Own bought OBC refundable?

[Georgie562]

The self purchased shipboard credit you buy from HAL website, is it refundable?

 

and if so, whatever amount is not used at the end, is it paid out cash? check delivered to your home?

 

this is the only description it gives:

 

Not sure what to purchase for an upcoming cruise? Then buy shipboard credit. It makes a perfect gift, for yourself or someone special. Use it as credit toward shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages, and more. Available for purchase in increments of $5.

Edited November 10, 2017 by Georgie562

[avian777]

Answers: Yes. No. If you used a credit card to cover any on board expenses, the unspent balance will be credited back to your card; otherwise, I'm not sure as we have always used a credit card.

[Georgie562]

I don't have a high limit credit card to cover my upcoming 22 day cruise, so I have been buying OBC from the website.

I will not give my debit card.

[avian777]

I believe HAL also allows for cash deposits but don't know the details. If your TA cannot help you with this matter, I'd suggest you contact HAL Ship Services

[taxmantoo]

I believe HAL also allows for cash deposits but don't know the details. If your TA cannot help you with this matter, I'd suggest you contact HAL Ship Services

OP is not looking to purchase OBC but get some of their money back from over-buying. :confused:

[Lizzie68]

Any unused portion is refunded back to the credit card registered for your onboard account.

 

I buy OBC regularly for my cruises and never have a bill at the end of the cruise, usually a credit.

[richwmn]

The self purchased shipboard credit you buy from HAL website, is it refundable?

 

and if so, whatever amount is not used at the end, is it paid out cash? check delivered to your home?

 

this is the only description it gives:

 

Not sure what to purchase for an upcoming cruise? Then buy shipboard credit. It makes a perfect gift, for yourself or someone special. Use it as credit toward shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages, and more. Available for purchase in increments of $5.

I do this regularly. Starting the last evening of the cruise you may close out your account and receive any remaining credits in cash. If you have purchased enough OBC to cover the $60/person/day minimum you do not have to register a credit card at all.

[Kamloops50]

Lately amounts over $50 USD aren't returned to the card used to purchase the OBC. If not refunded to the card , theyll send a cheque in about 4 to 6 weeks.

[richwmn]

Lately amounts over $50 USD aren't returned to the card used to purchase the OBC. If not refunded to the card , theyll send a cheque in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Funny, I was cheerfully handed much more than $50 in cash four times in the last year on the last night of the cruises involved.

[Georgie562]

Lately amounts over $50 USD aren't returned to the card used to purchase the OBC. If not refunded to the card , theyll send a cheque in about 4 to 6 weeks.

 

I am not planning on registering a credit card. So what happens in this case? with no credit card registered they will be unable to refund a credit card.

[Georgie562]

I do this regularly. Starting the last evening of the cruise you may close out your account and receive any remaining credits in cash. If you have purchased enough OBC to cover the $60/person/day minimum you do not have to register a credit card at all.

 

This has been my experience with alot of the cruise lines normally any unused OBC is given back in cash, "cashed out"

[Lizzie68]

Lately amounts over $50 USD aren't returned to the card used to purchase the OBC. If not refunded to the card , theyll send a cheque in about 4 to 6 weeks.

How "lately" is your experience? Must admit my last cruise ended in May at which time it was still credited back immediately.

 

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Forums mobile app

[oceanmom]

How "lately" is your experience? Must admit my last cruise ended in May at which time it was still credited back immediately.

 

August 2017 $1000+ refunded to credit card the day we got off the ship. (Lots of OBC from TA)

[Lizzie68]

How "lately" is your experience? Must admit my last cruise ended in May at which time it was still credited back immediately.

 

August 2017 $1000+ refunded to credit card the day we got off the ship. (Lots of OBC from TA)

Thanks.

 

Sent from my SM-J320W8 using Forums mobile app

[kazu]

I am not planning on registering a credit card. So what happens in this case? with no credit card registered they will be unable to refund a credit card.

 

You will go the Front Desk to get the cash.

[Kamloops50]

Funny, I was cheerfully handed much more than $50 in cash four times in the last year on the last night of the cruises involved.

 

 

 

Usually amount over a fixed amount aren’t given out in cash. You can go to the casino . Transfer the balance to a casino account. Pay a few slots and then cash out the account in cash.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[richwmn]

Usually amount over a fixed amount aren’t given out in cash. You can go to the casino . Transfer the balance to a casino account. Pay a few slots and then cash out the account in cash.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Again, I have been doing this for years and have never had a problem getting cash for my purchased OBC from the front desk. The amounts were generally over $100 and in at least one case over $300, so if there is a fixed amount it is over that. I have not registered a credit card in at least 7 years, maybe more. The most recent cruise ended last Oct 20th and I was refunded over $300 the night of the 19th.

[kazu]

 

August 2017 $1000+ refunded to credit card the day we got off the ship. (Lots of OBC from TA)

 

Again, I have been doing this for years and have never had a problem getting cash for my purchased OBC from the front desk. The amounts were generally over $100 and in at least one case over $300, so if there is a fixed amount it is over that. I have not registered a credit card in at least 7 years, maybe more. The most recent cruise ended last Oct 20th and I was refunded over $300 the night of the 19th.

 

I think it comes down to what payment you are using.

 

If a credit card, it will be refunded there.

 

If you opt for cash as richwmnn does and you have the proacitivity to go to the front desk, you get the cash.

 

I do a combination. I give my credit card but since I am there anyways and need to cash out in the casino, I do the calaculation as close as I can and take the cash if I have a credit (pretty rare unless I win in the casino on the last night ;) )

[avian777]

OP is not looking to purchase OBC but get some of their money back from over-buying. :confused:

 

You may want to read (& re-read) Posts #1, 2, 3 & 4 above. They all relate to the same issue - how to "get some of their money back" at the end of the cruise and CLEARLY not to the purchase of OBC.

[taxmantoo]

You may want to read (& re-read) Posts #1, 2, 3 & 4 above. They all relate to the same issue - how to "get some of their money back" at the end of the cruise and CLEARLY not to the purchase of OBC.

LOL ... isn't that what I was saying???

You on the other hand a were advising the OP on how to get more OBC. Your words "I believe HAL also allows for cash deposits but don't know the details. If your TA cannot help you with this matter, I'd suggest you contact HAL Ship Services."

If one of us needs a reading lesson, I do not think it is me :rolleyes:

[richwmn]

The self purchased shipboard credit you buy from HAL website, is it refundable?

 

and if so, whatever amount is not used at the end, is it paid out cash? check delivered to your home?

 

this is the only description it gives:

 

Not sure what to purchase for an upcoming cruise? Then buy shipboard credit. It makes a perfect gift, for yourself or someone special. Use it as credit toward shore excursions, spa treatments, beverages, and more. Available for purchase in increments of $5.

 

 

As quoted above, the original question is whether or not self purchased onboard credit is refundable.

The answer to this is yes.

 

 

I don't have a high limit credit card to cover my upcoming 22 day cruise, so I have been buying OBC from the website.

I will not give my debit card.

 

The second part of the original question is "How is it refunded?"

If sufficient OBC is purchased prior to, or on embarcation, is greater than $60/per person/per day you do not have to register a credit card. As such, you will need to go by the Front Office to get a refund. You can do this starting around 9pm on the last night of the cruise. At the point you close your account and get your refund you will no longer be able to charge anything on the ship. Since no credit card is registered, the refund will be in CASH. I have not noticed an upper limit, however there may be one. They may be able to issue a check, I have never asked. The casino trick is NOT necessary for closing out your account, it is necessary if you wish to get cash earlier in the cruise without a 3% charge, or if you are trying to cash out HAL or Carnival Corp issued credits which are listed as Non Refundable.

 

 

If you have a beverage package, that will still be valid until the end of the cruise - even if you have closed out.

 

This is the way I have handled my on board expenses for more than 10 cruises over more than 7 years.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Why would anyone buy OBC? Just let your purchases onboard add up and settle to your credit card at the end.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[English_in_Spain]

Why would anyone buy OBC? Just let your purchases onboard add up and settle to your credit card at the end.

 

I also do not register a credit card (I have had problems in the past with my Spanish cards) nor do I want to carry a lot of cash onto the ship.

The solution is to buy OBC online beforehand. I can also choose a time when the exchange rate is looking more favourable.

[kazu]

Why would anyone buy OBC? Just let your purchases onboard add up and settle to your credit card at the end.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

<snip>

The solution is to buy OBC online beforehand. I can also choose a time when the exchange rate is looking more favourable.

 

Great minds think alike Carol :)

 

Flatbush - many of us are not from the U.S., so we are subject to exchange rates (which can be very painful).

 

Like Carol, I prefer to choose the time to purchase OBC when I think that the exchange rate is more favourable and/or dollar cost average the risk, rather than have it subject to the time when HAL bills me.

[catl331]

Why would anyone buy OBC? Just let your purchases onboard add up and settle to your credit card at the end.

Some people like to spread out the cost over several months and not have a large bill waiting at the end of the cruise.