Simple way to turn OBC into cash

[pokerpro5]

This has been discussed before, but I figured I would make a new thread very clearly outlining how to do it. This is not against NCL policy, and is perfectly legal and within the rules.

 

So you have excess on board credits? Don't force yourself to spend them -- turn them into cold, hard cash! Here's how:

 

1) Go to the casino

 

2) Insert your stateroom card for the room that has the OBC

 

3) Load the amount of OBC you want to convert into the game through a stateroom charge

 

4) DO NOT PLAY. Hit "CASH OUT".

 

5) Go to the cage and get your CASH!

 

You will get the exact amount in cash!

 

You will lose 3% as a surcharge to your room, but this is easily worth it if you have no use for the OBC.

 

So if you have $100 OBC that you won't be using, the above method will put $100 cash in your hand in place of the OBC, and you will have just a $3 charge on your stateroom.

[Demonyte]

That only applies to new ships where using keycard in slot machines is possible and is making things way too complicated.

 

On all ships you can just skip the first four stages and jump directly to #5: go to the cage and ask for desired amount to be charged to your account to be used in slots (that way you'll get cash, if asking for table games, they can just give a voucher). Same result with less steps to follow.

[NMLady]

That only applies to new ships where using keycard in slot machines is possible and is making things way too complicated.

 

On all ships you can just skip the first four stages and jump directly to #5: go to the cage and ask for desired amount to be charged to your account to be used in slots (that way you'll get cash, if asking for table games, they can just give a voucher). Same result with less steps to follow.

 

Much easier. It also charges the 3% cash advance fee.

Edited February 20, 2015 by NMLady

[NMLady]

This has been discussed before, but I figured I would make a new thread very clearly outlining how to do it. This is not against NCL policy, and is perfectly legal and within the rules.

 

So you have excess on board credits? Don't force yourself to spend them -- turn them into cold, hard cash! Here's how:

 

1) Go to the casino

 

2) Insert your stateroom card for the room that has the OBC

 

3) Load the amount of OBC you want to convert into the game through a stateroom charge

 

4) DO NOT PLAY. Hit "CASH OUT".

 

5) Go to the cage and get your CASH!

 

You will get the exact amount in cash!

 

You will lose 3% as a surcharge to your room, but this is easily worth it if you have no use for the OBC.

 

So if you have $100 OBC that you won't be using, the above method will put $100 cash in your hand in place of the OBC, and you will have just a $3 charge on your stateroom.

 

You have evidently only cruised on the newer ships that I guess take shipboard card in them. I have only cruised on older ships that do not use shipboard cards. So, as demonyte says, it's easier to just get the cash at casino cashier cage.

[Pikaia]

Thanks so much for this info. :)

 

We've got UDP, UBP, and $850 OBC on our next cruise. Given that we do our own excursions in Bermuda, I don't think we could possibly use it all. At the moment I'm planning to buy one FCC and use Gratuities Vouchers to spend some of it, but there will still be lots leftover.

[SJ]

Its not wise to discuss this openly even though it's not against ncl policy. You never want to alert a company of a loophole customers are taking advantage of. If they can block the dsc from being charged against obc, cash advances at the casino wouldn't be that difficult. Broadcasting a deal or loophole on the internet is a sure way to get a deal killed.

Edited February 20, 2015 by SJ

[teseo]

Thanks so much for this info. :)

 

We've got UDP, UBP, and $850 OBC on our next cruise. Given that we do our own excursions in Bermuda, I don't think we could possibly use it all. At the moment I'm planning to buy one FCC and use Gratuities Vouchers to spend some of it, but there will still be lots leftover.

 

just keep in mind, FCC and Gratuities (if you refer to the DSC) can't be paid with non-refundable OBC (if is from NCL) if the OBC is from a TA or an external source, yes you can.

[Pikaia]

just keep in mind, FCC and Gratuities (if you refer to the DSC) can't be paid with non-refundable OBC (if is from NCL) if the OBC is from a TA or an external source, yes you can.

You are partially right.

 

The service charge cannot be paid with non-refundable OBC.

 

Gratuities Vouchers are completely separate from the service charge. It is a way to tip extra without using cash. You go to guest services, give them the name of the crew member and the amount you wish to tip them, and it will be charged to your account. Non-refundable OBC can be used for this.

 

Unless things have changed quite recently, you are incorrect about FCC and non-refundable OBC. When you purchase a FCC on board, $250 is charged to your account and $100 OBC (non-refundable) is added to your account. According to many cruisers who have posted here, you CAN use non-refundable OBC to pay for the FCC.

[peg013]

just keep in mind, FCC and Gratuities (if you refer to the DSC) can't be paid with non-refundable OBC (if is from NCL) if the OBC is from a TA or an external source, yes you can.

 

What is your source for saying you cannot buy a Freestyle Cruise Reward with non-refundable OBC? I do it on every cruise. It can also be used for Gratuities but not the Daily Service Charge. However, refundable OBC from your TA or that you purchased can be used for the DSC.

[NMLady]

just keep in mind, FCC and Gratuities (if you refer to the DSC) can't be paid with non-refundable OBC (if is from NCL) if the OBC is from a TA or an external source, yes you can.

 

Actually the Future Cruise Credit CAN be purchased with non-refundable OBC.

If you're going to cruise NCL again in the next four years on a cruise of six days or more it is a good way to use up any kind of OBC.

However, the original topic was how to convert OBC to cash and that has been answered.

Edited February 20, 2015 by NMLady

[phissy]

Just realized that POA does not have casino. how to put OBC toward best use???

[Landl cruiser]

Its not wise to discuss this openly even though it's not against ncl policy. You never want to alert a company of a loophole customers are taking advantage of. If they can block the dsc from being charged against obc, cash advances at the casino wouldn't be that difficult. Broadcasting a deal or loophole on the internet is a sure way to get a deal killed.

 

Five stars for this response.

[OceanDreaming2]

If you have refundable OBC, just wait a couple of weeks and NCL will send you a check.

[Crusin6]

Just realized that POA does not have casino. how to put OBC toward best use???

 

 

The overpriced spa perhaps?

 

Can it be used to buy a piece of fine jewelry in the shops?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[timmo44]

Just realized that POA does not have casino. how to put OBC toward best use???

 

Walk into the main bar and shout "THE DRINKS ARE ON ME!"

 

That should get rid of it for you...

[cocoabeachcruiser]

This has been discussed before, but I figured I would make a new thread very clearly outlining how to do it. This is not against NCL policy, and is perfectly legal and within the rules.

 

So you have excess on board credits? Don't force yourself to spend them -- turn them into cold, hard cash! Here's how:

 

1) Go to the casino

 

2) Insert your stateroom card for the room that has the OBC

 

3) Load the amount of OBC you want to convert into the game through a stateroom charge

 

4) DO NOT PLAY. Hit "CASH OUT".

 

5) Go to the cage and get your CASH!

 

You will get the exact amount in cash!

 

You will lose 3% as a surcharge to your room, but this is easily worth it if you have no use for the OBC.

 

So if you have $100 OBC that you won't be using, the above method will put $100 cash in your hand in place of the OBC, and you will have just a $3 charge on your stateroom.

 

When was the last time you did this? Last month on the Jade it did not work. There are 2 seperate debits going on within your onboard statement. 1 was for refundable and the other for non refundable.

The way my statement went was all refundable was used first then non refundable. As the cruise progressed items were moved from one catagory to the other if needed. The casino was not taken from non refundable and even certian items like steakhouse credit (was given free dinner in Cagmeys so they put $60 OBC) and that credit never was debited until we ate there so I could not use that $60 for anything else.

 

The reason I saw this in depth was I was on a B2B Europe cruise and near the end of the first cruise they sent me a letter telling me I was going to lose the credit. (in error of course).I went to the credit desk onboard and got a full explanation.

 

I had a hard time spending $800 in 21 days so I wanted to try and get it off to no avail.

[TrumpyNor]

Its not wise to discuss this openly even though it's not against ncl policy. You never want to alert a company of a loophole customers are taking advantage of. If they can block the dsc from being charged against obc, cash advances at the casino wouldn't be that difficult. Broadcasting a deal or loophole on the internet is a sure way to get a deal killed.

 

That was exactly what I was thinking when I saw this thread - not a good idea to have a special thread to point out the "loopholes".....

[sparks1093]

if you have no use for the OBC.

 

 

Not familiar with this concept:confused:;).

 

On the Gem I went to the cashier and withdrew $100 so we'd have spending money at Sea World, which was less than using the ATM ($5 charge by NCL and $2.50 charge by my bank).

[sparks1093]

Its not wise to discuss this openly even though it's not against ncl policy. You never want to alert a company of a loophole customers are taking advantage of. If they can block the dsc from being charged against obc, cash advances at the casino wouldn't be that difficult. Broadcasting a deal or loophole on the internet is a sure way to get a deal killed.

 

Probably the reason they instituted the 3% fee, they used to do this gratis. They still get their 3% so probably see it as a win win for all concerned.

[rochelle_s]

Probably the reason they instituted the 3% fee, they used to do this gratis. They still get their 3% so probably see it as a win win for all concerned.

 

The 3% should cover the fee they have to pay the credit card company. They could potentially be losing a lot of money if everyone used the ship as an ATM.

 

 

Rochelle

[David22703]

Am I missing something but with the incidental charges "tips ect" it will ALWAYS cover any OBC without having to spend the 3%. I don't drink so I have never had a bar tab and my last 7 day cruse was $600... it would take a very large OBC to not cover that...

[sparks1093]

The 3% should cover the fee they have to pay the credit card company. They could potentially be losing a lot of money if everyone used the ship as an ATM.

 

 

Rochelle

 

We are talking about withdrawing from OBC but there are no other transactions where a passenger uses a credit card and has the fee tacked on (at least that I am aware of).

[sparks1093]

Am I missing something but with the incidental charges "tips ect" it will ALWAYS cover any OBC without having to spend the 3%. I don't drink so I have never had a bar tab and my last 7 day cruse was $600... it would take a very large OBC to not cover that...

 

It depends on the source of the OBC- if it is non-refundable OBC from NCL than it cannot be applied toward the service charges.