Have you been diligently racking up those Bank of America Royal Caribbean Visa Signature points, dreaming of your next high-seas adventure? Excellent! You're in the right place. Redeeming those points for incredible cruise benefits is simpler than you might think, and this comprehensive guide will walk you through every step. Let's turn those points into unforgettable memories!
Your Guide to Redeeming Bank of America Royal Caribbean Points
The Bank of America Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card offers a fantastic way to earn "MyCruise Points" on your everyday spending, especially when you use it for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea purchases. These points can then be redeemed for a variety of exciting rewards, making your next cruise even more rewarding.
Step 1: Confirm Your MyCruise Points Balance
First things first, you need to know how many MyCruise points you have accumulated. Knowing your balance is key to planning your redemption!
How to Check Your Balance:
- Online Banking (Recommended): This is generally the easiest and most comprehensive way.
- Log in to your Bank of America Online Banking account.
- Navigate to the "Rewards" or "Rewards & Deals" tab. This tab is usually prominently displayed once you're logged in.
- Select your Royal Caribbean Visa Signature credit card.
- Look for the "Available Rewards" button or section. Here, you'll see your current MyCruise points balance.
- Mobile Banking App: You can also check your balance on the go.
- Open the Bank of America Mobile Banking app.
- Tap the "View My Rewards" link to see your available balance.
- By Phone: If you prefer to speak with someone, you can call Bank of America Customer Service.
- Call 800-434-8313 and select option 2. (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. ET). Note that Royal Caribbean and its employees do not have access to your credit card account information, so Bank of America is the correct contact for point balance inquiries.
Step 2: Understand Your Redemption Options
Once you know how many points you have, it's time to explore the exciting ways you can use them. The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card offers a sea of rewards, from onboard credits to free cruises!
Popular Redemption Categories:
- Onboard Credit (OBC): This is one of the most flexible and popular options. OBC can be used for almost anything on the ship – specialty restaurants, shore excursions, gift shop purchases, spa treatments, drinks, and more. It's essentially free spending money for your cruise!
- Value: Generally, 100 MyCruise points equal $1 in onboard credit. For example, 15,000 points typically get you $150 in onboard credit.
- Cruise Discounts: You can apply your points directly as a discount towards your cruise fare.
- Stateroom Upgrades: Elevate your cruise experience by using points to upgrade your cabin category, often offering a higher value per point than onboard credit. For instance, 15,000 MyCruise points might be enough to upgrade from an interior to an oceanview stateroom on a 4 to 8-night cruise, potentially saving you up to $300 (which is 2 cents per point value!).
- Free Cruises/Companion Fares: This is the ultimate redemption! You can save up a significant amount of points for a completely free cruise or to cover a companion's fare. This option typically offers the best value per point (up to 2 cents per point or more). For example, 50,000 points could get you a 3 or 4-night oceanview cruise (valued up to $1,000), while 125,000 points might cover a 7-night sailing.
- Merchandise & Charitable Donations: While less common for cruise enthusiasts, these options are also available. However, they generally offer a lower value per point.
It's important to weigh the value of each redemption option based on your personal cruising goals. Often, saving points for upgrades or free cruises provides a better return.
Step 3: Initiate Your Redemption
With your points balance confirmed and your desired redemption in mind, you're ready to make it happen!
Sub-heading: Online Redemption via Bank of America
This is the most common and often easiest method.
- Log in to Bank of America Online Banking: As in Step 1, log into your account.
- Access the Rewards Tab: Go to the "Rewards" or "Rewards & Deals" tab and select your Royal Caribbean credit card.
- Choose Your Redemption: You'll see options to redeem your points.
- For onboard credit, cruise discounts, or stateroom upgrades, you'll typically be directed to a Bank of America Rewards Center or a linked Royal Caribbean redemption portal.
- You will usually need your Royal Caribbean reservation number, ship name, and sail date to apply points to an existing booking.
- Enter Cruise Details: If redeeming for a cruise-related benefit, input the required cruise information. Ensure all details are accurate to avoid delays.
- Confirm Redemption: Review your selection and confirm the redemption. You'll receive a confirmation.
Sub-heading: Redemption via Royal Caribbean's MyCruise Rewards Online Portal
In some cases, or for certain redemption types like free cruises or specific upgrades, you might need to go directly to Royal Caribbean's dedicated rewards portal.
- Visit
RoyalCaribbean.com/MyCruiseRewardsOnline - Log in: You might need to link your Bank of America account or create a profile.
- Select Redemption Option: Browse the available options (onboard credit, upgrades, free cruises) and choose the one that suits you.
- Provide Reservation Details: Similar to the Bank of America portal, you'll need your cruise reservation number, ship, and sail date.
- Complete Redemption: Follow the prompts to finalize your redemption.
Sub-heading: Redemption by Phone
If you encounter any issues or prefer personal assistance, you can call the dedicated rewards line.
- Call the Bank of America Customer Service number for credit card rewards: 800-434-8313 and select option 2.
- Alternatively, some users have reported success calling the Royal Caribbean Rewards Desk at 888-305-4626 for specific redemption inquiries, especially related to applying onboard credit. Have your credit card and cruise reservation details ready.
Step 4: Confirmation and Application to Your Booking
Once you've initiated the redemption, there's a processing period.
- Processing Time: Onboard credits and other cruise-related redemptions generally take a few days to a couple of weeks to process and appear on your Royal Caribbean booking. Some sources suggest it can be applied approximately two weeks prior to your sail date.
- Verify Application:
- Log in to your Royal Caribbean account on RoyalCaribbean.com.
- Go to "Manage My Cruise" and locate your upcoming reservation.
- Check your cruise planner or booking summary for the applied credit or benefit. You should see the onboard credit reflected in your account balance or an indication of your upgrade. <!-- end list -->
- If it doesn't appear within the expected timeframe, contact either Bank of America or Royal Caribbean customer service with your redemption confirmation details.
Important Considerations:
- Points Expiration: While generally your MyCruise points do not expire as long as your account is open, active, and in good standing, some sources indicate points may expire five years after the month they were earned. It's always best to check the most current terms and conditions on the Bank of America website or by calling them. Don't let your valuable points go to waste!
- Minimum Redemption Amounts: There might be minimum point requirements for certain redemption options.
- Linking to a Reservation: For cruise-related benefits, you must have a valid Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises reservation with a deposit paid before you can redeem your points for things like onboard credit, upgrades, or discounts.
- Advance Redemption: It's recommended to redeem your points at least seven business days prior to your sailing for onboard credit to ensure it applies to your reservation in time.
- Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Onboard Credit: Onboard credit redeemed from your Bank of America Royal Caribbean points is generally refundable. If you don't use all of it, you can often get the remaining balance refunded to you at Guest Services on the ship at the end of your cruise.
- Effect on Price Adjustments: Some users have reported that applying onboard credit from the Bank of America card might affect your ability to get price adjustments on your cruise fare if a lower price becomes available later. It's something to be aware of and perhaps discuss with a Royal Caribbean representative or your travel agent if you anticipate price changes.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check my Bank of America Royal Caribbean points balance?
You can check your points balance by logging into your Bank of America Online Banking account, navigating to the "Rewards" tab, and selecting your Royal Caribbean credit card. You can also check on the mobile banking app or by calling customer service at 800-434-8313.
How to use Bank of America Royal Caribbean points for onboard credit?
Log in to your Bank of America Online Banking account, go to the "Rewards" section for your Royal Caribbean card, and choose the option to redeem for onboard credit. You'll need your cruise reservation number, ship name, and sail date to apply it.
How to apply Bank of America Royal Caribbean points to an existing cruise booking?
Once logged into your Bank of America rewards portal, select your desired redemption (e.g., onboard credit, cruise discount) and provide your Royal Caribbean reservation details, including the booking number, ship, and sail date.
How to get the best value from Bank of America Royal Caribbean points?
Generally, redeeming points for stateroom upgrades or free cruises offers a higher value per point (sometimes up to 2 cents per point) compared to onboard credit (typically 1 cent per point) or merchandise.
How to know if my Bank of America Royal Caribbean points will expire?
While points generally don't expire as long as your account is open and active, some sources indicate a five-year expiration from the month earned. Always consult the official Bank of America Royal Caribbean Visa Signature terms and conditions or call Bank of America customer service for the most accurate information.
How to contact Bank of America for Royal Caribbean rewards questions?
For questions related to your credit card account or MyCruise points balance, call Bank of America Customer Service at 800-421-2110 or 800-434-8313 (rewards option 2). For specific redemption issues or to apply points, you might also try the Royal Caribbean Rewards Desk at 888-305-4626.
How to transfer Bank of America Royal Caribbean points to someone else?
Bank of America Royal Caribbean MyCruise points are generally not transferable to another person. They are tied to the primary cardholder's account.
How to use points for a free Royal Caribbean cruise?
You'll need a significant number of points (e.g., 50,000 for a 3-4 night oceanview cruise, 125,000 for a 7-night sailing). Redeem these through the Bank of America rewards portal or the Royal Caribbean MyCruise Rewards online portal, providing your desired cruise details.
How to confirm Royal Caribbean points redemption has been applied to my cruise?
After redeeming, log in to your Royal Caribbean account on RoyalCaribbean.com, go to "Manage My Cruise," and check your cruise planner or booking summary. The redeemed benefit (e.g., onboard credit) should appear within a few days to a couple of weeks.
How to get a refund for unused Bank of America Royal Caribbean onboard credit?
Onboard credit redeemed from your Bank of America Royal Caribbean points is typically refundable. If you have any unused balance at the end of your cruise, you can visit Guest Services on the ship to request a refund to your credit card or in cash.
