made. She said it didn't matter. Just call with the booking number and ask for the award. I did ask her specifically the value of the cruise versus the award and she said it didn't matter. They didn't check.

 

I guess I'll just book it, ask for the credit and see what happens. If it goes the wrong way I'll just cancel out and book something else.

 

DCC

[kakalina]

We used up a very large # of credits on our last cruise. I don't recall the exact amount, certainly not the cost of the cruise. What was unexpected was a total of $700 in "excursions credits" placed our account by Barclay's. Over and above what we had earned. A very pleasant surprise. I hope you get the same.

[Golferboy18]

I recently booked a HAL grand voyage on my Amex card. Are you saying that I can have Amex cash (convert) some of my points into on board credits??

[happyglobetrotter]

I recently booked a HAL grand voyage on my Amex card. Are you saying that I can have Amex cash (convert) some of my points into on board credits??

 

 

No, you must use the HAL Barclay card...this card is currently not available for CANADIANS. :(

[Traveling Dot]

I haven't used my points for a free cruise but I have used them for credits on the my shipboard account. I have gotten money for the casino, beverage cards and Pinnicale Grill dinners. So I went into my account to see exactly what it says about free cruises. The way I read it is that you will get a credit for the following points:

10,000 = $100, 20,000 = $200, 40,000 = $500, 60,000 =$750, 80,000 = $1,000, 110,000 = $1,500, 135,000 = $2,000, 150,000 = $3000, 200,000 = $4,000, and 300,000 = $7,500.

 

The way I read it is you get that much money towards your cruise, if it costs more than your credit you pay the difference but it has to be charged to your Barclay card. I couldn't find out any more info without actually choosing an amount and going through all the other steps to redeem them. Good luck, if I had that many points I would go for a free cruise too.:D