Royal Caribbean - Visa Card

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Sisko

Guest
Hey Addicts:

Anybody using the RCI visa card? Good experience? Bad? With the high price of gas, food, etc., I'm looking for creative ways to contribute to the cruise fund. I started reading the terms and conditions, but trying to wade through the fine print put me to sleep. :)

All input appreciated. Thanks.

Sisko
 
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Wuollebear

Guest
I'm also curious about this. We just got one about a month ago but haven't used it yet. We are planning to use it on board on our Adventure cruise in Feb.
 
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Rubysky

Guest
I don't have one for any cruiseline, it kinda limits you to that particular line. I have one that gives me airmiles.
I've heard good and bad about cruiseline cards.
The only thing I can tell you is to charge everything and pay it off each month. All those little purchases add up, even wit putting everything on a card it might take several years to get what you want.
 
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PH8

Guest
I have one and I basically use it for OBC for my cruises.........every 5000 points you rack up,you get $50 OBC.....

You get one point for every purchase...double points if it is RCCL related(down payment on a cruise,for instance).......

If you apply now,you'll get 10,000 points right after your first purchase(of anything)




Points ROYAL CARIBBEAN REWARDSSM - One Reward per point level


5,000
$50 USD onboard credit toward onboard purchases ie: Spa, Shore Excursions, Gift Shop, Bar, etc. (multiple onboard credits may be applied to a reservation if earned)
Upgrade, on a 3 to 4 night cruise for two, (interior stateroom to minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
2 Royal Caribbean robes delivered onboard
Mumm Cordon Rouge and chocolate coverd strawberries delivered onboard
Royal Packet - Two Royal Caribbean towels, cameras, and messenger bags delivered to your home
Royal Wear - Two Royal Caribbean polo shirts and baseball caps delivered to your home




15,000
$150 USD onboard credit toward onboard purchases i.e Spa, Shore Excursions, Gift Shop, Bar, etc (multiple onboard credits may be applied to a reservation if earned)

$150 USD towards the purchase of a cruise (any ship and itinerary)
Upgrade on a 4 to 8 night cruise for two, September-May (interior stateroom to minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
Onboard Grand Romance Package - includes a bottle of champagne, fresh flowers, two robes, canapés and petit fours, breakfast in bed one morning, and a keepsake portrait.





25,000
$250 USD onboard credit toward onboard purchases i.e. Spa, Shore Excursions, Gift Shop, Bar, etc (multiple onboard credits may be applied to a reservation if earned).
Upgrade on a 4 to 8 night cruise for two, June-August (interior stateroom to minimum available oceanview stateroom).*

Free companion fare on a 3 to 4 night cruise (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*





50,000
$500 USD onboard credit toward onboard purchases i.e Spa, Shore Excursions, Gift Shop, Bar, etc (multiple onboard credits may be applied to a reservation if earned).
$500 USD towards the purchase of a cruise (any ship and itinerary)
Upgrade on a 4 to 8 night cruise for two (oceanview stateroom to minimum available balcony stateroom, excluding suites).*
Upgrade on a 9 to 12 night Caribbean cruise for two (oceanview stateroom to minimum available balcony stateroom, excluding suites).*
Upgrade on a 7 night Alaska cruise for two (interior stateroom to minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
Upgrade on a 7 to 12 night European cruise for two (interior stateroom to minimum available oceanview stateroom).*

Free 3 to 4 night cruise for two (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*





75,000
Upgrade on a 7 night European cruise for two (balcony stateroom to a junior suite)*
Upgrade on a 7 night Alaska cruise for two (balcony stateroom to a junior suite)*

Free companion fare on a 7 night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera cruise (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*





125,000
Free 5 to 7 night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera cruise for two (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
Free companion fare on a 7 night Alaska cruise (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
Free companion fare on a 9 to 12 night Caribbean cruise (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*





250,000
Free 7 night Caribbean or Mexican Riviera cruise for two (minimum available balcony stateroom)*
Free 7 night Alaska cruise for two (minimum available oceanview stateroom)*
Free 9 to 12 night Caribbean cruise for two (minimum available oceanview stateroom)*

Free companion fare on a 12 night European cruise (minimum available oceanview stateroom).*
 
B

Breeze

Guest
We've had our card for about 5 years now. During that time we paid for our daughter's wedding on a RCCL ship (double points!) plus furnished a new home. Needless to say, the points ran up in a hurry. We have used points to pay for a 7 day Mariner cruise and a 4 day Sovereign cruise. Both were before BofA took over and the rules changed. Now, unfortunately, it takes many more points to get those kinds of perks.

It's still not a bad card as long as you pay off your balance each month and not rack up finance charges.
 
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PH8

Guest
Didnt the point amount go down for the free 7 nt cruise?? Used to be 150K......now its down to 125K.................not sure what it was in the beginning though
 
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Breeze

Guest
[quote PH8]Didnt the point amount go down for the free 7 nt cruise?? Used to be 150K......now its down to 125K.................not sure what it was in the beginning though[/quote]
Yes, it used to be 150,000 for the free 7 night cruise valued up to $2500. Now it's down to 125,000, but, and that is a big BUT, it is only valued at the LOWEST AVAILABLE OUTSIDE CABIN. Before it didn't matter what cabin you picked, RCCL would cover up to $2500. It's not that great a deal anymore unless you find a cruise with only the highest priced outside available and, if you want a balcony, you have to hope the price of one is close to that outside cabin. It's very confusing and really makes you do your homework and research before booking. It's gotten to be a real pain!

At this point I'd rather use 50,000 points toward getting $500. off on the price of any cruise.
 
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Breeze

Guest
They put the changes into effect when Bank of America bought out MBNA (I think that's who the card was through before). BofA claimed that RCCL changed the rules. RCCL claimed the rules were changed by BofA. Both of them claimed MBNA was doing it all wrong. It just went round and round and we, the customers, lost.:(
 
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lizzitish

Guest
I use mine alot (only major card I have) and I know I'll never get a free cruise out of it(hubby would shoot me if I used it that much...LOL) but the points help with onboard credits. Got my card after our cruise in 2005 and by the time of our last cruise(nov 2008) I had $300 onboard credit...helped pay for those frozen thingies....
 
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TiaJuia

Guest
I just got one a few months ago, and have already gotten enough points for an onboard credit for our September cruise. Sort of wish we'd gotten it sooner, since the credits would've been nice for other cruises we've taken with RCCI. I was actually impressed with the customer service since I had to get the credit limit increased enough to cover the cost of the cruise; original credit limit wasn't enough.

I have lots of other credit cards, but I'm planning to use this one exclusively since the discounts and on board credits will help with future cruises. Since the points don't expire for five years, that gives me plenty of time to book another trip!!
 
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Missmadge

Guest
If you cruise often, it is really worth using!! We use ours to get onboard credit. Between than and the OBC you get from owning stock we usually have enough to cover our expenses while aboard

Missmadge.
 
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jrsygrl

Guest
The RC visa card is the only one we use, and I do mean USE. We put everything on that card, even down to the $4 cup of starbucks. Each receipt is kept and recorded into the checkbook register as "RC" and the actual store. At the end of the month when the bill comes we tally them up and match it to the bill. Basically we pretend it's a debit card......have had the card for 5 years and we have not paid one penny of interest. Two free cruises later and another one coming up next year (only need 14,000 more points!) and I'm a happy camper.....
 
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JoeV137

Guest
I actually just signed up for this a few months ago. Bought a cruise for my first qualifying transaction to get the extra 10,000 bonus points. Going on a cruise with a few friends, so it'll be a nice surpise when I apply 5,000 to each room. You're getting a pretty nice deal for nothing more than a first purchase.
 
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Squeeky

Guest
I have one and check my points every once in awhile. I'm hoping for a free 7 night cruise sometime in the future. Only card I have, so it will happen someday!
 
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loly

Guest

Yes I do think is a great card also, already have accumulated $12,000 in no time, except I was hoping
to be able to use it for credit on other cruise lines like Celebrity, but, out of luck, can only be used for
RCL, except in another website heard they could be used for other cruise lines also, but just called to double
check and was told only on RCL, shame as we are taking one with Celebrity this coming March, but
I will be looking forward using it for another cruise soon maybe later in the year.... Yes, any tips and advice
anyone may have on how to maximize these points is a "GREAT THING".... TKs
 
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sharlenek

Guest
I charge everything on my card and pay it off every month so I have no fees. I'm really just earning points every month. It's has taken a while, but I leave for my free cruise in 3 weeks. It cost me less than 250.00 dollars for two with a balcony upgrade to take a Mexican Riviera cruise. It was no trouble at all cashing out and using my points.
 
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Cherylhurt

New Member
Sisko said:
Hey Addicts:

Anybody using the RCI visa card? Good experience? Bad? With the high price of gas, food, etc., I'm looking for creative ways to contribute to the cruise fund. I started reading the terms and conditions, but trying to wade through the fine print put me to sleep. :)

All input appreciated. Thanks.

Sisko
Click to expand...

Yes, we use only our RCI Visa now and really like it. I have had two Jamaica cruises where my ticket was free and we only had to pay for my husband's! I've got over 100000 points and hope to be able to upgrade to a Jr suite from a balcony next year. Easy to redeem points, too. Just call RCI and tell them what you want to do with the points and they'll send you a coupong. Type the coupon code into your cruise and voila!
 
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earl_m

Social Host
Thats a blast from The past!!
 
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