Best Ways to Cash Out Extra On Board Credit

[Thrak]

I would love to have this problem! :D

 

I'll have some extra OBC when we do our Panama Canal cruise but I don't anticipate any issues with using it up. It will only be a few hundred dollars over tips, etc. and that can easily be used.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

We have had this issue on both Celebrity and Princess, and the answer was the same.

 

Some types of OBC are 'non-refundable'. Usually these are the FCCs, the Shareholder OBC, and military OBC. In other words, anything that comes from the cruise line directly.

 

However, OBC from your TA, or from the Princess credit card are 'refundable', meaning that 'cash' was put down to buy them, and so cash can be returned.

 

This being said, in our multiple cruises on Celebrity and Princess with more OBC than we could use (but we did use all of the non-refundable OBC, which is applied first) we simply received a refund from the cruise line automatically on our credit card. No fuss, no muss. Not sure why someone would feel it necessary to go to the casino to 'cash out'?

 

We do it because we just don't spend that much money aboard the ships any longer. After many years of traveling on Princess there are only so many things to buy that we actually need so cashing out works best for us & charging out credit card for anything we do spend works best.

[A1A]

There are plenty of informed folks here on this board, however, buyer beware. The current Endless Summer Sale is pretty specific about the on-board spending money you will be given. We were told by our TA and Princess that the spending money for this particular offer could not be used in the casino nor could it be refundable. After all why would Princess give me and my DW an inside cabin for $398.00 and $400.00 refundable credit? We plan on spending ours quickly anyway so this is not an issue for us! :D

Good luck and have a great cruise!

Ken

 

Endless Summer Sale: Terms & Conditions

Sale ends September 10, 11:59pm PT

Save up to $1,400 per stateroom* plus get up to $200 FREE onboard spending money^ when you book by September 10th!

^Free onboard spending money is in the form of an onboard credit. Up to $200 USD onboard credit per stateroom applies to select sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Any unused onboard credit is non-refundable. Past guests may qualify for lower fares than those advertised that do not combine with the Onboard Credit offer.

[cocoabeachcruiser]

There are plenty of informed folks here on this board, however, buyer beware. The current Endless Summer Sale is pretty specific about the on-board spending money you will be given. We were told by our TA and Princess that the spending money for this particular offer could not be used in the casino nor could it be refundable. After all why would Princess give me and my DW an inside cabin for $398.00 and $400.00 refundable credit? We plan on spending ours quickly anyway so this is not an issue for us! :D

Good luck and have a great cruise!

Ken

 

Endless Summer Sale: Terms & Conditions

Sale ends September 10, 11:59pm PT

Save up to $1,400 per stateroom* plus get up to $200 FREE onboard spending money^ when you book by September 10th!

^Free onboard spending money is in the form of an onboard credit. Up to $200 USD onboard credit per stateroom applies to select sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Any unused onboard credit is non-refundable. Past guests may qualify for lower fares than those advertised that do not combine with the Onboard Credit offer.

 

Thats the deal I have on hold. After so many cruises we are pretty basic now. Tips are about all we spend. We do all our own shore excursions and we don't buy booze. If I need to eat in a nice place, I have many where we live.

 

I am thinking about not going for fear of their accounting practices changing or something.:eek: I have no idea what I would do with all that OBC plus I get shareholder as well

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

There are plenty of informed folks here on this board, however, buyer beware. The current Endless Summer Sale is pretty specific about the on-board spending money you will be given. We were told by our TA and Princess that the spending money for this particular offer could not be used in the casino nor could it be refundable. After all why would Princess give me and my DW an inside cabin for $398.00 and $400.00 refundable credit? We plan on spending ours quickly anyway so this is not an issue for us! :D

Good luck and have a great cruise!

Ken

 

Endless Summer Sale: Terms & Conditions

Sale ends September 10, 11:59pm PT

Save up to $1,400 per stateroom* plus get up to $200 FREE onboard spending money^ when you book by September 10th!

^Free onboard spending money is in the form of an onboard credit. Up to $200 USD onboard credit per stateroom applies to select sailings and varies according to category booked and sailing duration. Any unused onboard credit is non-refundable. Past guests may qualify for lower fares than those advertised that do not combine with the Onboard Credit offer.

 

We booked the same deal. They always say that the on-board CC is non- reundable no matter when we've booked in the past and we've always been able to get cash back. My TA that I usually use also posts the same comment and again -no problems with a refund.

Who knows if this could possibly be different this time? That's quite a bit of money to use for dinners, tours, and purchases that we don't usually buy. I'm guessing that it's just one of their standard quotes in hoping that you spend it on the ship.

We'll try to cash out early in the cruise & if it's blocked we'll just gave to use it for gratuities & lots and lots of Specialty restaurant meals. We'll see. :confused:

Don't forget to apply for shareholder cabin credit. ;)

Edited September 7, 2014 by Lovetocruiseprincess

[cocoabeachcruiser]

We booked the same deal. They always say that the on-board CC is non- reundable no matter when we've booked in the past and we've always been able to get cash back. My TA that I usually use also posts the same comment and again -no problems with a refund.

Who knows if this could possibly be different this time? That's quite a bit of money to use for dinners, tours, and purchases that we don't usually buy. I'm guessing that it's just one of their standard quotes in hoping that you spend it on the ship.

We'll try to cash out early in the cruise & if it's blocked we'll just gave to use it for gratuities & lots and lots of Specialty restaurant meals. We'll see. :confused:

Don't forget to apply for shareholder cabin credit. ;)

 

What happens if late night early morning before debarkation you get your final bill and they did not allow casino charges and you have $330 in unused obc? The only reason I am going is because its almost free. If I had to pay for it, I would not go. I don't like the ports at all.

[helenb]

We do it because we just don't spend that much money aboard the ships any longer. After many years of traveling on Princess there are only so many things to buy that we actually need so cashing out works best for us & charging out credit card for anything we do spend works best.

 

We don't buy much either, but the auto-tip is enough to take care of any non-refundable credit. The we just casually wait for the remainder to be refunded to our credit card. Still not sure why you need the cash onboard the ship and can't wait a week or two for ther efund once you get home?

[helenb]

What happens if late night early morning before debarkation you get your final bill and they did not allow casino charges and you have $330 in unused obc? The only reason I am going is because its almost free. If I had to pay for it, I would not go. I don't like the ports at all.

 

If you're really worried about this, don't wait until the last day. Determine what your autotip charges will be and how much 'leftover' OBC you will have. Then go to Guest Relations and ask them specifically about the OBC on your account. They will let you know how much refundable and non-refundable credit you have, so you can plan accordingly. You can do this early on in the cruise, so you're not left with money you can't use.

Edited September 7, 2014 by helenb

[cocoabeachcruiser]

If you're really worried about this, don't wait until the last day. Determine what your autotip charges will be and how much 'leftover' OBC you will have. Then go to Guest Relations and ask them specifically about the OBC on your account. They will let you know how much refundable and non-refundable credit you have, so you can plan accordingly. You can do this early on in the cruise, so you're not left with money you can't use.

 

When I called they told me its all non refundable. Many post's here say to use the casino trick to get it off.

 

After tips, we would have $330 left

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Just go to guest services on the last day and ask to cash out.

 

(shareholder OBC has a small print that it's not available to cash out which may or may not be enforced; the rest shouldn't be an issue)

 

That works some times ..

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

On long cruises you do not have that problem ..

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

We don't buy much either, but the auto-tip is enough to take care of any non-refundable credit. The we just casually wait for the remainder to be refunded to our credit card. Still not sure why you need the cash onboard the ship and can't wait a week or two for ther efund once you get home?

 

I don't trust them to refund me anything after I leave the ship. What if they don't credit your account for some reason? At that point you have to do everything by phone to correct the situation. I'd rather settle things before I leave the ship with cash in my hand.

If you're really worried about this, don't wait until the last day. Determine what your autotip charges will be and how much 'leftover' OBC you will have. Then go to Guest Relations and ask them specifically about the OBC on your account. They will let you know how much refundable and non-refundable credit you have, so you can plan accordingly. You can do this early on in the cruise, so you're not left with money you can't use.

 

Pretty much what I do except this time I plan on reducing my balance to $0 as soon as possible (or as close to it). I usually wait till the last night & then pull it out. Let them deduct my OB credit for gratuities and if I have to spend the rest of non-refundable OB credit, well so be it. I guess see we'll be happy spending it for Specialty restaurants, although I would never have eaten there that many times on 1 cruise.

I still believe we'll be able to use it for the casino. ;)

[helenb]

I don't trust them to refund me anything after I leave the ship. What if they don't credit your account for some reason? At that point you have to do everything by phone to correct the situation. I'd rather settle things before I leave the ship with cash in my hand.

 

On your 'final bill' that is delivered to your stateroom, it should show a negative balance, and then 'returned to your card' with the card number listed. (or more likely, Xs and the last 4 digits listed) So you will have a statement from Princess saying that the card will be refunded.

 

We have done this multiple times (as recently as this past June) and never had a problem with Princess refunding the money.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

 

On your 'final bill' that is delivered to your stateroom, it should show a negative balance, and then 'returned to your card' with the card number listed. (or more likely, Xs and the last 4 digits listed) So you will have a statement from Princess saying that the card will be refunded.

 

We have done this multiple times (as recently as this past June) and never had a problem with Princess refunding the money.

 

If that works for you it's great but as I said I'd rather settle up before leaving the ship so I don't have to deal with anyone over the phone three weeks later.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I am thinking about not going for fear of their accounting practices changing or something.:eek: I have no idea what I would do with all that OBC plus I get shareholder as well

 

I'm thinking the same thing here. There are some great balcony deals on upcoming coastals, but are deals mainly b/c of high OBC offered. I don't drink much, and have "been there, done that" with most of the excursions. Gratuities are really all I "spend" onboard these days.

[rdsqrl]

When I called they told me its all non refundable. Many post's here say to use the casino trick to get it off.

 

After tips, we would have $330 left

But it's not your money. You seem to be implying in your posts that somehow leaving this money on the table is a blow to your wallet. But it's not. This is money Princess is giving you to spend onboard. If they decide not to refund [and it's not really a refund, more a gift, as you didn't lay out the funds yourself in the first place] the unused portion, I personally have no problem with that and wonder why you do. We're not supposed to be cruising to make a profit, you know.

[bhopal21]

We're not supposed to be cruising to make a profit, you know.

 

Obviously some think they should get paid to cruise.

 

It may be time for Princess to make OBC non-refundable as it seems to be bordering on the ridiculous.

 

Mike:)

[cocoabeachcruiser]

But it's not your money. You seem to be implying in your posts that somehow leaving this money on the table is a blow to your wallet. But it's not. This is money Princess is giving you to spend onboard. If they decide not to refund [and it's not really a refund, more a gift, as you didn't lay out the funds yourself in the first place] the unused portion, I personally have no problem with that and wonder why you do. We're not supposed to be cruising to make a profit, you know.

 

That's debatable. Onboard credit is what? Its money to spend onboard. Whats expenses can you and do you incur?

For my convienence they auto charge tips, well when you figure out the cost of cruising do you figure tips as an onboard expense?

Is the casino considered an expense for those that play in the casino?

 

Why all the little games? Instead of a cruise at $199 person, how about free plus port charges? Same price right?

 

 

I am telemarketed by the TA about this cruise,not once but twice and to top it off when I was called the first time, they already had a room on hold for me. They even stated we have a free cruise for you all you have to do is pay the ports. Then they gave me the math and even then I was led to believe the TA at first was giving it.

 

On a ten day cruise I spend less than a $100 plus tips so spending $450 on a 5 night is not going to happen.

 

I called princess again and asked if I needed to still put down a credit card and I was told yes. Why??? If I was going to put cash down I would put less down or if I was going to use a debit the hold amount would be less. So why the credit card?

So I decided to cancel rather than risk it. They need to put the terms and conditions in black and white and enforce them. I have a TA saying one thing and a different answer each time you call the cruiseline.

[bhopal21]

Plainly put, Princess simply doesn't need passengers that spend less than $10 per day on their vacation.

 

They run a business and have stockholders to report to.

 

Mike:)

[cocoabeachcruiser]

Plainly put, Princess simply doesn't need passengers that spend less than $10 per day on their vacation.

 

They run a business and have stockholders to report to.

 

Mike:)

 

Then stop marketing to us. Are they that stupid that they don't see our past accounts?

[weedpindle]

I'm getting 600 OBC on our 9 day cruise, I wish I could have some left to cash out, but it will all be spent. Life is too short, can't take it with you.

[PunkiC]

We are stockholders, both veterans, and always have FCC, even before we start accumulating OBC for special offers, TA, loyalty credits, etc., so we get lots of OBC. We always manage, however, to spend all of, or almost all of, it during the cruise.

 

We always buy a bottle of wine at dinner so between that and the auto-tip, we go through it pretty quickly. I certainly hope that there aren't any cruisers who remove the auto-tip so they can keep the cash. That would be very sad indeed.

 

If we have money left over, we spend it. Once we bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label as a birthday gift for DH's brother who lived near the disembarkation port. He was impressed. What the heck, you are on vacation; splurge and get a bottle of champagne or a massage. Enjoy life--you only live once.

[cocoabeachcruiser]

We are stockholders, both veterans, and always have FCC, even before we start accumulating OBC for special offers, TA, loyalty credits, etc., so we get lots of OBC. We always manage, however, to spend all of, or almost all of, it during the cruise.

 

We always buy a bottle of wine at dinner so between that and the auto-tip, we go through it pretty quickly. I certainly hope that there aren't any cruisers who remove the auto-tip so they can keep the cash. That would be very sad indeed.

 

If we have money left over, we spend it. Once we bought a bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label as a birthday gift for DH's brother who lived near the disembarkation port. He was impressed. What the heck, you are on vacation; splurge and get a bottle of champagne or a massage. Enjoy life--you only live once.

 

We are on vacation right now until October 19th so that "You are on vacation so splurge" does not work for us. Its not splurging that allows us to travel constantly and be retired.

Why would I want a $5 bottle of Champagne for $30? Or a massage thats is cheap and a cover for a sales pitch.

[bhopal21]

It is obviously time for Princess to look at enforcing their "non-refundable OBC" to mean what it says.

 

Mike:)

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Then stop marketing to us. Are they that stupid that they don't see our past accounts?

 

Sure they do but their offers are made to everyone in hopes of them spending like a drunken sailor. (which most newbies do anyway) :D

You can't hope people will spend if they aren't aboard the ship in the first place. ;)