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Major changes to RCCL Visa program

bobinfl

By bobinfl,
in Royal Caribbean International

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SherriZ366

SherriZ366

Posted
Posted
If you click on the link to apply for the card and scroll down it tells you this

 

Card Benefits. Certain restrictions apply to each benefit. Platinum Plus® card benefits differ from Visa Signature® card benefits (i.e., coverage amounts vary and some benefits are not available). Details accompany new account materials.

 

 

Also when you scroll through the fee schedules you will see that there are two levels of interest rate or a spread based on your credit score and there are 2 sets of fees. So, if your credit is below a certain level, you will pay higher % and fees if you do not pay the balance each month and you will get the lower card with less perks.

 

 

 

Also, for those using their card to pay regular bills to get points, most places charge a fee to do that, kinda negates using the card. For example, I could pay my electric bill every month with the rci card, but they will charge me 3.95$ to do it

May change my Verizon bill back to AmEx to avoid any charge
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SherriZ366

SherriZ366

Posted
Posted
That is why I said "usually". What is strange is that we are not charged any fee through Verizon. Just verified the monthly invoice and invoice detail with amount charged. No additional fees.
Will double check with Verizon. (see previous post).
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setsail

setsail

Posted
Posted (edited)

For "us", we would never give anyone control of a cc to auto pay bills. Its just us, we are old school and like paper.

 

That being said I went back and checked Verizon, it can be set up two ways, auto every month with a cc or you go in every month manually with a cc, the latter is the only way we would do it and that has a fee, the other, if you give them control of your card does not

Edited by setsail
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tomahawk246

tomahawk246

Posted
Posted
"Usually", any creditor where you must physically go online to pay a bill each and every month, uses a service provider to collect their payments and as a result, there is a charge. "Usually" when you can be set up on an auto pay, there is not a charge for a cc payment. There are of course exceptions.

 

When you can pay using a cc that gives you some type of benefit whether it be credit towards a cruise or cash back, why wouldn't you use it? You can look at it as a discount on your creditor's bill. I used it for a sizable medical bill last month and to ease the "pain" :rolleyes: I thought of it as a 1% discount. Turned around the next day and paid down the credit card balance to cover the expense.

 

Keep in mind for those who still write checks. Most banks charge for providing checks and some even either charge to process a check you write or limit the number you can write in a month.

 

If you used a Capital One card it would be a 2% discount. Oh buy the way, I do not work for Capital One. LOL

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mein18

mein18

Posted
Posted
If you used a Capital One card it would be a 2% discount. Oh buy the way, I do not work for Capital One. LOL

 

I hope everyone realizes that you are trying to assist everyone in getting more bang for their buck.

 

As you can see from many of my posts since you first mentioned Capital One, I am sorting out the options. Really was hoping to find fault in CO but none yet. With everything else put aside, it is always refreshing to pull out the RCI card and see the cruise ship however not refreshing enough to lose the opportunity for over $400 more in cruise savings each year.

 

One more question for you. If you have points accumulated, does CO automatically apply them when they see a charge come through from some type of travel or can you pick and choose what to apply the points to?

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pstone1

pstone1

Posted
Posted
Paula, who did you call and what information were you given? My information came from the RCI Redemption Center who is in charge of setting the parameters for the card.

 

Hi Patty:

 

I called Crown & Anchor - I thought since my question involved the DP balcony discount, they would know. I did not write down the person's name that answered the phone but she was very nice and sounded as though she knew. My call was made yesterday before you posted so I thought what she told me jived with what some of the earlier posts were saying. Now I am hopeful that we will be able to use both the points credit and balcony discount as we have in the past. If not, I've already decided we'll be forced to take a 3 or 4 night cruise to use the points :). I think it's a win-win situation!

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cruisenfever

cruisenfever

Posted
Posted
Hi Patty:

 

I called Crown & Anchor - I thought since my question involved the DP balcony discount, they would know. I did not write down the person's name that answered the phone but she was very nice and sounded as though she knew. My call was made yesterday before you posted so I thought what she told me jived with what some of the earlier posts were saying. Now I am hopeful that we will be able to use both the points credit and balcony discount as we have in the past. If not, I've already decided we'll be forced to take a 3 or 4 night cruise to use the points :). I think it's a win-win situation!

Paula, any questions just call the RCI Redemption Center at 1-888-305-4646.

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mein18

mein18

Posted
Posted
Glad to see RC's webpage is not correct, as usual. Love the free OBC.

 

We are hoping it is not correct. Going with what appears to be the most reliable phone call so far. Only time will tell for sure.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Forums mobile app

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EuroDate20

EuroDate20

Posted
Posted
No, it is not in effect yet. Effective date has yet to be determined.

 

 

Is there still hope for me and others who are just getting to the 125,000 points mark? I'm already booked for Allure in 2014 and intended to redeem my points for the cruise. Fingers crossed!!

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believer33323

believer33323

Posted
Posted (edited)

I just received a letter from Bank of America stating that as of October 1, 2013.

"Merchandise and Cruise rewards will no longer be available for redemption. However, you'll enjoy more hotel and car rental options as well as a new streamlined website experience with more self serve options"

I also received an email from my bank stating that my online payment option has been discontinued by Bank of America. That usually happens when the company changes ownership or something else major. I did go online and my account is in good standing so it's not just me. Must be some big changes going on with them.

Edited by believer33323
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green eyed lady

green eyed lady

Posted
Posted
I just received a letter from Bank of America stating that as of October 1, 2013.

"Merchandise and Cruise rewards will no longer be available for redemption. However, you'll enjoy more hotel and car rental options as well as a new streamlined website experience with more self serve options"

I also received an email from my bank stating that my online payment option has been discontinued by Bank of America. That usually happens when the company changes ownership or something else major. I did go online and my account is in good standing so it's not just me. Must be some big changes going on with them.

 

I'm guessing this isn't the Royal Caribbean Visa card from B of A? Just a B of A rewards card? :confused:

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FLACRUISER99

FLACRUISER99

Posted
Posted

I'll make it easy!:cool:

Just spoke to Redemption Center and I got someone who actually gave me some information that makes sense.

 

OBC ~~ The information listed under Rewards Options when it refers to OBC is incorrect and will be corrected. You will still be able to redeem points for a $50, $100, $150 and $200 OBC and use it on any RCI cruise (as well as Celebrity/Azamara). This was not listed before. Seems that there was a miscommunication between the Redemption Center and Marketing and they are in the process of getting that corrected!:eek:

 

Combining Points with C&A Benefits ~~ Yes you Can. If you have a balcony discount and an OBC from booking on board or using a C&A Certificate, you will still be able to redeem points and use it on that booking or any future booking. The only time that a balcony discount would not be applied is if you are booking a "free" cruise.....which kind of makes sense!:D

 

RCI will now have 2 credit cards, a Visa Platinum Plus and a Visa Signature. When someone is applying for either card for the first time, eligibility for a card will be determined by credit level. The reason for this, I was told, is because the Visa Signature has a lot more benefits available.

 

All those that currently have a Visa Platinum Plus card will automatically be enrolled in the Visa Signature Card program and receive new cards. You will keep the same account number and your points will automatically be transferred over to the new card.

 

The young lady that I spoke with did not give me a kick-off date. Guess there are a few more glitches to work out.

 

There is no annual fee for either card.

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printingchick Great Review Rare

printingchick

Posted
Posted
:o Thanks

 

Ditto! Thanks!

 

So the restrictions for point usage on the newer ships and the inability to combine with things like senior/military/resident discounts seem to be the only down-sides to the changes. The positive change is that points are now good on all RCI owned ships, which is great! Gives me an opportunity to try out Celebrity!

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cruisenfever

cruisenfever

Posted
Posted
Ditto! Thanks!

 

So the restrictions for point usage on the newer ships and the inability to combine with things like senior/military/resident discounts seem to be the only down-sides to the changes. The positive change is that points are now good on all RCI owned ships, which is great! Gives me an opportunity to try out Celebrity!

You will still be able to combine Visa Points with senior/military/residents/police&fire discounts.

 

You can use the points on any ship. If the ship is new, and you want to use Visa Points, you would have to book a cruise 13 months after it has been introduced.

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DragonOfTheSeas "Live from...." Rare

DragonOfTheSeas

Posted
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You can use the points on any ship. If the ship is new, and you want to use Visa Points, you would have to book a cruise 13 months after it has been introduced.

 

I am not sure I will be able to afford the Quantum until it has been sailing 13 months. :p She is pricey right now.

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