NCL Mastercard FAQ

[ndstagetech]

I'm booked in a spa mini-suite for my honeymoon cruise on Norwegian Breakaway. Can anyone speculate on what category I would be upgraded to if I redeemed 20k points?

 

Looking at the stateroom description page at

http://www2.ncl.com/cruise-ship/breakaway/staterooms/2/suite

 

it looks as if the next category would be a Haven Spa Suite. But they would never possibly upgrade me to that with NCL Card points, right?

 

Any help would be fantastic! Thanks in advance!

[Izzybeff]

I redeemed 20,000 points for $200 onboard credit last week and it was easy peasy!

[TVLady3]

If I redeem $250 from world points for OBC, can I purchase a future cruise reward with that and will I still receive the $100 OBC?

[njrover0216]

I just booked my cruise and was offered the option to open up the NCL credit card. It says I would have 15,000 starting points after my first qualifying purchase. That means I would have a $150 onboard credit right?

 

If so, I should probably open one up...do I just need to use the credit card a few times and then I can claim it?

[TVLady3]

I just booked my cruise and was offered the option to open up the NCL credit card. It says I would have 15,000 starting points after my first qualifying purchase. That means I would have a $150 onboard credit right?

 

If so, I should probably open one up...do I just need to use the credit card a few times and then I can claim it?

 

Yes you would have $150 OBC, You need to make only one purchase to qualify, you don't need to use it a few times if you don't want to. It can be any amount, even if you purchase a pack of gum.

But, you must wait until you receive your first statement to apply for the OBC, then you need to call NCL world points and ask them to credit your cruise for the OBC.

[TVLady3]

If I redeem $250 from world points for OBC, can I purchase a future cruise reward with that and will I still receive the $100 OBC?

 

Anyone have an answer to this question?

[Starry Eyes]

Anyone have an answer to this question?

 

Well, as mentioned above, NCL can change the rules. But I previously have used OBC for Future cruise reward.

 

so if you start with $250 OBC, pay $250 for future cruise, gain $100 OBC. That $100 OBC is nonreundable, I believe, so you'll still need to spend that.

 

If you are trying to use all your $250 OBC, you could buy two future cruise rewards and end up owing $50.

 

Or you could keep your points until you have enough to make it worth it to get cash.

[rjm11]

I just signed up for this credit card (we are very loyal NCL cruisers, and might as well take advantage!)- my question is, if I already have OBC from an NCL promotion, can I combine it with OBC from "cashing in" points? I know some forms of OBC aren't combinable... I assume this is? I already have $300 in OBC from booking a suite during a promotion- can I also trade in my 15000 booking points for another $150?

 

I know I can't use it for DSC, but I will surely use that much (and more!) in bar tab, spa costs, and excursions...

[timcar]

Ok, let me get this straight. I have previously cashed out 25,000 points for $250 cash, can I still do that? If I can't and i choose onboard credit, I can't use that for tips. Also I read somewhere about combining obc from different sources. If I get OBC from a promotion, can I still get OBC from the mastercard? I am so confused.

[Birdnutty]

Ok, let me get this straight. I have previously cashed out 25,000 points for $250 cash, can I still do that? If I can't and i choose onboard credit, I can't use that for tips. Also I read somewhere about combining obc from different sources. If I get OBC from a promotion, can I still get OBC from the mastercard? I am so confused.

 

If you have another 25,000 points, yes, you can cash out another $250 in cash. If you take it in OBC, I think you still can use it for tips. I believe it's only the OBC that the cruiseline offers can't be used for tips, but don't quote me on that. Things may have changed since I did that last. I usually just get the cash. And yes, OBC's are combineable, if they are from different sources. OBC offered from your TA is a separate entity from that offered by the cruiseline, which is still separate from your MC OBC. That has been "in my experience", and seems to be echoed throughout the boards. But I'd still check it out further before banking on it.

[dustyroad]

i could not go through all the replies so i hope this isnt a duplicate post.

 

i have enough points from the card too get $200 obc . if i dont use all this up can i get the money back at the end of my cruise ?

[Birdnutty]

Nope. Use it or lose it. Or instead, why don't you just cash it in as cash, and then it's not an issue?

[dustyroad]

Nope. Use it or lose it. Or instead, why don't you just cash it in as cash, and then it's not an issue?

 

thanks for the help. i might just do that. but i know i wont have a problem using if for drinks or a tour or two. :)

[Bars7816]

I think that is incorrect. OBC from World Points is refundable if not used, unless things have changed. OBC from NCL or other TA's is nonrefundable.

 

OBC from World Points is your cash.

[dustyroad]

I think that is incorrect. OBC from World Points is refundable if not used, unless things have changed. OBC from NCL or other TA's is nonrefundable.

 

OBC from World Points is your cash.

 

i will call the perks # and ask. im sure i will be able too use them up though. just wondered just in case i dont. :)

[UMDTERPS1]

I just booked my first NCl Cruise - which is the Gem going to Canada in September. Within a day or so of booking I applied for an NCL Mastercard whereby I would receive 15,000 bonus points once I charge two transactions. Lets say I spend $500 - $1000 over the next two months and had 16,000 points at the end of March.

 

My final payment for the sailing is due in mid June. What would be the best way to use my points?

 

There are so many posts it is hard to determine where to look. Thanks for your help..

 

Michael

[vickic233]

I just booked my first NCl Cruise - which is the Gem going to Canada in September. Within a day or so of booking I applied for an NCL Mastercard whereby I would receive 15,000 bonus points once I charge two transactions. Lets say I spend $500 - $1000 over the next two months and had 16,000 points at the end of March.

 

My final payment for the sailing is due in mid June. What would be the best way to use my points?

 

There are so many posts it is hard to determine where to look. Thanks for your help..

 

Michael

 

First of all, if you are in a position to pay the card off every month, I would use it for everything in between now and your sail date. I also used mine to pay off the cruise so I received double points for that transaction. I also prepaid gratuities with the card. I am using my points for on board credit because we always play a couple of hands of bingo, order some drinks and maybe a ship photo or two. Also, I think you can buy casino slot $ which they give you, say 50.00 for 25.00? Not sure on that but check on the card website! Of course, theres always turning it in to card company for cash, which alot of people do also!

[Sandyshore]

i could not go through all the replies so i hope this isnt a duplicate post.

 

i have enough points from the card too get $200 obc . if i dont use all this up can i get the money back at the end of my cruise ?

 

I'm just off the Jewel this morning. I had $300 in World Points credit and for a while I didn't think I'd be able to use it up (yeah -- hard to believe, but I had a LOT of OBC this cruise). I checked with my PCC by e-mail and he assured me I could have the World Points returned to my Mastercard if I wasn't going to use them. His direct reply:

 

"You can return the points back to your master card as long as they are unused at the end of your cruise. The points returned can be redeemed toward future cruises or many other options i.e. pre-paid Master card, gift cards or select merchandise. Our customer service relations team can help you return your points back to the card post cruise."

 

So you won't get cash back, but you won't lose the points. BUT -- if you use part of your $200 OBC, that may be a different story. My PCC's reply sounds like ALL the points would have had to be unused at the end of the cruise. End of story: we spent the $300 on a couple of watches from the Gift Shop :D

 

Hope that helps to answer your question.

[Sandyshore]

One more thing, while it's fresh in my mind (see above post). When I redeemed my World Points for $300 in OBC, I asked my PCC if I could use that portion of OBC to cover the DSC (Daily Service Charge) and he said YES.

 

HOWEVER - once on board, I asked that question of Guest Services and they said NO, it was considered non-refundable credit and not eligible for the DSC. That's what led to me asking about returning the points to my MasterCard. PCC admitted he was misinformed and apologized. So the DSC was charged to my NCL MC and I got double points for that.

[dustyroad]

I'm just off the Jewel this morning. I had $300 in World Points credit and for a while I didn't think I'd be able to use it up (yeah -- hard to believe, but I had a LOT of OBC this cruise). I checked with my PCC by e-mail and he assured me I could have the World Points returned to my Mastercard if I wasn't going to use them. His direct reply:

 

"You can return the points back to your master card as long as they are unused at the end of your cruise. The points returned can be redeemed toward future cruises or many other options i.e. pre-paid Master card, gift cards or select merchandise. Our customer service relations team can help you return your points back to the card post cruise."

 

So you won't get cash back, but you won't lose the points. BUT -- if you use part of your $200 OBC, that may be a different story. My PCC's reply sounds like ALL the points would have had to be unused at the end of the cruise. End of story: we spent the $300 on a couple of watches from the Gift Shop :D

 

Hope that helps to answer your question.

 

One more thing, while it's fresh in my mind (see above post). When I redeemed my World Points for $300 in OBC, I asked my PCC if I could use that portion of OBC to cover the DSC (Daily Service Charge) and he said YES.

 

HOWEVER - once on board, I asked that question of Guest Services and they said NO, it was considered non-refundable credit and not eligible for the DSC. That's what led to me asking about returning the points to my MasterCard. PCC admitted he was misinformed and apologized. So the DSC was charged to my NCL MC and I got double points for that.

 

 

thank you both so much. i will be dipping into some of the obc so i might have too spend more than i normally would ( what a sacrifice that will be ;) ). i sure i will find a way too spend it. i am thinking of booking another cruise while i am on this one. so the double points will help if i do this. thanks again :)

[JerseyGem]

We also just returned from the Jewel (hi Sally!). When we realized that our World Points credits could not be used towards the DSC and were listed as non-refundable, we cancelled (onboard) our ships excursions (already paid months ago with our card) and immediately rebooked the same excursions. The cancelled amount was refundable; the "new" excursion costs were applied to our non-refundable, non-DSC OBCs; problem solved.

 

Lynn

[Sandyshore]

We also just returned from the Jewel (hi Sally!). When we realized that our World Points credits could not be used towards the DSC and were listed as non-refundable, we cancelled (onboard) our ships excursions (already paid months ago with our card) and immediately rebooked the same excursions. The cancelled amount was refundable; the "new" excursion costs were applied to our non-refundable, non-DSC OBCs; problem solved.

 

Lynn

 

Very clever work-around, Lynn!!! I'm impressed. :D We didn't have any pre-booked excursions to cancel; our OBC other than the points truly was non-refundable. We even booked a ship's excursion just to use up some of the credit (Barbados beach trip).

[dustyroad]

great idea. there is the '' behind the scenes '' tour i want too do this time. and possibly one in ketchikan with the ship i am interested in. i will wait and book them when i get onboard. thanks for the idea.

[perkydebrajean]

Applied for the card last week. They were offering 15,000 points after first purchase. Finally recieved the card in the mail today and now it's down to 10,000 points. Guess we were a week too late in applying!

[ruarmed2]

Need advice, Called today to upgrade my Ocean View to Balcony using 30,000 points just like i have in the past, after being on hold for about 3 minutes or so I was told points can not be used to upgrade on Bermuda cruises. i have done it 3 times to Bermuda before with the last time Sept. 2012. Called my PCC and he can't help because it's handled by a different department. Anyone else having this issue?