NCL Mastercard FAQ

[mbisson]

Hummm-I know that some at NCL read this board (I don't know that they read every post though).

 

I doubt that BoA read the board on any sort of regular basis.

[melissa6675]

I haven't posted in months - been real busy, but am incensed at the mismanagement of the Compass/WorldPoint changeover.

 

I took careful note of my December 23, 2008 closing statement which clearly showed 1,158 compass points. All I received was an upgrade. After going two rounds with BofA, I sent a letter, with a copy of my December statement, and a copy of the Compass rewards they sent me to the resolution address requesting they send me the $1,000.00 they owe me.

 

I've been through 25 pages back trying to read, but I'm at work. 1. Has anyone seen resolution of errors yet? and 2. Can someone repost the executive e-mail that was mentioned back several pages? Someone is going to get a piece of my mind.

[c breeze]

I haven't posted in months - been real busy, but am incensed at the mismanagement of the Compass/WorldPoint changeover.

 

I took careful note of my December 23, 2008 closing statement which clearly showed 1,158 compass points. All I received was an upgrade. After going two rounds with BofA, I sent a letter, with a copy of my December statement, and a copy of the Compass rewards they sent me to the resolution address requesting they send me the $1,000.00 they owe me.

 

I've been through 25 pages back trying to read, but I'm at work. 1. Has anyone seen resolution of errors yet? and 2. Can someone repost the executive e-mail that was mentioned back several pages? Someone is going to get a piece of my mind.

 

My NCL personal cruise concultant called me back yesterday. He read a statement which stated that a system error hit a population of customers causing a miscalculation in points .

 

They have found the error and are mailing out new certificates to these customers this week. He also added that if you have not received the correct amount of Compass Reward certificates in the mail BY FEBRUARY 20, you should send a letter with the explaniation of the points you believed you were owed (I would include copies of the December and January statements) to :

 

NCL Compass Rewards Resolution

NC1-022-17-01

201 North TRYON Street

Charlotte, NC 28255

 

So..... wait until Feb 20 (next Friday), and if you haven't gotten what you are owed, then send your letter or if you have already sent your letter, then then contact BOA via email/phone. The email address was never posted, but it is easy enough to find. I did not email BOA, just contacted my NCL cruise consultant, who provided the above info. Just give it until next Friday, unless of course, you have a final payment due this month!

[melissa6675]

Thanks. My pay off isn't until August, and unfortunately this will be the last cruise for awhile since they took away the Compass system, which was BY FAR the best way to cruise.

 

I already sent a letter with my December statement, circled the available points ($1000), and copies of the rewards they sent me ($100 upgrade) and nicely said I expect my money. Hope they follow through. BTW, I sent it certified, return receipt.

[c breeze]

Thanks. My pay off isn't until August, and unfortunately this will be the last cruise for awhile since they took away the Compass system, which was BY FAR the best way to cruise.

 

I agree! We loved this program and I only wish that I had joined sooner! We were able to go on free 10-day cruise in 2007 and a half price 10-day cruise in 2008 and will use our last certificates for a more than half off 7 day cruise in October. I am not sure how often we will be cruising after that, and will not look exlusively at NCL anymore. It was a great program! All good things............

[asand5554]

My NCL personal cruise concultant called me back yesterday. He read a statement which stated that a system error hit a population of customers causing a miscalculation in points .

 

They have found the error and are mailing out new certificates to these customers this week. He also added that if you have not received the correct amount of Compass Reward certificates in the mail BY FEBRUARY 20, you should send a letter with the explaniation of the points you believed you were owed (I would include copies of the December and January statements) to :

 

NCL Compass Rewards Resolution

NC1-022-17-01

201 North TRYON Street

Charlotte, NC 28255

 

So..... wait until Feb 20 (next Friday), and if you haven't gotten what you are owed, then send your letter or if you have already sent your letter, then then contact BOA via email/phone. The email address was never posted, but it is easy enough to find. I did not email BOA, just contacted my NCL cruise consultant, who provided the above info. Just give it until next Friday, unless of course, you have a final payment due this month!

 

 

I am assuming that those of us who have not received anything should also wait until the 20th. I am due certificates from two accounts - $500 from one (642 points), $1000 from the other (1000 points).

[c breeze]

I am assuming that those of us who have not received anything should also wait until the 20th. I am due certificates from two accounts - $500 from one (642 points), $1000 from the other (1000 points).

 

 

I would...... They are supposedly addressing all the errors. Unless you need to send your final payment soon, I would wait until Feb 20 to see if things have been corrected. Of course if you are not comfortable waiting a week, then send your info now. I haven't sent a thing yet - just spoken with NCL. I feel reasonably confident the correct certificates will get here in a week or so. Of course, I am not sailing until October........

[Stillfloatin']

I'm waiting too. No point in me doing all that work if they're gonna fix it.

[moocow1981]

I was informed that my corrected certificates were mailed out yesterday. I did mention to B of A and NCL that this would be my last cruise since this program is going away.

 

We got four free cruises out of the program, and free is a good price, but I knew this change would come. MBNA & Bank One were very big on having a great point programs. B of A and Chase bought out these credit cards, said they wouldn't change the program, which to me is code for, they won't change the program until they have transfered all of the prior credit companies credit cards to a new platform.

 

The change over was complete in January, but the December activity after the satement cutoff date was missed, much the same way where introductory interest rates that they say change in a given month, it's amazing they close that month off early (like the 2nd of the month) to crank it up to the new rate.

 

In addition all of the hold over MBNA employees were released on 12/31/08, so the error of missing points that should have been earned through 12/31/08 got missed.

 

What B of A is surprised at now is how many people are dropping the card, I guess were bailing out.

[Stillfloatin']

I'm bailing for sure. Never have liked BOA and knew as soon as they bought out MBNA they would eventually ruin the program. :(

[c breeze]

I am not dropping the card, since that can adversely affect credit rating. However I will hardly use it at all now, and it was my card of choice before. Many card companies are cutting back on their rewards programs, but I always thought the World Points program was not one of the better ones. That is why I never bothered with the RCCL World Points card that BOA has offered for several years. I believe it is better to go with a card that is not linked to one cruise line or airline, but a more general rewards card. I am still researching but like the Amex Blue cards and Capital One no hassel rewards card. I sure will miss the Compass Rewards program, though. I kept telling everyone on my last NCL cruise how wonderful the Compass Rewards program was!

[Alvarado]

I too am no longer using the card. I will not drop it because of the effect on my credit rating but I don't have to use it again either. I think my next cruise will be Rccl I hear the food is good and the fares are reasonable.

[c breeze]

I too am no longer using the card. I will not drop it because of the effect on my credit rating but I don't have to use it again either. I think my next cruise will be Rccl I hear the food is good and the fares are reasonable.

 

I like both NCL and RCCL. We like the fresstyle that NCL has to offer, and NCL prices seem a bit better the RCCL. However, unless we take an Alaskan cruise, my main interest is not having to fly, so like the NY/NJ/Philly departures, no matter which lines we sail on. I have not tried Canival yet.

[EmmasNana]

I am checking out Carnival. I am booked on the Carnival Conquest for September this year. I decided to check out ships that depart from Galveston,Tx or New Orleans so as not to need to fly to the port. If NCL/BOA had left Compass Rewards the way it was I would never have looked elsewhere.

[Browezilla]

I too am no longer using the card. I will not drop it because of the effect on my credit rating but I don't have to use it again either.

The effect on your credit rating I didn't think was that great for dropping a card. I cancel cards all the time. Note that if you don't cancel it, then this shows as credit available to you if you apply for other credit. Banks limit credit based the amount of credit you already have available to you.

[defreeze]

OK, so here's how a data error caused us so much grief. Someone at Bank of America wrote a computer program that needed two pieces of data for each cardholder: (1) the number of Compass Rewards points on the December 2008 statement; and (2) the charges incurred from the December closing date until December 31, 2008.

 

So, this computer program would then take the points from the December statement, calculate the points received during the late December period, and add the two together to get the final point tally.

 

So, what likely happened to us unfortunate 6,000 cardholders is that when our info went through the program, someone neglected to include the first data file for us, i.e., the total points earned as of the December statement date.

 

That is why so many of us got certificates based SOLELY on the points earned in the late December period. In my case, I earned zero points during that time, so I haven't gotten a thing - not even a letter.

 

You know, mistakes happen in life, and clearly, someone made an error here. So, I hold no ill will toward Bank of America and am encouraged that they moved so quickly to rectify things when they learned of the error. We are all fortunate to be able to go on such wonderful cruise vacations (and to get significant dollars off to boot!!!)

[Browezilla]

...So, I hold no ill will toward Bank of America and am encouraged that they moved so quickly to rectify things when they learned of the error. We are all fortunate to be able to go on such wonderful cruise vacations (and to get significant dollars off to boot!!!)

I can't say the same. I have gotten much more information from this forum than I have from several calls to BofA. Once they realized the mistake, they should have posted a notice on their internal systems and called each affected card member with:

- we goofed

- here's when we will have it fixed

- we're sorry

[Stillfloatin']

The effect on your credit rating I didn't think was that great for dropping a card. I cancel cards all the time. Note that if you don't cancel it, then this shows as credit available to you if you apply for other credit. Banks limit credit based the amount of credit you already have available to you.

 

Exactly. We've dropped cards throughout our lifetime and it has never had a negative impact on our credit rating. In fact, just as you mentioned, the less cards you have, the easier it is to get large loans such as mortgages, as long as you have a good record of past credit card account payments.

[chezbo99]

My experience is directly opposite of defreeze's! I too got the wrong amount--I was only credited for the points earned between my December closing date and the 31st! Hope they are fixing that program error, too!

[alwayssingin]

And then there are those of us who still haven't received anything. If all certs were mailed by January 31st as originally promised, where do we fall in the scheme of things? I'm giving them until February 20th, but I'm tired of the date constantly changing and not hearing anything and won't wait any longer than that to take action.

[c breeze]

Exactly. We've dropped cards throughout our lifetime and it has never had a negative impact on our credit rating. In fact' date=' just as you mentioned, the less cards you have, the easier it is to get large loans such as mortgages, as long as you have a good record of past credit card account payments.[/quote']

 

We have never had a problem with credit, and we do not carry a balance on any of our cards. I have been home a lot the past year and had the news on quite a bit. Of course there are always financial advisors on and every one has advised against closing old accounts (unless, of course your are paying fees for these credit cards). They all recommend putting the card(s) away, and using them one or two times a year to keep them active, since they will be canceled if inactive. Just passing this along for people to be aware. Everyone has to do what is best for them.

 

Closing old credit cards

Another component of your credit score, 15%, is the length of your credit history - longer credit histories are better. Closing old credit cards, especially your oldest card, makes your credit history seem shorter than it really is.

http://credit.about.com/od/creditreportscoring/tp/credit-score-hurts.01.htm

 

Credit Scoring Myths-

Closing accounts can help your credit score

No, no, no. For the umpteenth time: Closing accounts can never help your credit score, and may hurt it.

 

Every time I write this, I get more e-mail from people who say their mortgage lenders told them exactly the opposite. It's true that having too many open accounts can hurt your score. But once you've opened the accounts, you've done the damage. You can't repair it by shutting the account, and you may actually make things worse.

 

The credit score looks at the difference between your available credit and what you're using. Shut down accounts, and your total available credit shrinks, making your balances loom larger, which typically hurts your score.

 

The score also tracks the length of your credit history. Shutting older accounts can also make your credit history look younger than it actually is, which can hurt your score.

 

Of course, credit scores aren't the only thing lenders look at when making decisions. They typically consider other factors, such as your income, assets, employment history and credit limits. Mortgage lenders in particular might look at your total available credit and ask you to close a few accounts as a condition for getting a loan.

 

But if your goal is to improve your credit score, you generally shouldn't close accounts in advance of such a request. Instead, pay down your credit card debt. That's something that actually can improve your score.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/4creditScoringMyths.aspx

[Lyman713]

Exactly. We've dropped cards throughout our lifetime and it has never had a negative impact on our credit rating. In fact' date=' just as you mentioned, the less cards you have, the easier it is to get large loans such as mortgages, as long as you have a good record of past credit card account payments.[/quote']

 

I have to agree with this logic as well.

 

There are some circumstances where you shouldn't cancel a card - for example - 1. This is one of your only cards (showing you have credit / credit history); 2. You have no balance on this card and are maxed out on the other ones (typically, credit folks look at the ratio of the total balances : total credit available); 3. The card is old and other cards are much newer (showing a long credit history).

 

I've canceled cards in the past without any noticable FICO score change. But, your situation may vary and, if it might be a concern (mid-level credit rating and you might be trying to get a mortgage soon), then it might be good to talk with a credit specialist (and, by that, I don't mean Suze Orman - in my opinion, she doesn't often give the best advice!).

 

Either way, I would be very interested to see how much less is charged from last year to this year!

 

On another note - still waiting here -- On one card, I haven't heard anything, on another card, I got the wrong points (2-100 point certificates instead of 2-$500 certificates!).

 

Good luck to everyone - hopefully these next few days will bring happy news to everyone's mailboxes!!

[Lyman713]

We have never had a problem with credit, and we do not carry a balance on any of our cards. I have been home a lot the past year and had the news on quite a bit. Of course there are always financial advisors on and every one has advised against closing old accounts (unless, of course your are paying fees for these credit cards). They all recommend putting the card(s) away, and using them one or two times a year to keep them active, since they will be canceled if inactive. Just passing this along for people to be aware. Everyone has to do what is best for them.

 

Closing old credit cards

Another component of your credit score, 15%, is the length of your credit history - longer credit histories are better. Closing old credit cards, especially your oldest card, makes your credit history seem shorter than it really is.

http://credit.about.com/od/creditreportscoring/tp/credit-score-hurts.01.htm

 

Credit Scoring Myths-

Closing accounts can help your credit score

No, no, no. For the umpteenth time: Closing accounts can never help your credit score, and may hurt it.

 

Every time I write this, I get more e-mail from people who say their mortgage lenders told them exactly the opposite. It's true that having too many open accounts can hurt your score. But once you've opened the accounts, you've done the damage. You can't repair it by shutting the account, and you may actually make things worse.

 

The credit score looks at the difference between your available credit and what you're using. Shut down accounts, and your total available credit shrinks, making your balances loom larger, which typically hurts your score.

 

The score also tracks the length of your credit history. Shutting older accounts can also make your credit history look younger than it actually is, which can hurt your score.

 

Of course, credit scores aren't the only thing lenders look at when making decisions. They typically consider other factors, such as your income, assets, employment history and credit limits. Mortgage lenders in particular might look at your total available credit and ask you to close a few accounts as a condition for getting a loan.

 

But if your goal is to improve your credit score, you generally shouldn't close accounts in advance of such a request. Instead, pay down your credit card debt. That's something that actually can improve your score.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Banking/YourCreditRating/4creditScoringMyths.aspx

 

I should have read your post before I commented!

 

Thanks for doing the research and posting info - you said it much better!

[AFT_LOVER]

since it is a new card with nothing on it as yet. A new card can be cancelled as a change of mind. When we reopened our HH Signature Visa we got extra FICO points. Now 98% are poorer than we are in credit scores. SO Discover that is 20 years old, HH Signature Visa, Amex which is 27 years old all get used at least once a month but actually they all get used plenty. Gas for Discover & a store we go to that uses them exclusively, Amex for everything that has a warranty to get the extra year and HH for all the points we get to use for air, hotel, entertainment.

[Marlissa]

OK, so here's how a data error caused us so much grief. Someone at Bank of America wrote a computer program that needed two pieces of data for each cardholder: (1) the number of Compass Rewards points on the December 2008 statement; and (2) the charges incurred from the December closing date until December 31, 2008.

 

So, this computer program would then take the points from the December statement, calculate the points received during the late December period, and add the two together to get the final point tally.

 

So, what likely happened to us unfortunate 6,000 cardholders is that when our info went through the program, someone neglected to include the first data file for us, i.e., the total points earned as of the December statement date.

 

That is why so many of us got certificates based SOLELY on the points earned in the late December period. In my case, I earned zero points during that time, so I haven't gotten a thing - not even a letter.

 

You know, mistakes happen in life, and clearly, someone made an error here. So, I hold no ill will toward Bank of America and am encouraged that they moved so quickly to rectify things when they learned of the error. We are all fortunate to be able to go on such wonderful cruise vacations (and to get significant dollars off to boot!!!)

 

There must have been multiple errors...

 

I only received certs based upon NCL charges made during Dec. BoA totally 'dropped' my points accumulated upto and including Dec statement and points that should have been credited between Dec closing date and Jan 1 (besides NCL charges).

 

Others have said they received certs based upon points on Dec statement only. While others received correct certs. I believe the problem was/is larger than your one scenario.

 

:o I'm not sure if you are speculating on what happened w/BoA or you are repeating info gained elsewhere.

 

Also, I'm not as encouraged about BoA's handling of the problem. They started receiving notification in JANUARY that there was a problem (I notified them ~1/5/09). At that time, we were promised follow-up info via email or call back. As of now, haven't heard from them...BoA then continued on the same path and sent certs based upon what they knew was incorrect info. Again, no communication from them to us about the latest fiasco.