Bank of America RC Visa - using points

[KBrad]

I have the Bank of America RC Visa ( i know there are better cards!) I want to apply my points toward OBC. I plan to use some to pay gratuities. That should be easy as they’ll just debit from my onboard sea pass card. I haven’t pre-paid them.

I would like to use the rest to purchase drink and dining packages on the cruise planner. Can the Visa center i call apply the points to that? I’m confused that OBC is the same or different than cruise planner credit.

[Bob Burd]

17 minutes ago, KBrad said:

I have the Bank of America RC Visa ( i know there are better cards!) I want to apply my points toward OBC. I plan to use some to pay gratuities. That should be easy as they’ll just debit from my onboard sea pass card. I haven’t pre-paid them.

I would like to use the rest to purchase drink and dining packages on the cruise planner. Can the Visa center i call apply the points to that? I’m confused that OBC is the same or different than cruise planner credit.

It takes a couple of weeks usually for there the obc to show up on your reservation.  I believe at that point you can use for any any pre cruise purchases.  

[YOLO]

I agree with @Bob Burd.  The RCI Visa points will convert to OBC before you cruise, but just sometime after you apply for your reward..  At that point you can use that OBC pre-cruise on the cruise planner.  I use this site to redeem points:  www.royalcaribbean.com/MyCruiseRewardsOnline

  Yes, there are better credit cards.  In most cases you only getting 1% (effective) cash back.

 

[ChessE4]

If the points don't post soon, you can call the Rewards Center so they are "pushed through".   We had an interesting situation on our last cruise.  I put the wrong sale date on a redemption, so the OBC didn't show up.  I called the Rewards Center, and they told me to send in a new request with correct date.  I did that, and it was visible in the Planner the next day.  Then when we boarded our ship two weeks ago, the first redemption actually showed up.  Even with the sale date off by a few days, it eventually went through.  We cashed our OBC $$ in the casino slot machine when we realized we couldn't spend it all.

[CruizIan]

Just converted some points to onboard credit maybe last week and it showed up today in my cruise planner so I would say it was under 2 weeks. 

[CruiseGus]

I always redeem, by calling the phone number, when I do they appear within 24 hours.

[USCG Teacher]

13 hours ago, CruiseGus said:

I always redeem, by calling the phone number, when I do they appear within 24 hours.

Same here.  The website is super convenient, but if you're looking to get the OBC available quickly the phone is the way to go!

[SailorGirl]

Hi, I'm looking for an official confirmation. I have the Royal Caribbean Visa card through Bank of America, and have 30,000 points availalbe. I've already purchased drink packages and shore excursions; all at nice discounts on Black Friday, so I don't want to cancel any of those and then repurchase using my points. I would like to prepay my gratuities using points instead. For the two cabins, that will consume all my points and then some. I was told gratuities are NOT eligible for the OBC that I will have once I redeem my points for my cruise. Can someone definitively confirm if I can or cannot use my OBC from points to pay for gratuities? I really have nothing else I need to buy at this time. Thank you!

[AshleyDillo]

You can't prepay gratuities with the OBC.

 

However, whatever you don't spend in the Cruise Planner pre-cruise will transfer over as a credit to your onboard account once you are on the ship.

Gratuities get charged against this same account daily when you are sailing if you do not prepay. The OBC credit will offset these daily charges. The on-board system doesn't treat this OBC any different from an OBC you got from a promo or from your travel agent.

[Emack]

Sorry to crash an older thread, but I have similar questions to this topic. 

In my online search for answers, I came across an old RCI pdf about OBC that states: 

"Is the OBC at the guest or booking level?
The Cruise Planner system recognizes the OBC at the booking level. Any guest on the reservation may choose
to use the OBC for any items in the Cruise Planner system and can be modified or changed as many times as
they would like."

Which leads to my question-

My mother booked the cruise for my whole family, with multiple rooms (each with their own reservation number). If I were to redeem my RCI Visa points for OBC, would they show up in the cruise planner account for my reservation, or under my mom's since she booked the cruise?

 

Thank you!

[Ampurp85]

3 hours ago, Emack said:

Sorry to crash an older thread, but I have similar questions to this topic. 

In my online search for answers, I came across an old RCI pdf about OBC that states: 

"Is the OBC at the guest or booking level?
The Cruise Planner system recognizes the OBC at the booking level. Any guest on the reservation may choose
to use the OBC for any items in the Cruise Planner system and can be modified or changed as many times as
they would like."

Which leads to my question-

My mother booked the cruise for my whole family, with multiple rooms (each with their own reservation number). If I were to redeem my RCI Visa points for OBC, would they show up in the cruise planner account for my reservation, or under my mom's since she booked the cruise?

 

Thank you!

The points are in your name correct? So, it would show under the cabin assigned to you. Doesn't matter who booked the rooms, each individual in the cabins is treated as such.

[Emack]

4 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The points are in your name correct? So, it would show under the cabin assigned to you. Doesn't matter who booked the rooms, each individual in the cabins is treated as such.

Thank you so much for replying.

Yes, they're in my name. Good to hear they should be assigned to me.

The conversion of Visa points to OBC is waaay more complicated than it needs to be. 

 

[Pattycruise]

10 hours ago, Emack said:

Sorry to crash an older thread, but I have similar questions to this topic. 

In my online search for answers, I came across an old RCI pdf about OBC that states: 

"Is the OBC at the guest or booking level?
The Cruise Planner system recognizes the OBC at the booking level. Any guest on the reservation may choose
to use the OBC for any items in the Cruise Planner system and can be modified or changed as many times as
they would like."

Which leads to my question-

My mother booked the cruise for my whole family, with multiple rooms (each with their own reservation number). If I were to redeem my RCI Visa points for OBC, would they show up in the cruise planner account for my reservation, or under my mom's since she booked the cruise?

 

Thank you!

When you redeem online it will ask if it is “individual” (meaning you) or “shared” (meaning everyone in your cabin. 
if you need to put your mind at ease consider calling to redeem your points. 
1-(888) 305-4626

[YellowBrickRoad]

I redeemed my RC Visa points for an onboard credit last week and was surprised that the next day my credit was already in my cruise planner site. 
That was quick! It can be used for any pre or on board purchases, which I will use now to get our internet package. 
During the cancellation of our cruise a couple of years ago, my points were returned to my visa account. 
For me, every year that we redeem, it’s been a quick and hassle free process. 

[Jersey Judie]

I claimed my OBC through Bank of America on their site. It asked for my booking number and credentials. The OBC showed up 3 days later.

[Emack]

On 5/27/2023 at 4:35 AM, YellowBrickRoad said:

I redeemed my RC Visa points for an onboard credit last week and was surprised that the next day my credit was already in my cruise planner site. 
That was quick! It can be used for any pre or on board purchases, which I will use now to get our internet package. 
During the cancellation of our cruise a couple of years ago, my points were returned to my visa account. 
For me, every year that we redeem, it’s been a quick and hassle free process. 

Thanks, that's encouraging!

Where would it show up on my cruise planner account? This is going to sound really dumb, but how does the BoA point conversion site know how to link to my cruise planner account? Is it based purely off reservation information, or do I need to do something more? 

[YellowBrickRoad]

30 minutes ago, Emack said:

Thanks, that's encouraging!

Where would it show up on my cruise planner account? This is going to sound really dumb, but how does the BoA point conversion site know how to link to my cruise planner account? Is it based purely off reservation information, or do I need to do something more? 

It will show up in the upper right side when you sign into your account with the amount and it’s says Onboard Credit. My Travel Agent also sent me an updated confirmation. 
When you redeem with BOA, you will input your Reservation # and date and ship. They will look it up and apply it to your account. 

[Emack]

I made a small test transfer a couple days ago to figure out how everything worked. 

I just logged into my cruise planner tonight and the on board credit was there! So excited. 

Thank you everyone for the information!

[YellowBrickRoad]

8 hours ago, Emack said:

I made a small test transfer a couple days ago to figure out how everything worked. 

I just logged into my cruise planner tonight and the on board credit was there! So excited. 

Thank you everyone for the information!

Glad it all worked out! Yay!! 

[fett3056]

My cruise is not until August, so check-in is unavailable.  I converted my points to OBC, but it isn't showing anywhere.  Will it show up once the check-in is available?

[SpeedNoodles]

2 hours ago, fett3056 said:

My cruise is not until August, so check-in is unavailable.  I converted my points to OBC, but it isn't showing anywhere.  Will it show up once the check-in is available?

You can call the rewards center at Bank of America and have them apply it immediately.

[YellowBrickRoad]

3 hours ago, fett3056 said:

My cruise is not until August, so check-in is unavailable.  I converted my points to OBC, but it isn't showing anywhere.  Will it show up once the check-in is available?

My cruise is in August as well. It should show up in your cruise planner on the upper right side. Once I converted my points to OBC last month, it was there a couple of days later…did not matter about check in. 

[Pattycruise]

20 hours ago, fett3056 said:

My cruise is not until August, so check-in is unavailable.  I converted my points to OBC, but it isn't showing anywhere.  Will it show up once the check-in is available?

If you did this more than a week ago I would definitely contact the rewards center to double check.  It’s possible you gave an incorrect ship name or other error.  

[YellowBrickRoad]

On 6/11/2023 at 5:01 AM, fett3056 said:

My cruise is not until August, so check-in is unavailable.  I converted my points to OBC, but it isn't showing anywhere.  Will it show up once the check-in is available?

My converted OBC points is showing now and my cruise is in August. 

[wstephensi]

Two questions about BOA Credit Card points.

1.  I've booked a cruise for summer 2024.  If I apply my points to a Free Cruise certificate, 50,000 points value $1000, will the price of the cabin be recalculated to the "full price" before RCCL "sales" and discounts?

2.  If my cabin is under the $1000 value of the Free Cruise certificate, will the excess value be applied to OBC?

Value of using your points for a "free" cruise is $0.02 per point, twice the OBC or Discount Cruise certificate. 

I've used the Discount Cruise certificate many times in the past and it has not recalculated my cruise fare that I recall.  I've never used the Free Cruise Certificate.

I have read the terms, but I'm wondering if and how they are applied.

Thanks.

[ChessE4]

47 minutes ago, wstephensi said:

Two questions about BOA Credit Card points.

1.  I've booked a cruise for summer 2024.  If I apply my points to a Free Cruise certificate, 50,000 points value $1000, will the price of the cabin be recalculated to the "full price" before RCCL "sales" and discounts?

2.  If my cabin is under the $1000 value of the Free Cruise certificate, will the excess value be applied to OBC?

Value of using your points for a "free" cruise is $0.02 per point, twice the OBC or Discount Cruise certificate. 

I've used the Discount Cruise certificate many times in the past and it has not recalculated my cruise fare that I recall.  I've never used the Free Cruise Certificate.

I have read the terms, but I'm wondering if and how they are applied.

Thanks.

Don't know but work around is pay for a cruise separately,  use points for Obc, then take out cash on the ship. I have done the casino trick to get $ but others go to Guest Services.

[Xaa]

1 hour ago, ChessE4 said:

Don't know but work around is pay for a cruise separately,  use points for Obc, then take out cash on the ship. I have done the casino trick to get $ but others go to Guest Services.

I think their point is that the value of the points is 2x if you use it for the cruise.  50k=$1000 vs 5k=$50 making 50k=$500 in OBC

[ChessE4]

2 hours ago, Xaa said:

I think their point is that the value of the points is 2x if you use it for the cruise.  50k=$1000 vs 5k=$50 making 50k=$500 in OBC

Yes, getting double the value would be better, which is why OP needs an answer. I still wonder if it is in the too good to be true category, so I am eager to hear the final answer from someone who knows.

[wstephensi]

9 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

Yes, getting double the value would be better, which is why OP needs an answer. I still wonder if it is in the too good to be true category, so I am eager to hear the final answer from someone who knows.

Correct.  I'm trying to work the math out.  If the sale price is $800 and the before sale and discount price for a cabin is $1600 would it be better to use the Cruise Discount of $500 for 50K of points or the $1000 for 50K for a Free Cruise. 

On the surface it seems like easy math, but the terms for a Cruise Discount are more favorable than the Free Cruise.

[Mary Anne doane]

I'm new to using Royal Caribbean cruise rewards.  I have over 28,000 points but don't know a thing about how to redeem them to use as drink packages or internet package can anyone help?

[wstephensi]

I find the easiest way is to go to your BoA web site and click on the View MyCruise Points button below your reward points total.  That will take you to a new BoA page that displays your point total.  Beside that total is a Redeem MyCruise Points button.  Pressing that will take you to a new web site that has your redemption choices. 

[Bob Burd]

1 hour ago, wstephensi said:

I find the easiest way is to go to your BoA web site and click on the View MyCruise Points button below your reward points total.  That will take you to a new BoA page that displays your point total.  Beside that total is a Redeem MyCruise Points button.  Pressing that will take you to a new web site that has your redemption choices. 

 

I concur. We saw a pretty good deal leaving NJ and we scooped it up. Today, I'm going to the BOA site and redeeming it like you described.  Then I check every day to see if it went on my cruise yet.

[Scooter6251]

What happens if you have to cancel a cruise last minute after you have transferred the points to that cruise as OBC?  Do they return to your CC account?  TIA

[1337rose]

On 5/26/2023 at 1:32 PM, Emack said:

Sorry to crash an older thread, but I have similar questions to this topic. 

In my online search for answers, I came across an old RCI pdf about OBC that states: 

"Is the OBC at the guest or booking level?
The Cruise Planner system recognizes the OBC at the booking level. Any guest on the reservation may choose
to use the OBC for any items in the Cruise Planner system and can be modified or changed as many times as
they would like."

Which leads to my question-

My mother booked the cruise for my whole family, with multiple rooms (each with their own reservation number). If I were to redeem my RCI Visa points for OBC, would they show up in the cruise planner account for my reservation, or under my mom's since she booked the cruise?

 

Thank you!

You probably already got your answer but when I redeemed points they showed up on my cruise planner and I had the option to pre pay for items with the money but since I wanted it to be used for OBC I let them stay on my cruise planner until my cruise. 

After boarding the ship my account had the credit. You may also use them as shared or companion OBC. This will cover anything that is charged to your room including the non prepaid gratuities. (I believe it applied too casino room charges as well but not positive).