Unused OBC

[RoddyGateau]

On an upcoming Zuiderdam cruise (first one on HA) I have a lot of OBC provided by my TA. I’m unlikely to spend it all. Will HA credit the residual amount to my credit card, refund it in cash or keep it? What’s the usual practice?

[richwmn]

13 minutes ago, RoddyGateau said:

On an upcoming Zuiderdam cruise (first one on HA) I have a lot of OBC provided by my TA. I’m unlikely to spend it all. Will HA credit the residual amount to my credit card, refund it in cash or keep it? What’s the usual practice?

When you get on board look at your account (on the tv, the app, or your computer). You will see entries for all your OBC. At the bottom will be two totals, one refundable and one for non refundable. As you spend the non refundable will be used first.

At the end of the cruise, anything in the non refundable will go away, any refundable OBC can be received in cash or credited to the card you have on file.

Non refundable is provided by HAL, refundable is purchased by the TA. You can get non refundable from your TA as part of a pass thru promotion.

Edited May 7, 2023 by richwmn

[RMLincoln]

Complicated. Depends on the sources of the credits such as if they are from a HAL offer or from a TA. Some is refundable some is non-refundable. HAL will debut onboard charges against the non-refundable first. 
 

One suggestion I’ve read but not used because I’ve never had any leftover on HAL, is if you have some non-refundable credit left, you can have it assigned to additional Gratuity/Hotel Service Charge. It will help the crew!  
 

Enjoy it all!  Maureen 

[REOVA]

If you are thinking about HAL excursions, book them as soon as they are available before getting onboard. You then can "rebook" them (WITH the excursion desks help) using the OBC and the credit card refund goes back to your account so you can cash it out at the end of the cruise. It allows you to book/have an excursion before it sells out (which many do) but helps use non refundable OBC when you board. Then you don't have to worry about use it or lose it OBC. It also keeps your credit card awards/points/cash back in tact and gives you cash available at the end (if you dont use it all). Also crew gratuities are nice but ask guest services if it can be applied, you may get a different answer than others experienced. 

[Ipeeinthepools]

3 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Complicated. Depends on the sources of the credits such as if they are from a HAL offer or from a TA. Some is refundable some is non-refundable. HAL will debut onboard charges against the non-refundable first. 
 

One suggestion I’ve read but not used because I’ve never had any leftover on HAL, is if you have some non-refundable credit left, you can have it assigned to additional Gratuity/Hotel Service Charge. It will help the crew!  
 

Enjoy it all!  Maureen 

 

I think this is the best approach.  Why try to spend it on things you don't really want?  The crew will apreciate it.

[CGinMTL]

5 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Complicated. Depends on the sources of the credits such as if they are from a HAL offer or from a TA. Some is refundable some is non-refundable. HAL will debut onboard charges against the non-refundable first. 
 

One suggestion I’ve read but not used because I’ve never had any leftover on HAL, is if you have some non-refundable credit left, you can have it assigned to additional Gratuity/Hotel Service Charge. It will help the crew!  
 

Enjoy it all!  Maureen 

I have done this. Go to front desk and they will gladly transfer any non refundable obc to crew. 

I make it a point to make time for this even if it is a few dollars.

[Banditswife]

We had more OBC than I thought we could use, so we ordered flowers, ate in specialty restaurants, bought shore ex.  I don't seem to have a problem spending $, lol. Plus it can be used for gratuities.

Edited May 7, 2023 by Banditswife

[dobiemom]

9 hours ago, RoddyGateau said:

On an upcoming Zuiderdam cruise (first one on HA) I have a lot of OBC provided by my TA. I’m unlikely to spend it all. Will HA credit the residual amount to my credit card, refund it in cash or keep it? What’s the usual practice?

 

9 hours ago, richwmn said:

At the end of the cruise, anything in the non refundable will go away, any refundable OBC can be received in cash or credited to the card you have on file.

 

Just to verify: Refundable OBC provided by a TA can be credited to the passenger’s credit card on file?

[CGinMTL]

7 minutes ago, dobiemom said:

 

Just to verify: Refundable OBC provided by a TA can be credited to the passenger’s credit card on file?

Yes. Refundable will return to credit card on file 

[dobiemom]

9 hours ago, richwmn said:

At the end of the cruise, anything in the non refundable will go away, any refundable OBC can be received in cash or credited to the card you have on file.

 

1 minute ago, CGinMTL said:

Yes. Refundable will return to credit card on file 

You learn something new every day. 🙂 I usually go to the casino and play that game. 😉

[richwmn]

5 hours ago, dobiemom said:

 

Just to verify: Refundable OBC provided by a TA can be credited to the passenger’s credit card on file?

I usually get it in cash, but yes it can be returned to a credit / debit card

[kazu]

8 hours ago, dobiemom said:

 

Just to verify: Refundable OBC provided by a TA can be credited to the passenger’s credit card on file?

 

Yes. Absolutely 🙂 

 

edited to say - sorry, reading from bottom up and already answered for you.

[3rdGenCunarder]

21 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Complicated. Depends on the sources of the credits such as if they are from a HAL offer or from a TA. Some is refundable some is non-refundable. HAL will debut onboard charges against the non-refundable first. 
 

One suggestion I’ve read but not used because I’ve never had any leftover on HAL, is if you have some non-refundable credit left, you can have it assigned to additional Gratuity/Hotel Service Charge. It will help the crew!  
 

Enjoy it all!  Maureen 

 

I've seen posts where people were told it was too late to add gratuities because accounts had been sent to shoreside already. So don't wait until the last minute.

 

"On Deck for a Cause" is usually late in a cruise. There's a minimum ($25 IIRC) to get the shirt and the wristband to walk (or just get the shirt and not walk). The donation is a minimum, not a maximum, so that's another way to use extra OBC.

[RoddyGateau]

Thanks for all the answers!