THE ROYAL CARIBBEAN VISA SIGNATURE® CARD

[gowensricks]

Greetings!

 

I am curious...for those of you that have the above CC, have you found it to be beneficial? What types of OBC can you earn? Have you ever received a stateroom upgrade? If so, how does it work?

 

Thank you!

[Cigar King]

It's not a great card IMO.  I have it and only use it for RCI purchases (2% reward) and then only use the points for "free" cruises.  (they're effectively worth twice the value of the other options)  I am likely to cancel it after I get the points for one more free cruise.  There are better options, and having a card I only use for cruises is just not useful.

 

[gowensricks]

11 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

It's not a great card IMO.  I have it and only use it for RCI purchases (2% reward) and then only use the points for "free" cruises.  (they're effectively worth twice the value of the other options)  I am likely to cancel it after I get the points for one more free cruise.  There are better options, and having a card I only use for cruises is just not useful.

 

Thank you for the reply. We are trying to determine if it is worth it to get this card. I thought maybe if the OBC and/or stateroom upgrades were worthwhile, then perhaps I would go for it. 

[Cherful59]

20 minutes ago, gowensricks said:

Thank you for the reply. We are trying to determine if it is worth it to get this card. I thought maybe if the OBC and/or stateroom upgrades were worthwhile, then perhaps I would go for it. 

For every 5,000 points, you can buy $50.00 OBC.  

[spelican]

39 minutes ago, Cigar King said:

It's not a great card IMO.  I have it and only use it for RCI purchases (2% reward) and then only use the points for "free" cruises.  (they're effectively worth twice the value of the other options)  I am likely to cancel it after I get the points for one more free cruise.  There are better options, and having a card I only use for cruises is just not useful.

 

I agree.  The Royal Caribbean Visa card has the least benefits of any card in our current points arsenal.  

[smokeybandit]

Not worth it unless you're booking a bunch of cruises per year.

[Rusty_lock]

1 hour ago, gowensricks said:

Greetings!

 

I am curious...for those of you that have the above CC, have you found it to be beneficial? What types of OBC can you earn? Have you ever received a stateroom upgrade? If so, how does it work?

 

Thank you!

I only use it for OBC.  People will tell you there are better cards out there for rewards.  This is true.  My primary card is an American Express Card.  However, there are a few places like Costco that only take Visa so I use it there and a few online merchants.  Obsviously I also use it for paying for Royal Caribbean cruises and cruise planner items where you get 2x points.  Also, once onboard I use it for my onboard spending.  I maximize that by charging my gambling in the Casino to it through a slot machine, also getting 2x points.  I just applied $250 to my next cruise.  That'll cover my gratuities.  Typically I get between $150 and $250 a cruise.  I book three cruises a year.  This year will be an exception, I have had two so far and three more booked for 2023.  

Edited July 26, 2023 by Rusty_lock

[RFerrington]

17 minutes ago, Rusty_lock said:

I only use it for OBC.  People will tell you there are better cards out there for rewards.  This is true.  My primary card is an American Express Card.  However, there are a few places like Costco that only take Visa so I use it there and a few online merchants.  Obsviously I also use it for paying for Royal Caribbean cruises and cruise planner items where you get 2x points.  Also, once onboard I use it for my onboard spending.  I maximize that by charging my gambling in the Casino to it through a slot machine, also getting 2x points.  I just applied $250 to my next cruise.  That'll cover my gratuities.  Typically I get between $150 and $250 a cruise.  I book three cruises a year.  This year will be an exception, I have had two so far and three more booked for 2023.  

This is our process as well.  Works great for OBC.

[zebra36]

Worth it if a $200 or equivalent point bonus offered for signing up, after meeting bonus requirements not worth keeping IMHO!

[molly361]

54 minutes ago, zebra36 said:

Worth it if a $200 or equivalent point bonus offered for signing up, after meeting bonus requirements not worth keeping IMHO!

that's what I am doing. Will cancel it in a few months. I  just signed up for their travel card as well. 

[BecciBoo]

We also did it for the bonus credit on the card, but we've never used it much as it just doesn't pay many points at all.  We've had it now for 10 yrs.

[mugtech]

Just cancelled mine a few months ago.  Next year I plan to get a new one with the $250 sign on bonus, get it up to5,000 points, spending $2,500 on cruises, get the $50 OBC and cancel again.

[island lady]

Having had my main Visa CC number stolen three times now (online twice, skimmer at gas station), I needed a back up card to use until I could get the replacement card.   The RCI Visa card has no annual fee, which makes it perfect for a back up for me.  

 

Otherwise I use it only for RCI purchases and am enjoying the OBC I get with it.  Many times using it to pay gratuities, specialty restaurant fees, etc. on board.   Even bought a beautiful new watch with it once.  

[molly361]

59 minutes ago, mugtech said:

Just cancelled mine a few months ago.  Next year I plan to get a new one with the $250 sign on bonus, get it up to5,000 points, spending $2,500 on cruises, get the $50 OBC and cancel again.

I can't tell you how many times both Dan and I did that over the years but it was a LOT I was always surprised that they never had any time limit between opening accounts and still getting the bonus.

[mugtech]

I have a US Bank card which gives me 4% rewards on cruises, airlines, hotels, rental cars, car service.  It has an annual fee of $95.  Have a Wells Fargo card with 3%rewards on all travel, no annual fee.  Even the NCL gives 3% rewards on cruises, no annual fee.

[Cigar King]

Hijacking the thread for a moment.  Yesterday I called about points I applied to a cruise in October.  They're still not showing up and as we're getting close to the final payment date the TA wants me to pay.  No worries.  

 

Royal apparently has a new policy (or new to me) where they only apply the credit a week before the final payment date.  The problem is my TA wants the dough two weeks before this date. 

 

I did call.  Royal said they would submit a request to apply it early.  What a PITA.  I think this is it for me.  I've been looking for a reason to dump this card, and this could be it.  I'll complete the current free cruise (I'm half way there) before I dump it though.

[carbon]

I have had it for years and have my 4th free Caribbean cruise next February.

[nonnie&dgd]

6 hours ago, Cigar King said:

Hijacking the thread for a moment.  Yesterday I called about points I applied to a cruise in October.  They're still not showing up and as we're getting close to the final payment date the TA wants me to pay.  No worries.  

 

Royal apparently has a new policy (or new to me) where they only apply the credit a week before the final payment date.  The problem is my TA wants the dough two weeks before this date. 

 

I did call.  Royal said they would submit a request to apply it early.  What a PITA.  I think this is it for me.  I've been looking for a reason to dump this card, and this could be it.  I'll complete the current free cruise (I'm half way there) before I dump it though.

I had the same problem this time. I called and it was applied immediately.

[Cigar King]

So far no joy for me...I told them I would call back if the credit had not been applied by Monday or Tuesday.

[gowensricks]

Thank you everyone for the very candid responses. I think we are going to pass on the card.

[Tally Cruiser]

I have had my card for years and typically use it to take $ off cruises. My last redemption for $300 off the cruise hasn't been processed yet after requesting the credits over 30 days ago. I feel the reward value has decreased significantly in the past 20 years but with 2x the point when I purchase/sail, there is some redemption value.

[Etta1213]

On 7/26/2023 at 4:58 PM, gowensricks said:

Thank you for the reply. We are trying to determine if it is worth it to get this card. I thought maybe if the OBC and/or stateroom upgrades were worthwhile, then perhaps I would go for it. 

I just got mine maybe a month ago and already have $100 obc for Sept cruise.