OBC refundable vs. not, hmmmmm

[JF - retired RRT]

Recently got back from a 3 day cruise to nowhere. We had a little OBC from FCC, shareholder, veteran and Princess. Spent it on the ship for grats, etc. Thought it was gone. Grabbed the print-out they put in the mailbox on the last night and went home. Got home looked at the print-out and realized we still had $21.00.

So, yesterday I called Princess to find out how this all shakes out with "new" old policy enforcement.

When all was said and done...I had $10.50 of NON refundable OBC and DH had $10.50 of refundable OBC. His was the refundable veterans and mine was the nonrefundable shareholder (that is how the rep explained it).

So now I am wondering, if the shareholder OBC had been in his account, would all of the veteran OBC be available for a refund?:D:cool:

 

Anyway, thought y'all might be interested in how this seems to work now.

[RocketMan275]

Recently got back from a 3 day cruise to nowhere. We had a little OBC from FCC, shareholder, veteran and Princess. Spent it on the ship for grats, etc. Thought it was gone. Grabbed the print-out they put in the mailbox on the last night and went home. Got home looked at the print-out and realized we still had $21.00.

So, yesterday I called Princess to find out how this all shakes out with "new" old policy enforcement.

When all was said and done...I had $10.50 of NON refundable OBC and DH had $10.50 of refundable OBC. His was the refundable veterans and mine was the nonrefundable shareholder (that is how the rep explained it).

So now I am wondering, if the shareholder OBC had been in his account, would all of the veteran OBC be available for a refund?:D:cool:

 

Anyway, thought y'all might be interested in how this seems to work now.

 

That's interesting. I'm speculating but it appears that they are charging to specific seapass cards as if they were separate accounts. Not surprising, but it appears that when they say they charge the non-refundable first, they are saying that applies only to the specific seapass card account and not to all persons in the booking.

 

That raises an interesting question. Wife has $125 all non refundable on her account. I have $225 non refundable and $100 refundable. Suppose we charge $200 on her seapass card. Her $125 would be used, but what happens to the $75 remaining? Does it go to the credit card we use at check in or is it applied to my OBC?

[JF - retired RRT]

That's interesting. I'm speculating but it appears that they are charging to specific seapass cards as if they were separate accounts. Not surprising, but it appears that when they say they charge the non-refundable first, they are saying that applies only to the specific seapass card account and not to all persons in the booking.

 

That raises an interesting question. Wife has $125 all non refundable on her account. I have $225 non refundable and $100 refundable. Suppose we charge $200 on her seapass card. Her $125 would be used, but what happens to the $75 remaining? Does it go to the credit card we use at check in or is it applied to my OBC?

I am pretty sure that the OBC is "fluid" until check-out. I.E. your funds would be used to cover her expenses, then at check-out it is "frozen" and any refundable that is left is paid out.

BTW: The rep yesterday and a PAX services person on a previous cruise both said it would be put on the credit card BUT that previous cruise leftover OBC did not go on my credit card, they mailed a check.

I am waiting to see if I get a credit card adjustment or a check for my $10.50.

[Wehwalt]

Just go to any casino table and ask for chips in the amount of the OBC, or more or less if it suits you. Then cash them in. Make sure, if you go to a roulette table, that they give you dollar-denominated chips and not "colors". This is less fuss than using the slot machines, having done it both ways.

 

I don't spend much on board. I try to manage it, with the gratuity and what I do spend, to finish with a small balance to be settled by credit card. The cash is useful onshore if in the Western Hemisphere, or I just add it to my emergency cash.

 

Obviously Princess is going to block this method sooner or later, but while it works, it works.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Wehwalt

[hillslife]

Just off the Crown Monday.....DH and my accounts were totaled separately, but on the bottom of the page they were subtracted and added together... but on the final bill they were merged and all OBC used....so I agree with the above. They are fluid til final payment. just check a couple times during the cruise to be sure all the OBC is used or do the slot routine.....

[Wehwalt]

Just off the Crown Monday.....DH and my accounts were totaled separately, but on the bottom of the page they were subtracted and added together... but on the final bill they were merged and all OBC used....so I agree with the above. They are fluid til final payment. just check a couple times during the cruise to be sure all the OBC is used or do the slot routine.....

 

On my last cruise, I had goodwill OBC on the last day because of a problem (I didn't ask for it, but accepted it when offered). As soon as I printed a statement that showed it had hit, it was off to the casino. I really doubt I fooled anyone with my "oh, I'll gamble later" bit after receiving the chips. But that was actually refundable OBC that would have been refunded anyway. I just trust the Bureau of Engraving and Printing more than I trust Princess's accounting department.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Wehwalt

[land lover]

On my last cruise, I had goodwill OBC on the last day because of a problem (I didn't ask for it, but accepted it when offered). As soon as I printed a statement that showed it had hit, it was off to the casino. I really doubt I fooled anyone with my "oh, I'll gamble later" bit after receiving the chips. But that was actually refundable OBC that would have been refunded anyway. I just trust the Bureau of Engraving and Printing more than I trust Princess's accounting department.

 

That's a good one...but, they probably prefer u to do it that way, saves time and money in the long run.

Edited January 21, 2015 by land lover

[JF - retired RRT]

That's a good one...but, they probably prefer u to do it that way, saves time and money in the long run.

That's for sure...when they mailed that refund check it took a month!!

[Wehwalt]

That's a good one...but, they probably prefer u to do it that way, saves time and money in the long run.

 

 

Well, ideally they would prefer me to spend it on things with high profit margins, say alcohol and shore excursions. Or better yet, lose it at the tables. I sometimes see people standing by the statement machine the last day, reviewing the printout and not looking happy

[Marauder]

That's for sure...when they mailed that refund check it took a month!!

 

On my most recent cruise on the Crown, I had a large amount of refundable OBC due mostly to a move-over credit. We spent most of it but had about $200 left over at the end. I went to the PAX services desk on the last day and asked about it. The guy told me he could refund the balance in cash right there if I want it. I (stupidly) told him it was ok to charge it back to my credit card. As you mentioned though, they don't do that. They send a check about a month later. Next time I'll take the cash.

[Thrak]

Since neither of us is ex-military we don't get that OBC. Using OBC from FCC plus Shareholder OBC we will have $500 on our Panama Canal cruise. For a 17 day cruise I don't foresee any leftover OBC at all. The daily gratuities alone amount to $374.

 

I know some people end up with amazing amounts of OBC and have trouble spending it but I don't think my wife and I would ever end up with "extra" non-refundable OBC. If we did actually have extra non-refundable OBC we could always use it for extra gratuities if nothing else.

[pablo222]

I really doubt I fooled anyone with my "oh, I'll gamble later" bit after receiving the chips.

 

I like "I have to eat now."

 

Universally true.

[Wehwalt]

I like "I have to eat now."

 

Universally true.

 

Better yet, "Oh wait, the buffet's open".

 

Since neither of us is ex-military we don't get that OBC. Using OBC from FCC plus Shareholder OBC we will have $500 on our Panama Canal cruise. For a 17 day cruise I don't foresee any leftover OBC at all. The daily gratuities alone amount to $374.

 

I know some people end up with amazing amounts of OBC and have trouble spending it but I don't think my wife and I would ever end up with "extra" non-refundable OBC. If we did actually have extra non-refundable OBC we could always use it for extra gratuities if nothing else.

 

For my upcoming 4 and 4 day B2B on the Crown

 

FCD credit: 2 x $25 = $50

Shareholder credit: 2 x $50= 100

Loyalty credit (51+) 2 x $100 = $200

 

Total= $350

Less, 8 days gratuity = $92

 

Net total = $258 to be used in eight days.

 

That's "my money" (since it is available as such) and it defrays ancillary expenses, for example, transport in Ensenada if I want to go to the waterspout, the one night hotel in San Pedro before and near LAX afterwards (I fly to London the day after). If it is available to me in the form of cash, then with all respect to the hard working crew, I'd rather make cruising a little cheaper.

 

But as I say, if Princess changes the policy and I can't figure out a way around it, I will use it as seems best onboard. I like the Quicksilver line that the boutiques carry, and there's the 50th anniversary gear.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Wehwalt

[TracieABD]

I also have used the casino to cash out "non-refundable" OBC. Some cruise lines will only let you do this one time per cruise, so I wait til the end.

[Wehwalt]

I also have used the casino to cash out "non-refundable" OBC. Some cruise lines will only let you do this one time per cruise, so I wait til the end.

 

I do it at the beginning, as I figure a bird in the hand and all that. What if I was stricken with norovirus and couldn't go to the casino the last day?

[shepp]

Obviously Princess is going to block this method sooner or later, but while it works, it works.

 

Years ago now, I tried the cash-out method, and had a problem with a machine that necessitated dealing with casino staff. In that process, they figured out what I was up to and I was told point blank, "The casino is not an ATM." (Finally was able to cash out, haven't tried it since.) So it's not like Princess isn't wise, and I'm figuring that, as with other matters like smuggling booze, the more we talk about it here, the worse.

 

The first rule of fight club....

Edited January 21, 2015 by shepp

[TracieABD]

I do it at the beginning, as I figure a bird in the hand and all that. What if I was stricken with norovirus and couldn't go to the casino the last day?

 

:eek: Say it isn't so, WW!!!!!

[Wehwalt]

Years ago now, I tried the cash-out method, and had a problem with a machine that necessitated dealing with casino staff. In that process, they figured out what I was up to and I was told point blank, "The casino is not an ATM." (Finally was able to cash out, haven't tried it since.) So it's not like Princess isn't wise, and I'm figuring that, as with other matters like smuggling booze, the more we talk about it here, the worse.

 

The first rule of fight club....

 

Princess knows. They are not stupid. They're not going to change policies based on web talk. And if they do, I'll spend it. It's found money.

 

What you did, most likely, was load it on to your slots account and then "cash out" from the machine without ever gambling. That blocks your account automatically and does require intervention from the casino cashier.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Wehwalt

[Thrak]

Princess knows. They are not stupid. They're not going to change policies based on web talk. And if they do, I'll spend it. It's found money.

 

What you did, most likely, was load it on to your slots account and then "cash out" from the machine without ever gambling. That blocks your account automatically and does require intervention from the casino cashier.

 

That's the way I look at it as well. It's a freebie. If they change their policy to no refunds at all I still think it's a great deal. For ME that is.

 

Of course those who have cruised a zillion times and have a zillion dollars OBC won't agree. They've already bought everything onboard that they might conceivably want. From their perspective I might get pretty peeved to have a ton of "unusable" OBC.

 

It's a tough area to deal with. Hopefully they don't move to all OBC being non-refundable.

[AZbeachboy]

On my cruise last year on the Sapphire, customer service called me to the desk and gave me cash. That was the second time is has happened. The first was on the grand about 10 years ago on our first cruise with Princess.

 

We usually don't spend much, however our trip for next month we have already spent the $250 OBC. We have free grats but it is filled with excurtions. Some were cheaper on the Ship that arrainging locally. That was a different.

[sashas_mom]

On our last cruise we had $750 OBC and it said non refundable (which was a change since our cruise before that a year ago). After tips deducted I figured out what I could "spend". Never had so much fun shopping. I went looking for things to buy and came home with beautiful tops, a ring, earrings.....every time I walked out of the store I said "thank you Princess" and I meant it.:)

[DrivesLikeMario]

Okay, so let me get this right so I don't screw up. I like playing slots a little so let's use that scenario:

 

I have $170 OBC to use up, so:

I insert my cruise card into the slot machine.

I put in that I want to use $200 from my card

Money goes into the machine.

I gamble (and lose, of course!) about $30

I go to the cage and cash out with my cruise card

They give me $170 cash

Now I don't have a bunch of OBC on my account, right? :confused:

[Wehwalt]

Okay, so let me get this right so I don't screw up. I like playing slots a little so let's use that scenario:

 

I have $170 OBC to use up, so:

I insert my cruise card into the slot machine.

I put in that I want to use $200 from my card

Money goes into the machine.

I gamble (and lose, of course!) about $30

I go to the cage and cash out with my cruise card

They give me $170 cash

Now I don't have a bunch of OBC on my account, right? :confused:

 

You are right.

[ar1950]

Okay, so let me get this right so I don't screw up. I like playing slots a little so let's use that scenario:

 

I have $170 OBC to use up, so:

I insert my cruise card into the slot machine.

I put in that I want to use $200 from my card

Money goes into the machine.

I gamble (and lose, of course!) about $30

I go to the cage and cash out with my cruise card

They give me $170 cash

Now I don't have a bunch of OBC on my account, right? :confused:

 

I think you could just use the $170 and lose the $30 from that and collect $140 that is left.

 

Of course you may hit a big jackpot and cash it all out, credit and jackpot. :cool:

 

BTW, we have experienced it both ways, although the losing scenario is the more common one.......

Edited January 21, 2015 by ar1950

[JF - retired RRT]

Okay, so let me get this right so I don't screw up. I like playing slots a little so let's use that scenario:

 

I have $170 OBC to use up, so:

I insert my cruise card into the slot machine.

I put in that I want to use $200 from my card

Money goes into the machine.

I gamble (and lose, of course!) about $30

I go to the cage and cash out with my cruise card

They give me $170 cash

Now I don't have a bunch of OBC on my account, right? :confused:

Sounds like a good way to use your nonrefundable OBC PLUS you might get one of those sweet casino offers "$99 or less + port fees" for a balcony. I've seen them posted here. On my next cruise there are 3 people on our Roll Call that are going with a cheap casino offer and they all claim that they don't spend much in the casino.