Jump to content

NCL Mastercard FAQ


Host CMLA
 Share

Recommended Posts

  • 4 weeks later...

I can't seem to find an definite answer for my question. All the posts seem to revolve around using the points for upgrading. I have no desire to save that many points. We just want to use the points for OBC. My question is can my husband use this OBC in the casino?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can't seem to find an definite answer for my question. All the posts seem to revolve around using the points for upgrading. I have no desire to save that many points. We just want to use the points for OBC. My question is can my husband use this OBC in the casino?

 

There is no answer. It has gone both ways. Sometime s it will allow it other times it wont. To play it safe, just use the statement credit option.

 

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that as an OBC can be applied to any item which is added to your onboard account, that if you get money from the cashier for a fee of $6 then that amount is put on your account to be paid either by OBC or cash winings in the casino or put on the credit card assigned to your account. So getting that money to cover casino play is not a direct situation where you ask for the money and then play it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that as an OBC can be applied to any item which is added to your onboard account, that if you get money from the cashier for a fee of $6 then that amount is put on your account to be paid either by OBC or cash winings in the casino or put on the credit card assigned to your account. So getting that money to cover casino play is not a direct situation where you ask for the money and then play it.

It depends on how the obc is classified. It also will depend on posters situation. Some obc is non refundable and cannot be used for tips or casino. Other is just obc and is treated as cash.

If the poster has prepaid tips,drinks and all other expenses, there could be an issue if restrictions are placed on it and enforced. We also don't know how much either.

 

Sent from my VS880 using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question. I haven't cruised NCL in awhile. In the past, I *believe* that you could use on-board credits to pay for shore excursions. I have $50 in on-board credit that I received at booking. I just got an NCL MasterCard so I could get the additional $100 in on-board credit bonus to use on our upcoming October 5, 2017 cruise on the Sun. If I attempt to book a shore excursion on the NCL website, it's demanding immediate, upfront payment! If I wait to book a shore excursion until we are on the ship, will the charge for that go onto our shipboard account so I can use the on-board credits toward payment?

 

We opted for the unlimited bar package and aren't really interested in the specialty restaurants, nor do I have any intention of buying trinkets, artwork, jewelry, etc. on the ship, so I'm looking for the best way to utilize this "free" money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would suggest calling either your TA or PCC and see if they can't book your excursion and bill it to your room. I did that for my specialty dining that I had some freebies for. Worked great.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question. I haven't cruised NCL in awhile. In the past, I *believe* that you could use on-board credits to pay for shore excursions. I have $50 in on-board credit that I received at booking. I just got an NCL MasterCard so I could get the additional $100 in on-board credit bonus to use on our upcoming October 5, 2017 cruise on the Sun. If I attempt to book a shore excursion on the NCL website, it's demanding immediate, upfront payment! If I wait to book a shore excursion until we are on the ship, will the charge for that go onto our shipboard account so I can use the on-board credits toward payment?

 

We opted for the unlimited bar package and aren't really interested in the specialty restaurants, nor do I have any intention of buying trinkets, artwork, jewelry, etc. on the ship, so I'm looking for the best way to utilize this "free" money.

Yes purchases onboard will use the credit.

As far as the extra $100.... It takes 8 to 12 weeks to post to your account. It has been sooner, but be aware.

Steve

 

Sent from my VS880 using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had this situation with Royal Caribbean. Booked excursion using my credit card. Make sure it is 100% refundable. When I got onboard, I went to excursion desk, and they credited my card with a refund, then used my onboard credit. I got the best of both--reserved my spot on the excursion and then used the obc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question. I haven't cruised NCL in awhile. In the past, I *believe* that you could use on-board credits to pay for shore excursions. I have $50 in on-board credit that I received at booking. I just got an NCL MasterCard so I could get the additional $100 in on-board credit bonus to use on our upcoming October 5, 2017 cruise on the Sun. If I attempt to book a shore excursion on the NCL website, it's demanding immediate, upfront payment! If I wait to book a shore excursion until we are on the ship, will the charge for that go onto our shipboard account so I can use the on-board credits toward payment?

 

We opted for the unlimited bar package and aren't really interested in the specialty restaurants, nor do I have any intention of buying trinkets, artwork, jewelry, etc. on the ship, so I'm looking for the best way to utilize this "free" money.

 

 

You do not have to wait until you get onboard to book your shore excursions. Call the NCL shore excursion desk 866-625-1167 to book your shore excursions. Tell them you have the Shore Excursion credit, you will not be charged for the shore excursions until you are on board. I have done this on my last 3 cruises.

 

 

I just recently called to transfer my rewards to onboard credit, and the nice gentleman I spoke to reminded me to book my excursions this way (which I had already done)

 

 

Have a great cruise!

Edited by GeorgiaG
Correct phone#
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am very new to the NCL card. Currently, I have 25K points. I suspect I will have at least 30k by the end of the year. Can someone give me a brief tutorial on how to make the best of my points? I have a bank of America MC. Also, I have two prepaid NCL deposits when I got the card. I don't mind waiting this out until late 2018, before I use anything.I am sure I will have quite a few more points by then. I hate to go back 212 pages of this thread, to figure this out, when so many of you are experts. I imagine it is probably 100K or more for a free cruise. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You do not have to wait until you get onboard to book your shore excursions. Call the NCL shore excursion desk 866-625-1167 to book your shore excursions. Tell them you have the Shore Excursion credit, you will not be charged for the shore excursions until you are on board. I have done this on my last 3 cruises.

 

what if you do not have the shore excursion perk/credit? can you still book over the phone?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am very new to the NCL card. Currently, I have 25K points. I suspect I will have at least 30k by the end of the year. Can someone give me a brief tutorial on how to make the best of my points? I have a bank of America MC. Also, I have two prepaid NCL deposits when I got the card. I don't mind waiting this out until late 2018, before I use anything.I am sure I will have quite a few more points by then. I hate to go back 212 pages of this thread, to figure this out, when so many of you are experts. I imagine it is probably 100K or more for a free cruise. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Best bet is cross meta upgrade.

But it depends on length of cruise.

How long and destination?

Pay off cruise early and get triple points.

Steve

 

Sent from my VS880 using Forums mobile app

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am very new to the NCL card. Currently, I have 25K points. I suspect I will have at least 30k by the end of the year. Can someone give me a brief tutorial on how to make the best of my points? I have a bank of America MC. Also, I have two prepaid NCL deposits when I got the card. I don't mind waiting this out until late 2018, before I use anything.I am sure I will have quite a few more points by then. I hate to go back 212 pages of this thread, to figure this out, when so many of you are experts. I imagine it is probably 100K or more for a free cruise. Any and all suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

 

"Best" is really up to the person. It's 30K points to upgrade from an inside to an ocean view or an ocean view to a balcony. It's 60K points to upgrade from an inside to a balcony. In both cases it's like categories. But, if you're a drinker and you want UBP and it's not offered on an inside, then it might be better for you to do the 30K upgrade from ocean view to balcony to get the UBP included. You just need weight your options and decide what's best for your own situation.

 

I always use my card if I'm purchasing something from NCL -- paying off a cruise, purchasing a dining plan, etc. -- so that I get triple points.

 

For each 10K you can get 100 OBC. I think there are increments of $50 you can do, too. I'm not sure as I don't use mine for that. I understand you can also get a statement credit. Again, not sure as I don't do that either.

 

Not far back, you'll see that someone posted a screenshot of points to get a free cruise. IIRC it was more than 130,000 points. You don't have to go back 212 pages, but I'd suggest skimming the last 50 to 100 posts.. There's a lot of information there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"Best" is really up to the person. It's 30K points to upgrade from an inside to an ocean view or an ocean view to a balcony. It's 60K points to upgrade from an inside to a balcony. In both cases it's like categories. But, if you're a drinker and you want UBP and it's not offered on an inside, then it might be better for you to do the 30K upgrade from ocean view to balcony to get the UBP included. You just need weight your options and decide what's best for your own situation.

 

I always use my card if I'm purchasing something from NCL -- paying off a cruise, purchasing a dining plan, etc. -- so that I get triple points.

 

For each 10K you can get 100 OBC. I think there are increments of $50 you can do, too. I'm not sure as I don't use mine for that. I understand you can also get a statement credit. Again, not sure as I don't do that either.

 

Not far back, you'll see that someone posted a screenshot of points to get a free cruise. IIRC it was more than 130,000 points. You don't have to go back 212 pages, but I'd suggest skimming the last 50 to 100 posts.. There's a lot of information there.

I wasn't aware that I could use the points to upgrade from an inside cabin-outside-balcony. That's good to know! Is it the same amount of points no matter how long the cruise is? Thanks! I

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is correct! So the longer the cruise the better. Or the more price difference between the inside and the balcony. Keep in mind that the 60,000 points are worth $600 as cash so that becomes my marker to decide if I am getting good value for my points. I had hoped to use the points to upgrade from an OV to a balcony on an upcoming transatlantic but since the fare difference is only about $300 per person and we wouldn't get all the perks, we elected to hold onto the points.....but then we decided to completely change and ended up booking a Viking Ocean cruise instead...but we still have to get back from Europe so now weighing which ship. On Breakaway, the difference between inside and balcony isn't significant but on Jade for some reason it is...so if we elect to do Jade, we will likely do a meta double cross upgrade since the 60,000 points would be worth closer to $1,600. Of course YMMV!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wasn't aware that I could use the points to upgrade from an inside cabin-outside-balcony. That's good to know! Is it the same amount of points no matter how long the cruise is? Thanks! I

 

Yes, On my upcoming Jewel cruise, it is a 40 night cruise and the difference in inside to Balcony was $6000 so I made out very well.:D

 

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wording at the bottom of my current billing statement indicates point requirements for the free cruises are increasing in Sept. I'm not at that level but am close to the 30,000 points required for single meta upgrade so am wondering if changes to this level are also in the works. Has anyone heard word on this?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The following information arrived yesterday from Bank of America, concerning changes coming on 9/28/17.

 

3-4 day Bahamas cruise current redemption points value for the following items will be increasing: Inside Category: increased from 60,000 points to 80,000 points. Ocean view Category: increased from 70,000 points to 90,000 points-Balcony Category: increased 3rd to 8th Additional Guests: increased from 25,500 points to 35,000. Just an FYI

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The following information arrived yesterday from Bank of America, concerning changes coming on 9/28/17.

 

3-4 day Bahamas cruise current redemption points value for the following items will be increasing: Inside Category: increased from 60,000 points to 80,000 points. Ocean view Category: increased from 70,000 points to 90,000 points-Balcony Category: increased 3rd to 8th Additional Guests: increased from 25,500 points to 35,000. Just an FYI

 

I wonder if that is because they are going all inclusive on those sailings?

Steve

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Wondering if anyone has a list of NCL cabin categories from highest to lowest that would apply to using points for category upgrades?

 

Also, are there excluded categories of cabins that this applies to, ex: minisuite to haven, etc.?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wondering if anyone has a list of NCL cabin categories from highest to lowest that would apply to using points for category upgrades?

 

Also, are there excluded categories of cabins that this applies to, ex: minisuite to haven, etc.?

 

 

You cannot upgrade to minisuites or the Haven. You can go from inside to ocean view (30,000) or inside to balcony (60,000) or ocean view to balcony (30,000), but no higher.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...