On Board Credit - UK Passengers

[Number34]

I finally got through on the 0800 number but failed because my bookings were made via a US travel agent. It seems that to buy any gifts, be it wine or OBC, I have to phone Cunard in the US.

[2irisheyes]

It does seem to be very hit and miss....my husband has just spoken to three different people but no dice......all very helpful, the last chap even going as far as to say they are aware of this thread but don't know how it can be done.........we've decided to stop trying now, too time consuming, you. choose your battles as they say.

Well done to those of you who have succeeded

 

I have this week succeeded in buying gift credit at a better exchange rate than currently available in the UK. Like others I had the experience last week of holding on for ever then giving up. By chance I rang before 8.30 am and was connected in about 5-10 minutes. The agent initially told me no deal and the only way was to have my card charged in US$ and the card company to do the conversion. I disagreed with him and told him others had done it and I have done it previously. He checked and then agreed to do what I wanted. Stupidly I did not order enough and when I called again about 8.30 am and spoke to a different agent she would not budge. I gave up. This morning I tried again and this time was successful. If anyone wants to try I would suggest ringing early morning - they open at 8 am - keep calm and be prepared to persevere if you have the time.

[Pennbank]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravan 37 View Post

As we're sailing Friday I was just completing the Cunard cruise personaliser and saw this:

 

 

 

You may credit your account with any major currency, which will then be converted at the ship’s current exchange rates into USD; this will then be applied to your account in USD. We are unable to accept either Personal Cheques or Traveller’s Cheques. We are also unable to accept €500 notes at any time, this includes the Casino.

 

 

Which seems to suggest that it is in fact not your credit/debit rate (1.26+) that is used but Cunards ship rate (1.53)

 

 

I didn't mention 'gift' anything I asked for on board credit - see above from Cunard website

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

There is another thread running that may be helpful to those who have tried and failed.

see

 

North West Newbies thread #5

 

Who also got successful on mentioning purchasing a gift in £

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2400811

 

I don't believe the agent has control on what currency one's card is charged; it is basically down to what "product" one purchases. All "gifts" so to speak are billed in GBP even though they may have a USD value. I suspect those who have encountered difficulties have spoken to an agent who understandably has taken the obvious route of using the "onboard credit" purchase link on their computer which will charge in USD not realising that there was another way of achieving pretty much the same objective.

 

I too was successful today. Initially I was told that I could purchase onboard credit but would be charged the USD amount to my card and my bank would apply the currency conversion.

 

I politely queried this and the agent quickly discovered that there was an alternative method of purchasing onboard credit which was listed under the "gifts" section of her computer listing along with items such as wine packages, flowers etc. The "product" to purchase is a fixed $100 USD for £64.95 and so if one requires more, then it is simply a case of purchasing multiples of the $100 USD product and you will be charged multiples of £64.95. There is no need to say that you want to purchase a gift per-se rather the product you want to purchase is listed in the gifts section.

 

There is certainly a significant saving at current exchange rates but do be aware that it is a case of "use it or lose it" as any surplus is not refundable.

 

It's also worth noting that there is no credit card surcharge when purchasing any of these "extras".

http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2400811

Edited September 17, 2016 by Pennbank

[rakkor]

I thought I'd better add some more OBC to my account, I'm on the QE next month and they've changed two of the ports which means rearranging shore excursions. It was all very simple and I added another $300 at the 1.54 exchange rate without issue. So it is still possible to get the good rate and be charged in £ for OBC.

 

If I'd purchased the shore excursions through the VP I'd be charged in $ and I'd get my credit card rate - At least this way I'll get a good rate - Better than the 1.39 I got from my credit card in Feb when I originally booked them.

[Bell Boy]

And don't forget to pre oder a wine package too. (that's if you usually take advantage of a wine package when onboard) Pre ordering in advance will save you the 15% service charge and at the same time one pays in sterling at that good Cunard exchange rate. ;)

[marzookah]

Has anyone had recent success with the obc?

Tried two different people including a supervisor today who said not possible.

The "gift" credit can only be $25! What use is that!

Left it with him and he is ringing back tomorrow

[Bell Boy]

Has anyone had recent success with the obc?

Tried two different people including a supervisor today who said not possible.

The "gift" credit can only be $25! What use is that!

Left it with him and he is ringing back tomorrow

 

I'm almost worn out trying to explain to my fellow Brits ( on several other UK cruise forums) the correct procedure when one has a difficulty with their pre purchase of US$ obc

 

When having a problem you must ask the agent to double check on the section of 'GIFTS' ! ...for example wine or chocolates etc, ( where one requests to send a gift to someone travelling on Cunard) It's in that section that they will be able to help you.......It beggars belief that the guest/ customer has to inform the agent at Carnival House UK, the correct procedure.

 

 

Edited: Just noticed this procedure has already been mentioned in a post above. Good luck marzookah.

Edited October 1, 2016 by Bell Boy

[Pennbank]

Don't think anyone who has bought at the 1.53 rate asked for 'gift credit' - we asked how much $100 on board credit would cost in £ - the Cunard website states this is possible as I quoted in an earlier post.

 

I'm almost worn out trying to explain to my fellow Brits ( on several other UK cruise forums) the correct procedure when one has a difficulty with their pre purchase of US$ obc

 

When having a problem you must ask the agent to double check on the section of 'GIFTS' ! ...for example wine or chocolates etc, ( where one requests to send a gift to someone travelling on Cunard) It's in that section that they will be able to help you.......It beggars belief that the guest/ customer has to inform the agent at Carnival House UK, the correct procedure.

 

 

Edited: Just noticed this procedure has already been mentioned in a post above. Good luck marzookah.

 

 

Stop mentioning "Gifts" I got shouted down for doing so, The correct way as we both know.

[Solent Richard]

Stop mentioning "Gifts" I got shouted down for doing so, The correct way as we both know.

 

The gift that keeps on giving?

 

A favourite of mine.

[Solent Richard]

I'm almost worn out trying to explain to my fellow Brits ( on several other UK cruise forums) the correct procedure when one has a difficulty with their pre purchase of US$ obc

 

When having a problem you must ask the agent to double check on the section of 'GIFTS' ! ...for example wine or chocolates etc, ( where one requests to send a gift to someone travelling on Cunard) It's in that section that they will be able to help you.......It beggars belief that the guest/ customer has to inform the agent at Carnival House UK, the correct procedure.

 

 

Edited: Just noticed this procedure has already been mentioned in a post above. Good luck marzookah.

 

Here's one fellow Brit that got your message loud and clear Bell Boy.

 

It was soo easy and I even used my Cashback Amex 'cashtback' card to make the purchase: which achieved a further saving.

[Bell Boy]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the 'fixed rate' of buying OBC that we've managed to acquire from the Cunard gift selection, has now been removed. (with effect from Monday 3rd Oct) :mad: Although one can still purchase in advance Cunard OBC, the favourable rate is no longer there. It is now calculated on the daily exchange and bank rates. :(

 

 

Well it was good while it lasted, good job we all managed to acquire some for our future cruises.

[Solent Richard]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the 'fixed rate' of buying OBC that we've managed to acquire from the Cunard gift selection, has now been removed. (with effect from Monday 3rd Oct) :mad: Although one can still purchase in advance Cunard OBC, the favourable rate is no longer there. It is now calculated on the daily exchange and bank rates. :(

 

 

Well it was good while it lasted, good job we all managed to acquire some for our future cruises.

 

Good morning Bell Boy.

 

Well there you go, I too am pleased I struck while the iron was hot.

 

Of course the offer you talk of may have been withdrawn following all this publicity on these boards. They are, as we know, monitored.

[cruiseluvva]

Exactly the same thing happened about 7 years ago. Once too many passengers found out about the "perk" they withdrew it.

[minniecawdwell]

Thanks for the tip, bought a 9 bottle package at exchange rate of 1.54 meaning $380 package cost us £246.81 = £27.42 per bottle inclusive of the 15% service charge, hope our obc will cover the rest of our bar bills.

:)

[minniecawdwell]

just t confirm, that is what we paid this morning, 4th October.

[minniecawdwell]

we managed it this morning?

[Wordzz]

Hi Minnie,

 

Were you able to pay Cunard in pounds? I ask because the package is priced in dollars on the website, and I failed time and time again when trying to pay for OBC in pounds (which is also priced in dollars).

 

Thanks!

[Daveth10]

So is the 1.54 exchange rate still available?

[Bell Boy]

we managed it this morning?

 

You managed what, to buy OBC ? , or are you referring to the Wine package

Edited October 5, 2016 by Bell Boy

[Host Hattie]

You managed what ? and on what date and time :confused:

See post 114

[Bell Boy]

Hi Minnie,

 

Were you able to pay Cunard in pounds? I ask because the package is priced in dollars on the website, and I failed time and time again when trying to pay for OBC in pounds (which is also priced in dollars).

 

Thanks!

 

For the UK market all Gift products are billed in Pound sterling even though some have a $US value ( e.g. buying the favourable rate of OBC , but has since been removed) are you looking at the correct web site.

 

Try calling Cunard to order & pay over the telephone, I managed to do this recently for future cruises.:)

[rakkor]

The exception to this is Shore Excursions - these are billed in USD - I got a rate of 1.36 on my credit card back in Feb for the 3 excursions I'd booked, so I'm waiting until we get on board on Friday to book up the replacements for the cancelled Ephesus excursion and use the OBC I got at the 1.54 rate for this.

[Wordzz]

Hi Bell Boy,

 

I'm obviously doing something wrong, because I've just phoned Cunard (in the UK) re wine packages and been told exactly the same thing as when I tried (multiple times) to book OBC, namely that I would be billed in US dollars and that the conversion would be carried out by my card/bank, not by Cunard. No chance of paying in pounds sterling. So whatever I'm doing or asking, it doesn't work. I'm not too fussed, and I'm just going to drop it now. There may be deals on wine packages when we're on board, but if not I'll just buy as we go along. I do find it all very strange, though.

 

Hey ho

[Alibobs]

Hi Bell Boy,

 

I'm obviously doing something wrong, because I've just phoned Cunard (in the UK) re wine packages and been told exactly the same thing as when I tried (multiple times) to book OBC, namely that I would be billed in US dollars and that the conversion would be carried out by my card/bank, not by Cunard. No chance of paying in pounds sterling. So whatever I'm doing or asking, it doesn't work. I'm not too fussed, and I'm just going to drop it now. There may be deals on wine packages when we're on board, but if not I'll just buy as we go along. I do find it all very strange, though.

 

Hey ho

 

We had exactly the same experience Wordzz and chose to drop it too.......

[cruiseluvva]

Because the OBC perk has been withdrawn.