You all probably knew this... but:):)

[jwoap]

I discovered I can send my self my own on board credit!!! One thing I am really anal rententive about is having to pay a big bill off after I go on holiday. I really hate hate hate owing money.

 

So I was complaining to our CC and said "Man it would be nice to not have to worry about having to deal with a big bill at the end of the cruise"

 

And he said "Well you don't have to you can do this-- and told me how lots of people send money to their account to give themselves on board credit.

 

So I did that. I put it on my credit card. I pay my credit card off the first of every month. And I also go double points this month when using my credit card. It was a win-win for us.:D

[sjbdtz]

I discovered I can send my self my own on board credit!!! One thing I am really anal rententive about is having to pay a big bill off after I go on holiday. I really hate hate hate owing money.

 

So I was complaining to our CC and said "Man it would be nice to not have to worry about having to deal with a big bill at the end of the cruise"

 

And he said "Well you don't have to you can do this-- and told me how lots of people send money to their account to give themselves on board credit.

 

So I did that. I put it on my credit card. I pay my credit card off the first of every month. And I also go double points this month when using my credit card. It was a win-win for us.:D

 

 

That's how I get around the $2000/day casino cash limit.... just send myself $5k in OBC, charge to my card, paid-off before the start of the cruise....then if I need more, I can take it out against my room.

 

Saves carrying large sums of cash....

[MagnoliaBlossom]

If you have a NCL mastercard you can use your points for OBC (in addition to other things). I transferred points for $500 OBC and will charge my cruise on my NCL M//M (getting double points), then cash in points for a check to pay off my credit card bill. Win-win-win - woo-hoo :p

[marysb]

that's how i get around the $2000/day casino cash limit.... Just send myself $5k in obc, charge to my card, paid-off before the start of the cruise....then if i need more, i can take it out against my room.

 

Saves carrying large sums of cash....

 

wow!!!

[DMH15]

What's even nicer is when family members give you a gift and it goes into the account. That's what I asked for one birthday. It was wonderful.

[garycarla]

No matter if you prepay (via OBC) or not, you still get that big bill at the end of your cruise. Only difference in your case that you will also show the credit(s) from your advance payments. You would of course still owe whatever balance is there.

 

Pay in advance, or on the last day, and you get the SAME credit card points. And, as always, if you pay it off, you pay no interest.

 

I almost understand the reluctance to pay it all on the last day, but at the same time, I prefer NOT to give anybody my money in advance, or be concerned that a credit does not post, etc.

 

Either way, you will get a big bill under your door on the last night.

[weltek]

No matter if you prepay (via OBC) or not, you still get that big bill at the end of your cruise. Only difference in your case that you will also show the credit(s) from your advance payments. You would of course still owe whatever balance is there.

 

Pay in advance, or on the last day, and you get the SAME credit card points. And, as always, if you pay it off, you pay no interest.

 

I almost understand the reluctance to pay it all on the last day, but at the same time, I prefer NOT to give anybody my money in advance, or be concerned that a credit does not post, etc.

 

Either way, you will get a big bill under your door on the last night.

 

I think you are missing the OP's point. She doesn't want a big credit card bill when she returns home from the cruise. Her point seems to be that she wants to pay off all her on board expenses BEFORE she goes on the cruise. By sending herself OBC, and her statement that she pays her card off every month, she'll have all her on board expesnes paid for pre-crusies and no credit card bill when she comes back.

 

And since her cc has a special on double points THIS MONTH, it's an extra bonus to her.

[garycarla]

I think you are missing the OP's point. She doesn't want a big credit card bill when she returns home from the cruise. ...

 

 

Ah! The ole thinking it was a free cruise deal!

 

LOL!

 

Reminds me of story (not at all related to the Original Poster or anyone else here):

 

My brother used to do a quick review of taxes in January and figure he was getting about $3,000 refund. He spent it in January.

 

In March, he actually filed his taxes, and realized it was a $3,200 refund. He spent the $3,200 in March.

 

In April, he got a check from Uncle Sam for $3,200. Yea, you guessed it. He spent it again.

 

(his business has since folded)

[weltek]

That's some creative accounting, GaryCarla! LOL!

[Brighton Line]

I prepaid twice with debit card. I do not gave any credit cards with large credit limits and with what I knew I was going to spend (DSC, Clam Shell, special restaurants, spa) i can still use one of my cards when i check in since there won't be a credit limit problem.

I do not want to use my debit card, I fear the hold on the card, I still need to pay regular bills and such with that account.

FWIW

[MagnoliaBlossom]

garycarla - your brother must work for the government accounting office now, right? ;)

[crew mom]

garycarla - your brother must work for the government accounting office now, right? ;)

Probably with the state of California! Bet he's Arnie's right hand man!

 

To OP - I understand what you are doing by paying your on-board expenses pre-cruise, but you still end up with a large bill - it's just before you cruise instead of after. Guess it's how you look at things!

 

Is the OBC refundable if you should not be able to cruise?

[MsTabbyKats]

Except for getting double points....I don't see any logic in prepaying for anything.

 

Why not just put the money in the bank, and pay it at the end? You might get a few pennies in interest that way.

 

Paying in advance is just giving the bank an interest free loan! (Same concept as a tax refund....the bigger the refund...the bigger interest free loan you gave the govt.)

 

But, I know....everyone has different ways of handling personal finance.

[intrepid_guy]

Well, $100 here $100 there is easier to pay off at one time (prepaying) than getting the big fat bill at the end and perhaps paying $2000 at once. I think it makes good sense and may do that in the future.

 

 

~Intrepid

[kmurph22]

OP -- do you or anyone else know if you can use an American Express Gift card to prepay your onboard expenses?

 

and, what happens if you don't spend all that you put on your on board account

[garycarla]

Yea, I know the age old argument about interest. But, in reality, that is small stuff.

 

Some of the reasons I would never prepay the cruiseline are:

 

- what if I cancel

- what is the cruise gets cancelled

- what if I get sick and or expire, who is gonna get that money back

- what if they screw up the paperwork somewhere - do you really want to spend hours dealing with the front desk staff, who are programmed to say "we are waiting to hear from Miami" - which is said over and over and over

- what if the cruiseline folks - okay, rare situation but?

 

If you don't want a big credit card bill, and want to prepay, why not just pay extra into your credit card company. They do well carrying credit balances forward.

[Us2inFL]

That's how I get around the $2000/day casino cash limit.... just send myself $5k in OBC, charge to my card, paid-off before the start of the cruise....then if I need more, I can take it out against my room.

 

Saves carrying large sums of cash....

 

That is fabulous.

 

With the generous on-board credit that NCL gave us...... :)

[Brighton Line]

OP -- do you or anyone else know if you can use an American Express Gift card to prepay your onboard expenses?

and, what happens if you don't spend all that you put on your on board account

 

I don't think you can put a hold on gift cards. When you register a credit or debit card NCL places a hold for a dollar amount on that card.

You could give a regular credit card and the last day go pay with your gift card the balance of your account.

 

I remember on my honeymoon cruise maxing out a credit card on RCCL and getting "firm" note under my cabin door to see the Purser right away. >G<

I say the note was almost nasty but then again I've learned my leasson :cool:

[jwoap]

Except for getting double points....I don't see any logic in prepaying for anything.

 

Why not just put the money in the bank, and pay it at the end? You might get a few pennies in interest that way.

 

Paying in advance is just giving the bank an interest free loan! (Same concept as a tax refund....the bigger the refund...the bigger interest free loan you gave the govt.)

 

But, I know....everyone has different ways of handling personal finance.

 

If in fact we would earn some lovely interest on any money in the bank then perhaps. But in today's economy? Doesn't happen. This seems easier and more efficent for us. And I enjoy double points as this is the promotion our card is offering right now. It's all good. Thanks for the reply! :D

[jwoap]

Probably with the state of California! Bet he's Arnie's right hand man!

 

 

 

Is the OBC refundable if you should not be able to cruise?

 

 

YES - it is:)

[Dajbman22]

Yea, I know the age old argument about interest. But, in reality, that is small stuff.

 

Some of the reasons I would never prepay the cruiseline are:

 

- what if I cancel

- what is the cruise gets cancelled

- what if I get sick and or expire, who is gonna get that money back

- what if they screw up the paperwork somewhere - do you really want to spend hours dealing with the front desk staff, who are programmed to say "we are waiting to hear from Miami" - which is said over and over and over

- what if the cruiseline folks - okay, rare situation but?

 

If you don't want a big credit card bill, and want to prepay, why not just pay extra into your credit card company. They do well carrying credit balances forward.

 

 

There is actually a third option for "pre-paying". Traveler's cheques. If you are a AAA member and get at least $100 in cheques, there is no fee. You could buy them at any time, and just deposit them all to your on board account once you get on board. Although I didn't do the first part of the plan... I did receive an Amex gift cheque, and figured instead of finding somewhere around here who would take it, why not put it in my lockbox and have a nice little bit of OBC come June.

[robin13]

What a great idea! My birthday is coming up 5 weeks before our cruise so I am going to tell everybody to get me a OBC. Usually, I receive department store gift cards but I would much rather have the OBC so I can use in the casino. This is why I love to read CC; so many great ideas.

[erdoran]

My work sometimes recognizes employees by giving out different amount gift cards. I got a $100 Amex gift card earlier this year and used it to buy OBC; same thing happened with a $25 Visa gift card I got through a rebate. Especially for the $25 gift cards they are difficult to use unless at the grocery store; I just call when I get them and buy $25 OBC with them, that way it is waiting for me when I sail!

[newmexicoNita]

I discovered I can send my self my own on board credit!!! One thing I am really anal rententive about is having to pay a big bill off after I go on holiday. I really hate hate hate owing money.

 

So I was complaining to our CC and said "Man it would be nice to not have to worry about having to deal with a big bill at the end of the cruise"

 

And he said "Well you don't have to you can do this-- and told me how lots of people send money to their account to give themselves on board credit.

 

So I did that. I put it on my credit card. I pay my credit card off the first of every month. And I also go double points this month when using my credit card. It was a win-win for us.:D

 

Great idea. We have not done that, but this year for Christmas we are all giving each other OBC for our Feb cruise or bar set ups, something that we will enjoy on the cruise.

 

Nita