Something good about RCI

[matkanmich]

We have the visa card. We use it exclusively. Our last cruise was on the liberty in Feb. '08. We got a free cruise and a $300 ship board credit. Only paid for air and balcony upgrade. Almost to good to be true.

[Mike52]

If you got OBC's from the points I can say it's way better than Carnival's worthless Seamiles card.

IslandCruz Can you explain worthless Seamile card ? Do you get bigger discounts using the RCCI card ? Thanks
Mike

[Sonny V]

In February I finished my second free cruise with points from my RC Visa credit card. 50,000 points = a $500 on board credit or payment toward a cruise. In other words, it's the same as cash back.


Sonny

[Dwayne]

IslandCruz Can you explain worthless Seamile card ? Do you get bigger discounts using the RCCI card ? Thanks
Mike

Yes, I will be glad to expand on this. First off, they don't offer on board credits. Secondly, you have to book through their reservation department, not Carnival's. Thirdly, the discounts for using the points are never lower than the rates that are already available to me as a past guest or other rate.

I was grandfathered into this from the old card and points system. They changed the rewards dramatically and added the new caveat that the cruises have to be booked through their reservation department. Before that time I had enough points for a free three day cruise.

Here is a link to their pitiful redemption policy.

Thanks for giving me a reason to vent a little about this.

Dwayne

[Mike52]

IslandCruz...thanks for the info...and you are welcome for the vent...LOL
Mike

[slouman]

Dave and others ...

How far in advance of a cruise do I have to redeem my points under the RCI Visa Card program? I can't seem to find that information. Also can't find out how to redeem them but haven't dug through all the initial paperwork either.

We are currently using the card for almost everything so should have a good little nestegg of OBC for our cruise next February on the Oasis. I'd hate to lose that because we didn't redeem them soon enough.

Thanks,
Robert

[Dave]

How far in advance of a cruise do I have to redeem my points

Onboard credit requests have to be received no later than 5 business days before the cruise.

I just received my coupons in today's mail. I just fill out the back of the coupons and mail them directly to RCI at a Wichita, KS, address.

You call 800-421-2110 and eventually wade through the menus to get to speak to a representative. Just tell them you want to redeem points and you get the coupons in the mail in a week or two.

Go here and click on the "Royal Points" link below the Visa card image. That will give you all the rules and details.

Bear in mind they have an expiration date so if you order them you better have plans to use them within 6 months.

[slouman]

Thanks, Dave. That is exactly what I needed to know. We appreciate the help!!

Robert

[peter l]

We are using the on board credit on our new card for the first time and found the process to actually be very easy to redeem. The only draw as Dave mentions is the 6 month window to use or lose..I would like to see that longer in case one had to canx or change plans after getting it. Just hold on and wait till cruise is closer.
We are starting our count down ( under 30 days) till cruise even thouogh we don't have the Doc's.

Peter1

[SD Cruiser]

We are going on a May 11 cruise on Radiance. If I apply right away, and make a purchase as soon as I have the card, logistically will I be able to get the onboard credit for that cruise in time?

Also, if husband and I each apply for a card, can we each use the onboard credit for the same cruise, even though, of course, we are in one stateroom.

Thanks for any clarification.
Ellie