NCL Mastercard FAQ

[kismetique]

Just now, smillerholmes said:

I'm not sure if this was made clear or not, but you are not taking a cash advance on your card.  You are "charging" to your room which is in turn billed to your NCL card.  They charge you 3% for the convenience, but it goes on your folio as a charge and then you pay your total folio with your NCL card to earn the 3X points.

Gosh - I'm feel like a newbie.  I had no idea this was even possible.  So, does the ship then give you cash back at the end of the cruise after your folio is paid?

 

For a non-gambler, can you explain the process? Sorry to be so dumb.

[smillerholmes]

2 minutes ago, kismetique said:

Gosh - I'm feel like a newbie.  I had no idea this was even possible.  So, does the ship then give you cash back at the end of the cruise after your folio is paid?

 

For a non-gambler, can you explain the process? Sorry to be so dumb.

The only money I ever leave with is if I have received a hand pay, but in theory/practice you could "charge" your room and move the $$$ to the machine (I pay slots) then simply cash out and take your ticket to the cashier.  I only move what I intend to actually play on the machine, but it is possible to get some "cash back" if that's what you want to do.  This process is separate from paying your folio.

[julig22]

7 minutes ago, kismetique said:

Gosh - I'm feel like a newbie.  I had no idea this was even possible.  So, does the ship then give you cash back at the end of the cruise after your folio is paid?

 

For a non-gambler, can you explain the process? Sorry to be so dumb.

The cash-advance goes onto your casino account, so you would need to cash that out, in the casino, before you leave (or whenever you want it).

To get cash, you'd go to one of the slots in the casino, access your account and make a charge to your account. Once you've done that, you would transfer the cash to the machine - play or not, your choice. Then cash out, take the receipt to the cashier. If you have problems, one of the casino staff can walk you through it.

 

[kismetique]

11 minutes ago, julig22 said:

The cash-advance goes onto your casino account, so you would need to cash that out, in the casino, before you leave (or whenever you want it).

To get cash, you'd go to one of the slots in the casino, access your account and make a charge to your account. Once you've done that, you would transfer the cash to the machine - play or not, your choice. Then cash out, take the receipt to the cashier. If you have problems, one of the casino staff can walk you through it.

 

Thank you both for the information!  Wow. 

My mom was a casino nut, I'm angry that she never shared this idea with me!  🙂

[kismetique]

I also learned a lesson last night in redeeming points.  I called and got ahold of someone that did not know what they were doing.  I know, I know, I know...I should have just said nvm and hung up and called back.  But she was so very nice and seemed to be trying so hard.  This was my only second time to redeem points so I stuck it out with her.  BIG MISTAKE. 

 

She took my points asked me which cabin I wanted and promptly rebooked me into an O4, as I was already in!  No upgrade.  When I pulled up the confirmation I realized that line in the invoice for the amount "saved" was missing.  The confirmation showed 04 - BA, with the cabin we discussed, and I didn't realize until I called NCL, but the cabin number online was 10014, which is an Oceanview, not a balcony.  

 

In the meantime, I had decided I wanted to change the cabin we had discussed and so I called NCL and told them the price had dropped, and I wanted to change my cabin.  We went round and round and she kept putting me on hold and coming back after 10 solid minutes and acting like she was a new CSR, only her accent gave her away.  I let her get away with it the first time, then the second, third and fourth times, I laughed at her and said - how many times do you plan to pretend to be someone new?  Dead silence.  She ended up taking away all mentions of an upgrade and sticking me in a guarantee balcony, charging me full price!

 

I called Points Rewards back this morning and they got it all straightened out with the price drop as well.  But the invoice STILL doesn't show the "saved" line. Everything else is correct and the cabin is showing correct online, so I'm guessing it all worked out. 

 

Let this be a lesson to the first timers - don't be afraid to hang up and call back, just because they are being nice, it will likely get screwed up!  🙂

[julig22]

8 minutes ago, kismetique said:

I called Points Rewards back this morning and they got it all straightened out with the price drop as well.  But the invoice STILL doesn't show the "saved" line. Everything else is correct and the cabin is showing correct online, so I'm guessing it all worked out. 

I've never figured out the "saved" line - it's not always on my invoices. Some sort of accounting thing. I wouldn't worry about it if everything else is good.

[Kath29]

Hi guys, quick question on using WorldPoints to upgrade. Does the cruise have to be paid off before calling to upgrade the cabin? Or conversely, is it too late to upgrade the cabin once I pay off the cruise? 

[julig22]

10 minutes ago, Kath29 said:

Hi guys, quick question on using WorldPoints to upgrade. Does the cruise have to be paid off before calling to upgrade the cabin? Or conversely, is it too late to upgrade the cabin once I pay off the cruise? 

No and No. There just has to be an eligible cabin available, so sooner rather than later might be a good idea.

[kismetique]

2 hours ago, julig22 said:

No and No. There just has to be an eligible cabin available, so sooner rather than later might be a good idea.

And from experience,  don't take their first word for it, if they say there are no cabins available. If you can do a mock reservation for the cabin or cabin level you want and show availability,  tell them you can see cabins available!  They might want to charge you a little more for the correct upgrade levels.  On one of mine,  I paid $40 and on the second,  I paid $60.

[julig22]

1 hour ago, kismetique said:

And from experience,  don't take their first word for it, if they say there are no cabins available. If you can do a mock reservation for the cabin or cabin level you want and show availability,  tell them you can see cabins available!  They might want to charge you a little more for the correct upgrade levels.  On one of mine,  I paid $40 and on the second,  I paid $60.

I actually saved over $400 the last time because what I wanted happened to be a solo balcony and I had booked a regular OV (previously a request to upgrade from a solo OV had been rejected). So she rebooked the solo OV at the lower rate, I got the exact cabin I wanted.

 

I have been told in the past that just because a cabin is available to book does not mean that it is included in the inventory available for WWP - but that a little nudge might get the results you want.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

20 hours ago, Kath29 said:

Hi guys, quick question on using WorldPoints to upgrade. Does the cruise have to be paid off before calling to upgrade the cabin? Or conversely, is it too late to upgrade the cabin once I pay off the cruise? 

No, you can do it the same day you book,if you want.
And you can upgrade at any time, although there may be a limit on how close to sailing you can upgrade, but I think I have read on this thread that someone booked and upgraded six days prior to sailing.  I’m,ways book crazy early and upgrade early for the best selection of cabins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

17 hours ago, kismetique said:

And from experience,  don't take their first word for it, if they say there are no cabins available. 

Amen, amen, amen!   If an agent plays this game with you, hang up and call back!  
 

the only time I had to pay extra was on the Dawn because they only have BA and BX.  I had booked a mid level balcony and needed to have booked one of the two top IAs to get a BA.

 

WP is like many companies who provide call centers, their agents are not always well trained or knowledgeable.  If it seems fishy, ask for a supervisor or just call back.

[marrashadow]

So the thing is if you were to take out a large some of cash at sea prior to returning through customs it can flag you. You are permitted $10,000 cash for travel without declaring it. Which anything higher requires documentation to be filled out.

My guess would be you'd later get an undeclared income letter from IRS on that one. No way they don't share information. Now technically since its a cash out you could then prove the charge to the IRS but it looks fishy and you'll probably get audit flagged. That's what the algorithms look for, odd things.  

Just want to add this type of cashing in gambling credits charged through cards is also used by those laundering money so it could be flagged for that as well. Now for a few hundred here and there probably not but when you start talking about high amounts like in example, buyer beware and if its flagged World Points will cancel your card.

 

 

Edited April 17 by marrashadow

[marrashadow]

https://www.flagright.com/post/the-role-of-credit-cards-in-money-laundering

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Interesting article.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I have not read all 246 pages here but wanted to tell you about a recent experience with B of A NCL Mastercard.

On the third of April I decided to apply on like for the card, in all the years the card has been out I figured I already had the Capital One VentureX and two America Airlines one is the Executive card that gets me into the Lounges and the other gets be 2X points at restaurants. I did not feel I needed any other cards but we planned to purchase at least 6 Cruise Next and book two new NCL cruises as well as I have a Bliss cruise in November to pay off so figured I may be work having for the extra points. I was approved instantly for a large limit matching my AA Executive card and CapOne. It appeared I should get the card in time to change the card I already registered which was Cap One. We were sailing on the Joy April 14th but flying to NYC on the 13th early in the morning. On Friday before when it had been 9 days and no card I called B of A  to see if they could give me the full card number and exp. after numerous security questions which I expected (we were already bank customers with our auto loan with them) they gave me all the info and said NCL should be able to change it. Well unfortunately that was wrong, we were staying in the Haven and the Concierge attempted to try to change the number and could not, he even called the Finance office and they claimed they could only change with having the card.

My next thought was to go to the CruiseNext Desk, we all know how they want to Sell Sell Sell those 😁This was embarkation night so the desk was not yet busy. I spoke with Rob and explained what we wanted to do, he made a phone call and basically got the same answer as the Concierge gave. He then said all is not lost if that card I applied for was under my name, how about my husband applies for the card on board.....yes if you apply for the card on board they get authorization to place all your charges from the cruise on this new card. We both agreed that is crazy because there is no card but they allow them to do that. So on his ipad we applied for my husband and he was approved instantly not quite as high a limit but it will easy pay for a Haven Suite lol This too will get the 20k bonus points and since we would be charging more than $1000 with the Cruise Next he would meet the $1000 requirement for the bonus points. So all ended well with getting more points over all than planned.

BTW, my card arrived on Monday after we left and we arrived home from the Joy last Sunday and husband's card arrived on Monday. All our on board charges were on his new card which I paid off right away and used my card to pay $1500 against our November cruise and that is now paid off. I know the best value is for upgrades but we will either book Club Suites or Haven. I will use the points to pay off NCL charges that come through. With 3 cruises to pay for that will add up.

Also if you are interested in booking on board, they book you in the lowest category meta you are wanting for us we are paying the price of an MC and moved to MA for our January TA cruise plus they gave us extra ship board credit for that cruise.

So moral of this long story is if you are thinking applying for the card and you are within 2 weeks wait till you get on board and if you want extra points have your spouse apply 😉

[Kp125]

Has anyone ever filed against the included trip insurance? Just wondering if I need as much trip insurance 

[MagnoliaBlossom]

On 4/29/2024 at 5:34 PM, Kp125 said:

Has anyone ever filed against the included trip insurance? Just wondering if I need as much trip insurance 

There is a cruise/travel insurance thread, that may provide you with more information.

[Vagabond Knight]

Sorry if this was already discussed (I'm sure it must have been), but I'm not going to read all 246 pages of posts.  Does anyone know if there is a way to stop the DAILY email asking me to get the NCL credit card?  I don't want to stop cruise offers and info, but I don't want the credit card and they are emailing me DAILY about it.  This is ridiculous!  I've looked at the email preferences and don't see any way to single that out.

[mscdivina2016]

On 5/11/2024 at 11:22 AM, Vagabond Knight said:

Sorry if this was already discussed (I'm sure it must have been), but I'm not going to read all 246 pages of posts.  Does anyone know if there is a way to stop the DAILY email asking me to get the NCL credit card?  I don't want to stop cruise offers and info, but I don't want the credit card and they are emailing me DAILY about it.  This is ridiculous!  I've looked at the email preferences and don't see any way to single that out.

Mark it as spam or junk

[FFTB]

On 3/20/2024 at 3:17 PM, laudergayle said:

Hmmm. Interesting.  I don’t know I would want to have that much cash on hand when traveling…but certainly a creative way to earn credits.  Are you going to try it anytime soon?  Report back if you do!

 

Not that there was much doubt, but recently got back from a b2b where this worked very well.

 

Of Note:

- You can't go directly to the cashier to charge to your room for cash, you have to either sit down at a table (can charge up to $5k at one time) and get chips that then get exchanged by the cashier, or sit down at a slot machine (charging up to $1k at a time) and immediately "Cash Out" and take your ticket to the pay-out machine/ATM.  The first leg of the b2b I did the table route, and the second leg I did a slot machine 5x (which I preferred as it required no human interaction).

- I'm told it can vary from ship to ship (oddly) but because it was charged to my On-Board Account as "Entertainment", my $200 Non-Refundable OBC for each leg more than covered the convenience fee ($150/leg). So $10k + $300 fee came out to $9900.

- Everything was consolidated with all other charges/daily service fees in my end of cruise statement and charged to the card at 3x points (and already paid off, as I pre-located ATMs connected to my bank at one of the ports of call).

 

So for a little leg work, I exchanged $400 Non-Refundable OBC for $100 cash and 1x Meta upgrade (value TBD).

 

 

[laudergayle]

4 hours ago, FFTB said:

 

Not that there was much doubt, but recently got back from a b2b where this worked very well.

 

Of Note:

- You can't go directly to the cashier to charge to your room for cash, you have to either sit down at a table (can charge up to $5k at one time) and get chips that then get exchanged by the cashier, or sit down at a slot machine (charging up to $1k at a time) and immediately "Cash Out" and take your ticket to the pay-out machine/ATM.  The first leg of the b2b I did the table route, and the second leg I did a slot machine 5x (which I preferred as it required no human interaction).

- I'm told it can vary from ship to ship (oddly) but because it was charged to my On-Board Account as "Entertainment", my $200 Non-Refundable OBC for each leg more than covered the convenience fee ($150/leg). So $10k + $300 fee came out to $9900.

- Everything was consolidated with all other charges/daily service fees in my end of cruise statement and charged to the card at 3x points (and already paid off, as I pre-located ATMs connected to my bank at one of the ports of call).

 

So for a little leg work, I exchanged $400 Non-Refundable OBC for $100 cash and 1x Meta upgrade (value TBD).

 

 

Thanks for your report back.  I’m sure your info will help a few of us trying to earn more credit.  The Entertainment charge reducing your NR OBC is unusual, and that may vary by ship, too.  Hope you enjoyed your B2B and whatever cruise you use your meta uograde for!