Tips on getting you Compass Points up to $500 on NCL card

[Tom O.]

Like so many others, I am struggling to get my NCL Compass Reward Points up to the next $500 level by the end of December. I have a few tips I will share on how I am going to do it.

 

1. First the obvious one. Use my NCL card for everything, including small purchases that I usually pay with cash.

 

2. Make a large deposit on my next NCL cruise. I have a cruise coming in May, final payment is not due till March. But I will soon make a much larger payment on it so that I can earn points. I will pay the whole amount less the amount of points that I expect to have. Since this purchase is with NCL it will earn some bonus points in addition to the regular 3%.

 

3. I have purchased some gasoline pre-paid cards using my NCL card. I chose Shell because that is convenient for me. They have a program where I can purchase cards with a $100 amount of gas on them and you can use them at the pump just like credit cards. These days $100 for gas isn't that much, but once you have the cards you can go online and add value to them. You can get fill them to hold a maximum of $300 each. You can buy up to 10 of these card at one time. That means you can pre-pay an absolute maximum of $3000 worth of gas. These cards don't go down in value with time, but there is a shipping and handling charge for ordering them. In the case of Shell, the shipping is $10.95 regardless of the number of cards you order. If you go this route, make sure you choose the refillable cards, not the gift cards. I believe most oil companies have similar, if not identical programs.

If you buy some gas cards, make sure you don't start using them until January, until then continue using your NCL card to buy gas.

 

4. You can also purcase gift cards for any stores that you regulary shop. This way you can effectively pre-pay for items now that you won't actually buy until after January. But gift cards have a faily low maximum amount, so you won't get a lot of points this way.

 

Precaution: Just make sure you don't go crazy trying to get points and charge more than you are able to pay off soon.

[Lyman713]

Tom -

 

I definitely agree with your last comment -- while it's great to get to the $500 point mark, if you have to pay it off over a few months (or longer), how much value is it really?

 

On the other hand, we are doing the same...

 

We ordered gas gift cards, a bunch of $100 ones - no shipping and no charge for ordering (10 cards, $1000 total, delivered). We also ordered grocery store cards (same deal) and costco cards (again, same deal - no shipping charges).

 

Beware, however, as some cards will start charging you service charges 6 or 12 months after purchase.

 

There are also web sites where you can purchase visa gift cards - for example - $2500 gift card for $7.95. This may be an option if we get close...

 

While no one knows the exact terms of the new program yet, I'm still trying to be optimistic that the rewards might be more than the standard worldpoints, when used for NCL cruises (for example - 50,000 points for $500 voucher for general travel, but 40,000 for $500 voucher for NCL). I can dream, can't I?

[smeyer418]

you can also pre pay some expenses that take charge cards like your cable blll or other reoccuring charges......and don't have to worry about losing a cash card...

[mbisson]

If you're desperate, share your card. I betcha I can get you up to the next $500 certificate ;) (we're almost there now-I'm gonna miss that card :()

[SOOKIENY]

OK, Maybe I missed something. Can someone clarify this for me? Do you get the points when you charge the items or when you pay them off?

[kdg51]

The points are listed on your bill when you get the bill, not when you pay it off. Usually on the second page of charges, centered under the last transaction.

 

Never thought about gas cards...:D Hubby usually fills up 3 times a week or more. There was a time when I prepaid for gas on Priceline (nice while it lasted). Where did you say you got those gas cards? :D

[SOOKIENY]

I know the points are listed on the bill. What I need to know is do you get the points as soon as you charge something or only after you pay for what was charged?

[Zimomiller]

The points are available as soon as the statement for that month that they are earned on is closed and available

[Writeratsea]

You get the points at the end of the billing cycle. The reason for this is that the points are for net purchases for the month. If you have any returns or credits, they come off the amount of purchases and you get less points.

There is no real rush to get to 500 points. Normally you can only redeem the compass rewards points in increments of $500. Since the program is ending and a new one beginning in January, whatever balance of points you have by the end of December of this year will be the amount of the cercificates, which will probably be in odd amounts, as for myself $428. This was confirmed by a phone call to Bank of America, just to make sure that the way I read the letter was correct.

If you think about it, this is a very fair way to end the program as you don't lose any points. Whether or not the new program will work as well is not apparent as yet. The rep told me details are still being worked out for the new program.

The NCL compass rewards was originally created by MBNA among their many other reward programs. The customers are very steady, loyal repeat customers who are highlly valued when Bank of America bought MBNA.

I think the reason for the change is that B of A wants to expand the rewards program closer to their world points system, to expand the number of products you can redeem and make the program more desirable.

We shall see.

[SOOKIENY]

Thanks much! Right now I have 621 points. Would have loved to have hit the 1000 mark before December. I can only try!

[Us2inFL]

If you're going on an NCL cruise, go to the casino and ask for $2000 in advance casino cash. Play or don't play.

 

The next night, ask for $2000 in advance casino cash. Play or don't play.

 

The $4000 will be charged to your on-board account, but you'll still have (hopefully) the $4000 in cash.

 

You'll be getting 160 points on your NCL card for the cash advances.

[Marlissa]

I bought Diamond Shamrock gc's at one of their gas stations. Also, Safeways by us have gas, so bought some of their gc's in the grocery store. The Sinclair by us doesn't sell gc's in the store. Have to order them online, but didn't want to pay the 3.5% surcharge in addition to shipping.

 

Around here, Costco and Walmart sell gas. Bought gcs from both online.

[Lyman713]

You get the points at the end of the billing cycle. The reason for this is that the points are for net purchases for the month. If you have any returns or credits, they come off the amount of purchases and you get less points.

There is no real rush to get to 500 points. Normally you can only redeem the compass rewards points in increments of $500. Since the program is ending and a new one beginning in January, whatever balance of points you have by the end of December of this year will be the amount of the cercificates, which will probably be in odd amounts, as for myself $428. This was confirmed by a phone call to Bank of America, just to make sure that the way I read the letter was correct.

If you think about it, this is a very fair way to end the program as you don't lose any points. Whether or not the new program will work as well is not apparent as yet. The rep told me details are still being worked out for the new program.

The NCL compass rewards was originally created by MBNA among their many other reward programs. The customers are very steady, loyal repeat customers who are highlly valued when Bank of America bought MBNA.

I think the reason for the change is that B of A wants to expand the rewards program closer to their world points system, to expand the number of products you can redeem and make the program more desirable.

We shall see.

 

Writer,

From all the other threads, if you have 428 points, you will get 4 upgrade certificates ("valued" at 100 points each, and lose the 28 points). If you get to the 500 point mark, you will get a 500 dollar certificate. There is also a link in other threads for an updated FAQ that mentions this.

 

So, if you are that close, you might want to try to get those last 72 points before Dec. 31!

 

Monte - I like the sharing idea. If you get tired of shopping on everyone's card, I'll help!

[Marlissa]

You get the points at the end of the billing cycle. The reason for this is that the points are for net purchases for the month. If you have any returns or credits, they come off the amount of purchases and you get less points.

There is no real rush to get to 500 points. Normally you can only redeem the compass rewards points in increments of $500. Since the program is ending and a new one beginning in January, whatever balance of points you have by the end of December of this year will be the amount of the cercificates, which will probably be in odd amounts, as for myself $428. This was confirmed by a phone call to Bank of America, just to make sure that the way I read the letter was correct.

If you think about it, this is a very fair way to end the program as you don't lose any points. Whether or not the new program will work as well is not apparent as yet. The rep told me details are still being worked out for the new program.

The NCL compass rewards was originally created by MBNA among their many other reward programs. The customers are very steady, loyal repeat customers who are highlly valued when Bank of America bought MBNA.

I think the reason for the change is that B of A wants to expand the rewards program closer to their world points system, to expand the number of products you can redeem and make the program more desirable.

We shall see.

 

From what I've read and been told, the certs will be issued in the same amounts as they have always been issued. IE. $500 (for discount) and other amounts for the upgrade certs. Thus, you wouldn't receive a cert for $428. I 'm not taking any chances, I don't want the (useless, IMO) upgrade certs.

 

Here's the NCL FAQ regarding the change (this has been updated since the program ending was first announced).

 

How many certificates will I receive?

 

Based on your points balance as of December 31, 2008, you will receive certificates in usual increments of 100 and 500 points toward a stateroom upgrade and/or a discount on your cruise.

and the link http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cmsPages.html?pageId=CompassRewardsFAQ#CompassRewards

[Tom O.]

There is no real rush to get to 500 points. Normally you can only redeem the compass rewards points in increments of $500. Since the program is ending and a new one beginning in January, whatever balance of points you have by the end of December of this year will be the amount of the cercificates, which will probably be in odd amounts, as for myself $428.

 

I don't think this is correct. I don't think that your certificate of $428 can be applied to the cost of a cruise. Only $500 certificates can be used to offset the cost of a cruise. Your $428 certificate will only be able to be used for an upgrade, which is pretty much useless. I would not trust anything that a B of A representative would say about the program. They seem to have very little knowledge about it. They have hundreds of different cards with different programs that they deal with. If you want to know the answer for sure, you should call NCL and see what they will accept.

[fabby50]

I agree that it's hard to get a straight answer on this. I spoke to someone at BofA yesterday morning and got another different answer. The person I spoke to said if you had from $100 to $499 in points, you'd get a $100 upgrade certificate, $500 you'd get the $500 certificate to apply to the cost of a cruise. I'm totally confused now - and an upgrade certificate does us no good as we usually book a suite and you can't upgrade suites. Of course, we've only been getting suite because of the discount program - we'll probably book the bottom of the ship in an inside from now on :)

[Fabian52]

We have 408 points right now and should get approximately 45 each month on the average so we should be OK with 3 months to go. We should receive a certificate for 500 points. Plan on using it for a cruise in 09 to the Mediterrean. Maybe the new card won't be as bad as we think.

Happy cruising.:)

[medicalma'am]

We are planning to get new floors and carpet before Christmas that will help us get to our $1000 off our next cruise. With that and our regular expenses and Christmas shopping, we should be there easily. The gas card is a great idea that we will use if we are short.

 

Thanks!

[Writeratsea]

Writer,

From all the other threads, if you have 428 points, you will get 4 upgrade certificates ("valued" at 100 points each, and lose the 28 points). If you get to the 500 point mark, you will get a 500 dollar certificate. There is also a link in other threads for an updated FAQ that mentions this.

 

So, if you are that close, you might want to try to get those last 72 points before Dec. 31!

 

Monte - I like the sharing idea. If you get tired of shopping on everyone's card, I'll help!

I certainly don't want the upgrade certs as we generally book the room we want. So they are useless and not worth what a discount from the cruise would be. A $500 is like $500 cash off the cost of the cruise. What are the 4 upgrade certs worth ? $20 !!! So instead of having a $428 discount from the cost of the cruise (in essence for argument's sake) I would end up with about $20 in value. Not good, not good at all. I am glad the OP brought up this topic as I am concerned enough to call NCL on Monday to find out what is up. The problem is that with the program ending in December, you have a very small window to make enough purchases to get over the $500 threshold. It seems apparent that everyone wants the discount not the upgrade.

If I get screwed out of the value of the compass points, I will simply cancel the cruise for next year that I booked a few days ago. And so will all the people cruising with us. I like cruising with NCL and one of the reasons I remain loyal to the brand is the inducement of the compass rewards program. It is a great program but is so seductive, it keeps you tied to NCL and you don't try other cruise lines. If they end the program with such short notice, then why bother with NCL, just try other lines who have their own reawards programs as well.

I think NCL is going to be counter productive in ending this loyalty program so prematurely. They will lose a lot of customers to the competition and in today's uncertain business climate, now is not the time to be changing such a successful rewards program that funnels a lot of repeat business into NCL.

[Got2Cruise]

I agree that it's hard to get a straight answer on this. I spoke to someone at BofA yesterday morning and got another different answer. The person I spoke to said if you had from $100 to $499 in points, you'd get a $100 upgrade certificate, $500 you'd get the $500 certificate to apply to the cost of a cruise. I'm totally confused now - and an upgrade certificate does us no good as we usually book a suite and you can't upgrade suites. Of course, we've only been getting suite because of the discount program - we'll probably book the bottom of the ship in an inside from now on :)

 

I have other dealings with the BofA, and they are not very "customer friendly", so I think they will probably take the hard line. IMO, the upgrades are worthless because NCL has upgrade sales almost every other week. I would do everything to get my $500. jmo

[Tom O.]

If they end the program with such short notice, then why bother with NCL, just try other lines who have their own reawards programs as well.

I think NCL is going to be counter productive in ending this loyalty program so prematurely. They will lose a lot of customers to the competition and in today's uncertain business climate, now is not the time to be changing such a successful rewards program that funnels a lot of repeat business into NCL.

 

I agree. Actually, NCL is my least favorite cruise line. But I cruised with them anyway, because of the Compass Points. My next cruise will be my last one on NCL.

But you are so close to 500, I am sure that with a little imagination you can make it before the end of the year. Someone above mentioned supermarket gift cards, I had not thought of that, I will get one of those too. The reason I like the idea of gas cards and grocery cards, is that these are expenses that I will have no matter what the future holds. They are not unnecessary purchases that will run my card up and leave me with debt. Later, the money that I usually spend on gas and groceries will be available to me to help pay off the card.

[OceanDreaming2]

If you're going on an NCL cruise, go to the casino and ask for $2000 in advance casino cash. Play or don't play.

 

The next night, ask for $2000 in advance casino cash. Play or don't play.

 

The $4000 will be charged to your on-board account, but you'll still have (hopefully) the $4000 in cash.

 

You'll be getting 160 points on your NCL card for the cash advances.

 

I'm wondering if anyone has actually done this?

[Marlissa]

I'm wondering if anyone has actually done this?

 

Oh, it's been done by many. A subject that doesn't get a lot of talk because noone wants NCL to end the practice.