OBC used for gratuities

[AKtoFL]

I know it is said you can't use OBC for gratuities, is that really true? on carnival each day they have on your statement plus & minuses for the day & by the end of the week that OBC cancels out some of your gratuities. Has anyone noticed how OBC are credited & why the couldn't offset the gratuities?

[Demonyte]

I know it is said you can't use OBC for gratuities, is that really true?

 

Yes it is true. Their billing system didn't enforce that for years but it was updated maybe in 2014 or so and since then it has enforced that non-refundable OBC is not used for DSC.

[mickev99]

How can you tell if OBC is non-refundable? I have a mix from NCL promo and from travel agent and from NCL credit card.

 

Also, I have read that you can take the OBC and cash it out in the casino (for a small percentage loss) and then then reapply it and use it for gratuities. Is this true?

[Demonyte]

How can you tell if OBC is non-refundable? I have a mix from NCL promo and from travel agent and from NCL credit card.

 

It is stated on your onboard account statement at latest. Anything from NCL is usually non-refundable, your TA's is probably refundable (unless it is a group perk that comes from NCL), don't know about OBC from credit card points.

 

And yes, people have stated that you can get cash from casino cashier "for slots" by paying 3% convinience fee, but I have never tried that with only OBC - we always spend more than enough for the OBC to be spent anyways.

[cruzsnooze]

You can cash out OBC in the casino for 3% no problem.

[rvsullivan]

QUOTE=AKtoFL;47873545]I know it is said you can't use OBC for gratuities, is that really true? on carnival each day they have on your statement plus & minuses for the day & by the end of the week that OBC cancels out some of your gratuities. Has anyone noticed how OBC are credited & why the couldn't offset the gratuities?

 

Just to be clear. You mention gratuities. Your NCL OBC can be used for gratuities such as tips in bars, restaurants, butler and concierge. NCL OBC cannot be used for the DSC (daily service charge).

[4gomez]

So let me get this straight. If you are given the OBC from the travel agent it can be used for the DSC?

[vince_g]

It is stated on your onboard account statement at latest. Anything from NCL is usually non-refundable, your TA's is probably refundable (unless it is a group perk that comes from NCL), don't know about OBC from credit card points.

 

And yes, people have stated that you can get cash from casino cashier "for slots" by paying 3% convinience fee, but I have never tried that with only OBC - we always spend more than enough for the OBC to be spent anyways.

 

 

OBC obtained via NCL MasterCard world points is not refundable either.

[ETski]

Just off the Breakaway on Sunday. It seemed like all our OBC was non refundable. We had $50 from TA and $100 as a NCL shareholder both showed up on our account as non refundable. Onboard you can see your account on your TV. Well at least on the Breakaway. This credit can not be used for daily service charge:mad:

[zqvol]

I know it is said you can't use OBC for gratuities, is that really true? on carnival each day they have on your statement plus & minuses for the day & by the end of the week that OBC cancels out some of your gratuities. Has anyone noticed how OBC are credited & why the couldn't offset the gratuities?

 

 

It's not black or white. Sometimes OBC can be used for gratuities and sometimes it can't. it depends on how the OBC was obtained.

 

OBC that was purchased, whether by you, your TA,, etc. can be used for anything including DSC, OBC that was given to you by NCL cannot be used for the DSC.

[samiam0403]

Just to be clear. You mention gratuities. Your NCL OBC can be used for gratuities such as tips in bars, restaurants, butler and concierge. NCL OBC cannot be used for the DSC (daily service charge).

 

Thank you for this! I was just starting to do a search on this very topic. We've got $550 in OBC for the upcoming Getaway cruise, and I was wondering if we could use some of it for the butler and concierge. Thanks again!

[GUT2407]

I wonder what the reasoning is behind this.

 

And how long till other lines follow suit.

[phissy]

Please remind us how to use OBC to tip butler and concierge?

What is the procedure to make sure it goes to the appropriate people.?

And that they know it is from us?:D

[Demonyte]

Please remind us how to use OBC to tip butler and concierge?

What is the procedure to make sure it goes to the appropriate people.?

And that they know it is from us?:D

 

You go to guest services and as for gratuity voucher to be written out for named member(s) of crew. They will get the money automatically to their onboard account(s) and you will also get a slip that you can give to them personally if you like.

[cruzsnooze]

The butler is now included in the higher rate for suites DSC so you will be double tipping. That's just an FYI and feel free to tip all you want but know the facts.

[susique]

The butler is now included in the higher rate for suites DSC so you will be double tipping. That's just an FYI and feel free to tip all you want but know the facts.

 

Do you know this for sure? I am guessing the higher amount is for the personnel in the Haven restaurant or Cagney's for lunch.

[candygirl27540]

OBC obtained via NCL MasterCard world points is not refundable either.

 

Not true. I have been using OBC from the Master Card points for years and have even been reissued points after cruise if all were not used.These points are not freebies from NCL but points accrued from using the credit card.

[candygirl27540]

The butler is now included in the higher rate for suites DSC so you will be double tipping. That's just an FYI and feel free to tip all you want but know the facts.

 

This is also not true! There are recent threads addressing this issue. The butler and concierge are not part of the tipping pool.

[Loonbeam]

I just pulled the following from the NCL website (my emphasis):

 

https://www.ncl.com/faq#tipping

 

also, certain staff positions (e.g., concierge, butler, youth program staff and beverage service) provide service on an individual basis to only some guests and do not benefit from the overall service charge.

 

The butler is now included in the higher rate for suites DSC so you will be double tipping. That's just an FYI and feel free to tip all you want but know the facts.

[vince_g]

Not true. I have been using OBC from the Master Card points for years and have even been reissued points after cruise if all were not used.These points are not freebies from NCL but points accrued from using the credit card.

 

I am aware of what world points are; I didn't open this credit card uninformed. Just saying that on my last cruise when I checked my account on the TV, the OBC from world points was separate from the refundable OBC. Did not know it is possible to have world points reissued for unused OBC.

[candygirl27540]

I am aware of what world points are; I didn't open this credit card uninformed. Just saying that on my last cruise when I checked my account on the TV, the OBC from world points was separate from the refundable OBC. Did not know it is possible to have world points reissued for unused OBC.

 

Now you know:) Incidentally, I have a cruise coming up in days with OBC from NCL which shows on my amenity invoice as" non-refundable" and OBC from points that show "World Points $$$ on board Credit Certificate". That's how they have always shown up and we have used them for the DSC.