On board credit-what if you don't use it up?

[4ever]

We will be getting a substansial on board credit on our next cruise, It is not likely that we will use it all up even with drinks ,excursions, ship shopping, speciality dinners and tips-has anyone ever ended up with credit at the end, I'd prefer not to spend frivolously if there is a chance of getting credit back on my credit card or something - could I possibly get chips at casino with some of the onboard credit and turn the chips in at end of cruise for cash? Any ideas, or experience with this?

[BroncosFan2010]

Depending on the type of OBC you are receiving, you may be ale to get some of it back in cash form at the end of your cruise. I believe the OBC for stock holder benefits is use it or loose it. I am not sure of the policy of OBC from TA's or Visa certificates.

[Clarea]

You can get refunds of cash OBC's (Visa points, TA OBC's). You cannot get refunds of non-cash OBC's (NC OBC, shareholder, etc.). The rub is that when you have both types of OBC's, they will consume the cash OBC's first. So, for example if you have $500 in cash OBC, and $500 in non-cash, and you spend only $500, you get no refund because the $500 spent came from the cash OBC.

[kyriecat]

You can get refunds of cash OBC's (Visa points, TA OBC's). You cannot get refunds of non-cash OBC's (NC OBC, shareholder, etc.). The rub is that when you have both types of OBC's, they will consume the cash OBC's first. So, for example if you have $500 in cash OBC, and $500 in non-cash, and you spend only $500, you get no refund because the $500 spent came from the cash OBC.

But you can use non-cash OBC to get cash for the casino. You have to pay the 3% service fee.

[Clarea]

But you can use non-cash OBC to get cash for the casino. You have to pay the 3% service fee.

I don't know about that personally. I know you used to be able to do that, but I thought I read here that they started doing a direct charge to your credit card (including the 3%) when you wanted cash from the casino. Maybe I misread that?

 

Bob

[kyriecat]

I don't know about that personally. I know you used to be able to do that, but I thought I read here that they started doing a direct charge to your credit card (including the 3%) when you wanted cash from the casino. Maybe I misread that?

 

Bob

My folks were able to do it last month on Jewel. They ended up with extra cash OBC because of canceled excursions that were booked online. The had OBC already from Next cruise, TA, and Visa. They don't spend much onboard and only spent slightly more than their original (before canceled excursions) OBC amount. The order used would be excursion OBC, Visa OBC, TA OBC, then next cruise OBC. They were able to get the extra OBC as cash from the casino but paid the 3% fee.

 

I think it was yesterday that I read a thread that someone got their leftover next cruise OBC back on their credit card. It seems like how OBC is used varies from ship to ship. I assume there is still some confusion within RC's purser's desk staff on how to bill things, which is causing the inconsistency. It will probably get resolved over the coming months. Then again, might not.

 

I hadn't heard that you can't use OBC for the casino lately, but again, it might vary by ship. I emailed RC for my folks before they left to ask about using OBC for tips and the casino (I had read here that you couldn't use OBC for either of those) and received a reply that you could. However, RC does seem to change their policies alot lately, without much notice, so that reply is last month's news. :rolleyes:

 

I just sent an email request to verify whether you can use OBC for casino money. I'll see if I get a reply.

[wieslaw]

Hi,

the OBC ( the ones not redeemable for cash) and casino:

could it be the way one asks for the money or chips.

If I was going to ask just for cash perhaps it goes on my credit card as advance cash - because I am asking just for cash,...... but if I am going to gamble and I need chips to gamble with, that is not cash. If I win and have some chips left nothing stops me from turning them in for cash.

Could that be the difference.

I would not be surprized that the rules might have changed.

I know of more than one poster that was getting the cash from casino only to get some extra points on 'his' credit card. So now if there is a 'fee' to get the money - perhaps that got stopped.

Wes

[Ephraim]

It's eaten by the Big Red Rock Eater... take it out at the casino... it sometimes disappears.