RCCL Pre buying OBC.

[MicCanberra]

I asked some more questions of the RCCL rep today.

 

What happens to any unused OBC?

 

Answer: It is returned to your card with which you purchased it on the same 1-1 basis in the currency it was purchased in.

 

Can I get cash out from this OBC to use in the casino (eg take the 5% hit)

 

Answer(after speaking to a supervisor): No the casino is cash only and you are unable to withdraw this OBC as cash.

 

Make of that what you will. We all know that things we are told by cruise line reps may or may not be the practice but my conclusion is that this is a great offer to get the best value for your on board spend but is not a way to play the currency divide for profit.

 

We will see once on board. It did seem too good to be true but is a great offer nonetheless.

 

Thanks Woodyren, that was my point before. I fear some people may get caught up in it all and end up getting burnt.

[cruisine21]

I have never been charged by CBA when buying excursions and drink packages by credit card with RCL. However when my daughter and her friend booked their excursions on separate cards, her friends bank did not charge and her bank did charge. She rang her bank (ANZ) to query it and they reimbursed her "as good will" so it's worth a call to your bank. I always thought if you are paying in AUD on an Australian website, there would be no fees....

 

 

The fee with Westpac was a change in the terms & conditions in March last year. They had it on the statement which was easy to miss.

http://www.creditcardfinder.com.au/foreign-currency-international-fees-for-credit-cards.html

 

 

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[MicCanberra]

The fee with Westpac was a change in the terms & conditions in March last year. They had it on the statement which was easy to miss.

http://www.creditcardfinder.com.au/foreign-currency-international-fees-for-credit-cards.html

 

 

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Banks sure know how to get their money one way or another, breeding on customer apathy is a sure thing for them.:(

[Port Power]

I asked some more questions of the RCCL rep today.

 

What happens to any unused OBC?

 

Answer: It is returned to your card with which you purchased it on the same 1-1 basis in the currency it was purchased in.

 

Can I get cash out from this OBC to use in the casino (eg take the 5% hit)

 

Answer(after speaking to a supervisor): No the casino is cash only and you are unable to withdraw this OBC as cash.

 

Make of that what you will. We all know that things we are told by cruise line reps may or may not be the practice but my conclusion is that this is a great offer to get the best value for your on board spend but is not a way to play the currency divide for profit.

 

We will see once on board. It did seem too good to be true but is a great offer nonetheless.

 

Another option is to have someone else on your Quantum cruise buy OBC for you as a "gift" and you repay them whatever is on the credit card bill.

[Aussie FF]

That's why I used my CBA travel money card, as I knew that with the RCI transactions processed offshore (even though it's in AUD), Westpac CC would have a fee.

 

I also use CBA, and don't get charged a fee. I pay for my RCI cruises with it, no charge.:)

[Aussie FF]

Has anyone ever withdrawn excess OBC in cash?

 

Yes, I got this tip from another Frequent Floater, very recently.

I didn't think I was going to use all of my OBC on RCI.

I went to the casino and withdrew $50.00, in small notes, to give out as tips on the last day. Nothing was said, and because it was in USD, there is no charge/fee.:)

[woodyren]

Another option is to have someone else on your Quantum cruise buy OBC for you as a "gift" and you repay them whatever is on the credit card bill.

 

Not sure that would work as the OBC has to be purchased in the currency that the cruise was purchased in going by the booking number of the person that you are buying it for. I purchased ours in USD.

Edited February 6, 2015 by woodyren

[MicCanberra]

Yes, I got this tip from another Frequent Floater, very recently.

I didn't think I was going to use all of my OBC on RCI.

I went to the casino and withdrew $50.00, in small notes, to give out as tips on the last day. Nothing was said, and because it was in USD, there is no charge/fee.:)

 

It may depend on the type of OBC, as there are non-refundable types and refundable types, and even with the 5% that some get charged, you would still be ahead.:D

[davwen81]

Can I ask how does anyone know if what you buy in A$ is the equivalent OBC in US$, as where does that show up until you get on board. Can you see it under Order History?? If not how do you know you are getting 1-1?? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but this isn't answered anywhere here!

Cheers Wendy

 

 

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[woodyren]

I asked the rep the same questions a number of times.

 

Is this OBC I am buying refundable?

 

A) Yes

 

Can I cash it out for US$ cash?

 

A) No

 

Can I use the OBC at the casino?

 

A) No, the casino only uses cash and you cannot get cash for OBC.

 

The last bit is the bit that I do not understand. I have read time after time that people cash out even non refundable OBC at the casino by copping the 5% fee. But having never played at the casino I have no idea how the system works other than they apparently use cash. Does one have to bring that cash with them or get it on the credit or debit card?

 

How do you use OBC at the casino. (explain thoroughly for the dummy please)

[tassie cruiser]

with princess or p&o once you set up your cruise card in the casino you can transfer your obc to your card and once your finished playing just hit collect and cash out your winnings plus your obc, i suppose RCI would have the same system.....it does work because we have done it but dont tell the casino staff because they wont let you as they say they are not an ATM

 

We were on voyager this NYE cruise and the casino set up is different to PO etc You can't link up to your account. You have to put cash in (US) and when you cash out of a machine it spits a ticket out, if you want to keep playing machines you just put that ticket in. If you are leaving you can either cash in your ticket at the casino cashier or take ticket with you for your next visit. If you want to get cash out you can do that at the casino cashier, they charge 5%, there is no charge if your account is a cash account but if you have a credit card linked then the 5% applies. If all that makes sense. 😃 Fiona

[woodyren]

Can I ask how does anyone know if what you buy in A$ is the equivalent OBC in US$, as where does that show up until you get on board. Can you see it under Order History?? If not how do you know you are getting 1-1?? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question but this isn't answered anywhere here!

Cheers Wendy

 

 

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It's a great question and the answer is that you don't 100%. They tell you it is 1-1 and the receipt they email you shows purchase cost equals (say) $100 AD for $100 OBC. The fact that OBC on RCL ships is only ever in USD should be a guarantee but it doesn't mention USD anywhere on thee receipt.

 

There is plenty of posted evidence around that the OBC is there in USD once on board and I have the printed receipt as proof.

[MicCanberra]

We were on voyager this NYE cruise and the casino set up is different to PO etc You can't link up to your account. You have to put cash in (US) and when you cash out of a machine it spits a ticket out, if you want to keep playing machines you just put that ticket in. If you are leaving you can either cash in your ticket at the casino cashier or take ticket with you for your next visit. If you want to get cash out you can do that at the casino cashier, they charge 5%, there is no charge if your account is a cash account but if you have a credit card linked then the 5% applies. If all that makes sense. 😃 Fiona

 

It does make sense.:D

[woodyren]

We were on voyager this NYE cruise and the casino set up is different to PO etc You can't link up to your account. You have to put cash in (US) and when you cash out of a machine it spits a ticket out, if you want to keep playing machines you just put that ticket in. If you are leaving you can either cash in your ticket at the casino cashier or take ticket with you for your next visit. If you want to get cash out you can do that at the casino cashier, they charge 5%, there is no charge if your account is a cash account but if you have a credit card linked then the 5% applies. If all that makes sense. Fiona

 

Sort of makes sense. If I understand what you are saying the important bit for this discussion is that your casino spend is not linked to your sea pass card.

[Tomo72]

I called again today to confirm the purchase I made yesterday.

 

The operator confirmed 1000% that the amount would be on our card as USD.

 

He also said there is no limit as to how much you could pre-purchase.

[MicCanberra]

I called again today to confirm the purchase I made yesterday.

 

The operator confirmed 1000% that the amount would be on our card as USD.

 

He also said there is no limit as to how much you could pre-purchase.

 

I do have limits as to how much I can spend though:p

[rkmw]

Sort of makes sense. If I understand what you are saying the important bit for this discussion is that your casino spend is not linked to your sea pass card.

 

if your card was linked to the casino it would be better then you could cash out your obc with no charge

[fairywren]

It's a great question and the answer is that you don't 100%. They tell you it is 1-1 and the receipt they email you shows purchase cost equals (say) $100 AD for $100 OBC. The fact that OBC on RCL ships is only ever in USD should be a guarantee but it doesn't mention USD anywhere on thee receipt.

 

There is plenty of posted evidence around that the OBC is there in USD once on board and I have the printed receipt as proof.

 

Yes we won't know 100% until someone reports back after their cruise.

 

So who is going soon? Ours is not until September.:(

[Aussie FF]

17th February.:D

[soak01]

Well I've done it. Just added $1200 OBC to my reservation for Rhapsody of the Seas on 6 April. Email conformation shows $1200 USD and my credit card account shows $1200 AUD.

 

See what happens when I get on board.

[cruisine21]

Well I've done it. Just added $1200 OBC to my reservation for Rhapsody of the Seas on 6 April. Email conformation shows $1200 USD and my credit card account shows $1200 AUD.

 

See what happens when I get on board.

My email says Currency AUD.

[MicCanberra]

Well I've done it. Just added $1200 OBC to my reservation for Rhapsody of the Seas on 6 April. Email conformation shows $1200 USD and my credit card account shows $1200 AUD.

 

See what happens when I get on board.

 

Great stuff, hope you have a wonderful cruise and obviously no bill shock with all that OBC.:D

[davwen81]

Well I've done it. Just added $1200 OBC to my reservation for Rhapsody of the Seas on 6 April. Email conformation shows $1200 USD and my credit card account shows $1200 AUD.

 

 

 

See what happens when I get on board.

 

 

My email also said $A not $ US, be glad to hear from you about how it turns out on board, have a great trip, cheers Wendy

 

 

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[Koz1]

It's a great question and the answer is that you don't 100%. They tell you it is 1-1 and the receipt they email you shows purchase cost equals (say) $100 AD for $100 OBC. The fact that OBC on RCL ships is only ever in USD should be a guarantee but it doesn't mention USD anywhere on the receipt.

 

We're on the Allure of the Seas on B2B Caribbean cruises now and I called the Australian Royal Caribbean number a few weeks before we left and purchased $200 OBC for each of our cruises. They told me it was 1-1 Australian to US Dollars and the receipt showed as you said, with no indication that it was US Dollars.

 

There was a card delivered to our room on the day we boarded saying we had a gift of $200 Onboard Credit. Message: BEST WISHES Compliments of: SDSDF SDSD .

 

The onboard credit showed on our account when I looked on the TV in the room that we had $US200 OBCR (the R means refundable and when I asked on the ship what happens if we don't use it all I was told that it will be refunded to my credit card (not that we'll have any left).

 

So it was certainly a great deal with the $A exchange rate at the moment.

 

Ken

[SeaDays4Us]

We're on the Allure of the Seas on B2B Caribbean cruises now and I called the Australian Royal Caribbean number a few weeks before we left and purchased $200 OBC for each of our cruises. They told me it was 1-1 Australian to US Dollars and the receipt showed as you said, with no indication that it was US Dollars.

 

There was a card delivered to our room on the day we boarded saying we had a gift of $200 Onboard Credit. Message: BEST WISHES Compliments of: SDSDF SDSD .

 

The onboard credit showed on our account when I looked on the TV in the room that we had $US200 OBCR (the R means refundable and when I asked on the ship what happens if we don't use it all I was told that it will be refunded to my credit card (not that we'll have any left).

 

 

So it was certainly a great deal with the $A exchange rate at the moment.

 

Ken

 

That's is good to know Ken. Thanks for letting us know. It seemed too good to be true, but took the risk anyway. Your info has put my mind at rest.

Hope you are enjoying the Allure:) we loved it, but unfortunately didn't do a B2B....7 days was not long enough:(