NCL Mastercard FAQ

I have had my BOA NCL MasterCard for years, and have never incurred a foreign transaction fee, and, yes, I have used it numerous times with NCL. I think you were given faulty information and would escalate the charge to a complaint with BOA. Good luck.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I usually book suites and try to do b2b's. If I do the double meta, do I book an inside cabin first and then call World Points for the upgrade?

I don't know about other people's experience, but when I called NCL and talked to a Personal Cruise Consultant, I told him I wanted to make a reservation for an Alaska cruise and that I wanted to use my 60k points for a double meta upgrade from interior to balcony. He understood the process, helped me book the right class of interior cabin, and then transferred me on the spot to a World Points rep who found the best balcony cabin I qualified for, so I only had to make one call. We ended up with a mid-ship balcony (BA) on deck 10.

Here's a question unrelated to World Points but valid nonetheless. If you book a family inside , then use a double Meta upgrade to balcony, do you only get one promo? Just curious in case I can manage that many points to even have this option.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We did the double meta from interior to balcony and got one promo.

We did the double meta from interior to balcony and got one promo.

That's all I normally get but the distinctive voyage was offering 5 in an inside category.

Steve

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Forums mobile app

Thank you. I don't get that involved in rewards. Sounds like I am missing out.

I have purchased Norwegian air tickets in the past using a different card (I have only had the NCL card about 6 months) and never had a foreign transaction fee from them.

I sell online myself, selling all around the world and my many hundreds of international customers pay me on my site in dollars and I have never had one complaint about this fee (I am 100% certain they would)

I think it is just plain wrong of BOA to do this - I will complain to their Customer service director (as the supervisor couldn't care less and just said it is policy) I will also make NCL aware - but as it doesn't seem widespread, I am sure they wouldn't care either - Personally, it would be nice if NCL dropped BOA for another bank.

Anyway if BOA do this to me, anyone who buys from a NON US company could face a "foreign transaction fee" When I asked the supervisor how I would know when on a US site (.com) if I could get this fee she said she didn't know. I just won't use the BOA (NCL) card again - but think it should be told just in case it happens (or potentially can) to someone else. It seems to me from what the supervisor said, I will always get a foreign transaction fee on my card if I use a foreign company - even if I pay in dollars. One can only then assume that as NCL is also a foreign company then a "foreign transaction fee" will apply. I am not taking a chance and will pay for my next cruise on the card I always used before changing to NCL card.

You just didn't do your research, plain and simple. A search online shows the NCL BOA card has a 3% foreign transaction fee

https://wallethub.com/d/norwegian-cruise-line-credit-card-187c/?t

BOA even has a page for cards that offer NO foreign transaction fees

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards/

Better yet, before signing up for the card, you agreed to the terms and conditions of the card. See the top of page 2 under Foreign Transaction

https://secure.bankofamerica.com/applynow/credit-card-printables.go?type=termsAndConditions&export=pdf&watermarkreq=false

3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction (1) made in a foreign currency, or(2) made in U.S. dollars if the transaction is made or processed outside of the United States. This fee will be in addition to any other applicable fee.

http://norwegian.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/489/kw/credit%20card

By doing my own research prior to booking my JFK -> CPH flights for my baltic cruise last year, I booked my Norwegian Air card using a debit card and paid in NOK to save even more, with no foreign fees. Sorry, but you have no one to blame but yourself so stop bothering the BOA reps and escalating when it's clearly not a communication problem.

I learned my lesson a few years ago by using the NCL card in Montreal a few years ago.. every charge had a foreign transaction fee. I came home and realized it was my mistake for using the NCL card. That's why for all foreign purchases, I use my cards that don't have foreign fees, such as the Chase Sapphire ones.

Good advice. I will be overnighting in Canada before my Alaska cruise. I need to see which card to use for the hotel. I've already spoken to my banker about converting some USD to CAD.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Good advice. I will be overnighting in Canada before my Alaska cruise. I need to see which card to use for the hotel. I've already spoken to my banker about converting some USD to CAD.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Vancouver is pretty doable with credit cards only, especially with only 1 night.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You just didn't do your research, plain and simple. A search online shows the NCL BOA card has a 3% foreign transaction fee

 

https://wallethub.com/d/norwegian-cruise-line-credit-card-187c/?t

 

BOA even has a page for cards that offer NO foreign transaction fees

 

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-cards/

 

Better yet, before signing up for the card, you agreed to the terms and conditions of the card. See the top of page 2 under Foreign Transaction

https://secure.bankofamerica.com/applynow/credit-card-printables.go?type=termsAndConditions&export=pdf&watermarkreq=false

 

Did you know Norwegian Air also charges a CC fee for you to use a credit card? So you essentially paid 5% to use your NCL card

 

http://norwegian.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/489/kw/credit%20card

 

By doing my own research prior to booking my JFK -> CPH flights for my baltic cruise last year, I booked my Norwegian Air card using a debit card and paid in NOK to save even more, with no foreign fees. Sorry, but you have no one to blame but yourself so stop bothering the BOA reps and escalating when it's clearly not a communication problem.

 

I learned my lesson a few years ago by using the NCL card in Montreal a few years ago.. every charge had a foreign transaction fee. I came home and realized it was my mistake for using the NCL card. That's why for all foreign purchases, I use my cards that don't have foreign fees, such as the Chase Sapphire ones.

My experience has been that most cards with no annual fee have foreign transaction fees. But I agree that the sapphire cards are great for this— any really active traveler should have the sapphire reserve card!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you. I don't get that involved in rewards. Sounds like I am missing out.

I have purchased Norwegian air tickets in the past using a different card (I have only had the NCL card about 6 months) and never had a foreign transaction fee from them.

I sell online myself, selling all around the world and my many hundreds of international customers pay me on my site in dollars and I have never had one complaint about this fee (I am 100% certain they would)

I think it is just plain wrong of BOA to do this - I will complain to their Customer service director (as the supervisor couldn't care less and just said it is policy) I will also make NCL aware - but as it doesn't seem widespread, I am sure they wouldn't care either - Personally, it would be nice if NCL dropped BOA for another bank.

Anyway if BOA do this to me, anyone who buys from a NON US company could face a "foreign transaction fee" When I asked the supervisor how I would know when on a US site (.com) if I could get this fee she said she didn't know. I just won't use the BOA (NCL) card again - but think it should be told just in case it happens (or potentially can) to someone else. It seems to me from what the supervisor said, I will always get a foreign transaction fee on my card if I use a foreign company - even if I pay in dollars. One can only then assume that as NCL is also a foreign company then a "foreign transaction fee" will apply. I am not taking a chance and will pay for my next cruise on the card I always used before changing to NCL card.

The supervisors explanation is flawed. Should have said any transactions processed outside the US will be subject to a transaction fee. NCL processes all their charges through as US bank, so there is NO fee. Don't you think other people would have complained about this? Ugh...

Hello All..... I have this card and I Have around 46,000 points. We are going on the Bliss in July. :) I booked an inside hoping to up grade to balcony with points. Question is....does this need to be done by final payment or can do after? Once I pay for the cruise....final payment is in April....I will have enough points. Also I booked with a TA, would that be a prob or can she do it or do I need a call them. Thanks Lisa

Hello All..... I have this card and I Have around 46,000 points. We are going on the Bliss in July. :) I booked an inside hoping to up grade to balcony with points. Question is....does this need to be done by final payment or can do after? Once I pay for the cruise....final payment is in April....I will have enough points. Also I booked with a TA, would that be a prob or can she do it or do I need a call them. Thanks Lisa

No problem for you! I booked our upcoming March cruise 5 months ago for a lower category OV. Paid in full in December, and just meta upgraded two weeks ago to a balcony. Where you might have a problem is with availability. It is wisest to be booked in the best inside category so you can upgrade to its balcony equivalent. I actually lucked out as I wasn't aware of any of this and had the lowest OV. But my sailing is nearing itself to sold out so I was given a balcony GTY which landed me into a BB category on deck 10. Definitely an upgrade. I'd call as soon as you pay in full to get that double meta!

Just another aft balcony question.... If you book an inside category I-A, can it be upgraded (double meta-cross) to an aft balcony category B-1? There are a lot of posts that this is not possible, but most site the fact that there is not an equivalent category from an inside to a balcony for this, but on some ships it appears that there is. Thanks!

Just another aft balcony question.... If you book an inside category I-A, can it be upgraded (double meta-cross) to an aft balcony category B-1? There are a lot of posts that this is not possible, but most site the fact that there is not an equivalent category from an inside to a balcony for this, but on some ships it appears that there is. Thanks!

No, even the fine print excludes afts. one reason is those are sought after cabins and there is not a large supply of them

Steve

I have 32,098 points. Will this get me anything? I want to know if it is worth it for me to break the card back out and start using it again. I have been using an airline card lately, so I could get myself a flight. Thanks in advance.

I have 32,098 points. Will this get me anything? I want to know if it is worth it for me to break the card back out and start using it again. I have been using an airline card lately, so I could get myself a flight. Thanks in advance.

Derbie, 30,000 gets you a single upgrade....interior to window, or window to balcony in the same category.

60,000 is a double upgrade...interior to balcony in the same category.

I hope that helps.

Thanks. We have a cruise for Alaska in September, but I think I will keep my window. I have heard it starts to get chilly and most people don't sit out in the colder air. Also, do I work with a NCL agent or my credit card when it is time to book?

No, even the fine print excludes afts. one reason is those are sought after cabins and there is not a large supply of them

 

Steve

Thanks, Steve! I must have not read through all the fine print.:D:D:D

Thanks. We have a cruise for Alaska in September, but I think I will keep my window. I have heard it starts to get chilly and most people don't sit out in the colder air. Also, do I work with a NCL agent or my credit card when it is time to book?

Call the rewards number listed. It actually goes to NCL but the ones that answer are supposed to be the specialist. If they don't seem to be, call back.

Steve

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Forums mobile app

I just picked one up :) bring on the points!

I hesitated to get the NCL MasterCard on the Epic a few years back just solely based on my dislike for Bank of America. The first time I redeemed some points it took 45 minutes and 4 different phone calls. Many people said it was a fluke so I kept using it. I just redeemed 15K points again for a my April trip on the Jade and was optimistic that the reservation agent could do it without calling BofA. . . though some glitch kept that from happening.

After an 8 minute and a 17 minute phone call, only 2 people this time, I got the $150 credit.

Never again. The card went into the shredder and I'm cancelling it. I have another credit card that is simpler and rebates are automatic.

Just redeemed a double meta upgrade for a 14 day Southern Caribbean, and it saved me $2,480. In the past I have redeemed points for cash back and thought that was sweet, but the 60,000 points would only have been $600 cash back. The prices for balconies in 2019 are insane.

Very excited to score this. Have to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate.

Just redeemed a double meta upgrade for a 14 day Southern Caribbean, and it saved me $2,480. In the past I have redeemed points for cash back and thought that was sweet, but the 60,000 points would only have been $600 cash back. The prices for balconies in 2019 are insane.

 

Very excited to score this. Have to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate.

Congrats! I'm thinking of doing this too for a 10 day Caribbean cruise.

Just redeemed a double meta upgrade for a 14 day Southern Caribbean, and it saved me $2,480. In the past I have redeemed points for cash back and thought that was sweet, but the 60,000 points would only have been $600 cash back. The prices for balconies in 2019 are insane.

Very excited to score this. Have to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate.

I understand your excitement !

A while back, we booked the NCL Bliss for a 2018 Panama cruise.

Even though it's now nearly sold out, we upgraded (double meta upgrade) from an inside cabin to a BA for half the price.

I understand your excitement !

A while back, we booked the NCL Bliss for a 2018 Panama cruise.

Even though it's now nearly sold out, we upgraded (double meta upgrade) from an inside cabin to a BA for half the price.

I'm looking at couple of different cruises to do this. What inside cabin category should I purchase? Does the category type make a big difference in upgrading to the balcony?

I'm looking at couple of different cruises to do this. What inside cabin category should I purchase?

Does the category type make a big difference in upgrading to the balcony?

YES ! Most value is gained by an initial purchase of a IA so you may be transferred to a BA.

When you call in, most NCL representatives will walk you through this.

You don't have to decide straight away !