Buying OBC and Exchange Rates

[Solution]

Assuming that you booked your cruise in CAD, not USD, then there's clearly an error on Celebrity's part. I would contact them to straighten it out.

 

That is correct. If your booking is in CAD, then the OBC will be charged in CAD and there should be no conversion fee charged what so ever if you are using a CAD credit card.

 

But if your booking is in USD, the purchase will automatically be charged in USD, and conversion fee will apply if you use CAD credit card.

[Rufferto]

I purchased some OBC on their website yesterday afternoon, paying in $CAD. After I completed the transaction I was sent to a webpage stating that I should receive a confirmation email soon. As of this morning I don't have anything in my email, and my credit card does not show any activity from them. How long does it take for them to process something? If I call I don't have anything to show (no confirmation or order number was given). I went through the purchase process very carefully, making sure everything was typed in correctly.

 

How long does it take for them to send confirmation, or is it their website gremlins acting up again?

[Project_gal]

I purchased some OBC on their website yesterday afternoon, paying in $CAD. After I completed the transaction I was sent to a webpage stating that I should receive a confirmation email soon. As of this morning I don't have anything in my email, and my credit card does not show any activity from them. How long does it take for them to process something? If I call I don't have anything to show (no confirmation or order number was given). I went through the purchase process very carefully, making sure everything was typed in correctly.

 

How long does it take for them to send confirmation, or is it their website gremlins acting up again?

 

The process in the UK [and, I understand, Canada and elsewhere in the world] is that human intervention is required to complete the transaction. Judging by posts on Cruise Critic, a good rate is being offered and many people will be purchasing OBC in Canada at present.

 

The process in the UK in this situation is that orders are processed in sailing date [rather than order date] order. It would be logically for the same process to be used in Canada. In the UK it can take weeks or months for the order to be processed but the exchange rate used is that at the time of the order. Occasionally, an order may get lost. Until you see the transaction on your credit card statement, the order has not been processed.

 

In the UK, for all these reasons, it is better to order via the telephone as it is then processed whilst you are on the 'phone.

 

Hope this helps a little.

[ERIN123]

I purchased some OBC on their website yesterday afternoon, paying in $CAD. After I completed the transaction I was sent to a webpage stating that I should receive a confirmation email soon. As of this morning I don't have anything in my email, and my credit card does not show any activity from them. How long does it take for them to process something? If I call I don't have anything to show (no confirmation or order number was given). I went through the purchase process very carefully, making sure everything was typed in correctly.

 

How long does it take for them to send confirmation, or is it their website gremlins acting up again?

 

Give it another day or so, if you got the confirmation email you should get the second email soon. Don't forget the charge in the currency you booked, even if it says otherwise when you booked it.

[Fouremco]

I purchased some OBC on their website yesterday afternoon, paying in $CAD. After I completed the transaction I was sent to a webpage stating that I should receive a confirmation email soon. As of this morning I don't have anything in my email, and my credit card does not show any activity from them. How long does it take for them to process something? If I call I don't have anything to show (no confirmation or order number was given). I went through the purchase process very carefully, making sure everything was typed in correctly.

 

How long does it take for them to send confirmation, or is it their website gremlins acting up again?

I placed an order on September 26, received a confirmation email immediately and a detailed receipt the following day. If you don't get the receipt by tomorrow, I'd give them a call.

[Rufferto]

I received the email confirmation yesterday evening. So it takes a little more than a day to process, and I cruise on Monday.

[Fouremco]

I received the email confirmation yesterday evening. So it takes a little more than a day to process, and I cruise on Monday.

Great! Enjoy your cruise... and your OBC. :)

[upwarduk]

I received the email confirmation yesterday evening. So it takes a little more than a day to process, and I cruise on Monday.

 

Make sure you take the receipt ( email confirmation ) with you as I suspect you will be visiting Guest Relations.

We had a card in our room confirming the purchase, but it 3 days before it showed up on our OB account. We had bought ours in 2 groups :

1) $25 X 9 in January 2015

2) $25 x6 in April 2015

 

No problem with the first, I was sent the email almost immediately.

I had to chase the 2nd, the operative in Miami though it was a repeat of the first purchase, so hadn't processed it!!!!

Edited November 6, 2015 by upwarduk

[drakes2]

I had similar issues with an OBC received from my TA a couple of years ago. It was quite a substantial amount which was sent over to the Miami office the month before the cruise which they kept saying they did not receive. Finally, while I was onboard the ship after numerous calls to my TA, and their repeated email to Miami the OBC finally showed up on my account on day 7 of a 7 day cruise. Fortunately for me I had taken my confirmation receipt with me onboard or I would not have been able to do anything about it. Stuff gets missed all the time, but for them to say I was not entitled to additional monies is just not right, my TA even sent me the e mail of the confirmation OBC they sent to Miami. It was very clear they just missed it.

Make sure you take the receipt ( email confirmation ) with you as I suspect you will be visiting Guest Relations.

We had a card in our room confirming the purchase, but it 3 days before it showed up on our OB account. We had bought ours in 2 groups :

1) $25 X 9 in January 2015

2) $25 x6 in April 2015

 

No problem with the first, I was sent the email almost immediately.

I had to chase the 2nd, the operative in Miami though it was a repeat of the first purchase, so hadn't processed it!!!!

[Solution]

Always ask your TA to send you the Cruise Line's booking confirmation. TA should release the guest copy of the confirmation. Some types of OBC will be clearly printed on it. The other type which normally associates with the Travel Agent's group rate, will not show. But the Group ID will help GR trace the missing OBC as the cruise line always have all versions of the booking on file.

[Touptite]

Can someone tell me the difference between "Specialty Restaurant OBC" and regular ones ? Here's what I'm referring to: http://www.celebritycruises.com/bonvoyage/cruise-onboard-credit/onbdcr/item-code-c173

 

I'm wondering because we are from Canada and I know we want to eat at the Normandie (before it closes) but I don't want to reserve right now... so I'm looking at the OBC option only for this. I'm wondering it this (at 55.10$ CAD) will cover the extra cost for one person at the Normandie or if I'd better purchase regular OBC.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Touptite

[Barwick Cruiser]

Can someone tell me the difference between "Specialty Restaurant OBC" and regular ones ? Here's what I'm referring to: http://www.celebritycruises.com/bonvoyage/cruise-onboard-credit/onbdcr/item-code-c173

 

I'm wondering because we are from Canada and I know we want to eat at the Normandie (before it closes) but I don't want to reserve right now... so I'm looking at the OBC option only for this. I'm wondering it this (at 55.10$ CAD) will cover the extra cost for one person at the Normandie or if I'd better purchase regular OBC.

 

We are planning to use some of our precruise purchased obc for specialty dining as well but I just bought the standard obc. I was thinking that maybe if we get a discount on the dining then we'll have more obc left in our account whereas the dining obc might have to all be used for specialty dining? And I'm also thinking that the dining obc might be credited to your account as one meal, with no chance to get a discount once onboard? I could be totally off on that but also, like you wasn't sure what the difference was so I just bought the regular obc and will use that towards laundry, dining and for cashing out for spending in ports.

Cathy

[Touptite]

So, I just purchased 4 X $25 OBC at $122.40 CAD. I'll wait to see what's charged on my credit card. If it works, I'll buy some more.

 

I just have one last question because I'm a bit confused. If I go to the GR desk with my certificate to withdraw in cash, will they charge me 5% exchange rate?

[Barwick Cruiser]

So, I just purchased 4 X $25 OBC at $122.40 CAD. I'll wait to see what's charged on my credit card. If it works, I'll buy some more.

 

I just have one last question because I'm a bit confused. If I go to the GR desk with my certificate to withdraw in cash, will they charge me 5% exchange rate?

 

If you booked your cruise in Canadian $ then the charge to your Canadian credit card for the obc you just purchased should remain $122.40. It will show as $100US on your seapass account. You just need to go to GR during your cruise and ask for the cash from your account. There will not be a 5% service fee since it's refundable obc. Keep the email printout in case the credit doesn't show up once onboard.

[Touptite]

If you booked your cruise in Canadian $ then the charge to your Canadian credit card for the obc you just purchased should remain $122.40. It will show as $100US on your seapass account. You just need to go to GR during your cruise and ask for the cash from your account. There will not be a 5% service fee since it's refundable obc. Keep the email printout in case the credit doesn't show up once onboard.

 

Great, thanks a lot :)

[Payd]

I appreciate the information provided based upon experience on the ship. Many times I have read the experience of cruisers...along with what should happen and then what Celebrity says will happen.

 

It is frustrating when the answers vary so widely.

 

I will share what I was told when I called in to Celebrity on Friday.

 

I purchased $1000 obc at a great rate months ago. I am told I must still set up an on board account (credit card or cash account) when processing my online preregistration (checkin). It is likely that my obc purchase will show up on board on the first full sailing day, but may take two days. I was told that Guest Relations will NOT give me cash from the obc period. Not at all not even with 5% surcharge. The Rep told me it is available at the casino ONLY and that they will charge 5%.

 

My years of cruising experience and my gut says Barwick is right. But I will bear in mind what I was told by the Celebrity Rep.

 

I will likely call again to see what a different Rep says.

 

It shouldn't be this difficult...

 

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[Been There, Planning That]

Purchased OBC is always refundable. Non refundable OBC on the ship board account will be used first, then the refundable one. Any unused refundable OBC will go back to the credit card that you registered upon check in. It won't carry to the next cruise.

 

The only service charge is the bank conversion fee from US to Canadian if your registered credit card is in Canadian dollar as the OBC is in US.

 

We have OBCs for our February cruise which were put on our Canadian Visa as we did for a fall Princess cruise.

 

We register on line with our US dollar Visa for any cruise line as that's the on board currency. Princess issued a cheque in US dollars for unused OBCs because of the card differences. The cheque took just under a month to arrive.

 

- Do I assume it will be the same should we have unused Celebrity OBCs?

 

 

Ruth

Edited November 16, 2015 by Been There, Planning That

[Been There, Planning That]

My experience with self funded refundable OBC's at GR has been good. Have taken it out as cash and to solidify this, when checking in, I indicate as being on a cash account as opposed to credit card settlement at end of cruise. Being on a cash account has eliminated any discussion at GR that refundable OBC will be in cash. As one GR staff pointed out to another, "he's on a cash account, he must be paid in cash".

 

I have had disappointment with Celebrity using a US dollar credit card and a Canadian address. Contrary to their own form not to convert charges at the end of a cruise, the opposite happens and I have been hit with the 2 conversions - ship US $'s to Canadian $'s and then the CC from Can. $'s back to US $'s for the US dollar credit card. For this reason, I avoid putting any shipboard on CC, I pay in cash.

 

I posted the previous question in too much haste. This would appear to be the solution to an instant refund.

 

Ruth

[Quitwhin'n]

After seeing this post I purchased $100 OBC for $122.40 CDN on the website. It clearly indicated it would cost $122.40 Cdn and showed All charges in Canadian. Yet when they processed my order they charged me in USD and it cost me $135.24 due to the current exchange rate and Visa charges. I have emailed them and they are arguing to me I purchased USD, which I agree I did (of course I purchased USD OBC as that's the currency of the ship), but only because the website clearly said I would be charged in CDN currency and gave the cost of $122.40 CDN. Very disappointed! Please be aware what they say they will charge isn't always so.

 

This happened to me last spring and Celebrity refunded the difference to my credit card. It may take a few phone calls.

 

The problem I have with this whole scenario is that "Gifts by Celebrity" is tooted as a way to buy gifts for friends and relatives. Friends and relatives have no idea what currency you have booked in. Going into the Celebrity site, nothing explains this unwritten "rule" and they are automatically recognized as being from Canada (or whatever country they are accessing the site from). They purchase gifts with prices as shown in whatever local currency and it is a nasty shock when their CC is charged considerably higher. There is absolutely no warning of this exchange fee. In fact Celebrity's site puts an asterisk by the dollar amount and verifies that the amount is indeed in Cdn (or whatever) currency. Also, the conversion is NOT done by the CC company, it is done by Celebrity in Paris, France, at least that is what was on my CC. I'm not a lawyer but this sounds pretty illegal to me, unethical to say the least.

[Elusive_Cruiser]

We purchased OBC last year, based on the favorable CAD rates by Celebrity and on information provided here! Did not actually realize that we could've cashed it out during the cruise, so we also bought the US cash we would need for shore excursions at a much higher rate than our OBC. At the end of our cruise, we had leftover $ in the account, so had Celebrity credit our CAD visa card. Rates had changed, and we actually made some pretty good $$ when the OBC came back to us. Yeah us!!

 

Some good information posted here - just purchased $1K USD OBC at a rate better than I can get at the bank. I will cash out for my shore excursions. I no longer have to travel with large amounts of US cash on me. At the end of the cruise, I will cash out the balance and deposit into our USD account here at home.

 

Lovin' it - thanks Celebrity and fellow CC'ers for posting!

[Ruthk]

OK do I have this right.

 

I purchased my January cruise last January using a U.S. Agent and paying with my U.S. master Card.

 

Now, I cannot buy OBC's using a Canadian MasterCard, I have to use my U.S. MasterCard because I booked the cruise in U.S dollars - is that correct?

[Fouremco]

OK do I have this right.

 

I purchased my January cruise last January using a U.S. Agent and paying with my U.S. master Card.

 

Now, I cannot buy OBC's using a Canadian MasterCard, I have to use my U.S. MasterCard because I booked the cruise in U.S dollars - is that correct?

Don't confuse the instrument (Canadian or US MasterCard) with the nature of the purchase.

 

If you had purchased your cruise in Canadian funds, you would be entitled to purchase the OBC in CAD at a preferential rate. Recently this has been $30.60 CAD for $25 USD OBC.

 

Now you will need to buy in USD, either using your USD card or using your CAD card at whatever the going exchange rate is, plus any exchange transaction fee your card charges.

[Elusive_Cruiser]

OK do I have this right.

 

I purchased my January cruise last January using a U.S. Agent and paying with my U.S. master Card.

 

Now, I cannot buy OBC's using a Canadian MasterCard, I have to use my U.S. MasterCard because I booked the cruise in U.S dollars - is that correct?

 

Yes, I believe that is correct, based on what all the above posters have stated from their experience

[Quitwhin'n]

OK do I have this right.

 

I purchased my January cruise last January using a U.S. Agent and paying with my U.S. master Card.

 

Now, I cannot buy OBC's using a Canadian MasterCard, I have to use my U.S. MasterCard because I booked the cruise in U.S dollars - is that correct?

 

If you do this (buy CDN OBC for a USD reservation and charge to a USD CC) you may be hit with a double exchange fee. Celebrity will convert first to CDN and then your US MC will convert it back to USD.

 

As Fouremco says, you need to buy USD OBC for a USD reservation, CDN OBC for a CDN reservation, etc. Of course, Celebrity does not clarify this during the online purchase procedure.

[Miaminice]

I will cash out for my shore excursions. I no longer have to travel with large amounts of US cash on me.

 

Be aware that refundable OBC, such as the gift OBC, can only be cashed out on the last day of the cruise. At least that was the rule on Reflection in August.