Please clarify, cashing out in casino

[isladonna]

Does it matter how you fund your account, gift card or cash, to be able to cash out any remaining money in the casino? 

,

Do you have to transfer it to your casino account, then cash out?  Thinking of buying more 10% off gift certificates, but want to make sure I can get it back, if not used.

 

Was trying to explain to our friends, who want to do the same and wanted to make sure I'm right.

 

Thanks!

 

[EllaDuChien]

For gift cards, you load them on to your account, then transfer to your casino "bank." Any remaining money not used in the casino stays in your bank and you can  cash it out at the cage.  I do this often...although I don't always have money left to cash out! :-)

[Lottacruises]

Go overboard with that and they will block your account. Be reasonable and it won't be a problem.

[cmptrwiz]

What is reasonable?  I have a $542 Carnival gift card we got from someone in our party canceling because of stroke.  I am taking it with us so I can cash it out for them, they won’t be cruising in the future.

[klfrodo]

Money Laundering 101

 

Purchase gift cards with illicit money, cash out gift cards for clean money

 

Just a thought. 🤔

Edited February 4, 2020 by klfrodo

[purplephenom]

43 minutes ago, cmptrwiz said:

What is reasonable?  I have a $542 Carnival gift card we got from someone in our party canceling because of stroke.  I am taking it with us so I can cash it out for them, they won’t be cruising in the future.

 

IMO that's not reasonable- but we're not huge drinkers- that is probably our sail and sign bill for a few cruises.  But, 2 things- reasonable is very much a judgement call, and I've seen people suggest this "cruise hack" quite often on here and I've never seen anyone come back and say their account was blocked.  But, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.   

 

If you want to cash out the entire amount, maybe wait until the last night so it doesn't cause you issues during your cruise.  Or, if you're nervous about being blocked, could you use that amount towards your sail and sign, cash out the leftovers and you make up the difference for the member of your party? 

[cmptrwiz]

7 minutes ago, purplephenom said:

 

If you want to cash out the entire amount, maybe wait until the last night so it doesn't cause you issues during your cruise.  Or, if you're nervous about being blocked, could you use that amount towards your sail and sign, cash out the leftovers and you make up the difference for the member of your party? 

 

Thanks I think we will do that!

[Jamesatgsu]

I doubt it would be an issue.  Just give card to Customer Service to add to your account, then go play in the Casino. Use machines to get cash free or play the tables for a small percentage fee.  

 

I'd play a few hands of video poker or what not if you are concerned, and even take it in small amounts throughout the cruise.

[Organized Chaos]

1 hour ago, cmptrwiz said:

What is reasonable?  I have a $542 Carnival gift card we got from someone in our party canceling because of stroke.  I am taking it with us so I can cash it out for them, they won’t be cruising in the future.

 

It would be a bit of a chore and maybe somewhat of a nuisance, but you could break that amount up throughout the cruise. It's also important for anyone doing this "trick" to spin once or twice on the slot machine to at least make it look like you're playing.

[Denverdonkeys]

I have done much more than the $542. But as stated, it could be blocked. I do it for two reasons: 1. buying discounted gift cards for my gambling budget (10% discount negates the house edge if you play "right") or 2. pulling out cash from OBC that I didn't spend (shareholder, travel agent, price reduction, etc.)

 

I add a little time element to it. I load the GC to my account ASAP (without a GS line of course, it's not worth that). I transfer a little to my casino player's bank at a slot machine ("penny" machines are cheapest), leave it there for a couple nights, and then ultimate transfer whatever else i want to the last night and then cash it out. I spin it a few times, maybe i win a couple cents or lose a couple cents, but better than the 3% table fee. Other times I will do the same but with larger amounts to get cash for table games to not pay the 3% fee.

 

Remember that the casino could care less how the money got into your player's bank. It is a different system and entity, so while they can be linked, they are not meant to be linked by the cashier at the casino or the agent at GS. They don't care that you do it.

 

The comment above about money laundering is ridiculous to imply this poster is engaging in that. He made a comment about needing to cash out a gift card from a cruise fare refund due to stroke. It is not not necessary to add an insult to an injury by suggesting his money is illicit and needs to be "washed" - but I bet you got a laugh out of it, big time funny guy.

[Organized Chaos]

1 hour ago, Denverdonkeys said:

Remember that the casino could care less how the money got into your player's bank. It is a different system and entity, so while they can be linked, they are not meant to be linked by the cashier at the casino or the agent at GS. They don't care that you do it.

 

I disagree, to a certain degree. I think they know people do it, but are willing to overlook it happening. That is, until they see this method being abused. There are already people who buy the 10% off gift cards, then use this method to cash out the full amount. Too much of that and Carnival's surely liable to "plug the leak." Their non-refundable OBC isn't intended to leave the ship in cash form. Unused gift card funds are meant to be refunded as another gift card, to be used on a future cruise or forfeited by the customer. Carnival doesn't want too much of these types of funds walking off the ship as cash. If it happens too much, they're more likely to put an end to this. I'm willing to bet that the overall percentage of Carnival cruisers who know about this casino trick is quite small, but the more people that learn about it, the better the chances it could be abused. That's why everyone I've ever seen share this method always encourages others to take a couple spins on the machine to give the impression that you're playing. No one wants this "loophole" to be closed because some people abused the process.

[isladonna]

3 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

I disagree, to a certain degree. I think they know people do it, but are willing to overlook it happening. That is, until they see this method being abused. There are already people who buy the 10% off gift cards, then use this method to cash out the full amount. Too much of that and Carnival's surely liable to "plug the leak." Their non-refundable OBC isn't intended to leave the ship in cash form. Unused gift card funds are meant to be refunded as another gift card, to be used on a future cruise or forfeited by the customer. Carnival doesn't want too much of these types of funds walking off the ship as cash. If it happens too much, they're more likely to put an end to this. I'm willing to bet that the overall percentage of Carnival cruisers who know about this casino trick is quite small, but the more people that learn about it, the better the chances it could be abused. That's why everyone I've ever seen share this method always encourages others to take a couple spins on the machine to give the impression that you're playing. No one wants this "loophole" to be closed because some people abused the process.

The purpose that I MIGHT need to do it is if I buy the gift card and end up not spending it all.  The option to get the money back, that I spent for the gift card, seems reasonable to me.  I don't want another gift card that I may never use.  I don't see how that is abusing, seems logical to me.  

[Organized Chaos]

1 hour ago, isladonna said:

The purpose that I MIGHT need to do it is if I buy the gift card and end up not spending it all.  The option to get the money back, that I spent for the gift card, seems reasonable to me.  I don't want another gift card that I may never use.  I don't see how that is abusing, seems logical to me.  

 

That's why I do it, too. We use the gift cards to fund our S&S, but don't want to end up with a refund on a new gift card. Yeah, we'd probably take another cruise eventually, but not for a year or more, so we don't want any of our money tied up in gift cards. I don't think what you describe is abusing it at all.

 

What I meant was, Carnival issues non-refundable OBC and they expect to get that back when passengers spend it onboard. Or if the passenger doesn't use all of it, then Carnival gets to keep that much. With gift cards, any unused amount is refunded on a new card. In Carnival's eyes, they know that money will eventually be spent with them. But when people cash out in the casino, all of that is money that doesn't wind up in Carnival's coffers. I don't think it's abusing the system unless it ends up being done to excess.

[Elaine5715]

My account has been locked numerous times after I loaded money into my casino bank and then moved to another machine without playing.  You get need to go standing in line so they can unlocked.  Sometimes the slot does it to itself when you load money but it just diverts it to player bank.  

[2wheelin]

25 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

My account has been locked numerous times after I loaded money into my casino bank and then moved to another machine without playing.  You get need to go standing in line so they can unlocked.  Sometimes the slot does it to itself when you load money but it just diverts it to player bank.  

Why would you transfer money and then not play—numerous times?

[cruisingguy007]

15 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

Go overboard with that and they will block your account. Be reasonable and it won't be a problem.

 

They will block it if you use your card to load up funds via a slot machine and then cash them into chips for the tables thus avoiding the 3% fee. Ask me how I know 🙂 lol. 

 

They will release the EFT hold if you go to the cage. You could theoretically load  a large amount charged to your sign and sail and then cash into chips. They won't like it but they will unlock your account. It's just a way they use to say "hi, we're out here". Really just depends on how much you are doing it but you can do anything once (really big) and there isn't much they can do.  

[isladonna]

7 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

They will block it if you use your card to load up funds via a slot machine and then cash them into chips for the tables thus avoiding the 3% fee. Ask me how I know 🙂 lol. 

 

They will release the EFT hold if you go to the cage. You could theoretically load  a large amount charged to your sign and sail and then cash into chips. They won't like it but they will unlock your account. It's just a way they use to say "hi, we're out here". Really just depends on how much you are doing it but you can do anything once (really big) and there isn't much they can do.  

What is the 3% fee?  I don't think I've been aware of this.  My hubby plays tables at times.  Are you saying if you use your card to buy chips at a table, there is a 3% fee?  So you should just bring and use cash and/or cash out at a machine, get cash, use cash at tables, right?  

[Elaine5715]

9 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Why would you transfer money and then not play—numerous times?

The machine locks up, someone sits down blowing smoke in my face, the machine I was waiting for opens...  lots of reasons

[Junglecat01]

On 2/4/2020 at 4:04 AM, isladonna said:

Thinking of buying more 10% off gift certificates,

Hi were can you buy %10 off gift certificate? Thanks 

[isladonna]

1 hour ago, Junglecat01 said:

Hi were can you buy %10 off gift certificate? Thanks 

i got mine through my Citibank card.  Citi Easy Deals. I think you have to have points on your card though.

[cruisingguy007]

9 hours ago, isladonna said:

What is the 3% fee?  I don't think I've been aware of this.  My hubby plays tables at times.  Are you saying if you use your card to buy chips at a table, there is a 3% fee?  So you should just bring and use cash and/or cash out at a machine, get cash, use cash at tables, right?  

 

If you get chips charged to your room (essentially credit card) at the table there is a 3% fee ($100 in chips is billed at $103 to sign and sail). You can stick your sign and sail into a slot machine and load up money (also charged to that same card with no fee), pull card out, and then get chips. This avoids the 3% fee. Seems they don't like this and/or cashing out balances with little/no play since it essentially gives you fee free cash charged to your card. Not sure it's the same if you have a gift card and/or cruise cash or something. I imagine it's not policed as closely. You can use cash at tables and/or cash out your bank for chips at the cage to use at tables. Either is fine.  

Edited February 5, 2020 by cruisingguy007

[isladonna]

1 hour ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

If you get chips charged to your room (essentially credit card) at the table there is a 3% fee ($100 in chips is billed at $103 to sign and sail). You can stick your sign and sail into a slot machine and load up money (also charged to that same card with no fee), pull card out, and then get chips. This avoids the 3% fee. Seems they don't like this and/or cashing out balances with little/no play since it essentially gives you fee free cash charged to your card. Not sure it's the same if you have a gift card and/or cruise cash or something. I imagine it's not policed as closely. You can use cash at tables and/or cash out your bank for chips at the cage to use at tables. Either is fine.  

thank you!

[Denverdonkeys]

The charge for the player's bank at the slots or for chips at the tables just hits your sail and sign account. if you have OBC, cash applied, gift card applied, or credit card on file, it doesn't matter, the charges just show on your sail and sign. how you "settle" your sail and sign is up to you.

 

you can get 10% off gift cards at through allstate rewards. there is a lengthy thread on here about the process. no need to be a customer, but I have read that some states/areas are blocked from participating.