Paying off cruise with gift card, stumped

[jsvarp]

I like many others took advantage of the 10% bonus offer and calculated my payoff with gratuities. I purchased an e card to payoff the cruise and a physical card to use for onboard credit.

 

Here's the dilemma. My payoff date isn't until September 30th. I did book early saver. So if I get a price drop before my payoff date how will I be reimbursed? I don'te really need onboard credit as I planned for that with the other gift card.

 

If I'm refunded in the form of onboard credit and can't or won't use it all how do I get or back through using the casino? I've read this is one possibility but I don't fully understand it. Thanks!!!

 

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[EmmasNana]

You will get OBC if your cruise is paid off. The OBC you get from price drops is refunded back to you in the form of a check if you don't use it on the ship. I believe they mail it to you now? It used to come with your final statement on the day of debarkation.

[snc_cam]

I also think it can be applied as a credit directly to your credit card linked to your S&S account.

[CoconutJD]

You will get OBC if your cruise is paid off. The OBC you get from price drops is refunded back to you in the form of a check if you don't use it on the ship. I believe they mail it to you now? It used to come with your final statement on the day of debarkation.

Technically, the OBC you get from price drops is non-refundable, however many people have reported getting it back afterwards.

 

From the ES conditions:

 

To submit a Price Protection claim, visit carnival.com/earlysaver. When requesting a cruise fare adjustment, you must provide the lower rate amount and where the rate can be found. Requests will be accepted up to two business days prior to sailing. Lower rate must be: (i) for the same ship, sail date, stateroom category and number of guests; (ii) a qualifying Carnival advertised rate (iii) available for booking at the time the request is reviewed by Carnival's reservation agents. Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited.

[Carnival_Brides]

I asked my PVP the same questions when the GC offer came up because we had the same idea. We're also ES and our PIF date is in early September.

 

If you pay off the cruise:

You can chose to get a refund to a gift card or have it applied as OBC (I'd do the latter to cut out the possibility of a SNAPFU)

 

If you leave all but a small amount and get a massive drop:

You'll be considered paid off and are eligible for OBC

 

If you cancel your cruise:

They'll refund the money minus penalty fees to a gift card for future use.

 

If you have money from GC's left over at the end, I'd use the casino to cash out the last night. We've done it using Cruise Cash with no problem. Option B is to have all the gift cards applied the first night, use the casino option, and deposit the money as cash on your account in order to make sure you get it back.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Carnival_Brides

[EmmasNana]

It has always been listed as refundable. The only OBC I have ever had that was listed as nonrefundable was OBC from TA or shareholder benefit.

 

If you check your on board purchase status it will be listed as refundable OBC.

[snc_cam]

There is both non-refundable and refundable. and it is listed in your cruise documents.

[jsvarp]

So. I was thinking I would pay off my cruise with the exception of $1. Then if I get a price drop prior to Sept 30th would I get a reduction in form of OBC even though half of the balance was paid in cash initially? Exactly how do I get money through the casino? Is there a fee? Thanks for all of the responses so far. Good info.

 

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[barefoot cruiser]

So. I was thinking I would pay off my cruise with the exception of $1. Then if I get a price drop prior to Sept 30th would I get a reduction in form of OBC even though half of the balance was paid in cash initially? Exactly how do I get money through the casino? Is there a fee? Thanks for all of the responses so far. Good info.

 

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If you go to the casino you can "charge" your onboard account to play the slot machines. Then you "deposit" to your sail and sign card, and leave the machine. Walk over to the cashier and tell her you would like to cash out and she will tell you what you put on your card and you will be able to receive cash...hope this is clear.

[jsvarp]

Ok so can I "cash out" more than I've won (assuming I win anything). Can it be any amount I chose to put in the machine and then play a little and cash the total out. Sorry I'm a bit slow.

 

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[2beachlovers]

Why not just hang on to your gift card and pay off your cruise when due in September. That way if there is a price drop, you can just keep the extra on your gift card. Use the 10 percent cards first, as the regular gift cards do not have an expiration date.

[jsvarp]

Good point about the cards . It's my first cruise and I have moderate motion sickness. If all goes well I'm sure I'll cruise again.

 

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[luvmysox1]

First cruise I paid off with GC went off without a hitch. The remainder of one of the gift cards, I wanted pay off my January cruise. I had a small factor with using the remaining balance on the pmt first but it wouldn't let me. It said it had to be greater than the balance. I still paid off with my other gift card but that was a small problem with paying I saw. The rest I will apply to my sail and sign on the ship at guest services.

[vdarrell]

I am due to pay off the balance on July 29th for our cruise so we took advantage of the gift card promotion and payed all but $300 of our cruise so we can get a price drop if one comes available before final pym't. We did book as ES thru a PVP

[Sparky2]

First cruise I paid off with GC went off without a hitch. The remainder of one of the gift cards, I wanted pay off my January cruise. I had a small factor with using the remaining balance on the pmt first but it wouldn't let me. It said it had to be greater than the balance. I still paid off with my other gift card but that was a small problem with paying I saw. The rest I will apply to my sail and sign on the ship at guest services.

 

I bought 7 $200 GC so I wouldn't have to deal with leftovers on my GC.

[Badfinger]

I had OBC from a price reduction last year. Just went to their kiosk and withdrew it in cash using my SS card. Could not be easier and no dicking around in the casino.

[snc_cam]

if you booked ES, it won't matter if you pay off the cruise early. you can get price drops up to 2 days before the cruise.

[cruzinlisa]

Good point about the cards . It's my first cruise and I have moderate motion sickness. If all goes well I'm sure I'll cruise again.

 

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Bonine works well for motion sickness. Just stay on top of it (meaning take the medicine before you get on the ship). Bonine did not make me drowsy but dramamine kicked my butt. I took it at night, just in case it made me sleepy. Have fun and good luck.

Edited June 20, 2014 by cruzinlisa

[snc_cam]

my wife takes the bonine on the morning of the cruise and is good for the entire cruise 7 or 8 days

[Singer4Him]

Last year we had a pretty significant price drop after we had made our final payment. This resulted in an OBC. We didn't use all of this, so the final night of the cruise, we went to guest services and was given a cash refund for the balance! :D

[gusandgidgetsmom]

For motion sickness go to Walmart (they also now carry this on the ships but more expensive) and get motion-ease. It is a small drop you put behind your ear and works immediately. My family used to use bonine until we were told about motion-ease. Bonine can interact with medication or health conditions that you have as any medication but motion-ease doesn't. It also works immediately. The only down side we have found was it has a smell but that goes away quickly.

We purchased the gift cards and used them to pay off our cruise. Our last cruise we had a lot (1000.oo) of OBC and It listed each OBC as refundable or non-refundable on our bill. 200.00 from booking on board was non-refundable but price drops of 800.00 were listed as refundable and we were refunded what was left by check after the cruise.

Good point about the cards . It's my first cruise and I have moderate motion sickness. If all goes well I'm sure I'll cruise again.

 

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[Sparky2]

For motion sickness go to Walmart (they also now carry this on the ships but more expensive) and get motion-ease. It is a small drop you put behind your ear and works immediately. My family used to use bonine until we were told about motion-ease. Bonine can interact with medication or health conditions that you have as any medication but motion-ease doesn't. It also works immediately. The only down side we have found was it has a smell but that goes away quickly.

We purchased the gift cards and used them to pay off our cruise. Our last cruise we had a lot (1000.oo) of OBC and It listed each OBC as refundable or non-refundable on our bill. 200.00 from booking on board was non-refundable but price drops of 800.00 were listed as refundable and we were refunded what was left by check after the cruise.

 

And they certainly should be listed as refundable since it was your money to start with.

[gusandgidgetsmom]

Yes sparky I agree but if you will look at another post it is quoting from Carnival that it is non-refundable. That is why I posted it this way.

[Carnival_Brides]

I decided to come back and post since we are now PIF and we got an upgrade with the new sale. Since our price dropped more than what we owed, we now have a refundable OBC on our account. They can't/won't refund it back, so you'll get it when you board.