Marlissa Posted January 18, 2006 #1 Share Posted January 18, 2006 I’m trying to charge everything that I can, in order to maximize the points that will be applied towards our December cruise. Does anyone actually pay their mortgage with the card? Our mortgage is with Chase and I’ve looked at their website, but didn’t find anything that says they will accept cc’s. Guess I need to call ‘em. In addition to the mortgage question, tell me if you prefer the Sun’s or the Star’s itinerary, assuming the prices are comparable, for a December cruise. We are leaning towards the Sun because we really enjoyed Belize last time we were there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserssandr Posted January 18, 2006 #2 Share Posted January 18, 2006 My mortgage company won't take credit cards. That would sure help add up the points quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanieBlon Posted January 18, 2006 #3 Share Posted January 18, 2006 Be aware that in the "fine print" there's the stipulation that the MAXIMUM number of points that you can earn is 250 per month or 1000 in a year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSM Posted January 19, 2006 #4 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I don't think any mortgage co. will take credit cards, but I charge all of my utility bills, groceries and my estimated income tax for the points. I also tried to charge insurance premiums with no success. If you think you will go over the 1000 point a year, get a second card and split your charges between them. We have four cards and keep track of how much we have earned each year so we never lose points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Us2inFL Posted January 19, 2006 #5 Share Posted January 19, 2006 We put our Palm Beach County property tax on the NCL card. The total was $7850. It was the only charge on that NCL card for the month and we got 236 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 19, 2006 #6 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I charge everything , but do not have a mortage and I max out 2 cards per year, with tuition payments. :) My insurance companies do take credit cards. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marlissa Posted January 19, 2006 Author #7 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Yes, we try to charge everything we can. After maxing out one in less than a year (due to DH's work travels), we got a second card. Now he is not traveling much and the points aren't accumulating as quickly. DD plans to start at Johnson & Wales University in the fall, so that $$$ will help. Oh yea, I think we owe IRS :mad: , sure hope they take cc payments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backstroke50 Posted January 19, 2006 #8 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I was curious to know how the points are redemmed? MBNA has an NCL card that allows the use of points for category upgrades and credits towards cruise purchases. Also, do the points ever expire?? :confused: NCL Majesty - 4/2000 NCL Sun - 2/2005 NCL Jewel - 2/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoanieBlon Posted January 19, 2006 #9 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I was curious to know how the points are redemmed? MBNA has an NCL card that allows the use of points for category upgrades and credits towards cruise purchases. Also, do the points ever expire?? :confused: NCL Majesty - 4/2000 NCL Sun - 2/2005 NCL Jewel - 2/2006 If I am not mistaken, the points expire in 3 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immargaret Posted January 19, 2006 #10 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I was curious to know how the points are redemmed? MBNA has an NCL card that allows the use of points for category upgrades and credits towards cruise purchases. Also, do the points ever expire?? The points do expire. Earn 3 points for every $100 in purchases and 4 points for every $100 in NCL purchases. There are montly and yearly maximum points you can earn. In my opinion I wouldn't use the points towards upgrades, they just don't have much value....Instead use them for $ off your cruise costs. Points....redemption award 100 One category upgrade for first person in stateroom. 200 One category upgrade for first and second person in stateroom. 300 Two category upgrade for first person and one category upgrade for second person in stateroom. 400 Two category upgrade for first and second person in stateroom. Compass Rewards Points for Cruise Discounts 500 $500 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking. 1000 $1,000 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking 1500 $1,500 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking 2000 $2,000 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking 2500 $2,500 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking 3000 $3,000 credit applicable toward an NCL cruise booking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backstroke50 Posted January 19, 2006 #11 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I would imagine you have to book through NCL as opposed to a travel agent to use the points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immargaret Posted January 19, 2006 #12 Share Posted January 19, 2006 I would imagine you have to book through NCL as opposed to a travel agent to use the points? No....you can book where ever you want, landbased TA, internet agency or directly with NCL. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budget Queen Posted January 20, 2006 #13 Share Posted January 20, 2006 And the certificates expire in one year. Book through any agency. BUT I always send my certificates directly to NCL in Miami, address on back of certificate, your agent can not redeem them and only forwards them to NCL, which takes up more time than needed and has the added potential for getting lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekamax Posted January 20, 2006 #14 Share Posted January 20, 2006 If I charged my property taxes - I checked into it - then they would charge me a "fee" to use the card which was around 3-4% so it wasn't worth charging the property taxes. Be careful - even the IRS - charges fees when using the credit card - and the fee is to you. Many tried charging their federal taxes for their tax returns which you can do but didnt' realize there was a 3-4% added to the amount charged just to be able to charge it on a card... :) Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ENGINEER Posted January 20, 2006 #15 Share Posted January 20, 2006 We charged our childrens tuition,( Be careful. some schools charge 2 to 3 percent for cc payments) insurance premiums, cell service and anything else we could that did not charge us for using a credit card. You must make sure you pay off you bill each month to make this worth while. We took a free cruise on the Dream last Dember and we just received $2000.00 worth of cerificates which we are applying towards an August cruise to Alaska on the Sun. I will be sending the coupons to NCL this week. There is nothing better then cruising on someone elses dollar. Engineer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kjquilts Posted January 21, 2006 #16 Share Posted January 21, 2006 ..... You must make sure you pay off you bill each month to make this worth while... Engineer learned this when I got this months bill - which includes the final bill for our March 4th cruise .....in Nov I had a bill for $300ish and only paid $50 ..... In Dec bill total was $927.32 which i paid in full. New bill is charging $21.05 in finance charges and they told me because i didn't pay the November bill in full I'm getting charged interest on "average daily balance" including the $4,836.76 cruise that went on this months bill from the day it hit the account - - - the $21.05 interest won't kill me but it was a surprise because I didn't read the fine print. on the bright side we now have 605 combined points :) kj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserssandr Posted January 21, 2006 #17 Share Posted January 21, 2006 We tried to pay for our daughers wedding reception on our card and they were going to charge us 3% to do that. Not worth it so we just paid cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Birdnutty Posted January 22, 2006 #18 Share Posted January 22, 2006 I don't know if this would actually work on NCL, but it does on RCCL... Bring very little cash with you to start off the trip. When the casino opens, get cash from the casino window, play a little to make it legit, then pocket what's left. The "cash advance" will get billed to your room, and hence your credit card, which will gain you 4 points on every dollar. It's a good way to rack up thse points on vacation! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregandamy Posted January 22, 2006 #19 Share Posted January 22, 2006 learned this when I got this months bill - which includes the final bill for our March 4th cruise .....in Nov I had a bill for $300ish and only paid $50 ..... In Dec bill total was $927.32 which i paid in full. New bill is charging $21.05 in finance charges and they told me because i didn't pay the November bill in full I'm getting charged interest on "average daily balance" including the $4,836.76 cruise that went on this months bill from the day it hit the account - - - the $21.05 interest won't kill me but it was a surprise because I didn't read the fine print. on the bright side we now have 605 combined points :) kj I had this happen mistakenly as well. I sent a check mid-billing cycle to avoid any more interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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