Questions about RCI Visa

[vacationlover_mn]

I’m lazy, so I just use the RCI card for everything, and enjoy my OBC each year 🙂

[Clarea]

8 hours ago, John Reid said:

PNC as part of a banking package.

 

Thank-you.

[island lady]

3 hours ago, vacationlover_mn said:

I’m lazy, so I just use the RCI card for everything, and enjoy my OBC each year 🙂

 

Not lazy...smart!  🙂 

 

Me, having had my CC number stolen four times over the last 20 years...twice while traveling, (making it difficult to get replacement sent to me) I knew I needed a back up card.  This one costs nothing, I will use mostly just to make RCI purchases, and indeed enjoy the OBC.  😉 

[Betsynh]

I do the same thing... and have a back up from my local bank. On a recent Celebrity trip, we were told that the Visa card's OBC was non-refundable, so we blew the last $100 in the casino. So assuming that RCCL would be the same policy, I only converted 35,000 points for our upcoming 5-night on Brilliance, confident that we'd use the full $350.

 

The RCCL Rewards site's fine print was pretty specific about not being able to use RCCL points to pay cruise balances, but it looked like we could book a cruise with it (just not after the fact?). I found it a bit confusing, so will happily spend ours onboard. Would appreciate any clarity around the nuances... I've got another 30,000+ points waiting for a future trip.

[Clarea]

6 hours ago, Betsynh said:

I do the same thing... and have a back up from my local bank. On a recent Celebrity trip, we were told that the Visa card's OBC was non-refundable, so we blew the last $100 in the casino. So assuming that RCCL would be the same policy, I only converted 35,000 points for our upcoming 5-night on Brilliance, confident that we'd use the full $350.

 

The RCCL Rewards site's fine print was pretty specific about not being able to use RCCL points to pay cruise balances, but it looked like we could book a cruise with it (just not after the fact?). I found it a bit confusing, so will happily spend ours onboard. Would appreciate any clarity around the nuances... I've got another 30,000+ points waiting for a future trip.

 

You can use the RC Visa points redemption to reduce your cruise balance. See details here:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/visa-signature/royal-caribbean-visa-signature-rewards-options.pdf

 

I believe the cruise discount (applying the redemption to pay your cruise balance) starts at 15,000 points.

[island lady]

3 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You can use the RC Visa points redemption to reduce your cruise balance. See details here:

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/visa-signature/royal-caribbean-visa-signature-rewards-options.pdf

 

I believe the cruise discount (applying the redemption to pay your cruise balance) starts at 15,000 points.

 

Thanks Bob!  That is very detailed, I have downloaded into my documents.  Very helpful!

[Clarea]

Just now, island lady said:

 

Thanks Bob!  That is very detailed, I have downloaded into my documents.  Very helpful!

 

You're welcome.

 

One thing you may want to know.  When you redeem points for a cruise discount, they account for that as a one time special discount on the cruise price.  If you cancel that cruise, or even try to upgrade to a different category, you lose that discount.  That's why it might be better to redeem for on board credit, which is refundable in cash if you don't use it, or can be transferred to another booking.  However, if you cancel before transferring to another booking, the OBC will be lost.

[island lady]

3 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You're welcome.

 

One thing you may want to know.  When you redeem points for a cruise discount, they account for that as a one time special discount on the cruise price.  If you cancel that cruise, or even try to upgrade to a different category, you lose that discount.  That's why it might be better to redeem for on board credit, which is refundable in cash if you don't use it, or can be transferred to another booking.  However, if you cancel before transferring to another booking, the OBC will be lost.

 

Yikes...even more helpful!  Thanks!   OBC it is then.  🙂   Which will work better anyway, I have been booking about 90% of my cruises direct online...thus no OBC doing it that way.  This will be my "slush fund".  😉 

[davekathy]

19 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Yikes...even more helpful!  Thanks!   OBC it is then.  🙂   Which will work better anyway, I have been booking about 90% of my cruises direct online...thus no OBC doing it that way.  This will be my "slush fund".  😉 

I would call it my "lush fund". 😎🍻

[island lady]

3 hours ago, davekathy said:

I would call it my "lush fund". 😎🍻

 

OMG...glad it is too early to be sipping on my Sauvignon Blanc...you would owe me a keyboard my DS friend.  😄  

 

Lush Fund...way too funny!!   🤣

[parrotfeathers]

On 11/28/2019 at 5:52 AM, vacationlover_mn said:

I’m lazy, so I just use the RCI card for everything, and enjoy my OBC each year 🙂

 

Same here.  

[cruisinfanatic]

15 hours ago, parrotfeathers said:

 

Same here.  

Aside from a Royal Caribbean charge, you'd have twice as much money to spend using a Citi cash rewards card. Wouldn't that be better?

I just don't get it

Edited December 24, 2019 by cruisinfanatic

[Clarea]

5 minutes ago, cruisinfanatic said:

Aside from a Royal Caribbean charge, you'd have twice as much money to spend using a Citi cash rewards card. Wouldn't that be better?

I just don't get it

Right, that's why we only use the RC card for RC purchases.

[Seville2Cabo]

We use capital one.  2 points per dollar spent on everything and you don’t have to worry about losing points if you cancel a cruise or don’t spend your OBC.  You also don’t need to have  multiple of 5K points to cash in for OBC.  Just so much easier to use and twice the benefit.

We have had the RC Visa for at least 15 years and have used it for cruises and OBC.  Have not really used it the last 10 years as other cards are so much better

[island lady]

1 hour ago, cruisinfanatic said:

Aside from a Royal Caribbean charge, you'd have twice as much money to spend using a Citi cash rewards card. Wouldn't that be better?

I just don't get it

 

The RCI Visa card is not my main CC.  It is only a an emergency alternative card (had number stolen on main CC four times over the last 20 years...all at just the worst time).  Since no annual fee on RCI Visa...that one works for that purpose.  And like Bob, I only use it for RCI purchases unless I needed it for that back up.  

 

A little OBC to use adds a sweet touch.  

 

 

Edited December 24, 2019 by island lady

[RBKL]

We received an offer for the RCI card with an incentive for 15,000 points which is a $150 OBC or credit towards the

cruise. Before that we had only seen the 10,000 points offers so we took the bait.

 

It's really only a good deal for RCI purchases. Other cards are better to use after the initial perk IMHO.

The major pro is the incentive to get the card.

 

The cons include:

- it can only be used in round amounts for OBC or credits to pay for the card. At some point you're likely to lose some points.

- Unlike other card incentives it can only be used for RCI OBC, discounts and some online purchases. Some cards let you buy merchandise and gift cards

- You don't see the OBC until closer to sailing unless you ask for it. Credits toward the cost of your cruise seem to show up sooner but we've still had to call.

- The OBC and credit toward the cruise is at risk if your sailing is cancelled or you change sailing. There has been much posted about this on other threads/boards. Seems grossly unfair. So it is best to wait until closer to your sailing to redeem them.

- Many cards offer better perks with cash back that can be applied better.

 

We save it for an emergency and back up card in case something happens. No annual fee and no foreign exchange fees. Good to use if you're uncertain about fraud and don't want to risk your primary card.