Can OBC be used for gratuities?

[Florida_gal_50]

Just now, PaperSniper4 said:

Probably from remembering from another cruise line's forum here at CC. I have three cruises booked now on three different cruise lines, and I gotta tell ya, I'm nearly always getting them mixed up!😳

 

 Doug

Not you really but when it’s posted about using shorex “obc” it’s obvious you can’t  use that.  It doesn’t even show up on your statement so that would be interesting to use.

[3rdGenCunarder]

25 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Not you really but when it’s posted about using shorex “obc” it’s obvious you can’t  use that.  It doesn’t even show up on your statement so that would be interesting to use.

 

Part of the confusion is because posters sometimes refer to the HIA shorex and dining credits as OBC. They are not the same as OBC.

 

For those who don't understand the difference, If you book HIA, those credits appear on the "home page" for your cruise booking as PROMOTIONAL CREDITS and under that there are links to dining and excursions. These credits are not "fungible," (I love that word!), meaning they cannot be used for anything other than the designated purpose. In the case of my next HAL cruise, I see "2 dining credits" and "$200 available" for shorex. 

 

HIA Promo credits can be used before you cruise. As others have said, it's a good idea to do that so you get the tours/dining times you want. The value of the HIA Promo credits is not refundable, so you may as well use it while you can.

 

Anything called ONBOARD CREDIT is literally that. Credit to be used on board. Except for casino exclusions in some cases, you can pretty much use it as you see fit. 

[PaperSniper4]

12 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Part of the confusion is because posters sometimes refer to the HIA shorex and dining credits as OBC. They are not the same as OBC.

...............

Anything called ONBOARD CREDIT is literally that. Credit to be used on board. Except for casino exclusions in some cases, you can pretty much use it as you see fit. 

Good explanation. It can be confusing indeed.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, PaperSniper4 said:

Norwegian cruise line is like that; your OBC cannot be used for gratuities. Even if it's a refundable OBC such as from your TA. Nuts, I know.

 

I explained why it isn't exactly 'nuts' in another post, but I think it may shed some light for those on the HAL board who are accustom to using OBC for anything (including gratuity) so I'll repeat here.

 

When the Cruise line offers you $100 OBC and you elect to spend that on a coke, that actually costs the cruise line pennies on the dollar. Same is true when you elect to spend your OBC on things like shore excursions, specialty dining, or alcoholic drinks. The cost to the cruise line is far less than $100.

 

However; when you apply your $100 OBC toward gratuities, in theory, the cost to the cruise line is the full $100 because we are assuming they are giving the full $100 to the crew. Allowing OBC to be used toward gratuities cost the cruise lines more $$$.

 

Same can be said for the many different types of OBC that are offered. Granted refundable and non-refundable OBC from the cruise line and TA are the most common, but you also have loyalty OBC, referral OBC, Casino OBC, interline OBC, gifted OBC, purchased OBC, Special promo OBC, Casino OBC.. etc.. OBC comes in many forms and the rules about how you can use each type have already changed on most mainstream lines. 

 

The fact that HAL is being so liberal with this policy is lovely, but ultimately it is costing them money which they do not have. Given the current state of economics, I don't see the liberal policy of allowing Any and All types of OBC to be used for Any and All on board spending to stand the test of time and would caution to always test the theory once onboard. Polices can, and do, (and imo likely will) change overnight. 

 

 

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

Anything called ONBOARD CREDIT is literally that. Credit to be used on board. Except for casino exclusions in some cases, you can pretty much use it as you see fit. 

 

Which is true for HAL at this time, but I have word that the policy is changing. Not sure that my intel is better than anyone else, but I was told that HAL is working to set up their system so that you can spend onboard BEFORE you board the cruise.

 

Every other mainstream line allows this and the they have reported that it has been lucrative because people tend to spend more overall. 

 

My best guess that ONBOARD CREDIT will no longer be reserved for spending on board. Rather you will be able to spend it on online purchases.

 

So, at this time, onboard credit is literally that, but it's changing. Of course, with technology so far behind the curve on HAL it might take years to implement. Or it might be tomorrow. 

Edited June 4, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[PaperSniper4]

On 6/4/2023 at 9:16 AM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I explained why it isn't exactly 'nuts' in another post, but I think it may shed some light for those on the HAL board who are accustom to using OBC for anything (including gratuity) so I'll repeat here.

 

When the Cruise line offers you $100 OBC and you elect to spend that on a coke, that actually costs the cruise line pennies on the dollar. Same is true when you elect to spend your OBC on things like shore excursions, specialty dining, or alcoholic drinks. The cost to the cruise line is far less than $100.

 

However; when you apply your $100 OBC toward gratuities, in theory, the cost to the cruise line is the full $100 because we are assuming they are giving the full $100 to the crew. Allowing OBC to be used toward gratuities cost the cruise lines more $$$.

 

Same can be said for the many different types of OBC that are offered. Granted refundable and non-refundable OBC from the cruise line and TA are the most common, but you also have loyalty OBC, referral OBC, Casino OBC, interline OBC, gifted OBC, purchased OBC, Special promo OBC, Casino OBC.. etc.. OBC comes in many forms and the rules about how you can use each type have already changed on most mainstream lines. 

 

The fact that HAL is being so liberal with this policy is lovely, but ultimately it is costing them money which they do not have. Given the current state of economics, I don't see the liberal policy of allowing Any and All types of OBC to be used for Any and All on board spending to stand the test of time and would caution to always test the theory once onboard. Polices can, and do, (and imo likely will) change overnight. 

 

 

 

 

I was referring to the OBC given to me by my TA. Those are always refundable. However, it still could not be used by NCL for gratuities.....could be for anything else on the ship, just not the gratuities. So on the last day of the cruise I have to charge the grats to my credit card, and also direct them to refund any remaining TA's OBC to my credit card. So, I think that's nuts!😎 It would be a lot less work just to use that OBC for the gratuities IMO.

 

But your explanation will clarify all this for others.

 

 Doug

[3rdGenCunarder]

15 minutes ago, PaperSniper4 said:

I was referring to the OBC given to me by my TA. Those are always refundable. However, it still could not be used by NCL for gratuities.....could be for anything else on the ship, just not the gratuities. So on the last day of the cruise I have to charge the grats to my credit card, and also direct them to refund any remaining TA's OBC to my credit card. So, I think that's nuts!😎 It would be a lot less work just to use that OBC for the gratuities IMO.

 

But your explanation will clarify all this for others.

 

 Doug

 

I'm not sure I'd call it nuts. Obnoxious, cheap, chintzy, penny-pinching.  If they can refund the credit to you, they can give it to the crew, if that's your preference. 

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, PaperSniper4 said:

I was referring to the OBC given to me by my TA. Those are always refundable.

 

Some of the OBC I get from my TA is not refundable (referral OBC comes to mind off the top of my head).

 

Glad it all worked out for you.

[ontheweb]

1 hour ago, PaperSniper4 said:

I was referring to the OBC given to me by my TA. Those are always refundable. However, it still could not be used by NCL for gratuities.....could be for anything else on the ship, just not the gratuities. So on the last day of the cruise I have to charge the grats to my credit card, and also direct them to refund any remaining TA's OBC to my credit card. So, I think that's nuts!😎 It would be a lot less work just to use that OBC for the gratuities IMO.

 

But your explanation will clarify all this for others.

 

 Doug

I asked our TA recently whether the OBC we had from him was refundable or not. I was surprised that it was not.

[topspot]

I have a related OBC question.  How does HAL apply the OBC? example I'll have 150.00 more OBC than DH due to Shareholders.  When our account is settled, if he buys say a massage,  and I still had that 150.00  left, would they use that OBC before they would charge our credit card or is that 150.00 only for me to use.  I understand the OBC given specifically for excursions can only be used for and excursion and only for the person it was originally given to, but I'm really only asking about the shareholders credit.

[Cruise Suzy]

 

30 minutes ago, topspot said:

How does HAL apply the OBC? example I'll have 150.00 more OBC than DH due to Shareholders.  When our account is settled, if he buys say a massage,  and I still had that 150.00  left, would they use that OBC before they would charge our credit card or is that 150.00 only for me to use. 

 

As long as you both use the same credit card, the OBC is combined into one account per stateroom/booking. All charges are deducted from that combined amount. The account appears under Guest 1's name.

[topspot]

Thank You!  That's the info I needed.    

[PaperSniper4]

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I asked our TA recently whether the OBC we had from him was refundable or not. I was surprised that it was not.

Right, we have to ask every time our TAs gives an OBC. It's often hidden what part of that, if any, is NOT refundable. I've been surprised a time or two myself.

 

 Doug

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

 

As long as you both use the same credit card, the OBC is combined into one account per stateroom/booking. All charges are deducted from that combined amount. The account appears under Guest 1's name.

You can also request at Guest Services for them to merge the accounts. Wasn't that long ago they were automatically merged and we had to request them be split...

[BermudaBound2014]

6 hours ago, PaperSniper4 said:

I was referring to the OBC given to me by my TA. Those are always refundable. 

 

 

2 hours ago, PaperSniper4 said:

Right, we have to ask every time our TAs gives an OBC. It's often hidden what part of that, if any, is NOT refundable. I've been surprised a time or two myself.

 

 Doug

 

You said your TA OBC was always refundable. The second post seems to contradict that. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but there is much confusion over OBC across cruise critic. Can you please clarify?

[PaperSniper4]

11 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 

 

You said your TA OBC was always refundable. The second post seems to contradict that. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but there is much confusion over OBC across cruise critic. Can you please clarify?

Sorry, I meant that the portion of our OBC on the TA's invoice, that specifically is given by our TA, is always refundable. It's not always obvious that the invoice OBC offering is refundable; I have learned to ask. In years past, the TA's OBC was always refundable, but lately he must get some nonrefundable OBC inducement from the cruise line (I assume), and that is included in "his" OBC. When I book a cruise now, I always ask what part, if any, of that OBC is from his and therefor refundable. Sometimes it's zero BTW!

 

Honestly, between interpreting cruise insurance and use of OBC, we're all having to become attorneys and accountants! It's not easy when every cruise line / TA seems to do things just a little differently.

 

Makes more sense now?

 

 Doug

[exm]

On 6/1/2023 at 12:53 PM, Cruise Suzy said:

My non-refundable OBC has always come from HAL (shareholder, early booking, book onboard). Crew Appreciation (Gratuities) has always been applied to it until there is none left, then CA has been applied to the refundable OBC.

 

Question: I have always sailed Royal, and you could simply use your OBC by going to the casino, load $xxx into a slot machine, play a few rounds, cash out and walk away with cash.

 

This is my first time HAL. I'm getting $100obc loaded thanks to CCL shareholder ownership. We already have the have-it-all package and promotional pre-paid gratuities. All excursions and specialty dining are booked. In other words, I don't expect any on-board charges unless I want/have to.

 

Can I use the same casino process in HAL that I described above with Royal?

[3rdGenCunarder]

30 minutes ago, exm said:

 

Question: I have always sailed Royal, and you could simply use your OBC by going to the casino, load $xxx into a slot machine, play a few rounds, cash out and walk away with cash.

 

This is my first time HAL. I'm getting $100obc loaded thanks to CCL shareholder ownership. We already have the have-it-all package and promotional pre-paid gratuities. All excursions and specialty dining are booked. In other words, I don't expect any on-board charges unless I want/have to.

 

Can I use the same casino process in HAL that I described above with Royal?

 

No. People used to do that, so HAL closed the loophole.

[exm]

4 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

No. People used to do that, so HAL closed the loophole.

Thanks. So you can’t use non-refundable OBC in the casino at all?

[Jenhilmc]

We just did this. Our onboard credits showed up on our statement when we boardrd. They were shown as blue font negative numbers. The gratuities posted as black font positive numbers each day, gradually drawing down against those onboard credits. The same was not true for casino use. 

[Haljo1935]

12 minutes ago, Jenhilmc said:

We just did this. Our onboard credits showed up on our statement when we boardrd. They were shown as blue font negative numbers. The gratuities posted as black font positive numbers each day, gradually drawing down against those onboard credits. The same was not true for casino use. 

@Jenhilmc and if you looked at the very bottom of the statement, you would see a "non-refundable" line in front of any $$ amount where the OBC is "use it or lose it." If that line is not there, none if your OBC is restricted 

[Sea42]

Just to add to the confusion😁

On our recent cruise, we had $190 OBC leftover at the end of the cruise $89 of that was non-refundable. I asked at Guest Services if I could cash out my account to use it for a tip for our cabin steward and she gave me the entire $190 in cash. I'm pretty sure that was not suppose to happen.

[Haljo1935]

8 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

Just to add to the confusion😁

On our recent cruise, we had $190 OBC leftover at the end of the cruise $89 of that was non-refundable. I asked at Guest Services if I could cash out my account to use it for a tip for our cabin steward and she gave me the entire $190 in cash. I'm pretty sure that was not suppose to happen.

Uh, no👎 but congrats!!

[badtwin]

After reading this topic, I wanted to pull it forward and see what current practice was, particularly on the Rotterdam.  We have OBC from HAL from when we booked on board, CCL shareholder OBC, and firefighter OBC.  The terms and conditions of the latter two specify it is NOT available for gratuities.  Everything I have read today says regardless of stated terms,  once onboard, HAL will deduct daily crew appreciation from nonrefundable OBC. Is this still true or has anyone has a different experience?

[Haljo1935]

9 minutes ago, badtwin said:

After reading this topic, I wanted to pull it forward and see what current practice was, particularly on the Rotterdam.  We have OBC from HAL from when we booked on board, CCL shareholder OBC, and firefighter OBC.  The terms and conditions of the latter two specify it is NOT available for gratuities.  Everything I have read today says regardless of stated terms,  once onboard, HAL will deduct daily crew appreciation from nonrefundable OBC. Is this still true or has anyone has a different experience?

That is still true - OBC can be used for daily gratuities even though the TOS state they cannot.