Warning About Using Up Onboard Credits

[Megsdad]

My Princess - why have you forsaken me.

[CTGirl]

I can just see the lines at the Purser's desk now as hundreds of passengers line up to switch the cost of a shore excursion or a specialty restaurant charge or a shop purchase from one account to another.

I just want to make sure that this is doable. We will have $800 OBC, most in DH's name for our 17 day TA. I booked the shore excursions all under my name before any of this information came out. I was able to move two of them to DH's name but the price increased on the other two so I did not move them. We do not usually purchase anything else on board and my preliminary calulations show that DH will have a -$74 while I will have a +$328. I called Princess to see if they could switch the remaining two shore excursions but they were unable to do so. So now I'm wondering if the PSD can move them to his name? I've never tried to do that before. So I ask - Is it doable?

[Toto2Kansas]

I just want to make sure that this is doable. We will have $800 OBC, most in DH's name for our 17 day TA. I booked the shore excursions all under my name before any of this information came out. I was able to move two of them to DH's name but the price increased on the other two so I did not move them. We do not usually purchase anything else on board and my preliminary calulations show that DH will have a -$74 while I will have a +$328. I called Princess to see if they could switch the remaining two shore excursions but they were unable to do so. So now I'm wondering if the PSD can move them to his name? I've never tried to do that before. So I ask - Is it doable?

It never hurts to ask, not sure if they will move them at the price you originally booked or not though. Give it a try. And don't forget, on a 17 day cruise, there will also be gratuities deducted, minimum $178.50 (depending on the category you booked) coming off that shipboard credit also, per person.

[CTGirl]

It never hurts to ask, not sure if they will move them at the price you originally booked or not though. Give it a try. And don't forget, on a 17 day cruise, there will also be gratuities deducted, minimum $178.50 (depending on the category you booked) coming off that shipboard credit also, per person.

Thanks Toto. I did calculate in the room charges. We book minis so the charge is $11 per day per person. Even with that DH's account will be in the minus. If I can't get them to switch some tours we will just have to go to the Casino. I'm glad things worked out for you.

[caribill]

I just want to make sure that this is doable. We will have $800 OBC, most in DH's name for our 17 day TA. I booked the shore excursions all under my name before any of this information came out. I was able to move two of them to DH's name but the price increased on the other two so I did not move them. We do not usually purchase anything else on board and my preliminary calulations show that DH will have a -$74 while I will have a +$328. I called Princess to see if they could switch the remaining two shore excursions but they were unable to do so. So now I'm wondering if the PSD can move them to his name? I've never tried to do that before. So I ask - Is it doable?

 

 

The purser's desk should be able to move the charges from one account to the other (just be sure both of you are there) without any change in pricing.

 

If you are worried about the pricing, ask for the transfer after the excursions have been taken.

[Lynda90]

They won't transfer the OBC. The OBCs are non-transferable. They WILL transfer the charges.

 

http://www.travelsnippetsandmore.com/2011/03/followup-on-my-princess-and-hal-obc.html

Not entirely accurate or maybe just another inconsistency. I was on the Ruby two weeks ago and roomed with a friend. We both had CCL stock which basically allowed one of us $100 in onboard credit. The credit was posted to my account since I originally booked the cruise. After we boarded the ship, we went to the PSD and asked that $50 in obc be transferred to my friends account. I had to initial the request and it was immediately done.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

mine has always bin charged to one act

[TERESAh]

I just want to make sure that this is doable. We will have $800 OBC, most in DH's name for our 17 day TA. I booked the shore excursions all under my name before any of this information came out. I was able to move two of them to DH's name but the price increased on the other two so I did not move them. We do not usually purchase anything else on board and my preliminary calulations show that DH will have a -$74 while I will have a +$328. I called Princess to see if they could switch the remaining two shore excursions but they were unable to do so. So now I'm wondering if the PSD can move them to his name? I've never tried to do that before. So I ask - Is it doable?

On an earlier post someone said that they were told if you use the same credit card it the overage of one would be dedcuted off the credit on the other---but I'm not sure if this works

[Times Prince]

But that's exactly what our statement shows. All of the -$83.69 on husbands line was from OBCs and they used that to reduce my bill of $112.66 for a total owing of only $28.97.

And this makes perfect sense if some of the OBC was per cabin, like that received as a CCL Shareholder's benefit.

[CTGirl]

On an earlier post someone said that they were told if you use the same credit card it the overage of one would be dedcuted off the credit on the other---but I'm not sure if this works

We do use one credit card and that is how it has always worked for us even two weeks ago on the Caribbean Princess. However, from what I understand from this thread is that each account will now be treated independently and if OBC is not used up on one account it will disappear instead of being used to offset the other persons balance.

 

The purser's desk should be able to move the charges from one account to the other (just be sure both of you are there) without any change in pricing.

 

If you are worried about the pricing, ask for the transfer after the excursions have been taken.

 

Thanks, I like your thinking. I will try that.

[cherylandtk]

Just reporting how it happened on the Sapphire a week or so ago:

 

-TA issued OBC 'per cabin' was split between the two of us

-Military OBC in one name only

-Final Bill was two different pages (both with a balanced owed) which showed up on credit card as one single charge, combined total of both accounts. (This example does not clarify what happens when one account has non-refundable credits still available and one has a balance owed.)

[apollobeach]

Greetings All,

My Partner and I will be sailing on the Golden Princess on April 13th to Hawaii.

We will be continually checking this thread for updates.

John/Rick

[chamima]

Update: We ended our last cruise (with Toto) with my husband having a small charge and me having a slightly larger credit. I didn't look carefully at the final bill (too busy looking for erroneous charges, of which there were none) until we got home. His bill said that his charge had gone to our credit card and mine just ended with the negative balance.

Yesterday I got a check in the mail for the difference and we checked the credit card and we got a credit back for the amount that had been charged. So Princess sorted it all out without me ever calling.

One point, though - part of my original OBC was from taxes that we had overpaid and so therefore was refundable. If all of it had been from the TA or my stock credit we never would have gotten that check!

[Toto2Kansas]

Update: We ended our last cruise (with Toto) with my husband having a small charge and me having a slightly larger credit. I didn't look carefully at the final bill (too busy looking for erroneous charges, of which there were none) until we got home. His bill said that his charge had gone to our credit card and mine just ended with the negative balance.

Yesterday I got a check in the mail for the difference and we checked the credit card and we got a credit back for the amount that had been charged. So Princess sorted it all out without me ever calling.

One point, though - part of my original OBC was from taxes that we had overpaid and so therefore was refundable. If all of it had been from the TA or my stock credit we never would have gotten that check!

Karen, we also received a check yesterday for the balance that was not credited back to our credit card (although I had to fight for mine as it seems they didn't even turn in those credit refund slips that I had copies of :(). I never figured you would get that extra back without a fight, but glad to hear you did. :D

I think the purser's desk on the Royal really had no idea what they were doing that final morning. Even when I explained it to them, I got that deer in the headlight look. :eek: At least it has finally all been taken care of. But not a nice way at all to end a great cruise on my end.

[Wavesprite]

Can you use your non-refundable OBC in the casino???

[Toto2Kansas]

Can you use your non-refundable OBC in the casino???

Normally yes, on the larger ships that have the cruise card option. We were at a loss on the Royal, as their casino is still cash in, cash out only.

[caribill]

Normally yes, on the larger ships that have the cruise card option. We were at a loss on the Royal, as their casino is still cash in, cash out only.

 

But you can still get money from your onboard account (and thus from the OBC) at the casino cashier, but there will be a 3% surcharge.

[Toto2Kansas]

But you can still get money from your onboard account (and thus from the OBC) at the casino cashier, but there will be a 3% surcharge.

And this would have been an option had we not been TOLD at the purser's desk that the accounts would be combined at the end, which they were not? But why would you pay the 3% if you were told the accounts would cancel each other out? This is an option if you have excess shipboard credit you need to take out, but we had a charge on one and enough credit to cover it on the other.

[hillslife]

Just off the Star 3/24 - we had all the OBC (Military, Stock, Fcc, TA, Visa CC) on one account....but in the end - they were subtracted from one another and only the balance due from both cards was charged to our CC.....so no issues for us.

 

I also get my bill several times on a cruise (this was 29 days) to ensure the OBC is on; charges are correct, etc. and don't wait til the last minute to do it...I do it as we go.

 

My biggest issue on the So American cruise was when I bought something in the shops, my 10% Elite credit was not taken off - this happened 3 separate times and I pursued and got each one....but it meant going to the Purser's Desk.....

[Romy40]

Just off the Island Princess. We had OBC's and were concerned about which card would get the OBC and which would get the charges for excursions, etc. Got so worked up worrying about this. Turned out they charged our expenses to the card with the OBC until it was used up, then they charged them to whichever ship card was used. NO PROBLEMS.

[Cruise Junky]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this thing called leftover OBC ;). It's right up there with Unicorns and leftover wine :p

[BAGLADY.45]

Hello,

 

I leave for my cruise next Saturday...can hardly wait. I am very confused by this new way of accounting. Really hoping a more experienced cruiser can help me understand!!

 

I have $500 OBC stemming from: FCC, Vet, TA, Princess Visa, Ocean Players.

 

Can I simply use the slot machine method and take all of these non refundable OBC's out as cash? I don't want to leave credits on the table and lose them...no one does!!

 

Thank you for all your help and knowledge. I have learned so much from all of you on CC!!

 

Melinda

[John99]

This is a great thread. Since March 11th we had 222 posts and counting. It took me over 1 hour plus to read all the posts. I really appreciate the ideas and comments from so many veteran Princess Cruisers. I have learned sooo much. I was a little confused at first but got better as I read the thread Toto, Cboyle (Carolyn) and others have helped me under the mess Princess has created with your detailed comments.

 

Just think, if Princess did not offer On-Board-Credits (OBC) we would not be talking about this subject. But we have to deal with this “new” system – for better or worse.

 

It appears Princess introduced a “new” on-board accounting system in March and did not inform anyone. A check of the web-site says nothing. Very poor management decision by the corporate people. What makes it even worse is that some Pursers on various cruise ships are clueless or have little knowledge about what’s going on. Toto, it looks like your problems have been solved or at least coming to a conclusion.

 

For me and probably others, I’m trying to put my arms around the whole process of personal accounts or folios on ships. I think I understand what Princess is trying to do. Like Sholewater stated on post #25 – tell me rules of the game. Some cruisers who have not read this thread are in for a awaking. One can you only imagine how many times passengers will be checking their shipboard account now just to balance out your account(s) so they you don’t give back any credits to the cruise line?

 

Thanks San Diego Sue about Princess now combining the Veteran's benefit with the Shareholders benefit -- learn something every day.

 

 

 

Items I never encountered of thought about:

• “Manual slip for a credit on my credit card however this manual slip was never processed by Princess and did not appear on my bank statement. I had to dispute the charge on my card with my credit card company” post #53.
  
• Refundable credits vs. Non-refundable credits
  
• Some OBC are not transferable
  
• Do the new Federal credit rules have any impact on this new accounting process? For me it’s unclear.
  
• Taking for granted that my folio will be combined with my wife’s folio at the end of the cruise. In the past, if I had debit in my folio and my wife had a credit they were combined. Now??
  

Toto you made a very good comment about “get a print out of your accounts during the cruise, it will have them merged together at the end of the print out, they will not be handled this way at the end of the cruise”. Good Point!!

 

After reading all the posts -- I think I need a couple of $2.99 drinks right about now.

 

Like others have indicated, you’ll have to manage our account(s) and check your account often.

 

John

[stag]

We just came back from Celebrity Equinox last week. It happened to us the same way. I have a dedit balance on my account that was immediately charged to my credit card. DW has a credit balance from nonrefundable source. The accounts were not combined.