On Board Credit

[TheBigErn]

We have an on board credit from our travel agent for our November cruise. How do we "see" that credit? Is it something that appears on the app once we board or what? Will that be automatically used first for on board charges or do we have to do something to make that happen?

 

[lanejudy]

You won't be able to see it in advance, except if your TA provides you info (nothing from DCL will show it). Once you board you should have a notification in your stateroom about the amount. Any OBC will be used before they charge your credit card. If you have multiple amounts of OBC such as some from a TA, some you put on yourself, some from DCL -- there is a hierarchy of how it gets used. I think non-refundable (DCL, TA, etc.) is used first, then refundable is used based on when it was paid with the older amounts used first.

 

[cvjw]

Our OBC didn’t show until day 2. We have 2 from Disney and both showed up for the right amount.

 

[DisneyConvert]

So, whether one buys drinks, or the water package or spa treatments or port adventures, they all are expenses to one's DCL bill.
(any reservation or place-holder for a future cruise is totally separate).

These expenditures may be paid for by a) ShipBoard Credit; b) Disney Dollars or "Refunds", or c) charge cards or cash. Think of the various ways of paying for one's onboard DCL bill as "layers".
a) The OBCredit is one-time only - use that up first
b) Disney Rewards Visa / Dollars or refunds can only be used for Disney or a small group of other expenses - so use these 2nd.
c) Finally, paying the balance with one's personal CCard or cash is the final alternative.

 

[mullysisters]

How can you add OBC from home before your cruise. What happens if you don’t use it all by the end of your cruise? TIA

 

[Calantha]

How can you add OBC from home before your cruise. What happens if you don’t use it all by the end of your cruise?

You go to the website where you purchase onboard gifts (https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/), and select "Shop by Category" and then "On Board Credit" - just FYI, you can't use more than 1 gift card at a time. So yesterday, I tried to buy 1000 with 2 500 gift cards, and I had to do 2 transactions since I didn't feel like merging them on the gift card website. I believe if you don't use it, it will be refunded to the form of payment.

 

[mullysisters]

Thank you!

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

Depending on who your TA is, if you use one, you may also be able to add OBC through their system. I always do this through Dreams Unlimited right after I prepay tips. In the rare case that we don’t spend all of it, they refund my card.

 

[Dug720]

I believe if you don't use it, it will be refunded to the form of payment

Yes. So be sure to hang onto any gift card(s) you use to purchase it.