On Board Credit question

[lalalang]

My friend went through a TA, booked a year ago, balcony room (which have not sold out) and now with the great sales she can get over $900 credit. She is paid in full, but final payment was not due until April 25.

 

The TA said she had a particular fare that didn't allow her to get a reduced rate and she was locked into it. Do those types of fares even exist?? It seems she could just cancel and re-book at the lower fare.

 

The TA said he worked hard with Carnival and finally got them agree to give her the $900+ in OBC.

 

She wants it credited to her credit card instead, because she doesn't want to HAVE to spend $900 on the ship.

 

I told her maybe if she doesn't spend all of the OBC she will get a check for the remainder, and she is asking her TA to look into that. If that's the case, she'll be fine.

 

What do you think? Is there ever any OBC that is "use it or lose it"?

 

Thanks!

[dallas52]

when we have had more onboard credit than we spend that have given us cash on the last night at service desk. no check.

[firemanbobswife]

They normally credit it back to the CC if its before final payment. Have her check her online docs and see if OBC appears. If not, check CC statement.

[jaddld]

I think she should be refunded on her CC if before final payment.

 

I think OBC after final payment has to be spent or you lose it. That's the way I always understood it.

[Leo's Rule]

My friend went through a TA, booked a year ago, balcony room (which have not sold out) and now with the great sales she can get over $900 credit. She is paid in full, but final payment was not due until April 25.

 

The TA said she had a particular fare that didn't allow her to get a reduced rate and she was locked into it. Do those types of fares even exist?? It seems she could just cancel and re-book at the lower fare.

 

The TA said he worked hard with Carnival and finally got them agree to give her the $900+ in OBC.

 

She wants it credited to her credit card instead, because she doesn't want to HAVE to spend $900 on the ship.

 

I told her maybe if she doesn't spend all of the OBC she will get a check for the remainder, and she is asking her TA to look into that. If that's the case, she'll be fine.

 

What do you think? Is there ever any OBC that is "use it or lose it"?

 

Thanks!

 

I'm not sure what rate the TA booked her under that she was locked in. If she booked that far in advance, I'm sure she was ES or one of the refundable rates. Anyhow, if she booked ES she would get the credit back as OBC...and that is refundable.

 

I doubt the TA had to work hard to get Carnival to give her the OBC. But she had better check her booking and make sure the OBC is there.

 

Update: I thought if you booked a rate other than ES that your CC would be refunded if you've paid the cruise in full before final payment.

[NavarreCruiser]

You can check if the OBC is refundable or nonrefundable on Carnival's website. You must first be registered on the website and have your booking number and ship information entered so you have a list of your cruise(s).

 

Click on the "Manage my Cruise icon. Then click on the booking number, then click the view cruise documents icon. Check the box marked "Print General Information" then hit submit. At the bottom of the page there should be a box that shows onboard credit. This amount is refundable. If there is any nonrefudable this amount will show on a 2nd line listing nonrefundable credit.

[lalalang]

You can check if the OBC is refundable or nonrefundable on Carnival's website. You must first be registered on the website and have your booking number and ship information entered so you have a list of your cruise(s).

 

Click on the "Manage my Cruise icon. Then click on the booking number, then click the view cruise documents icon. Check the box marked "Print General Information" then hit submit. At the bottom of the page there should be a box that shows onboard credit. This amount is refundable. If there is any nonrefudable this amount will show on a 2nd line listing nonrefundable credit.

 

Thank you!! I will copy/paste this info and send to her. I appreciate your help.

[dubyadarlin]

So, if you have an OBC and you don't spend it all - you just get cash at the end?

[lalalang]

So, if you have an OBC and you don't spend it all - you just get cash at the end?

 

That's what I'm hoping for my friend. She just got laid off, and she is not a big spender at all. No way would she go through $900 of OBC, but if she could get that as cash or a credit to her credit card, it would be extremely helpful.

[emelvee]

So, if you have an OBC and you don't spend it all - you just get cash at the end?

 

I thought they issued checks the morning of debarkation.

[CTCruizin]

The Shareholder OBC and OBC received as part of a group booking are not refundable.

 

According to Carnival's terms of service, the Early Saver price protection OBC is non refundable as well, but they don't seem to follow that particular rule.

 

"Verified rate difference is issued as an on-board credit. The on-board credit is non-refundable, non-transferable and has no cash value. Any unused portion of the onboard credit will be forfeited."

[Badfinger]

We booked Early Saver, sailing in June.

 

Back in March we received a price adjustment of about $100 that just reduced the amount we owed on our final payment.

 

Our final payment was due and paid in March.

 

Just last night I request another price adjustment and received over $1000 of OBC.

 

I called Carnival this morning. Here is what they told me (it was the only questions I asked) about ON BOARD credit.

 

1. It can be used for gratuities as long as I have not already paid them (I have not). Makes sense since I am not yet ON BOARD.

 

2. It can be used for excursions but only if booked once you are on the ship. Cannot use the OBC to pre-book excursion (makes sense because it is ON BOARD credit).

 

3. Can also be used ON BOARD at the surcharged restaurants, ice cream, arcade, gift shops, etc.

 

4. It is use or lose. Again it is ON BOARD credit. Use it by the end of the cruise or lose it.

 

I have no problem with this policy.

[emelvee]

If you don't use all of your nonrefundable OBC, you can withdraw cash at the casino - at the machines (no fee) or tables (3% fee IIRC). I imagine at some point, Carnival will start charging the 3% fee to put money into your casino "bank" from your S&S card at the machines. And I've heard they will limit you if you do it too much without actually playing.

 

Unless there is a HUGE price drop for our upcoming cruise (like several hundred dollars more than the $600 so far), I'll have no problem using my current OBC amount.

 

As previously mentioned, I've heard that Carnival has been treating ES price drop OBC as refundable, even though the policy says it's nonrefundable.

[Badfinger]

That would be fine...but I know we will use up all that OBC for gratuities (4 people 7 days), a couple shore excursions (still new to cruising so I am still paranoid about not booking through the ship) and some trinkets on board. I am just stoked as this OBC basically means our entire cruise and activities are already paid for except the gas to drive to Galveston.