Tax on Upgrade Program?

[egurbi]

Just got an accepted bid on an upgrade. Card on file was run for 6% more than the total bid. Is tax being charged on accepted bids? Have never had this happen in the past.

 

 

[shof515]

there is no tax on bids. it could be currency exchange issue like from GBP to USD depending on your location and booking 

[egurbi]

Thanks  Odd.  USD transaction made in US.

[reveur15]

https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/content/upgrade-advantage-terms

 

It might be one of these : 

 

19. If you have purchased Norwegian Cruise Line’s Travel Protection on your current booking, you will be automatically charged to cover the Upgrade cost. For more information please visit www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/booksafe#pricing

20. Depending on the product and destination being visited, a General Excise Tax may be applicable to the upgrade charges, if the upgrade is awarded. Taxes for applicable sailings will be charged automatically once the payment for the upgrade is taken.

[cruiser2015]

2 hours ago, egurbi said:

Just got an accepted bid on an upgrade. Card on file was run for 6% more than the total bid. Is tax being charged on accepted bids? Have never had this happen in the past.

 

 

Hate to be to be obvious, but call your TA (if applicable) or NCL and ask about the 6%.

 Or, if you have a new account statement, compare the various charges to your old statement and see which ones are different. the answer is in there somewhere.

[Russiamomm]

As others have said, it’s likely an increase in the insurance premium.  That took us by surprise the first time we won an upgrade.  I don’t think there are additional taxes, at least in the US. We’ve since gotten an annual outside insurance policy and don’t buy NCL insurance anymore.  Also agree, call your TA or NCL to be sure,  

[bonvoyagie]

we won an upgrade to a suite and in addition to the upgrade bid they indeed added for the extra DSC (which was pre-paid) as well as insurance increase to cover the new cruise cost.

[egurbi]

Thanks for all the responses. Didn't take the insurance.  It's an upgrade to a balcony from an ocean view, so no increase in DSC, as far as I am aware.  Just plain odd.

 

Also, will NCL actually respond to inquiries about upgrade charges, since my understanding is that they contract the whole process out?

[Anoynmous Phoenix]

@egurbi

 

Also, will NCL actually respond to inquiries about upgrade charges, since my understanding is that they contract the whole process out?

 

Only one way to find out!!!!   Try it and see.   Then let us know the answer too.

 

[boxedmoon]

Did you originally book through the Casino at Sea?

[cruiseny4life]

18 hours ago, Anoynmous Phoenix said:

@egurbi

 

Also, will NCL actually respond to inquiries about upgrade charges, since my understanding is that they contract the whole process out?

 

Only one way to find out!!!!   Try it and see.   Then let us know the answer too.

 

Or...ya know...ask people who may have experienced the upgrade program. I bet they can tell @egurbi their experience. Then they'll know. Kind of one of the reasons we've got Cruise Critic. To find out about other's experiences. 

[dbrown84]

On 11/8/2023 at 4:42 PM, egurbi said:

Thanks for all the responses. Didn't take the insurance.  It's an upgrade to a balcony from an ocean view, so no increase in DSC, as far as I am aware.  Just plain odd.

 

Also, will NCL actually respond to inquiries about upgrade charges, since my understanding is that they contract the whole process out?

If you have the dining package, you now have 2 meals instead of one.  They will charge you the extra gratuities for the extra meal.  Don't know if that accounts for all of the extra charges 

[egurbi]

We have a winner!  Thank you dbrown84.  That is exactly the reason for the additional $12 charge. Thanks to you and all who responded.

[dbrown84]

17 minutes ago, egurbi said:

We have a winner!  Thank you dbrown84.  That is exactly the reason for the additional $12 charge. Thanks to you and all who responded.

No problem.  Happened to me the first time I upgraded from inside to balcony.  The upgrade rules make it seem like you wouldn't get extra meals, but you do.  It's not considered an extra perk since you had it to begin with 

[boxedmoon]

3 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

No problem.  Happened to me the first time I upgraded from inside to balcony.  The upgrade rules make it seem like you wouldn't get extra meals, but you do.  It's not considered an extra perk since you had it to begin with 

You don't always get the extra meals. A recent cruise my group was on, I got extra meals when booked with CAS. Someone else booked through a TA did not extra meals.

[Daveth10]

6 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

No problem.  Happened to me the first time I upgraded from inside to balcony.  The upgrade rules make it seem like you wouldn't get extra meals, but you do.  It's not considered an extra perk since you had it to begin with 

Hmmm, I have been upgraded through the upgrade programme from Outside to Balcony (12 nights). How can I tell that I have an extra alacarte. My booking still says 2 meals in the "free at sea" section

[egurbi]

I am booked through CAS.  My free at sea meals went from 1 to 2 with the upgrade as per dbrown84. Interesting about the differences between CAS  and TAs.

 

 

[dbrown84]

9 hours ago, boxedmoon said:

You don't always get the extra meals. A recent cruise my group was on, I got extra meals when booked with CAS. Someone else booked through a TA did not extra meals.

And you're talking about upgrading thru upgrade advantage?

[dbrown84]

6 hours ago, Daveth10 said:

Hmmm, I have been upgraded through the upgrade programme from Outside to Balcony (12 nights). How can I tell that I have an extra alacarte. My booking still says 2 meals in the "free at sea" section

Did you notice that you were charged more than your bid amount?  Also, did you mean from inside to balcony?

[Daveth10]

35 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

Did you notice that you were charged more than your bid amount?  Also, did you mean from inside to balcony?

 

35 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

Did you notice that you were charged more than your bid amount?  Also, did you mean from inside to balcony?

Was outside to balcony and I was charged the amount that I bid

[dbrown84]

12 minutes ago, Daveth10 said:

 

Was outside to balcony and I was charged the amount that I bid

Ok.  I was wondering which category you are calling outside, as NCL doesn't have this as a category.  Were you in a balcony and you upgraded to a higher level balcony?

[dbrown84]

5 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

Ok.  I was wondering which category you are calling outside, as NCL doesn't have this as a category.  Were you in a balcony and you upgraded to a higher level balcony?

Actually, I guess you didn't start with a balcony because you would have already had 3 meals.

[boxedmoon]

2 hours ago, dbrown84 said:

And you're talking about upgrading thru upgrade advantage?

Yes through upgrade advantage from inside to balcony.

When I called about the extra charge they told me it was for the meals. They didn't have a great explanation except that CAS has different terms for some of the original promos.

Edited November 10, 2023 by boxedmoon

[Daveth10]

1 hour ago, dbrown84 said:

Actually, I guess you didn't start with a balcony because you would have already had 3 meals.

So used to in the UK to saying outside but yes NCL say "Oceanview" which we upgraded from, through the Upgrade Programme to a Balcony at the amount I bid. I do not believe I get any more than 2 Specialist Dining meals that I got with my original booking. But if anyone can enlighten me then thankyou.

[dbrown84]

22 minutes ago, Daveth10 said:

So used to in the UK to saying outside but yes NCL say "Oceanview" which we upgraded from, through the Upgrade Programme to a Balcony at the amount I bid. I do not believe I get any more than 2 Specialist Dining meals that I got with my original booking. But if anyone can enlighten me then thankyou.

Well, @boxedmoon just made an interesting observation above.  I also book thru CAS, so maybe that has something to do with it.  Looks like @egurbi also books thru CAS