OBC with a TA

[kandj05]

This is our first cruise we used a TA. One of the perks we were offered is OBC of $125. I often use my VISA card for OBC so I know where to look for that. Am I able to see the TA's OBC before I board the ship? For those who often use a TA, have you had problems with your OBC showing up or does it always work?

 

Thanks!

[Clarea]

This is our first cruise we used a TA. One of the perks we were offered is OBC of $125. I often use my VISA card for OBC so I know where to look for that. Am I able to see the TA's OBC before I board the ship? For those who often use a TA, have you had problems with your OBC showing up or does it always work?

 

Thanks!

The TA OBC will not appear on Royal's website or Royal documents. It's between you and the TA.

 

Once you are onboard, it should show up on your account around day 2.

[MarKay525]

Hi -I've been told it is a good idea to take along a print copy that documents the TA OBC, just in case. I will be doing that with our upcoming Enchantment OTS cruise.

 

Enjoy your OBC and have a great cruise.

[dplusd]

I am provided a booking summary by the TA that includes a memo line of the OBC. I always bring that with me on the cruise in case the OBC does not show up. But, the OBC has always been there as promised.

[Rewind]

Never had a problem - had OBC from two different TAs on five cruises and it has always been there. A few times there is even a welcome letter / card on the desk with the rest of the paperwork that will state you have OBC. I agree with clarea, it should be on your account by day 2.

[mistshar]

We always get OBC from our TA. However one time when we got on the ship, it wasn't there. We went and asked about it and they said we didn't have any. I called our TA and she called the cruise line to check on it. For some reason it didn't get processed. So she sent us a check when we got home to cover the amount of OBC we were supposed to get.

 

We usually get something in the cabin that designates how much the OBC is. It sure is nice to have.

[zuggie]

It takes several days for OBC to be posed to your account, so be sure to check by day 3 to make sure your OBC has been posted. If your TA provided OBC is not there, there's nothing you or the ship can do - you'll have to get it squared away with your TA when you get home. To correct the error, The TA usually sends you a check for the amount.

 

And remember, there's two kinds of OBC. Anything given to you as a gift by your TA is fully refundable. Any portion of TA OBC not used will be credited back to your credit card. But anything given to you by the cruise line is NOT refundable. If you don't use it, you lose it.

 

So what happens if you have both TA OBC and cruise line OBC? Your charges are applied to the TA provided OBC first, and when that's all gone, your charges are then applied to the cruise line OBC. Pretty smart, right? If you don't use all your OBC - the cruise line has a better chance to keep it some or all of it.

 

Any remaining OBC can be taken out as cash in the casino. It costs you 5% to do so, but 95% of something is better than 0%.

[Biker19]

So what happens if you have both TA OBC and cruise line OBC? Your charges are applied to the TA provided OBC first, and when that's all gone, your charges are then applied to the cruise line OBC. Pretty smart, right? If you don't use all your OBC - the cruise line has a better chance to keep it some or all of it.

 

Any remaining OBC can be taken out as cash in the casino. It costs you 5% to do so, but 95% of something is better than 0%.

 

I think the default is the reverse - non-refundable OBC is used first, then refundable.

[Clarea]

I think the default is the reverse - non-refundable OBC is used first, then refundable.

That has been our experience.

[kandj05]

That has been our experience.

 

I think the default is the reverse - non-refundable OBC is used first, then refundable.

 

I hope this is the case. Actually, I am saving my OBC for our B2B in May/June 2016.

[mafig]

Happened to us twice. On Celebrity the Guest Relations person was very helpful and contacted Miami who contacted the TA. I think he sent a check after.

 

Once again on a Princess cruise, the Guest Relations person wasn't that helpful. I took it up with the TA when I got home.

[cruisenfever]

So what happens if you have both TA OBC and cruise line OBC? Your charges are applied to the TA provided OBC first, and when that's all gone, your charges are then applied to the cruise line OBC. Pretty smart, right? If you don't use all your OBC - the cruise line has a better chance to keep it some or all of it.

Any OBC that is applied to your account is coded as to refundable and non-refundable. Non-refundable is always used first followed by refundable.

 

If you have refundable OBC you can take it out in cash the afternoon on the day prior to debarkation or you can allow it to be credited back to your credit card. If you are using an RCI Visa card, that credit will result in the loss of double points.

 

Non-refundable can be taken out in the Casino for a 5% surcharge.

[SoALcruiser]

How do you find a TA who gives onboard credit? We've used the same one for years , and got a bottle of wine, once. I think we need to change.....

[Clarea]

How do you find a TA who gives onboard credit? We've used the same one for years , and got a bottle of wine, once. I think we need to change.....

Word of mouth is one way. Talk to people at the Meet & Mingles. We found ours from our dinner mates.

Edited August 27, 2015 by clarea

[SoALcruiser]

Word of mouth is one way. Talk to people at the Meet & Mingles. We found ours from our dinner mates.

 

Thanks, Bob. We'll do that in October. :)

[rudeney]

How do you find a TA who gives onboard credit? We've used the same one for years , and got a bottle of wine, once. I think we need to change.....

 

Check into the various memberships you have - warehouse clubs, auto clubs, AARP, etc. They often offer travel services and give you OBC. We booked through our wholesale club and got just over 8% of the price of the cruise as OBC.

[SoALcruiser]

Check into the various memberships you have - warehouse clubs, auto clubs, AARP, etc. They often offer travel services and give you OBC. We booked through our wholesale club and got just over 8% of the price of the cruise as OBC.

 

One can learn something new every day on this board. Thanks so much for that suggestion!! Kaye

[Desertbelle]

The one time (out of probably 15 cruises we have booked with her) our travel agent OBC didn't show up, I emailed her and she responded within the day that if it didn't show up by the end of the cruise she would send me a check for the amount after we got home. It showed up the next day.

[riclop]

Ours has always been there but once and it was takes care of on our return.

[#1cruiseaholic]

How do you find a TA who gives onboard credit? We've used the same one for years , and got a bottle of wine, once. I think we need to change.....

 

Definitely think about changing your TA. Carl and I had a TA that we used for 5 cruises and got her at least 4 other couples who booked thru her. I can remember being at a dining table in the MDR and each of the other couples told us of the OBC that each of them had. And there we sat, fat, dumb, and happy with nothing. So, it just so happened that I was in line for a burger at the grill and overheard a gentleman talk about his OBC that he got for that cruise. I introduced myself and was able to get his TA. And the rest is history. We have been with that agent for 12 cruises and either get a decent OBC or paid gratuities. Do what is best for you.

[teecee60]

How do you find a TA who gives onboard credit?

 

We've used the same one for years , and got a bottle of wine, once. I think we need to change.....

 

You most CERTAINLY DO! :eek:

 

Word of mouth is one way. Talk to people at the Meet & Mingles. We found ours from our dinner mates.

 

Outstanding advice! ;)

 

 

I have the opposite problem... many people absolutely REFUSE to believe the deals I get by simply shopping around. :rolleyes:

 

I am doing the Celebrity Constellation 15 night transatlantic from Rome in November. I booked an Ocean View cabin through an online travel agency for $799pp (taxes and tips extra) and got $275 OBC from them, and I'm also getting another $250 OBC from the RCCL shareholder benefit. :eek:

 

I also booked a 35 night B2B on Explorer OTS for next April for $1675pp! :D (taxes and tips extra) We are getting $550 OBC from the agency, but we are not sure yet if we can get the shareholder credit of another $450 OBC. :o

 

Get online and do some research. Many travel agencies offer OBC and some are known for including prepaid gratuities... no small matter on longer cruises.

Edited August 27, 2015 by teecee60

[Ren1216]

This is our first cruise we used a TA. One of the perks we were offered is OBC of $125. I often use my VISA card for OBC so I know where to look for that. Am I able to see the TA's OBC before I board the ship? For those who often use a TA, have you had problems with your OBC showing up or does it always work?

 

Thanks!

 

Where exactly do you look for that? I cashed in some points today but cannot figure out where to watch for the OBC within my reservation. I normally call RCI to inquire, but know they wont help since my booking was through a TA this time.

[kandj05]

You most CERTAINLY DO! :eek:

 

 

 

Outstanding advice! ;)

 

 

I have the opposite problem... many people absolutely REFUSE to believe the deals I get by simply shopping around. :rolleyes:

 

I am doing the Celebrity Constellation 15 night transatlantic from Rome in November. I booked an Ocean View cabin through an online travel agency for $799pp (taxes and tips extra) and got $275 OBC from them, and I'm also getting another $250 OBC from the RCCL shareholder benefit. :eek:

 

I also booked a 35 night B2B on Explorer OTS for next April for $1675pp! :D (taxes and tips extra) We are getting $550 OBC from the agency, but we are not sure yet if we can get the shareholder credit of another $450 OBC. :o

 

Get online and do some research. Many travel agencies offer OBC and some are known for including prepaid gratuities... no small matter on longer cruises.

 

May I ask, do you shop around online or do you have to make several phone calls?

[kandj05]

Where exactly do you look for that? I cashed in some points today but cannot figure out where to watch for the OBC within my reservation. I normally call RCI to inquire, but know they wont help since my booking was through a TA this time.

 

Ren, from my knowledge, this should show up on your account before you cruise. I know when I have booked through RCI, it shows up about 1 week prior to sailing. Maybe call your TA at the 1 week mark to see if it is on your reservation yet? Or, what may happen is it still may show up where you can see it. Why I say that, is because my RCI shore excursions are showing up on the RCI website even though I booked this cruise using a TA.

 

I am sure Bob or someone else will tell you definitely though.

[kandj05]

Word of mouth is one way. Talk to people at the Meet & Mingles. We found ours from our dinner mates.

 

Bob, on our January cruise, I am going to seek you and your wife out to find out who you use! :):cool: