NCL Mastercard FAQ

[MagnoliaBlossom]

"I see" said the blind man.

 

Like I said, I don't ever pay attention to the casino credit buys and obviously Ididn't read those offers accurately.

 

No real matter for me, since it wasn't something I was considering, but hope others read the details more closely.

 

My option is to simply wait til I have at least $250 then apply for cash back. That way there are no strings attached. Cruise, fly, shop - whatever - Cash - it's the universal gift certificate :p

[GoHuskies!]

Go to your BoA acct and log in

 

See the "rewards" tab ? There should be four, and rewards is on the far right. Click on it

 

Scroll to the bottom of the page. You will have nine options of things like "gift cards" etc. The very last one is "cash deposits" or something like that. Click on it (not the one that says cash)

 

Next screen gives you the option to add accounts (which you have to do before you can redeem) or redeem. It is pretty self explanatory and no different than most sites where you enter your bank info. The money will be deposited into your checking or savings acct. It does not have to be a BoA bank - I use a little local bank and they found it in about a week or two.

 

After clicking the "Rewards" tab, down on the bottom of the new page you will see a button "Deposit cash rewards"--click on it. Then you can choose which of your accounts you want the cash deposited into, and at that point you should add this account (very easy--all the data you enter is on your check, for a checking account). Then choose that account and choose the amount of points to be transferred. Yes, to get the 1% you have to meet the minimums, but if you use the card regularly this should not be a problem.

 

I just did all this on Friday of last week and the $500 was in my bank checking account by Tuesday morning. Piece of cake--and a whole lot easier than the possible hassles proving anything with NCL to get either money credited to the cruise or OBC. ;)

[GoHuskies!]

And yes, the bank account I used was not BofA--it was another bank.

[Warm-Water Diver]

Does anyone know if you can transfer points from another credit-card/bank or point program into BOA Worldpoints? I have 8200 points and need to get to 10K for my cruise which is 3 weeks away!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I've never read or heard of being able to transfer points from another program (ie other loyalty program) but you can transfer from one BoA card to another - Dh and I have multiple NCL cards because in the "good ol' days" you had a $1000 max you could earn a year - now there's no limit but it takes you three times as much spending anyway, I degress - you can transfer from one card to another but you have to redeem those points within 90 days or lose them.

[Got Tequila?]

I've never read or heard of being able to transfer points from another program (ie other loyalty program) but you can transfer from one BoA card to another - Dh and I have multiple NCL cards because in the "good ol' days" you had a $1000 max you could earn a year - now there's no limit but it takes you three times as much spending anyway, I degress - you can transfer from one card to another but you have to redeem those points within 90 days or lose them.

 

I attempted to do a point transfer from one BOA card to another earlier this year and they would only do it in certain increments....I think it was 2500 points. Do you know if they are still doing it this way??? We have 6 cards in total, from the past program with it's limits.

[grandmat]

Certainly the casino credit is the best ROI at 2% - but only if your a slot player. I'd never really paid much attention to the casino credits before because if it works the same as the CAS coupon money, you can't cash out any of your "free" money, only what you've won above that amount.

 

Did that on our recent cruise. Had my little $20 for $10 promo points (or whatever amount it was, I kinda' forget now) and hit a win that would have given me an even $100 but it would only let me cash out a lesser amount. The rest had to be played.

 

No biggy - just thought I would let people who aren't real familiar with the casino programs know that you can't cash it out. Too bad - would be a nice way to get 2% rather than 1% :)

 

For those people who enjoy playing the slots this is a good deal. You are able to download as little as $5.00 each time. It doesn't take long to spend this amount and even if you hit big right away, you can still cash out and only have a small amount deducted from your winnings. If this happened to us (not often) we just pocketed our winnings and continued playing the remaining credits on the same machine.

[Chewmonkey]

I just tried to redeem 20,000 points for $200 OBC, and was told that I could only do that if I booked my cruise through them.

 

Has anyone ever heard of this before?

[Chewmonkey]

Forget it - I called the travel Redemption number instead of the NCL Redemption number.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

cgladding@ncl.com

 

On another thread (about the Latitude's survey) SMeyer posted this address. She says she wrote this person with her comments tht the NCL M/C program was the best "loyalty" program of any cruise line and they destroyed it when the program transferred to BoA.

 

It got enough attention that the poster received a phone call from this person within the hour!

 

I too have written them but have not been called. It was after work hours on Friday when I wrote.

 

Since NCL is considering re-working their loyalty program it may be good to hear from those of us who are now inclined to look to lines other than NCL for our cruising vacations.

 

Just a thought. Happy day!

 

MB

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Update: When I got home today i had a call from C. Gladding's exec. sect.

We had a nice looong talk about NCL's M/C program in addition to other questions on the survey and she seemed genuinely interested.

 

They ARE in a listening mode, so now would be a good time for input

[jaja]

I will be a 1st time "redeemer" of points....a BOA MC virgin...:rolleyes:

I am cruising in December...when should I be calling to get my OBC ?--what is time frame for having it applied?

Thanks..

[MagnoliaBlossom]

I don't think there is a limit on how soon you can get your OBC applied but I wouldn't wait too late. Always assume it will be screwed up the first one (or two) times you request something.

 

Have fun! Be sure to write a review when you get back!

[jaja]

I don't think there is a limit on how soon you can get your OBC applied but I wouldn't wait too late. Always assume it will be screwed up the first one (or two) times you request something.

 

Have fun! Be sure to write a review when you get back!

 

thanks! that is what I was thinking....;)

[singinglizzie]

OK, I applied for the NCL credit card and was approved. I paid the initial deposit + change with another credit card. Is this right, the balance of the cruise paid with the NCL credit card will be awarded 2 x points - since it involves NCL? If I pre-pay the daily gratuities, will those also be 2 x points? If both are true, I wind up being about $100 short for another 5 K points which I would use for another $50 OBC? What else could I pre-pay for $100 to push me over 5k points. We aren't gonna buy any excursion or soda cards, and planned to use our OBC for specialty meals. We aren't big drinkers so no extra alcohol or gamblers? Can I buy an OBC of $50 for for bingo or coffee drinks - and if yes, would that qualify for 2 x points to equal the $100 I am short? Any suggestions? Hope the above made sense! Thanks. Another thought, can I use an OBC to buy a $250 future cruise certificate, where I get $100 immediately in OBC?

Edited October 1, 2010 by singinglizzie

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Singing - wow, that's a lotta' questions but let's see . . .

 

First - have you considered charging your routine expenses rather than just focusing on double points? They can add up pretty fast. Go buy yourself a WalMart (or whatever) giftcard for $200. That will give you 200 points and you still have your money.

 

Second - yes, any charge to NCL will get you double points. I believe you can buy some OBC but I am not positive since I've never done it - call NCL and ask. No, you cannot buy a future cruise certificate. They are only sold onboard.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

duplicate post

Edited October 3, 2010 by MagnoliaBlossom

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Tequila - sorry to have not answered earlier - just missed your question.

 

Yes, the policy for transferring points is still 2500 point increments. We have six cards also and dealing with points is my "hobby". Add to that the airline and hotel points and it's darn near a full time job. :p

[djede]

I am new to credit cards points While onboard the SS IGOR :D (Boston to Bermuda)

 

I signed up for the NCL credit card while on board ...seemed like a good idea but now I have few questions

 

1. Is there a limit to how many points you can earn in a year ?

 

2. Is there a limit to how many points you can redeem ...example I see a $500 OBC ...but could I potential get a $500 and $250

 

3.Can I pay off the balance at anytime or does it need to be on there for a certain number of days to get the points ?

 

The main reason I ask is becaue due to Hurricane Igor we never made it to Bermuda ...this was a Surprise 15 yr anniversary trip ..instead we ended up in Florida and the Bahamas . My goal is to sail for FREE or close to it as possible as our cruises for the next 2 yrs are already planed

 

Thanks

Ed

Edited October 3, 2010 by djede
spelling / grammar

[singinglizzie]

Singing - wow, that's a lotta' questions but let's see . . .

 

First - have you considered charging your routine expenses rather than just focusing on double points? They can add up pretty fast. Go buy yourself a WalMart (or whatever) giftcard for $200. That will give you 200 points and you still have your money.

 

Second - yes, any charge to NCL will get you double points. I believe you can buy some OBC but I am not positive since I've never done it - call NCL and ask. No, you cannot buy a future cruise certificate. They are only sold onboard.

 

Thank you for your kind reply. Can I buy a $250 on board credit? Then can I charge the future cruise certificate against the on board credit? Thanks!!!

[Gohogs34]

Maghenoliablossom, We have had a Disney Visa for years and have saved several $$$ using it during our 14 times going there. We just went on our first cruise and first to Alaska and want to get into cards that can help cut cost. We got the NCL card for the 100 obc and used it. We signed the wife up yesterday and will get that 100 obc.

We live in TN and it cost to fly to Seattle. Is there some ideas on cards that you can help with? Thanks

 

 

Tequila - sorry to have not answered earlier - just missed your question.

 

Yes, the policy for transferring points is still 2500 point increments. We have six cards also and dealing with points is my "hobby". Add to that the airline and hotel points and it's darn near a full time job. :p

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Hey guys - I'll see if I can bundle several posters' questions together - and welcome to the world of cruising free (well, maybe not with the new program so easily, but I'm trying to be positive).

 

1. There is no limit to the number of points you can earn per year. This was a big "advantage" :rolleyes: to the BoA program, and why you will see many posters (like me) who have multiple cards. In the past there was a 1000 pt limit per year, but like the 3% returns that is gone. :(

 

2. There is no limit of time to pay off your credit card. Just make sure to pay it off before the due date.

 

3. Rewards come in a variety of forms - OBC, cash back (direct deposit to your bank acct) or casino credits. Some of the rewards are better deals than others. If you read back the last two or three pages of this thread you will see some good comments about those. To view various redemptions go to your credit card page - then go the the far right tab toward the top that says rewards - click on that - you will be on a page that has multiple tabs at the bottom. you can click on those to see all the offers.

 

4. You can also get a cruise discount certificate in the amts of $100, $250 and $500. You can only get ONE EACH of these per stateroom/cruise. This is a change from the past program where you could cash in all your certificates and cruise free. However, IMHO, it is not worth it to redeem for OBC or cruise discounts. Instead, charge everything to your M/C. For example: you can take a $250 redemption for discount or OBC OR you can charge it to your M/C, get double points and have more free stuff than if you'd taken just the free stuff. Get it? Then, when the time is right - like maybe before your M/C payment is due :p you can have some cash transferred to your checking acct to pay off your bill.

 

advice: You get a better deal if you can wait til you have enough points for a full 250 redmption. In some areas you can get lesser amounts of reward but it's not a full 1%. I don't remember the exact amounts off the top of my head but you can see for yourself.

 

 

If you want to build up points in a rush (cause you need to make it to the next level for redemption) go buy yourself some WalMart (or whatever) gift cards.

 

Look at charging your routine expenses like your phone bills, utilities, etc to your card.

 

Needless to say - we ARE talking about using your card WISELY - if you do not pay your bill off in full at the end of each month, you will spend more on interest than your points are ever going to get you.

 

If you do not like your billing date, call BoA and ask them to adjust your date, I've done it several times, no problem.

 

Okay, think I covered the big stuff - although I'm not sure I made a lot of sense. Let me know if I can help.

[Anumi]

Im feeling very confused...received an email from NCL to apply for this mastercard and receive 10,000 bonus points after my first qualifying purchase. Got my card today, activated it, called a service rep to see what exactly a "qualifying purchase" is and she tells me she sees I can only get 5000 bonus points :confused::confused::confused: I read word for word to her my email and she says she can submit it and see if they can "offer" me the 10,000 points. Will take another 8-10 days to find that out. Anyone else have this problem? By the time this is figured out it'll probly be too late for me to get my $100.00 obc for my cruise. I dont know who else I could call to get this straightened out. Suggestions anyone?

[djede]

4. You can also get a cruise discount certificate in the amts of $100, $250 and $500. You can only get ONE EACH of these per stateroom/cruise. This is a change from the past program where you could cash in all your certificates and cruise free. However, IMHO, it is not worth it to redeem for OBC or cruise discounts. Instead, charge everything to your M/C. For example: you can take a $250 redemption for discount or OBC OR you can charge it to your M/C, get double points and have more free stuff than if you'd taken just the free stuff. Get it? Then, when the time is right - like maybe before your M/C payment is due :p you can have some cash transferred to your checking acct to pay off your bill.

 

Thanks for the reply

 

Ok so the most I can get is a 500 OBC ..I was basically trying to get my trip from Boston to Bermuda for FREE ... $500 that would be the same as 1 1 FREE trip...so I may have to get creative liek you said

 

Thanks

Ed

[c breeze]

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=WorldPoints

 

You can get a $1,000 OBC... but I don't know why you would want that much OBC for a 7 day cruise. $500 off any cruise for 50,000 World Points, according to the chart, so if you are trying to get $ off your cruise instead of OBC, according to the chart you can get up to $500 off.

 

Thanks for the reply

 

Ok so the most I can get is a 500 OBC ..I was basically trying to get my trip from Boston to Bermuda for FREE ... $500 that would be the same as 1 1 FREE trip...so I may have to get creative liek you said

 

Thanks

Ed