Canadian credit card question

[Barwick Cruiser]

If you need US money to pay for your cruise bill onboard then it is best to buy OBC from Celebrity now.

I just bought $100.00 US and it cost me $122.40 CAN.

As of today the banks are charging 1.38.

$16.00 saved!

 

Blaine

 

We don't usually spend too much onboard (free drinks and grats) but we did the pre-purchase of OBC so we could have some cash for expenses in the ports. I see that you are cruising the Summit in Feb and are also from Barrie. Which dates are you onboard? We're doing b2b on the 13th and 20th. If you're on one of those you should join our roll call!

Cathy

[Vectorboy]

Celeb is offering this service, not as a courtesy but as yet another means of income for them.

 

My experience is that the credit card companies will offer a slightly better rate. Generally the official exchange rate (xe.com) + a couple of points

[ref9]

Hi Cathy

 

We are on the 20th of Feb cruise. I have been reading a bunch of your posts.

If you have extra OBC's can you take it out in cash to use in ports?

 

FYI, we live behind Georgian mall.

 

Blaine

Edited December 13, 2015 by ref9

[Barwick Cruiser]

Hi Cathy

 

We are on the 20th of Feb cruise. I have been reading a bunch of your posts.

If you have extra OBC's can you take it out in cash to use in ports?

 

FYI, we live behind Georgian mall.

 

Blaine

 

Haha, too funny! We're in the area of Sunnidale and Livingston!

 

If your OBC is refundable then you can get it in cash from Guest Relations. If it's non-refundable then you can withdraw it from the Casino cashier, paying a 5% service fee. We did that in September on the Solstice...there are a few saying that it's not always possible on certain ships or certain itineraries to withdraw the non-refundable but I can only go by my experience. For sure, if its refundable then it's not a problem.

Cathy

[monicajay]

If you need US money to pay for your cruise bill onboard then it is best to buy OBC from Celebrity now.

I just bought $100.00 US and it cost me $122.40 CAN.

As of today the banks are charging 1.38.

$16.00 saved!

 

Blaine

Did you do this on the Celebrity web-site or did you have to phone them to get this rate?

 

If on-line, please provide the link. I can't find it.

Edited December 14, 2015 by monicajay

[ref9]

Yes it it hard to find.

 

google: buy celebrity OBC

 

and then pick ONBOARD CREDITS, CELEBRITY CRUISES

 

YOU CAN THEN WORK YOU WAY THRU.

 

Blaine

[baldercash]

I verified no exchange fee on the Sears card it is a straight conversion using the daily rate.

We will be using the card when ever possible on our travels and hording the US cash we have.

The exchange rate fee on the Boarder less account was on;y .4 of a percent on the weekend.

[Barwick Cruiser]

I verified no exchange fee on the Sears card it is a straight conversion using the daily rate.

We will be using the card when ever possible on our travels and hording the US cash we have.

The exchange rate fee on the Boarder less account was on;y .4 of a percent on the weekend.

 

I'll be using my Sears MC as well, if I need to charge anything. The conversion rate by Celebrity (for purchasing obc) is still better than the Sears one, even without the foreign transaction fee. Sears converts according to the rate of the day and I'm afraid by Feb (when we cruise) our dollar won't even be worth what it is now! We have purchased obc through the Gifts By Celebrity for each leg and will withdraw it in cash onboard, hoping not to use the Sears card except for paying for our post-cruise hotel and any additional expenses. We don't plan to need US$ past this trip, next holiday will be to NZ for our son's wedding and at least at this time our dollar is actually better than theirs :D

Cathy

[monicajay]

Yes it it hard to find.

 

google: buy celebrity OBC

 

and then pick ONBOARD CREDITS, CELEBRITY CRUISES

 

YOU CAN THEN WORK YOU WAY THRU.

 

Blaine

 

Found it ! Thanks ..... purchase made today.

[ref9]

Quote:

FYI, if you would like to have some OBC for a good rate, buy it precruise through Gifts by Celebrity...much better exchange rate then you'll get through your local bank or credit card. Whatever you don't use, you can cash out at Guest Relations while onboard!

 

Cathy:

 

I thought that before I purchase "extra" OBC's for "cash" purposes, I would give Celebrity a call.

 

They told me that any extra OBC's that you purchased and did not use would be credited back onto your credit card and you could not take "cash" out at Customer Relations to say pay for your day trip in St. Martin. It would be nice to do that at the exchange rate they are offering. 1.24

Still a good deal though to pay for any expenses that you will occur on baord.

 

Blaine

[Touptite]

If your OBC is refundable then you can get it in cash from Guest Relations.

 

Hi Cathy,

 

Can you do this at anytime during the cruise? First day for example.

 

Thanks !

 

Annie

[Barwick Cruiser]

Hi Cathy,

 

Can you do this at anytime during the cruise? First day for example.

 

Thanks !

 

Annie

 

Not sure about first day but certainly after that. Check your account on the tv in your room and see what it shows for obc...if it's showing up there then you should have access to it at GR or Casino, depending on what kind of obc it is. I'm also taking the purchase confirmations with me so I have proof of purchase. Probably won't need it but just in case!!

Cathy

[Moonlitherial]

I'll be using my Sears MC as well, if I need to charge anything. The conversion rate by Celebrity (for purchasing obc) is still better than the Sears one, even without the foreign transaction fee. Sears converts according to the rate of the day and I'm afraid by Feb (when we cruise) our dollar won't even be worth what it is now! We have purchased obc through the Gifts By Celebrity for each leg and will withdraw it in cash onboard, hoping not to use the Sears card except for paying for our post-cruise hotel and any additional expenses. We don't plan to need US$ past this trip, next holiday will be to NZ for our son's wedding and at least at this time our dollar is actually better than theirs :D

Cathy

 

Our Sears MC was closed and replace with a Scotiabank card. The included T&C's did not make it clear if there were foreign transaction fees on the new card so it's on my list to research.

 

Damn those changing business relationships ;)

[Barwick Cruiser]

Our Sears MC was closed and replace with a Scotiabank card. The included T&C's did not make it clear if there were foreign transaction fees on the new card so it's on my list to research.

 

Damn those changing business relationships ;)

 

Oh no, when did this happen? I haven't been advised of any changes by Sears to this point...not many cards with no foreign tx fees so that's the main reason I've hung onto this card! Is the Scotiabank card a MC or Visa?

Cathy

[Solution]

Oh no, when did this happen? I haven't been advised of any changes by Sears to this point...not many cards with no foreign tx fees so that's the main reason I've hung onto this card! Is the Scotiabank card a MC or Visa?

Cathy

 

I used to have a Sears MC, and their relationship with Chase was discontinued in November this year. Both Sears and Chase sent out plenty of communication.

 

There is one last no fee credit card with no foreign transaction fee - Amazon Visa.

[bubbadogmom]

Yeah my Sears Card is no more as well. I hardly used it so I didn't really pay that much attention -I just remember the letter from Chase saying that they were terminating their relationship with Sears Canada.

I'm totally confused how some of you still have it - maybe because it was a Sears MasterCard?

I'm not going to worry that much. We gave some OBC to use so not that much will go on the credit card. Well, provided I can stay away from the darn Guess Purses I always seem to love!