NCL Credit Card Redeeming for OBC Question

[ready2cruzagain]

I know, I know, some will say don't do it but I might. If I were to get obc with my NCL credit card points, would it be refundable or nonrefundable obc. I don't want to have several hundred dollars that I can't either use in the casino or might lose if I can't use it all.

[graphicguy]

37 minutes ago, ready2cruzagain said:

I know, I know, some will say don't do it but I might. If I were to get obc with my NCL credit card points, would it be refundable or nonrefundable obc. I don't want to have several hundred dollars that I can't either use in the casino or might lose if I can't use it all.

Why wouldn't you do it?  I just got an NCL card for that very purpose.  I charged whatever the minimum was, got the OBC for my upcoming cruise, and paid it off.  Probably never use it again.  But, they paid me $200 OBC for the few minutes of work it took me to apply for it.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

It will be nonrefundable, or so I’ve read, as I never use my points that way,  Best bang for your buck is stateroomupgrade, second would be statement credit.   Use your NCL MC for your onboard acct and get triple points then apply statement credit to pay those charges off.

 

BTW, there is a sticky at the top of this forum devoted to the NCL MC.  Lots of good info there.

[Grimix]

31 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Use your NCL MC for your onboard acct and get triple points then apply statement credit to pay those charges off.

This. They give the same amount of value for OBC as statement credit. OBC says non-refundable, so why not accrue more points, and keep it refundable by applying it as a statement credit (if you don't want to use it for upgrades.)

[ngrund]

50 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Why wouldn't you do it?  I just got an NCL card for that very purpose.  I charged whatever the minimum was, got the OBC for my upcoming cruise, and paid it off.  Probably never use it again.  But, they paid me $200 OBC for the few minutes of work it took me to apply for it.

We say don't get the OBC because it is better to use your points for a statement credit/cash deposit//get a check. ( I believe you can request a check, I always just have my points deposited to my account)

 

$100 worth of points converted to $100 OBC, must spend $100 on board OR

spend $100 (or whatever you want) on board, pay with NCL card get 3% back as more points

[graphicguy]

8 minutes ago, ngrund said:

We say don't get the OBC because it is better to use your points for a statement credit/cash deposit//get a check. ( I believe you can request a check, I always just have my points deposited to my account)

 

$100 worth of points converted to $100 OBC, must spend $100 on board OR

spend $100 (or whatever you want) on board, pay with NCL card get 3% back as more points

I was only going to use the credit card once....specifically for a cruise.  $2,000 fare x 3% is $60.  The OBC was the better deal for me.

[Russiamomm]

I believe it’s non refundable.  It can’t be used in the casino.  I’m in the camp to take a statement credit.  That is how to make it refundable,  if you’re a gambler, you can also charge advances in the casino basically without a fee.  NCL charges a 3% fee for advances.  Charge it to your NCL card and you’ll get that 3% back in the form of points, which can be used as a statement credit against the fees.  
 

Sorry, I personally think taking the OBC is the worst use of these points.  If you want a refundable credit, use the points as a statement credit.

[ngrund]

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

I was only going to use the credit card once....specifically for a cruise.  $2,000 fare x 3% is $60.  The OBC was the better deal for me.

 

You've already done it, and the difference is small.

 

The point is that you did not have to take the $200 bonus as OBC.

 

$2,000 fare and $200 spend on board (that you would no longer be obligated to spend) added to the $200 is $266 in cash. If you chose/did not need to spend anything on board, you woud lhave $260 in cash

[laudergayle]

58 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I was only going to use the credit card once....specifically for a cruise.  $2,000 fare x 3% is $60.  The OBC was the better deal for me.

I think, if this was a new card, you could have chosen 20,000 WorldPoints new card Bonus or a $200 OBC.  Had you chosen the 20k points, then charged your $2000 cruise fare x 3 pts, you would have been at 26K pts., then add to that any onboard spend x3.   A one class upgrade…say from an OA to  BA is 30K points.  This is now a moot point for you…but I am sharing for others to learn.  
 

As @MagnoliaBlossom stated sbove, there is a sticky thread on page 1 all about the card.  Thank you @MagnoliaBlossom for teaching me so much on how to optimize the card.

 

 

Edited July 18, 2023 by laudergayle

[MagnoliaBlossom]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:Thank you @MagnoliaBlossom for teaching me so much on how to optimize the card.

My pleasure.  We have a motto in our family “free is good” (we should work up a family crest and have it ensconced in Latin) so anytime I can help someone else learn how to maximize their “free”dom it’s vicarious joy.

 

 

[laudergayle]

5 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

 

I struggled between “🏆” and “ 🤣”.  Please share the family crest🙂. On a side note..I laughed today when I realized that the the bag of pretzels had a “save a dollar” coupon that I overlooked.  I told DH… I can save us hundreds…but I miss the dollar.  Lol.

[MagnoliaBlossom]

FWIW, I don’t recall having to choose between points and OBC, I recall the points winding up in my account but I knew from the promo that they could be used for ONC, which the advertisement usually tours.  

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, laudergayle said:

I think, if this was a new card, you could have chosen 20,000 WorldPoints new card Bonus or a $200 OBC.  Had you chosen the 20k points, then charged your $2000 cruise fare x 3 pts, you would have been at 26K pts., then add to that any onboard spend x3.   A one class upgrade…say from an OA to  BA is 30K points.  This is now a moot point for you…but I am sharing for others to learn.  
 

As @MagnoliaBlossom stated sbove, there is a sticky thread on page 1 all about the card.  Thank you @MagnoliaBlossom for teaching me so much on how to optimize the card.

 

 

I see what you’re saying.  Did it on a whim.  No matter.  Got what I was looking for!

[graphicguy]

2 minutes ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

FWIW, I don’t recall having to choose between points and OBC, I recall the points winding up in my account but I knew from the promo that they could be used for ONC, which the advertisement usually tours.  

You know, I need to look at my account to see if I have an upgrade available, too!

 

Thanks all for the info!

Edited July 19, 2023 by graphicguy

[MagnoliaBlossom]

That’s all that matters.  If you use the card for just you NCL purposes you may accumulate enough points at triple value, to get OBC each cruise.  Much as having that little $100 shareholder OBC.  But you may well have another card that provides you more.  So long as you are happy, life is good!

[MagnoliaBlossom]

3 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

You know, I need to look at my account to see if I have an upgrade available, too!

 

Thanks all for the info!

A one level meta upgrade will take 30,00 points.  Maximum category you can upgrade to is BA.

[Cruisercl]

IME, it is nonrefundable. Also you cannot use it towards a CruiseNext Cert.

YMMV.😊

[graphicguy]

11 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

A one level meta upgrade will take 30,00 points.  Maximum category you can upgrade to is BA.

Thanks!

[hallux]

14 hours ago, laudergayle said:

I think, if this was a new card, you could have chosen 20,000 WorldPoints new card Bonus or a $200 OBC

The offer is 20,000 bonus points (when the requirement is met), redeemable for $200 OBC.

One just needs to go to the site to see this is the offer, no guessing - https://www.ncl.com/world-points

[herbanrenewal]

I find the opening thread hard to understand. The links provided no longer work - I think they are from 2008 and maybe a different bank than BOA. When I go to the BOA website the rewards. redemption travel links dont offer any mention of NCL. I've over 38K miles to redeem and would like the best way to redeem towards price of an already booked cruise. 

[graphicguy]

Try this one....

 

https://www.bankofamerica.com/credit-cards/products/norwegian-cruise-lines-credit-card/

[hallux]

7 minutes ago, herbanrenewal said:

I've over 38K miles to redeem

That thread and this one are referring to the NCL-branded Mastercard issued through BOA.  It's a specific card with points earned toward statement credit or OBC/cabin upgrades on the ship.  The NCL card earns points, not miles.

[herbanrenewal]

My card is BOA NCL card. the link from graphicguy is to application site.

When I go to the BOA member website and go to redeem Redeem your points for rewards that are right for you. Choose from gift cards, travel and cash.

 

No reference to NCL. Options are gift cards, travel and cash.Options for travel link are Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Activities (activities are tours after you put in where and date.

 

So where do I redeem towards  NCL benefits?

[candygirl27540]

1 hour ago, herbanrenewal said:

My card is BOA NCL card. the link from graphicguy is to application site.

When I go to the BOA member website and go to redeem Redeem your points for rewards that are right for you. Choose from gift cards, travel and cash.

 

No reference to NCL. Options are gift cards, travel and cash.Options for travel link are Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Activities (activities are tours after you put in where and date.

 

So where do I redeem towards  NCL benefits?

On the BOA website there is a side ad for the ncl credit card click on it and it will bring you to the redemption area. You can do it on the website or just call NCL and they can apply it for you.

 

I Redeemed 30,000 points yesterday for  $300. off the price of my cruise. I am before final payment.

[ready2cruzagain]

13 minutes ago, candygirl27540 said:

On the BOA website there is a side ad for the ncl credit card click on it and it will bring you to the redemption area. You can do it on the website or just call NCL and they can apply it for you.

 

I Redeemed 30,000 points yesterday for  $300. off the price of my cruise. I am before final payment.

ohh did not know you could do that. I have 3 that I just paid off 2 days ago and 3 left to payofff, will have to check that out!