NCL WorldPoints CC Worth it?

I'm considering getting the WorldPoints CC which with including promo + cost of cruise = $200 OBO or 4-category upgrade (whatever that means).

So the question is: is it simple to redeem rewards, or do you have to deal with usual hassle/nonsense of blackout dates, red tape, talk to 5 different people, etc.? We intend to pay same-as-cash so interest is not an issue, but would like to get the benefits if both NCL and the card issuer are reasonable to deal with.

Thanks.

I'm considering getting the WorldPoints CC which with including promo + cost of cruise = $200 OBO or 4-category upgrade (whatever that means).

 

So the question is: is it simple to redeem rewards, or do you have to deal with usual hassle/nonsense of blackout dates, red tape, talk to 5 different people, etc.? We intend to pay same-as-cash so interest is not an issue, but would like to get the benefits if both NCL and the card issuer are reasonable to deal with.

 

Thanks.

We did it and will be getting 300 OBC this cruise but generally the "better" way to use it is to leverage the category upgraded. We booked a suite this time so there was no option to leverage the 30K points for the room category benefit so we just converted the points into OBC. Here's a link to the actual benefits.

http://www.ncl.com/world-points

If you travel with a 3rd (mother-in-law, son, etc) you can use 40K points instead of paying the $699 (or whatever the rate may be) for the 3rd. I have ZERO idea of what a "double cross Meta" upgrade may be but many in the existing NCL Credit Card discussion thread swear by it. Here is the link to the STICKY NCL credit card FAQ thread. Just remember that original thread was started WAY BACK in 2007 and the points details at the beginning post of the thread aren't accurate any longer (e.g. it's not 4 points for every $100 and the redemptions are different these days.. Just go to the end and read "backward" from there.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=588120&highlight=ncl+cc

We did it and will be getting 300 OBC this cruise but generally the "better" way to use it is to leverage the category upgraded. We booked a suite this time so there was no option to leverage the 30K points for the room category benefit so we just converted the points into OBC. Here's a link to the actual benefits.

http://www.ncl.com/world-points

Was it easy/fast to redeem or were they dragging their feet to do it?

Was it easy/fast to redeem or were they dragging their feet to do it?

Took us less than 5 minutes to redeem & got an update "Amenities confirmation" immediately as well

Took us less than 5 minutes to redeem & got an update "Amenities confirmation" immediately as well

Good deal. 4-category upgrade from BC balcony would be nice, but, $200 is a shore excursion for us. But something to consider.

Good deal. 4-category upgrade from BC balcony would be nice, but, $200 is a shore excursion for us. But something to consider.

NCL will not allow you to upgrade to suites & they also won't allow you to use them to upgrade from a lower-level suite to a higher-level suite....we tried to use ours to move from a SG to the Owner's suite but we got rejected with a "nice try but NO" LOL

The upgrades only work on lower category's up to a maximum of a Balcony. Aft-facing balconies are often listed as "suites" which is why the lady in the FAQ thread could not get one on the Gem when she tried. However, by paying for a inside cabin low in the ship for the lowest price, you could use the 20K points to get a Ocean-view without having to pay a dime so those 20K points/$200 OBC could, theoretically, be worth a $2K upgrade!

They won't upgrade to suites. Only works on low, low category's up to a maximum of a Balcony. Aft-facing balconies are often listed as "suites" which is why the lady in the FAQ thread could not get one on the Gem when she tried. However, buy paying for a Inside Cabin low in the ship for the lowest price, you could use the 20K points to get a Ocean-view without having to pay a dime so ... those 20K points that equates to a $200 OBC could, theoretically, be worth a $2K upgrade!

Boooo! hahaha would have been too good to be true. $200 OBC it'll be then.

I have enough on my card for a little over $600 OBC...of course I would never be able to use all that on 1 cruise, so I was thinking about using around $250 of it.

How do you go about doing it? Can you book the cruise using your TA and then call the number for the cc and tell them your booking number and cc number and they just apply it? I'm confused how to do it. You don't actually have to book with them right? :confused:

I am also wondering about redeeming for the OBC. The thread about the credit card is so massive I just can't get through it all to find the specific phone number for redemption. I had called the number on the card to ask a question once, and the customer service rep gave me a separate number for redeeming for OBC. I can't find what I did with it [emoji21]. Can you just call the number on the card and be connected, or is there a specific, better number to call?

NCL will not allow you to upgrade to suites & they also won't allow you to use them to upgrade from a lower-level suite to a higher-level suite....we tried to use ours to move from a SG to the Owner's suite but we got rejected with a "nice try but NO" LOL

 

The upgrades only work on lower category's up to a maximum of a Balcony. Aft-facing balconies are often listed as "suites" which is why the lady in the FAQ thread could not get one on the Gem when she tried. However, by paying for a inside cabin low in the ship for the lowest price, you could use the 20K points to get a Ocean-view without having to pay a dime so those 20K points/$200 OBC could, theoretically, be worth a $2K upgrade!

It takes 30,000 points to go from an inside to an oceanview or from an oceanview to a balcony stateroom. This is known as a Cross Meta Upgrade. It takes 60,000 points to go from an inside to a balcony stateroom. This is known as a Double Cross Meta Upgrade.

For our 14 day sailing on the Dawn this October we were able to do the Double Cross Meta Upgrade paying for an inside and using 60,000 points to book an aft facing balcony.

For our Gem sailing next October I wanted the UBP promo so had to start with an oceanview stateroom. Wanted to do the Cross Meta Upgrade to an aft facing balcony category B1 but for some reason on that particular sailing could only go to a BA balcony category. I considered it a worthwhile use of 30,000 points so I did it.

Here is the link again to the NCL page - be sure to also click on the Offer Terms and Conditions.

https://www.ncl.com/world-points

I am also curious as to the asnwer to this IF anyone knows:

How do you go about doing it? Can you book the cruise using your TA and then call the number for the cc and tell them your booking number and cc number and they just apply it? I'm confused how to do it. You don't actually have to book with them right?

thanks

Rhea

Meta upgrades do not work with CAS bookings. I have tried a few times and always get the same answer. To bad so sad.

I am also curious as to the asnwer to this IF anyone knows:

 

How do you go about doing it? Can you book the cruise using your TA and then call the number for the cc and tell them your booking number and cc number and they just apply it? I'm confused how to do it. You don't actually have to book with them right? thanks Rhea

My TA said she cannot make bookings using World Points;

I'd have to contact(book with) NCL directly for the Double Cross Meta Upgrade cabin arrangements.

Took us less than 5 minutes to redeem & got an update "Amenities confirmation" immediately as well[/quote

 

Edit: I found the number to call to redeem, but now I have a different question:

 

When I redeem my points for OBC, does the OBC go just to my account or is it split between those of us in the cabin? I'm traveling with my sister and SIL....and have no intention of sharing!! No, I'm not mean! I paid for the entire cruise and I'm already splitting the OBC that came with the booking with my sister!!

I am also wondering about redeeming for the OBC. The thread about the credit card is so massive I just can't get through it all to find the specific phone number for redemption. I had called the number on the card to ask a question once, and the customer service rep gave me a separate number for redeeming for OBC. I can't find what I did with it [emoji21].

Can you just call the number on the card and be connected, or is there a specific, better number to call?

I know what you mean about finding(losing) the right number:p

Here's the numbers I wrote down;

To redeem NCL Credit Card Points call 1-800-434-8313

To book a Cross Meta Upgrade call 866-954-4077

Good Luck !

Took us less than 5 minutes to redeem & got an update "Amenities confirmation" immediately as well[/quote

 

Edit: I found the number to call to redeem, but now I have a different question:

 

When I redeem my points for OBC, does the OBC go just to my account or is it split between those of us in the cabin? I'm traveling with my sister and SIL....and have no intention of sharing!! No, I'm not mean! I paid for the entire cruise and I'm already splitting the OBC that came with the booking with my sister!!

Will you, and others in cabin, be listed on the same Credit Card account for NCL billing?

(you sign an agreement when you get your cabin cards if/that you want all charges on one card or individual)

Curious...If redeeming, why not just get the cash applied back to your credit card instead of an OBC?

Curious...If redeeming, why not just get the cash applied back to your credit card instead of an OBC?

 

My initial plan was to redeem points for cash to use in the casino but OBC seems to be the better value. The cash/statement credit redemption rate is $.008 per point up to 24,999. That's disappointing. 15,000pts=$120 cash or $150 OBC. The NCL card is only a back up card. My Chase Freedom card doesn't appear to have the different value per point levels.

 

So could I get the $150 OBC and withdraw $150 cash at the casino with the 3% fee ($144.50 net)? Would that work?

Will you, and others in cabin, be listed on the same Credit Card account for NCL billing?

(you sign an agreement when you get your cabin cards if/that you want all charges on one card or individual)

Curious...If redeeming, why not just get the cash applied back to your credit card instead of an OBC?

 

We will all be listed under our own separate credit cards....

And I'm opting to use the points as OBC because I have an almost zero balance on the card. With the OBC, I can make purchases onboard, like photos of the three of us or dining that's not covered in the UDP....and leave the ship with a $0.00 balance! OR I could be a great SIL and purchase the UBP for my SIL as she is the 3rd passenger and only got the soda package with the booking. ;)

Was it easy/fast to redeem or were they dragging their feet to do it?

It took me 31 minutes on the phone with NCL to redeem rewards from 3 different NCL credit cards!!

It took me 31 minutes on the phone with NCL to redeem rewards from 3 different NCL credit cards!!

Sweet!!

Did you do this today? Just curious if they're closed for the holiday...:o

I called yesterday... I don't get the impression that they ever close!

 

My initial plan was to redeem points for cash to use in the casino but OBC seems to be the better value.

The cash/statement credit redemption rate is $.008 per point up to 24,999. That's disappointing. 15,000pts=$120 cash or $150 OBC. The NCL card is only a back up card. My Chase Freedom card doesn't appear to have the different value per point levels.

 

So could I get the $150 OBC and withdraw $150 cash at the casino with the 3% fee ($144.50 net)? Would that work?

Ah yes! I forgot about the $.008 per point up to 24,999. :o

I wait til at least 25,000 points.

Just curious... Is it a point per dollar spent?

Just curious... Is it a point per dollar spent?

Yes,except for any NCL charges which are double points. :)

I've had the card for years and always use for OBC, never had a problem converting points or having it show up on board.

Just curious... Is it a point per dollar spent?

Be aware this is not a low interest card. So, treat it, like such. If you do not pay in full within the grace period and decide to pay over time, there's a good change you'll pay more in interest than you get in OBC.