Why Pre-pay OBC'S?

[shiner6]

I have to admit confusion! :confused:Would somebody please explain the benefits of prepaying OBC's?

[Pam in CA]

I have to admit confusion! :confused:Would somebody please explain the benefits of prepaying OBC's?

Many choose to "gift" themselves OBC before the cruise if they anticipate a big balance due at the end of a cruise. Sometimes, it's a matter of debit or credit card limits. If you gift yourself some OBC over a period of time before the cruise, you have peace of mind that you won't have a huge bill at the end. There are a number of reasons why pre-paying (gifting themselves) OBC makes sense. Edited April 4, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

We plan on pre-paying our OBC because we don't use credit cards, only our debit card. There are issues with the way Princess puts a hold on the card each evening. So, to avoid tying up the funds in our bank account until the holds clear, we will pre-pay the amount we think we will spend. If you have a credit on your account at the end of each evening, no transaction with your card on file is made.

[Colo Cruiser]

I have to admit confusion! :confused:Would somebody please explain the benefits of prepaying OBC's?

 

We never do, thats what the cards for. ;)

To each his own.

[Working 2 Cruise]

I always do this, just for peace of mind!

[Jetswdo]

I calculated around how much money I will owe-- for specialty restaurants, enclave (hopefully) sanctuary ( if I am lucky to get in) tips, 1 expensive cruise excursion, and spa treatments. Since it will be a lot, I just hate coming back after my vacation with a huge credit card bill- just gets me depressed and then I feel guilty for the expense- So I paid up front half of predicted costs, so that the remaining half won't be THAT much to face after coming home.

[2belgiantervs]

I need a few more points on my Princess Visa to hit the next level of points for free OBC. So, knowing that I have a few excursions booked and what the cost is, I will prepay some OBC with that Visa card (2 for 1 points). Won't have to worry about paying for the excursions when I get home, plus take advantage of the 2 for 1 points and get to the next level of free OBC using my card.

So ready for my 5/24 Alaska cruise!

Marianne

:):):)

[derdejoh]

As said above, to each their own. There is no "benefit" provided by Princess for purchasing OBC.

 

I think some people do it for budgeting purposes (maybe they can afford $25/month leading up to the cruise so each month they'll purchase a $25 OBC) while others simply want to avoid the shock of a huge bill at the end of the cruise.

[bhopal21]

We never do, thats what the cards for. ;)

To each his own.

 

I agree.

 

 

The benefit is only to the cruise line that profits from the use of your money.

 

Mike:)

[Kmkub]

We create our own OBC account and don't touch it - deposit a little each paycheck and earn some interest (yes, a small amount) while doing so. Then when we are ready to go, it seems like "found" money.

 

If someone is going to earn some interest on my money, it should be me! :D

[Paula_MacFan]

I need a few more points on my Princess Visa to hit the next level of points for free OBC. So, knowing that I have a few excursions booked and what the cost is, I will prepay some OBC with that Visa card (2 for 1 points). Won't have to worry about paying for the excursions when I get home, plus take advantage of the 2 for 1 points and get to the next level of free OBC using my card.

So ready for my 5/24 Alaska cruise!

Marianne

:):):)

 

I had the exact amount figured that we needed to get the next level of OBC, and used the card accordingly. It's pretty easy for me to calculate daily expenses (bar tab, gratuities, excursions) and get 2x points on the Princess Visa.

 

By the way, we are going to Alaska on 5/24 too! Can't wait!!

[Paula_MacFan]

As said above, to each their own. There is no "benefit" provided by Princess for purchasing OBC.

 

There is 'benefit' if you have the Princess Visa card, as you get x2 points on Princess purchases, which are good for additional OBC. If you want to build up points prior to the cruise, it's an easy way to do that. Of course, if you simply pay your bill with the Visa at the end of the cruise you get the same 2x points, but some people want to pre-purchase the OBC so they get the extra points to use on the upcoming cruise.

 

Clear as mud, right? :)

[hubofhockey]

I have to admit confusion! :confused:Would somebody please explain the benefits of prepaying OBC's?

 

I suppose this is similar to people who purposely have taxes overwithheld from their paychecks and then are really happy to see a refund. Interest fee loans to the government and Princess are great for both entities.

 

I can't understand why anyone would not pay with a credit card with points, take the points, and then pay the credit card balance. The only explanation I can think of is that some people either don't like credit cards or don't have the self discipline to use them.

Edited April 4, 2014 by hubofhockey

[sept10dsm]

We wouldn't prepay on OBC. but many have posted reasons for doing so. We did, however, prepay for some alcohol and coffee card to save the trouble of doing so on board. I think the main reasons for prepaying are not seeing that big bill at the end as well as some that just don't use credit cards.

[Coveguy4]

I like to have $$ on my acct, liq /beer pre paid in my cabin. Then when I get on board I never let the thought of my final bill impact my fun. I know its all the same amount spent, BUT I have a better time when I start out with $1000.00+ in OBC. Just me but I use my FCC, my TA's gifting, my shareholders, cash in my Barcleycard points and gift myself B4 to never second think any money spent on ship.

[Yehootu]

I just usually stop at the desk and put down a wad of cash I've saved up for my OBC. I just got the Princess card( 0% interest for 1 year) and considered putting it down on the card and just paying it off. What if and a big if, I have left over OBC. Any idea what would happen. I also will order at least 25 beer packages, which I know won't go to waste. I like others figure, why not get the credits.

Got left off the shareholder list as I bought my tickets using an Interline code. Did get a BIG discount for wife and I, but my mother would have been better off being booked on reg code as it was the same price as interline. Oh well, learned for next time

Tim

[Kmkub]

I also will order at least 25 beer packages, which I know won't go to waste.

 

How do you get delivery of those?

[Yehootu]

oops hit it twice

Edited April 4, 2014 by Yehootu
Duplicate

[jagoffee]

I suppose this is similar to people who purposely have taxes overwithheld from their paychecks and then are really happy to see a refund. Interest fee loans to the government and Princess are great for both entities.

 

I can't understand why anyone would not pay with a credit card with points, take the points, and then pay the credit card balance. The only explanation I can think of is that some people either don't like credit cards or don't have the self discipline to use them.

 

I purchase Casino credit so that I can have cash while on my cruise and get the CC points. I also gamble as well. No fees.

[Yehootu]

How do you get delivery of those?

 

I order it through the onboard brochure. They cost 23.25 each and you just tip the room service person when they deliver. That way my refrig is always full of cold beer.

Tim

[shiner6]

I purchase Casino credit so that I can have cash while on my cruise and get the CC points. I also gamble as well. No fees.

 

 

What are cc points? Is there an advantage to prepaying for Casino use if you are positive that you will use it?

 

 

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[Pam in CA]

What if and a big if, I have left over OBC. Any idea what would happen.

Leftover OBC is refundable either in cash before disembarkation or you'll receive a check a few weeks later. This is a policy change that happened about six months ago.

[shiner6]

What are cc points? Is there an advantage to prepaying for Casino use if you are positive that you will use it?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

I feel so silly! Cc must mean credit card, Duh!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[Jetswdo]

The credit card I use offers 2% back on travel stuff. Which I would receive back before or after the cruise after money is paid. If you don't mind having a huge bill after your cruise, then there probobly is no point to pre pay anything. I just like to minimize the bill a bit after a vacation is over. But that is just me.

[satxdiver]

I have to admit confusion! :confused:Would somebody please explain the benefits of prepaying OBC's?

 

Like you I have no earthly idea. I have never seen the benefit in letting Princess or any other merchant hold my money just so I would not "owe so much at the end". I budget for my expenses and enjoy seeing the money sit in my account before it has to be paid than in their account. I use my credit card which I pay off each month in full (it is called financial discipline and good budgeting).

 

As long as I am on my soap box here, I also have never understood the benefit for me to use a debit card. It is all plus for the merchant and all negative for me. Credit cards are heavily controlled by the federal government with maximum loss to the holder of $50 and there is no connection to my bank account. I have 60 days from the billing date to contest any charge and no interest will be charged during that period. No money will be taken out of my bank account during that time and no merchant will have any access to or information about my bank account.