Cashing out OBC

[cruiseguy1016]

I know this has been discussed multiple times, but the search function and I don't get along 🤔 so I'm having difficulty finding my answer. We'll be on a family cruise next week. My daughter and son-in-law have more OBC then they will use on the ship. I believe it is all refundable OBC. They want to cash some of it out. Can they just ask for cash at Guest Services? If not, what are the steps to get cash it out at the casino?

[firefly333]

If its refundable then no problem asking for it. Nonrefundable yes can be gotten out in a slot machine. If you get some free money I spin for it first. I get it says $6 but first day gives me $8. Then transfer some amount from your cabin to the machine. If you dont gamble a certain percentage, I've read you can only do this once, so make sure you transfer it all at once.

 

I only got cash out twice, the last time I was sick and thought I must have covid and would be isolated in my cabin. Usually spend it lol. But it can be done and I'm not a gambler.

[leaveitallbehind]

Just to clarify, cruise line OBC is typically non-refundable and will automatically be applied to all charges on your account as they occur.  It also always is used first against charges if refundable OBC is also on the account.  Refundable OBC is typically provided by a third party and any remaining balance would usually be cashed out at the end of the cruise.  If you believe your OBC is refundable you just need to confirm that through guest services.

[steveru621]

3 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Just to clarify, cruise line OBC is typically non-refundable and will automatically be applied to all charges on your account as they occur.  It also always is used first against charges if refundable OBC is also on the account.  Refundable OBC is typically provided by a third party and any remaining balance would usually be cashed out at the end of the cruise.  If you believe your OBC is refundable you just need to confirm that through guest services.

 

Good points.  Too many believe OBC can be targeted when it is only a balance just like a checking account.

 

The app will tell you refundable or not.

[greeneng]

OBC is either refundable or non-refundable.  Refundable can be from a TA or a Royal credit card.  Non-refundable is from Royal or a stockholder credit.  There may be more in both of these categories but these are the ones I know.

They will charge all on-board purchases to the non-refundable first, then when that is exhausted to the refundable.

On the day before the cruise ends, or the last day, you can withdraw in cash from guest services whatever refundable remains.  If you do not it will be refunded eventually to your credit card on file.

If you have a Royal credit card you receive double points (points can be redeemed for refundable OBC) for purchases of Royal, or Celebrity or Silversea.  But, if you let OBC get refunded to your card you will LOSE double points on that amount.  That is why it is best to withdraw in cash whatever refundable you still have on the last two days.

 

I keep track daily.  My goal is to use all the non-refundable, cash out the refundable early on the morning of the next to last day, and then charge to the CC on file (my Royal card, for double points) any more onboard purchases.

 

 

[little britain]

[leaveitallbehind]

39 minutes ago, greeneng said:

Refundable can be from a TA or a Royal credit card. There may be more....... but these are the ones I know.

As I indicated in my response the refundable OBC would be from a third party.  The two you identified (TA, Royal CC) plus anyone - family, friend, or the traveling party themselves - who wishes to deposit an amount on behalf of the traveling party with the cruise line.

Edited March 12 by leaveitallbehind

[greeneng]

35 minutes ago, leaveitallbehind said:

As I indicated in my response the refundable OBC would be from a third party.  The two you identified (TA, Royal CC) plus anyone - family, friend, or the traveling party themselves - who wishes to deposit an amount on behalf of the traveling party with the cruise line.

Very correct.  You can determine the nature of the OBC, regardless of the source, either from from the AP, which does not require an onboard internet connection for this, or from the stateroom television on newer ships.  On either, go to "account" and it will show you the status of the shipboard account, including OBC amounts and whether refundable or not.  You can take it from there.

 

[pcur]

You do not have to wait until the end of the cruise to cash out refundable OBC, but except for tipping, there's not too many opportunities to pay cash on the ship.  But, if the cash is needed on shore, then cash it out any time at Guest Services.

 

I found last month that now if any amount, for any reason (obc or just a room charge), is transferred to a slot machine and cashed out, you cannot transfer money to a machine for the rest of the cruise.

Edited March 13 by pcur

[chfenton]

18 minutes ago, pcur said:

You do not have to wait until the end of the cruise to cash out refundable OBC, but except for tipping, there's not too many opportunities to pay cash on the ship.  But, if the cash is needed on shore, then cash it out any time at Guest Services.

 

I found last month that now if any amount, for any reason (obc or just a room charge), is transferred to a slot machine and cashed out, you cannot transfer money to a machine for the rest of the cruise.

Not sure this is entirely accurate or if you are specifying cashing out without cycling through the machine?  I did 10 different room charges to slot machines over a 4 day Allure cruise 4 weeks ago and had no problem doing the final 9 after the first even though I cashed that one after playing some.  To be clear, I definitely cycled through at least 50% of what I loaded to the machine as a room charge each time before cashing out--doing this - I had no issues transferring to the machines whenever I wanted throughout the cruise.  

[Another_Critic]

21 hours ago, greeneng said:

But, if you let OBC get refunded to your card you will LOSE double points on that amount.  That is why it is best to withdraw in cash whatever refundable you still have on the last two days.

 

Whenever I have leftover refundable OBC, I change the card on my account to my debit card.  No loss of points and I don't have to carry around a large sum of cash.

[RosieRoo]

4 hours ago, chfenton said:

Not sure this is entirely accurate or if you are specifying cashing out without cycling through the machine?  I did 10 different room charges to slot machines over a 4 day Allure cruise 4 weeks ago and had no problem doing the final 9 after the first even though I cashed that one after playing some.  To be clear, I definitely cycled through at least 50% of what I loaded to the machine as a room charge each time before cashing out--doing this - I had no issues transferring to the machines whenever I wanted throughout the cruise.  

You are correct. As it was explained to me by the casino manager, you have to play at least  50% of the money you put into the slot machine from your account before you cash out or you get locked out of the system. As long as you cycle thru that 50% you’re good. 

Edited March 13 by RosieRoo

[pcur]

On 3/13/2024 at 10:03 AM, chfenton said:

Not sure this is entirely accurate or if you are specifying cashing out without cycling through the machine?  I did 10 different room charges to slot machines over a 4 day Allure cruise 4 weeks ago and had no problem doing the final 9 after the first even though I cashed that one after playing some.  To be clear, I definitely cycled through at least 50% of what I loaded to the machine as a room charge each time before cashing out--doing this - I had no issues transferring to the machines whenever I wanted throughout the cruise.  

Yes, this:  Not sure this is entirely accurate or if you are specifying cashing out without cycling through the machine?

 

If you cash out without gambling, then transfers are locked. New cash or ticket in the machine only. That's why I take all my obc as a one time transfer. Then, I'm in control of what I do with the $$

[Another_Critic]

2 minutes ago, pcur said:

That's why I take all my obc as a one time transfer. Then, I'm in control of what I do with the $$

Please refresh my memory what the maximum $ limit is for a transfer.

[Tree_skier]

3 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Please refresh my memory what the maximum $ limit is for a transfer.

$500 is my experience.