OBC Tricks

[StartrainDD]

I know this has been explained in the past but I still don't understand. :o

 

I get it to put the card in a slot machine but what do you mean by 'charge money against your on-board account'?

 

How?

 

Thanks.

 

 

Hi Sail!

 

This was the first time in all our cruises we actually "Did anything" in the casino. It's actually really easy. You put your card in one of the slot machines, and it asks you how much you want to put into play. Select an amount. If it's your 'First time' (like it was for us) you have to confirm your identify and establish a PIN code.

 

Then when complete, just pull out the card and go to the cash desk and tell them you want to cash out the account. They will ask you to enter your PIN code on a pad and then give you your cash in US currency.

 

Arie

[POA1]

<b> I know this has been explained in the past but I still don't understand.:o

 

I get it to put the card in a slot machine but what do you mean by 'charge money against your on-board account'?

 

How?

 

Thanks.

 

First, a disclaimer: We're not really slots players so my notes on the process might be a little out of whack. And a second disclaimer: After paying our HSC, we do an outstanding job of sending our remaining OBC to the beverage department.

 

Here's the basic gist:

 

 

• If you want to play the slots, you can charge the amount with which you'd like to play to your room, and you can charge it without a fee. (There is often a fee of several percent if you wish to charge casino chips to your onboard account.)
  
• Since you have OBC sitting in your account, the money you use for the slot machines will deplete that OBC, turning it into slot machine credits.
  
• After one spin, you can put the credits back on your room key.
  
• You then take the room key to the cashier at the casino cage and get your money back.
  
• You will have to play at least one spin, so there is a slight de facto fee if you lose.
  

It's explained better here in Post #8 to the thread entitled "Gambling Money"

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=41761992&postcount=8

Edited June 12, 2014 by POA1

[ginger and professor]

The AMEX benefit does not apply to all cruises. If your TA books your cruise on a flash sale price, HAL will not allow the AMEX benefits. It is up to the cruise line not the credit card company.

[POA1]

The AMEX benefit does not apply to all cruises. If your TA books your cruise on a flash sale price, HAL will not allow the AMEX benefits. It is up to the cruise line not the credit card company.

 

It also depends on who your travel agent talks to at HAL. Ours makes it a point to speak to several employees before he takes no for an answer. We got a "no can do" on a booking during a sale. We decided on a different itinerary - basically the same price though - and got a "sure, you get the Amex OBC" as an answer, DURING THE SAME SALE.

 

I'm convinced that the whole thing is controlled by a guy with a Magic 8 Ball, Holland America Edition.

[sambamama]

The Amex shipboard credit only applies if you book a suite; it does not apply to ocean view cabin. For an ocean view cabin, you can get a free bottle of wine, free dinner for two at the Pinnacle and a two category upgrade in cabin. However, that will not move you from an ocean view to a suite.

[POA1]

The Amex shipboard credit only applies if you book a suite; it does not apply to ocean view cabin. For an ocean view cabin, you can get a free bottle of wine, free dinner for two at the Pinnacle and a two category upgrade in cabin. However, that will not move you from an ocean view to a suite.

 

Correct. It's either a two category upgrade (VD to VB, for example) or a $300 OBC. Technically it's at the cruise line's discretion. From a practical standpoint, it means that you'll get the OBC when you book an SS or higher. Possibly an SY, but I would guess not.