Amex offer expiring soon

[CFLRetired]

I have an Amex offer expiring in about a month.  I need to spend $1,000 or more and received $250 back.  I have my upcoming cruises paid for with drink packages.  Any idea how I can spend this now for something later?  As an example can you buy onboard credit for a cruise you've already booked?  This way I could get the cash back while on board.  Or is it possible to book any cruise now knowing I won't go on it and in a few months switch to one I will go on without penalty?   I'm looking for out of the box thinking. TYIA.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, CFLRetired said:

As an example can you buy onboard credit for a cruise you've already booked? 

Yes. 

[barbeyg]

You can either buy OBC, or book a fully refundable cruise with the $1k, then transfer reservation/deposit to the one you want later.
 

Do not get a refund whatever you do.  AMEX will claw back the points. They aren’t lenient like some other CC companies.

 

My points for this offer posted within 48 hours.  🙂

[cyndyga]

In the terms for the spend it specifically says "Excludes onboard purchases, e-gift card and physical gift card purchases made online, transfers/transportation to the ship does that mean pre purchase of on board credit?? I just spent $630 on a casino cruise but if I could buy myself $400 obc I would for the 25000 points. Please advise!

[Tree_skier]

15 minutes ago, cyndyga said:

In the terms for the spend it specifically says "Excludes onboard purchases, e-gift card and physical gift card purchases made online, transfers/transportation to the ship does that mean pre purchase of on board credit?? I just spent $630 on a casino cruise but if I could buy myself $400 obc I would for the 25000 points. Please advise!

I have used this same offer on both Royal and Norwegian and used it paying for things in the cruise planner.  Received the credit every time.

[cyndyga]

I don't see anywhere to purchase onboard credit or casino credit even? I sail Princess also and can purchase obc and casno credit precruise...

[cyndyga]

6 hours ago, barbeyg said:

You can either buy OBC, or book a fully refundable cruise with the $1k, then transfer reservation/deposit to the one you want later.
 

Do not get a refund whatever you do.  AMEX will claw back the points. They aren’t lenient like some other CC companies.

 

My points for this offer posted within 48 hours.  🙂

Where do you buy onboard credit? Searched the planner and can't find it. Thanks!

[Another_Critic]

13 minutes ago, cyndyga said:

Where do you buy onboard credit? Searched the planner and can't find it. Thanks!

Call Royal Gifts at 800-722-5443

[Luke gs Daddy]

Does your local grocery store sell gift cards?

We bought amazon, local hardware and some other gift cards to hit our 1000 mark since we use these retailers anyway.

 

[Cruise Gopher]

20 minutes ago, Luke gs Daddy said:

Does your local grocery store sell gift cards?

We bought amazon, local hardware and some other gift cards to hit our 1000 mark since we use these retailers anyway.

 

Not sure how this is relevant. For this offer you have to spend $1k directly with Royal Caribbean. 

[Cruise Gopher]

14 hours ago, barbeyg said:

or book a fully refundable cruise with the $1k, then transfer reservation/deposit to the one you want later.

^^^^^^ this honestly is the very best option to do. Just book a random cruise for way out in 2024 so you have plenty of time to change it to something else. Make sure to book the refundable deposit rate option. 

[CFLRetired]

Great advice all.  Thank you ladies and gentlemen.  

[publicpersona]

I satisfied the remainder of an AMEX spend on a similar offer by booking shore excursions late in the cruise, which I promptly cancelled day one onboard. I made sure that my credit card for onboard purchases was not the AMEX.

[volk904]

What don’t you just put $1000 down as a deposit on a future cruise way out.  Later you can either move it to a cruise you want or get a refund.  

[Another_Critic]

36 minutes ago, volk904 said:

Later you can [snip] get a refund.  

Read post #3.

[Luke gs Daddy]

On 10/30/2022 at 7:52 AM, Cruise Gopher said:

Not sure how this is relevant. For this offer you have to spend $1k directly with Royal Caribbean. 

 

On 10/29/2022 at 2:20 PM, CFLRetired said:

I have an Amex offer expiring in about a month.  I need to spend $1,000 or more and received $250 back.  I have my upcoming cruises paid for with drink packages.  Any idea how I can spend this now for something later?  As an example can you buy onboard credit for a cruise you've already booked?  This way I could get the cash back while on board.  Or is it possible to book any cruise now knowing I won't go on it and in a few months switch to one I will go on without penalty?   I'm looking for out of the box thinking. TYIA.

 

The original post does not say you have to purchase from RCI only spend 1000 bux.

I just received my BOA, RCI CC offer and I spend 1000 bux I get 250 bux OBC.

 

I bought gift cards from my local Kroger to  stores that I use for stuff that I already buy. Met the 1000 bux , received 1 dollar off 35 gallons of gas.

 It's relevant.

[Another_Critic]

55 minutes ago, Luke gs Daddy said:

The original post does not say you have to purchase from RCI only spend 1000 bux.

I just received my BOA, RCI CC offer and I spend 1000 bux I get 250 bux OBC.

 

I bought gift cards from my local Kroger to  stores that I use for stuff that I already buy. Met the 1000 bux , received 1 dollar off 35 gallons of gas.

 It's relevant.

Your BoA offer is not the same as the AMEX offer.  You must spend $1000 at Royal Caribbean to qualify for the AMEX offer.

 

... spend a minimum of $1,000 in one or more eligible transactions on cruise reservations booked at royalcaribbean.com, by phone at 1-866-562-7625 or by contacting your preferred travel advisor. Cruise must be booked by 12/31/2022.