OBC refundable?

[stewpapa]

What are the rules about OBC being refundable or not?

[ahecht]

Generally any OBC from a Royal Caribbean promo is non-refundable. OBC from a travel agent may or may not be refundable depending on how the TA funds it. OBC that you purchase in advance is refundable. However, non-refundable OBC can be cashed out in the casino for a 5% fee.

[Clarea]

What are the rules about OBC being refundable or not?

Depends on the kind of OBC. Some is refundable, some is not. Generally, OBC you get from Royal is not refundable. OBC you get from your travel agent is usually refundable.

 

If you have excess non-refundable OBC, you can go to the casino and get cash against your onboad account. This will cost you 5%, but at least you will get 95% of your OBC back.

[tserface]

I don't understand why it would be refundable. I read here where people ask this question occasionally and I never get why something could be refunded where no $$$ were spent initially. It's just potential buying power someone gives you if you choose to use it. If you bought your own OBC (by paying up front) then I would assume that would be refundable of course.

 

Tom

 

What are the rules about OBC being refundable or not?

[LMaxwell]

I don't understand why it would be refundable. I read here where people ask this question occasionally and I never get why something could be refunded where no $$$ were spent initially. It's just potential buying power someone gives you if you choose to use it. If you bought your own OBC (by paying up front) then I would assume that would be refundable of course.

 

Tom

 

Reasonable logic, but it basically all is "refundable" via the methods described above. Non-refundable OBC can be cashed out in the casino for a 5% fee.

 

You aren't really getting a refund, you are just taking a cash advance against your sea pass for a 5% fee. The charges on the sea pass are paid off via OBC first before moving on to your credit card/cash account.

Edited February 26, 2015 by LMaxwell

[stewpapa]

Thanks! The Casino tip is just what I needed to know! We have $500 OBC and prepaid tips and free evening drinks for being Diamond and we buy excursions on our own, so I don't see us needing it all. Hate to lose it. The reason we would want to recoup it is that we could have gotten the cruise cheaper without the OBC so in effect we DID pay for it.

[luvscruising2007]

Does RC automatically use your non-refundable OBC first, then refundable?

[cruisegirl1]

And just to confuse the matter, I thought OBC can generally be used for ANYTHING.

 

I have some OBC from RCCL because of an issue on a previous cruise and was told that I cannot charge the daily gratuities against the OBC. Never heard of that before. I'll check it out once on board. After the first day, I'll see if the OBC is reduced by the gratuity amount. (I did not pre-pay gratuities because I had the certificate for the OBC)

 

 

 

M

[Clarea]

Does RC automatically use your non-refundable OBC first, then refundable?

They are supposed to use non-refundable first.

[LMaxwell]

Thanks! The Casino tip is just what I needed to know! We have $500 OBC and prepaid tips and free evening drinks for being Diamond and we buy excursions on our own, so I don't see us needing it all. Hate to lose it. The reason we would want to recoup it is that we could have gotten the cruise cheaper without the OBC so in effect we DID pay for it.

 

Basically ask the casino cashier for $475 cash and you are all set. Or $476.XX

[cruisenfever]

Does RC automatically use your non-refundable OBC first, then refundable?

Yes, non-refundable OBC is used first followed by refundable OBC.

[malackym]

Hi All, Can anyone tell me if unused OBC added prior to the cruise from the Visa RC Credit Card is refundable? Thanks!

[cruisenfever]

Hi All, Can anyone tell me if unused OBC added prior to the cruise from the Visa RC Credit Card is refundable? Thanks!

OBC from redeeming Visa Points is entirely refundable.

[molly361]

Thanks! The Casino tip is just what I needed to know! We have $500 OBC and prepaid tips and free evening drinks for being Diamond and we buy excursions on our own, so I don't see us needing it all. Hate to lose it. The reason we would want to recoup it is that we could have gotten the cruise cheaper without the OBC so in effect we DID pay for it.

 

We just got off the EX today and had the same scenario. We had $600 OBC from the WOW sale and from booking onboard. We cashed out $400 in the casino and paid the 5%.

[Clarea]

We just got off the EX today and had the same scenario. We had $600 OBC from the WOW sale and from booking onboard. We cashed out $400 in the casino and paid the 5%.

Welcome back! Hope you guys had a great time.:)

[molly361]

Welcome back! Hope you guys had a great time.:)

 

Thanks- We had a great time. Went back to the Daq Shack and then ate at Candies at the Fish Fry. Thanks for the tip. I think it was you that told me about it

[Clarea]

Thanks- We had a great time. Went back to the Daq Shack and then ate at Candies at the Fish Fry. Thanks for the tip. I think it was you that told me about it

Didn't we eat at Candies together, or was that some other place?

[molly361]

Didn't we eat at Candies together, or was that some other place?

 

We ate at Goldies with you and I think you told me you went to Candies the next time.

[malackym]

OBC from redeeming Visa Points is entirely refundable.

 

Thanks!

[JustCruisin2012]

OBC from redeeming Visa Points is entirely refundable.

 

I second this. In May 2014 I had $3.33 of OBC that went unused after disembarking the Navigator OTS. We had redeemed points 2 months earlier from our RC Bank of America Visa. It was a small amount, so we didn't sweat it. It was a nice surprise seeing a credit for exactly $3.33 on our Visa statement the next month. Yes, the points are refundable in the form of credit on your Visa account. At least, that was my experience.

[ohiolovescrusing]

Consider this recent scenario.

 

$125 obc through booking and friend referral. 2 people/credit cards on room.

$60 each person/card gratuities - 5 night cruise

$40 charges misc person/card1

Entire $125 obc applied to person/card1. (Not sure why.)

Person/card2 cc charged $60

Person/card1 cc credit $25

 

So overall ended whole but surprised $100 booking obc wasn't split so each would have minor bill. Wasn't sure if credit on card1 would happen but it did. Was daughter's room so didn't think of checking obc split on TV before bill received. TA had confirmed overall amounts on each room.