Back to the "old" OBC leftover policy

[Sandy R]

Just spoke to a very reliable source in Princess Customer Service. I've spoken with her before and she has always provided me with good info. She said "non-refundable" meant no checks would be cut for unspent OBC. She said gratuities can still be paid by non-refundable OBC. She agreed with me when I suggested FCC's and Loyalty should be tagged "refundable" since we paid/earned those OBC's. She also agreed with me when I suggested the new OBC changes be put in writing on the Princess website ASAP, to eliminate rumors spreading She said they were having a meeting next week about the new changes and she would pass on my suggestions.

 

All the talk about OBC reminds of the time Princess retracted unlimited internet for Elites. Lots of passengers were angry by Princess giving something and then taking it away. Princess eventually softened their decision by offering a "free" internet package. It wasn't perfect but it did help squelch some of the anger.

 

Princess started OBC to create an incentive to book a their cruises. It worked... maybe too well. The incentive will now come with restrictions, which will again make some people angry. Perhaps the offers Princess has created... "3 for Free" and "National Cruise Vacation Week Sale", will not be as inviting in the future. I'm hoping Princess will soften their decision about OBC, just like they did with internet usage.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Sandy R

[billco]

Princess changed the financial terms of bookings after final payment. I don't see why it is any different than saying Alfredo's is free and then starting to charge for it, or promising free internet for suites and then taking it away (the former was reversed and the latter was grandfathered).

 

It is really no different than if Princess had said, after final booking of the free cruises last year, that passengers had to spend the full amount of their cruise fare on board that cruise and that there would be no future cruise credit. That would have been a change in financial terms. Passengers wouldn't have lost anything; they simply would have had a different financial agreement than what they agreed to when they made final payment.

 

I agree, Princess created a monster when they started refunding OBC in the very beginning, but that is irrelevant to how they now proceed. Right or wrong, their own systems stated one thing one day and something different the next. I guess I'm having trouble understanding why people were so up in arms about Alfredo's and Suite Internet and not about this. I hope it's not because one affected them and the other did not.

I agree. One day I didn't have asterisks next to my OBCs, the next day I did with a note about them being nonrefundable. That sounds like a change in policy to me after the fact. I think there was more of an uproar with the other issues, because people saw a direct impact, where most people don't think they will have any OBC leftover anyway. Edited October 9, 2014 by billco

[billco]

Not in my case.

 

I was upset at the elimination of internet for suites as I felt (still feel) that it was a benefit that we had paid for; whereas in the case of Onboard Credit I view it as a gift from Princess for loyalty et al and have never expected to "carry it home".

 

Just my opinion, of course.

 

Mike:)

I would be happy if we could take what is left of our loyalty gift and apply it to the next leg of our upcoming B2B. Or in the case of our cruises next Spring where we fly in to Seattle on a Saturday following a transatlantic cruise, meet up with family members, and sail on Sunday on an Alaskan cruise. I'm fine with not carrying anything home. Edited October 9, 2014 by billco

[Times Prince]

Princess started OBC to create an incentive to book a their cruises. It worked... maybe too well. The incentive will now come with restrictions, which will again make some people angry. Perhaps the offers Princess has created... "3 for Free" and "National Cruise Vacation Week Sale", will not be as inviting in the future. I'm hoping Princess will soften their decision about OBC, just like they did with internet usage.

The big difference about some of these offers is that Princess will put it in the description of the terms of the offer that such things as cruise deposits are not refundable and/or onboard credits associated with offer must be used during the cruise. In the case of my upcoming cruise these terms were specifically called out in plain language to me by my TA prior to booking.

 

It is the other onboard credits which have been reclassified that have many of us irritated, especially for offers that included Princess paid gratuities, a normal expenditure of OBC. However I am sure we will find some way to spend it all so am not worried.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Times Prince

[billco]

The big difference about some of these offers is that Princess will put it in the description of the terms of the offer that such things as cruise deposits are not refundable and/or onboard credits associated with offer must be used during the cruise. In the case of my upcoming cruise these terms were specifically called out in plain language to me by my TA prior to booking.

 

It is the other onboard credits which have been reclassified that have many of us irritated, especially for offers that included Princess paid gratuities, a normal expenditure of OBC. However I am sure we will find some way to spend it all so am not worried.

On the vouchers I received from my TA for my five upcoming cruises, it is clearly spelled out with a "yes" under the word "refundable" for each OBC.

[hansi]

Exactly why do you think they will soften their decision? OBC is exactly what it says it is. Credit to be spent on-board. If you think you'll be unable to spend it all, please pass it over to me. I will make full use of it:rolleyes:

 

 

Just spoke to a very reliable source in Princess Customer Service. I've spoken with her before and she has always provided me with good info. She said "non-refundable" meant no checks would be cut for unspent OBC. She said gratuities can still be paid by non-refundable OBC. She agreed with me when I suggested FCC's and Loyalty should be tagged "refundable" since we paid/earned those OBC's. She also agreed with me when I suggested the new OBC changes be put in writing on the Princess website ASAP, to eliminate rumors spreading She said they were having a meeting next week about the new changes and she would pass on my suggestions.

 

All the talk about OBC reminds of the time Princess retracted unlimited internet for Elites. Lots of passengers were angry by Princess giving something and then taking it away. Princess eventually softened their decision by offering a "free" internet package. It wasn't perfect but it did help squelch some of the anger.

 

Princess started OBC to create an incentive to book a their cruises. It worked... maybe too well. The incentive will now come with restrictions, which will again make some people angry. Perhaps the offers Princess has created... "3 for Free" and "National Cruise Vacation Week Sale", will not be as inviting in the future. I'm hoping Princess will soften their decision about OBC, just like they did with internet usage.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Just spoke to a very reliable source in Princess Customer Service. I've spoken with her before and she has always provided me with good info. She said "non-refundable" meant no checks would be cut for unspent OBC. She said gratuities can still be paid by non-refundable OBC. She agreed with me when I suggested FCC's and Loyalty should be tagged "refundable" since we paid/earned those OBC's. She also agreed with me when I suggested the new OBC changes be put in writing on the Princess website ASAP, to eliminate rumors spreading She said they were having a meeting next week about the new changes and she would pass on my suggestions.

 

All the talk about OBC reminds of the time Princess retracted unlimited internet for Elites. Lots of passengers were angry by Princess giving something and then taking it away. Princess eventually softened their decision by offering a "free" internet package. It wasn't perfect but it did help squelch some of the anger.

 

Princess started OBC to create an incentive to book a their cruises. It worked... maybe too well. The incentive will now come with restrictions, which will again make some people angry. Perhaps the offers Princess has created... "3 for Free" and "National Cruise Vacation Week Sale", will not be as inviting in the future. I'm hoping Princess will soften their decision about OBC, just like they did with internet usage.

 

Sometimes calling Princess doesn't give the correct answer. They'll either tell you what you want to hear or just read you their published information. I've always found that the only true answers come from people who have been aboard & report back with their experiences, although even they can vary from ship to ship.

[pablo222]

Exactly why do you think they will soften their decision? OBC is exactly what it says it is. Credit to be spent on-board. If you think you'll be unable to spend it all, please pass it over to me. I will make full use of it:rolleyes:

 

Because it is not ethical to induce me to purchase with a specific

set of terms, and then change the terms after final payment?

 

If princess would like to unwind this, I would be happy to

cancel, and they can refund what I have paid.

[hawkeyetlse]

If you think you'll be unable to spend it all, please pass it over to me. I will make full use of it:rolleyes:

You're joking, but this is a viable option for people with excess NR OBC they want to transform into cash. Work something out with fellow passengers who do spend money on board. They are all over the ship.

 

I believe Princess will allow you to sign your OBC over to another passenger's account. That is, until they start enforcing the idea of "non-transferrable" OBC. Even if they don't allow it, you can always make purchases for other people with your OBC and ask them to pay you back in cash.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

You're joking, but this is a viable option for people with excess NR OBC they want to transform into cash. Work something out with fellow passengers who do spend money on board. They are all over the ship.

 

I believe Princess will allow you to sign your OBC over to another passenger's account. That is, until they start enforcing the idea of "non-transferrable" OBC. Even if they don't allow it, you can always make purchases for other people with your OBC and ask them to pay you back in cash.

 

Great idea. The I can keep the 10% Elite discount & make some bucks to cover my expenses. :D

[hawkeyetlse]

The I can keep the 10% Elite discount & make some bucks to cover my expenses. :D

I was actually going to suggest that you could share some of your money-for-nothing with the person helping you out, but it's a free market.

[Iamcruzin]

Great idea. The I can keep the 10% Elite discount & make some bucks to cover my expenses. :D

Scalping OBC. I Love it...LOL

[Iamcruzin]

After reading some of these posts and learning what was done in the past beat the system, I feel confident that some of you could offer me a bigger return on my investment than Wall Street can.

[whatcruiseisnext]

Because it is not ethical to induce me to purchase with a specific

set of terms, and then change the terms after final payment?

 

If princess would like to unwind this, I would be happy to

cancel, and they can refund what I have paid.

 

We have booked MANY Princess cruises. I have never seen it written anywhere that if you didn't spend your OBC on board you would get it it back in the form of cash or a check to you. I realize that this practice has been done and I also realize that Princess has decided to do something about it by not permitting it to happen any longer. Princess is being upfront and saying most all OBC's are now non-refundable.

Edited October 10, 2014 by whatcruiseisnext

[shootingstar07]

...except that there have been many posts here about 'free' cruises.

 

Where people expected to book a cruise for $398, and receive $400

in OBC.

 

Really the cruise is only 'free', if you are able to cash the OBC and

use it to pay the Credit Card bill for the cruise fare.

 

I agree to a point. I have a warped sense of what is "free". To me getting $400 OBC makes it a quasi free cruise. Now I don't have to "pay" for perfume, a specialty dinner, tips, the sanctuary and/or a tour. Not bad because I won't have those additional charges on my credit card when I return home!!! Thanks Princess for my "freebies"!!

Edited October 10, 2014 by shootingstar07

[WAVTAM]

Could someone with insight offer what is "Refundable "and "Non Refundable" from the list below. Thanks in advance

 

Military

Shareholders

TA

FCC

Elite Loyalty

[pablo222]

Princess is being upfront and saying most all OBC's are now non-refundable.

 

I had a confirmation which showed which OBCs were refundable,

and which were not.

 

I made final payment.

 

Checked later, and the confirmation had changed to say all

OBCs were not refundable.

 

I don't see that as being 'upfront', I see that as being deceptive.

 

If princess wants to say no OBC is refundable, that is fine and

I will consider that when I book. But, I don't like the terms

of a current booking changing after final payment.

 

If you are not inside final payment on a cruise, this whole thing

is less important to you -- you have to option to cancel.

 

I have two cruises that are inside final payment, that this has

happened to.

Edited October 10, 2014 by pablo222

[HUNKY]

As the economy improves, you will see a reduction of OBC and perks. Both of these were used to increase overall revenue. Just look at how airline frequent flyer programs have changed!

 

Refunding in cash of OBC is just stupid on a cruise lines part. The "cost" of OBC is what Princess pays for the item, alcohol or excursion. In other words, a $100 bottle of perfume paid with OBC probably costs Princess only $20 or so. To refund $100 OBC in cash, costs Princess $100. BIG difference.

 

I would use my OBC now, don't rely on it being available for future use.

[whatcruiseisnext]

I had a confirmation which showed which OBCs were refundable,

and which were not.

 

I made final payment.

 

Checked later, and the confirmation had changed to say all

OBCs were not refundable.

 

I don't see that as being 'upfront', I see that as being deceptive.

 

If princess wants to say no OBC is refundable, that is fine and

I will consider that when I book. But, I don't like the terms

of a current booking changing after final payment.

 

If you are not inside final payment on a cruise, this whole thing

is less important to you -- you have to option to cancel.

 

I have two cruises that are inside final payment, that this has

happened to.

 

You had an actual confirmation saying that your OBC's were refundable if not used from Princess or from your TA? Or you had a confirmation that listed the OBC's but didn't say one way or another whether they were refundable or not? When Princess made this changeover.....the OBC we got on booked cruises while booked under the current sales immediately was listed as non-refundable. While it too a few days to update the other onboard credit listed to non-refundable. However...nowhere in our bookings did it ever say that it WAS refundable. There was just nothing addressing it one way or the other. I am interested if you had actual paperwork FROM Princess not a TA saying that you had refundable OBC's.

[Sandy R]

I have 4 future bookings. When I booked each, I printed off the "Onboard Credits for this Booking" page. Only 1 of my bookings had an asterisk (*), and that was "Shore Ex/Onboard Spending", which I knew about in advance of booking. Now everyone of my booking credits have an asterisk except Military Benefits. Definitely appears to me like this is a policy change!

 

My DH suggested that instead of changing the status of OBC, Princess should have stated that from a certain date going forward, "no OBC can be used in the casino" and "no check will be cut for OBC that hasn't been used."

 

But, here's a question to ponder... if someone puts a $20 bill in a slot machine and at some point wins $100 and cashes out, is that money his/hers to keep or is that sum charged against their running tab to be paid by credit card at the end of the cruise?

Edited October 10, 2014 by Sandy R

[PescadoAmarillo]

You had an actual confirmation saying that your OBC's were refundable if not used from Princess or from your TA? ...I am interested if you had actual paperwork FROM Princess not a TA saying that you had refundable OBC's.

Yes, several of us here have said that. I had a printout (from my TA) but screen captured from the Princess TA booking engine that had a column to the right saying "Refundable" and then a listing underneath of OBCs by passengers. Next to each was the word YES except for Goodwill OBC which said NO. The next day, from the same booking engine, the YESes were all changed to NOs except for Military OBC.

 

Regardless of opinions on this, it's impossible to dispute that Princess changed the financial terms of bookings after final payments.

[caribill]

But, here's a question to ponder... if someone puts a $20 bill in a slot machine and at some point wins $100 and cashes out, is that money his/hers to keep or is that sum charged against their running tab to be paid by credit card at the end of the cruise?

 

If you take that $100 and use it in the casino, it then becomes refundable to Princess.

[Coveguy4]

When I go to Las Vegas or even an Indian casino, I often receive free slot play. Whatever I win off that is mine to cash out and take away. The slot play monies given cannot be cashed out. If I downloaded 50 into the slot machine, and tried to cash out before using all of the 50 up, whatever was left of the origional amount would not pay out, only the winnings amount. Also, once it is downloaded to a slot machine its use it or lose it, cannot be put back into your account. This is how Vegas casinos deal with free slot play. Maybe Princess will follow suit for those who want to use OBC in the casino. I think it would be more than fair and stop the few who abuse the promotion

[pablo222]

My DH suggested that instead of changing the status of OBC, Princess should have stated that from a certain date going forward,

 

Just make the date so that no one inside final payment is

caught by a change in the terms of their booking.

[billco]

Following are parts of questions I posted on the Princess Facebook page followed by Princess answer:

 

Me: If there is OBC leftover following the first leg of a B2B, would it be possible to carry it over to the second leg?

 

Me: I am also concerned that the vouchers I received from my TA for all five of my upcoming cruises clearly state all of my OBCs are refundable ("yes" under "refundable" for each OBC), where my personalizer has been changed to list all but the military OBC as nonrefundable. Isn't that bad practice to change the terms, especially after final payment?

 

Princess: Regarding your back-to-back Emerald Princess voyages, we will be able to transfer any leftover OBC from the first voyage onto the second voyage. We will have one of our representatives contact you directly regarding your OBCs and which are refundable vs non-refundable, to ensure that we provide the correct level of detail for your specific OBCs.