Shareholder benefit

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Shareholder benefit question -- I noticed that it says you can't use it for service charges. Is that really enforced and non-refundable OBC can't be used for gratuities that are billed to your account? I had $100 shareholder OBC on my March cruise and I spent less than $100 other than gratuities and I do not think I lost anything. I'm going to have $325 non-refundable OBC on an upcoming cruise ($250 shareholder + $75 for being part of a group) and was planning to have it apply to gratuities.

I do not think HAL has the ability onboard to monitor where the OBC is applied to, so what they say on the website and what they enforce onboard is often two different things. You should not have a problem.

I do not think HAL has the ability onboard to monitor where the OBC is applied to, so what they say on the website and what they enforce onboard is often two different things. You should not have a problem.

That's been my experience as well.

I do not think HAL has the ability onboard to monitor where the OBC is applied to, so what they say on the website and what they enforce onboard is often two different things. You should not have a problem.

Thanks, that makes sense to me and I think we would have seen discussion here if the restriction were actually enforced. But on a HAL FB group, multiple people said it could not be used for service charges. I figured better to ask here than to question it over there.

Amusingly, the discussion was in response to someone who said that they'd gotten $25 OBC (yes, a whole $25, and apparently for the first time) and were wondering what they could use it for, and someone differentiated refundable vs non-refundable and what they could be used for.

Thanks, that makes sense to me and I think we would have seen discussion here if the restriction were actually enforced. But on a HAL FB group, multiple people said it could not be used for service charges. I figured better to ask here than to question it over there.

 

Amusingly, the discussion was in response to someone who said that they'd gotten $25 OBC (yes, a whole $25, and apparently for the first time) and were wondering what they could use it for, and someone differentiated refundable vs non-refundable and what they could be used for.

Yes, $25 does not go too far onboard! This upcoming 18 day cruise I got free grats, a $25 beverage card and $500 OBC (pp) and it will still not cover my onboard expenses!

Yes, $25 does not go too far onboard! This upcoming 18 day cruise I got free grats, a $25 beverage card and $500 OBC (pp) and it will still not cover my onboard expenses!

I guess you're a big spender :). I've got the Explore4 package but no free grats, so the $325 non-refundable + $450 from my TA will be more than enough for me.

Now, if I also had free grats and the $325 NR OBC, I would have a problem, especially on HAL with the terrible Internet and no flat rate package (since I avoid using their Internet, just to be clear).

The Carnival Corporation "Shareholder Benefit" (copy attached for your convenience) clearly provides that "anyone cruising on a reduced-rate or complimentary basis are excluded from this offer." I believe your "casino rate" qualifies as a "reduced-rate" fare and thus IMO the shareholder benefit was correctly denied to you.

At what point is the fare considered to be a reduced rate I wonder as I doubt anyone actually pays the listed full fare.

At what point is the fare considered to be a reduced rate I wonder as I doubt anyone actually pays the listed full fare.

Many do pay full rate (the rate on the HAL site). Some get discounts and OBC.

I am not sure where the threshold is for the reduced rate and declined shareholder OBC. I usually receive a casino discount for the past few years on my cruises and always get my CCL credit.

There is a difference between the casino discount (which offers a reduction in the price, but not a "give away price" and the casino rate.

So, I am guessing that those that are too cheap are the bargain casino rates which come by special offer to certain people. Those rates are really low so I can get where the problems may arise.

At what point is the fare considered to be a reduced rate I wonder as I doubt anyone actually pays the listed full fare.

It probably varies, but for a more definitive answer, I'd suggest you contact HAL World Cruise Reservations (800-522-3399) directly.

BTW I suspect that many (if not most) folks pay the listed full fare for HAL cruises but very few are willing to admit it.

I wish it would show on the booking like the Princess site does - but I have the email with me so if there is an issue, I have proof.

If you go to your reservations on HAL and look at View/Make A Payment, any OBC including shareholder credit should show up. At least, it did on our last cruise. Since we use a PCC, we get a new booking summary anytime a payment or OBC is added.

What I don't understand, in this day and age, is why HAL requires the shareholder benefit be FAXED or SNAIL MAILED but not emailed? The other lines accept email proof & application.

 

How many individuals have a fax machine at home? I don't have a home land line to fax something even if I had that antiquated machine.

HAL does accept email. This past year I have edited a PDF of my investment statement using Adobe Acrobat, to blank out all information except my name & address and CCL holdings, and then emailed that document to our PCC. I have received confirmation, in the form of a new HAL booking statement, within 30 minutes each time.

If you go to your reservations on HAL and look at View/Make A Payment, any OBC including shareholder credit should show up. At least, it did on our last cruise. Since we use a PCC, we get a new booking summary anytime a payment or OBC is added.

Thank you for pointing this out. I went to look and discovered the OBC was there (never noticed before).

When I checked I found one CCL credit was missing. One pleasant phone call and I discovered that when my booking was changed it dropped off and it has been put back with apologies.

Great tip and saved a little headache when I got on board. Thanks :)

What I don't understand, in this day and age, is why HAL requires the shareholder benefit be FAXED or SNAIL MAILED but not emailed? The other lines accept email proof & application.

 

 

How many individuals have a fax machine at home? I don't have a home land line to fax something even if I had that antiquated machine.

You can send a fax for free using your computer (limit 2 faxes per 48 hours) at:

myfax.com/free/sendfax.aspx

You can send unlimited faxes if you sign up for their fee based service.