To purchase onboard credits or not?

[twinsouvenirs]

Rather than resurrecting a 2007 thread, I wanted to ask whether y'all think purchasing onboard credits is a good idea. We've got a bunch of Disney gift cards we have been saving up to pay with, and I'm thinking it'd be easier to buy the credits with those rather than lug the cards onboard and worry that we'll misplace one. However, not sure--it's possible we wouldn't use them all. If that was the case, would we be able to get the amounts refunded at the end of the trip onto our gift card?

We've got Remy and Palo booked, and we'll definitely be purchasing cocktails all week Would it make sense to calculate approximately how much is due for the meals and just purchase that to prevent too many overages?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Rather than resurrecting a 2007 thread, I wanted to ask whether y'all think purchasing onboard credits is a good idea. We've got a bunch of Disney gift cards we have been saving up to pay with, and I'm thinking it'd be easier to buy the credits with those rather than lug the cards onboard and worry that we'll misplace one. However, not sure--it's possible we wouldn't use them all. If that was the case, would we be able to get the amounts refunded at the end of the trip onto our gift card?

We've got Remy and Palo booked, and we'll definitely be purchasing cocktails all week Would it make sense to calculate approximately how much is due for the meals and just purchase that to prevent too many overages?

If you don't use all your onboard credit, it's refunded to the method of payment. So, it would be refunded to the Disney Gift Cards (in reverse order of how you applied them).

We just take our Disney gift cards onboard with us and apply the amount we thing we'll use.

You can also consolidate all your Disney gift cards into one card (I think the maximum amount allowed on one card is $1000). You can do that here: https://www.disneygiftcard.com/Manage/Transfer. Then you wouldn't need to carry multiple cards.

I think it might be easier to get refunded/credited back directly onboard, and not waiting to have it credited back through the onboard gifts system.

 

[RedSox68]

If you don't use them all, you must have the original gift card for the unused amount(s) to be placed back on.

[PrincessSchmoo and I must have hit post at the exact same moment LOL]

 

[cruisehopeful]

I combine all my gift cards to one card. You can do that online and load one card up to $1,000. at https://www.disneygiftcard.com/Manage/Transfer
Then, my first day on board, I go to the services desk and tell them I want to use the gift card as my primary payment. They scan it and give it back to me. If there is money left at the end of the cruise, you have a choice of going to the services desk again and asking for the refund to go on the card or just go home and the refund will go back to the card about 7 days later.

So, short answer is no, I wouldn't purchase on board credit.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

If you don't use all your onboard credit, it's refunded to the method of payment. So, it would be refunded to the Disney Gift Cards (in reverse order of how you applied them).

We just take our Disney gift cards onboard with us and apply the amount we thing we'll use.

You can also consolidate all your Disney gift cards into one card (I think the maximum amount allowed on one card is $1000). You can do that here: https://www.disneygiftcard.com/Manage/Transfer. Then you wouldn't need to carry multiple cards.

I think it might be easier to get refunded/credited back directly onboard, and not waiting to have it credited back through the onboard gifts system.

Thank you! Yeah, we have consolidated them so far--which is part of the reason I get nervous carrying the gift card around (essentially a $500/1000 bill!)

I'm thinking of maybe putting the cost of our planned meals on there and nothing else to minimize the bulk of the one gift card. If I undershoot, I won't have to worry about putting it back on the card

 

[twinsouvenirs]

I combine all my gift cards to one card. You can do that online and load one card up to $1,000. at https://www.disneygiftcard.com/Manage/Transfer
Then, my first day on board, I go to the services desk and tell them I want to use the gift card as my primary payment. They scan it and give it back to me. If there is money left at the end of the cruise, you have a choice of going to the services desk again and asking for the refund to go on the card or just go home and the refund will go back to the card about 7 days later.

So, short answer is no, I wouldn't purchase on board credit.

OH! I see-- so basically load it up like it's your credit card on file! I like this

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Remember, there are your gratuities too. Pre-calculated at $12/cruiser/day, so you can feel free to pre-purchase that money too, assuming you plan to pay those tips.

 

[RedSox68]

Remember, there are your gratuities too. Pre-calculated at $12/cruiser/day, so you can feel free to pre-purchase that money too, assuming you plan to pay those tips.

Or just pre-pay the gratuities themselves without putting any extra pre-cruise money.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

Remember, there are your gratuities too. Pre-calculated at $12/cruiser/day, so you can feel free to pre-purchase that money too, assuming you plan to pay those tips.

I just called today and prepaid those actually! phew....

 

[Quellman]

If you don't use all your onboard credit, it's refunded to the method of payment. So, it would be refunded to the Disney Gift Cards (in reverse order of how you applied them).

We just take our Disney gift cards onboard with us and apply the amount we thing we'll use.

I think it might be easier to get refunded/credited back directly onboard, and not waiting to have it credited back through the onboard gifts system.

If you don't use them all, you must have the original gift card for the unused amount(s) to be placed back on.

[PrincessSchmoo and I must have hit post at the exact same moment LOL]

I had a slightly different experience on the Fantasy a few weeks ago. I went to pay down my bill after a few days by applying gift cards to my account. Well turns out about $600 was already charged to my card. So instead of refunding the credit card and then drawing down on the gift cards, they just added the gift cards for future expenses. I asked if any funds would be returned to the gift cards, the DCL guest services person said no, they would credit the credit card on file if any remained at the end of the cruise. Turns out at the end of the cruise we had some monies left over and it was indeed credited to my credit card.

Not sure if this is the new policy. But it is in line with some changes I noticed across the properties. When I was at the Polynesian prior to the cruise, they wouldn't let me apply gift cards on my account in excess of what was currently owed. They also had to remove me from express checkout which means my credit card on file would not be charged at like 1am (or whatever time they run it) and I could pay off the remaining balance in the morning before I checked out.

 

[NS8VN]

Rather than resurrecting a 2007 thread...

Thank you

Is there any real downside to calling and applying the gift card before leaving? We plan to do that with our Disney Visa rewards card for a couple reasons. First, I would rather do that from home than wait in line on the ship. Second, even if it takes a week or so to get any unused credit refunded (IF there is unused credit) it isn't like we plan to get off the ship and head straight to a Disney store. Those points can take their time as long as they get back eventually. Am I missing some other downside to taking care of that in advance?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you

Is there any real downside to calling and applying the gift card before leaving? We plan to do that with our Disney Visa rewards card for a couple reasons. First, I would rather do that from home than wait in line on the ship. Second, even if it takes a week or so to get any unused credit refunded (IF there is unused credit) it isn't like we plan to get off the ship and head straight to a Disney store. Those points can take their time as long as they get back eventually. Am I missing some other downside to taking care of that in advance?

No downside.

 

[over50visits]

Thank you

Is there any real downside to calling and applying the gift card before leaving? We plan to do that with our Disney Visa rewards card for a couple reasons. First, I would rather do that from home than wait in line on the ship. Second, even if it takes a week or so to get any unused credit refunded (IF there is unused credit) it isn't like we plan to get off the ship and head straight to a Disney store. Those points can take their time as long as they get back eventually. Am I missing some other downside to taking care of that in advance?

Your plan is a good one (especially the thought of avoid lines at Guest Services). You'll pay for whatever you charge onboard, a single final total, and any onboard credits are applied against that total. Then, whatever you've deposited that's left over you'll get back. Or, if nothing is left over, your credit card will be charged if you don't stand in line to add more.

There is a downside, of course...the one you mentioned. It might take some time to get your unused credit refunded. But seems like that's not an issue with you, so go for it.

 

[GOOFY D]

We used a $150 gift card to pay off our balance the night before Castaway Cay to avoid the last night crowds. As the entire balance of the gift card was used, the host dumped the empty gift card into what I assume was a recycle box. As fate would have it, due to weather, our excursion on CC the next day was cancelled and refunded to our account. When we got back that night, I waited in line to see how it would be handled. I was told that the credit would be applied to the credit card on file and that I did not need the original gift card. Although we were told by guest services that our credit balance would be applied to our credit card on file, it was not. I am now going through an extensive process to attempt to get a gift card issued to me as they applied the refund to the original gift card which we no longer have. Very frustrating.

 

[twinsouvenirs]

We used a $150 gift card to pay off our balance the night before Castaway Cay to avoid the last night crowds. As the entire balance of the gift card was used, the host dumped the empty gift card into what I assume was a recycle box. As fate would have it, due to weather, our excursion on CC the next day was cancelled and refunded to our account. When we got back that night, I waited in line to see how it would be handled. I was told that the credit would be applied to the credit card on file and that I did not need the original gift card. Although we were told by guest services that our credit balance would be applied to our credit card on file, it was not. I am now going through an extensive process to attempt to get a gift card issued to me as they applied the refund to the original gift card which we no longer have. Very frustrating.

Thank you for this heads up on this! I could see how that would happen...I think we'll probably "underfund" on board--just the Palo/Remy/Bibbity items rather than stocking up, and based on your experience, I think we'll pay the remnant on a credit card.


I do have two fave gift cards that I hold onto to consolidate & refill over and over again, so I wouldn't let them pitch them I promise. They are unique cards too. Ugh, I wish you luck sorting that out!

We're going to WDW after so if I pop the onboard credits on there, it may help us budget with the remainder of our travel funds on the other gift cards.

You guys, I swear--I sometimes initally feel stupid asking a question here but the many and varied answers are SO valuable! Thank you all for weighing in!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I'm surprised to read that they would refund overpayment from a gift card to a credit card. In my business, I get dinged for credit card charges coming and going. If I gave people a refund on their credit card for something they paid cash for, I'd lose about 3% of the money refunded to my credit card processor. Odd and potentially expensive business practice to do things that way.

 

[RedSox68]

I'm surprised to read that they would refund overpayment from a gift card to a credit card. In my business, I get dinged for credit card charges coming and going. If I gave people a refund on their credit card for something they paid cash for, I'd lose about 3% of the money refunded to my credit card processor. Odd and potentially expensive business practice to do things that way.

I've never had this happen -- I've always been told if the money came from a gift card, it has to go back onto that gift card. I've never had them offer to refund it to a random credit card that wasn't the original payment

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I've never had this happen -- I've always been told if the money came from a gift card, it has to go back onto that gift card. I've never had them offer to refund it to a random credit card that wasn't the original payment

Perhaps they'd be willing to issue you a new gift card? That's what most stores do when they find they owe a customer money. I know this is a LITTLE different, but the fact is clear they owe you the money for the cancelled excursion. Or is it that you don't want a gift card? I could understand that too.

 

[RedSox68]

Perhaps they'd be willing to issue you a new gift card? That's what most stores do when they find they owe a customer money. I know this is a LITTLE different, but the fact is clear they owe you the money for the cancelled excursion. Or is it that you don't want a gift card? I could understand that too.

I think you cut and pasted my comment by mistake. I was commenting on leftover credit going back on the proper card; I don't actually have any leftover credit, that was the PP.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

I think you cut and pasted my comment by mistake. I was commenting on leftover credit going back on the proper card; I don't actually have any leftover credit, that was the PP.

Sorry for the confusion. I was quoting your comment, in regards to the situation of the previous poster. LOL. You said you've never had charges from a gift card refunded to a credit card, so I was suggesting that the other person, if they can't get it refunded to a credit card (in line with your experience), they might instead be able to get a new gift card issued by Disney. So I was quoting your post, but talking to GoofyD.