buying casino credits

[nukesubsailor]

Still unsure.

 

I would think they would give you chips when you cash in the vouchers. But again, I've never done it.

Last time I played the slots - you put coins in ( I think - it has been a long time).

 

I agree with Terry, why would they give you cash and not chips.

 

I think I will pre order some and see how it goes. If i have to take chips, then I will and cash them in later.

 

I just got home from a British Isles cruise yesterday. Prior to the cruise I called Princess and bought two $100 Casino Credits. When I got on the ship there were 2 vouchers in my cabin for $100 each. The first day the casino was open I went to the casino cashier and signed the vouchers. I was given the $200 in American currency. I walked out of the casino with the cash and never gambled on the cruise. I do this on every cruise and it always works just like it did on the British Isles cruise just completed.

The reason Princess allows this is that it gives them your money to use between the time you purchase the casino credits prior to the cruise and when you cash in the vouchers during your cruise. It is like an interest-free short term loan to Princess. Also, a percentage of people buying these casino credits will end up gambling so there is more income for Princess.

[reedprincess]

The casino offer is based on "coin in" on slots and they track the time spent on machines. So simply using the casino as a bank wouldn't result in a casino discount. I'm not sure how they handle table players.

Not the case, as neither of us has ever put a cent in any slot machine on any Princess ship, and we have received several casino offers including the last discount email. We only play table games, mainly cramps and roulette, and do hand over our card for them to track our play... It's most definitely not based in slots only..

[crochetcruise]

They talk to you - they ask for your cruise card. A friendly one might wish you luck. Remember when you are exchanging the printed card for cash, they don't know what you plan to do with the cash. They also have a list at the cage of everyone the ship with those casino cards and they make sure it all balances out.

 

I've been in the habit of buying the casino credits in advance because Princess used to charge 3% SC if you put cash against credit card for casino. As others have mentioned, they did away with the SC. But I still do the credits. I get points on my VISA and don't have to carry the extra cash. Of course if I get lucky I can end up having to carry the excess cash back home. But I will live with that.:D

 

Oh WHAT a stressful ordeal? NOT!:rolleyes::D

[Steelers36]

Still unsure.

 

I would think they would give you chips when you cash in the vouchers. But again, I've never done it.

Last time I played the slots - you put coins in ( I think - it has been a long time).

 

I agree with Terry, why would they give you cash and not chips.

 

I think I will pre order some and see how it goes. If i have to take chips, then I will and cash them in later.

 

The cage deals only in cash out and takes chips in. The only place to get chips is to buy them from a dealer at one of the tables. All casinos operate this way.

[jennymaxgirl]

I have read the entire thread on this topic so far and it has been very helpful. Thanks to all who have posted on this topic.

 

My question is.....being that I am in Canada, when I purchase the Casino Credits with my VISA card how will the exchange be calculated?

 

In buying onboard credit (not casino credit) it is listed in CDN dollars and has a 20% exchange rate built in. To buy $100 UDS online credit from princess - they will charge my card $120 in CDN funds.

 

When looking at the Casino Credits is only states the US dollar amount. i.e. $100 USD. Will this be charged to my cdn visa in cdn funds? ie the same princess exchange rate of 20%, equalling $120?

 

Or will this be charged to my Visa in USD and the going foreign exchange rate with VISA is applied?

 

It is only worthwhile for me to purchase the casino credits if the princess 20% exchange is being used in this method. Anyone know if this is the case?

 

Thanks!

Jennifer

Edited July 24, 2015 by jennymaxgirl

[Astro Flyer]

I have read the entire thread on this topic so far and it has been very helpful. Thanks to all who have posted on this topic.

 

My question is.....being that I am in Canada, when I purchase the Casino Credits with my VISA card how will the exchange be calculated?

 

In buying onboard credit (not casino credit) it is listed in CDN dollars and has a 20% exchange rate built in. To buy $100 UDS online credit from princess - they will charge my card $120 in CDN funds.

 

When looking at the Casino Credits is only states the US dollar amount. i.e. $100 USD. Will this be charged to my cdn visa in cdn funds? ie the same princess exchange rate of 20%, equalling $120?

 

Or will this be charged to my Visa in USD and the going foreign exchange rate with VISA is applied?

 

It is only worthwhile for me to purchase the casino credits if the princess 20% exchange is being used in this method. Anyone know if this is the case?

 

Thanks!

Jennifer

Searching this forum I found a couple of discussions about CA$ exchange experiences but didn't read everything to know if they answer your question.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2222031&highlight=canadian+dollar+exchange+rates

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1968249

[Ethel5]

Not the case, as neither of us has ever put a cent in any slot machine on any Princess ship, and we have received several casino offers including the last discount email. We only play table games, mainly cramps and roulette, and do hand over our card for them to track our play... It's most definitely not based in slots only..

 

As I said, " I'm not sure how they handle table players." So, what I said regarding slot players is what I have found to be true. Table players are rated differently.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Ethel5

[Murphey]

If you cash out without playing they will lock your account. Better to use Casino Credit.

 

 

hmmmm..we .do this all the time....they've never locked me out....I don't see any reason to buy casino credits prior to cruise....

 

This is how we pay our additional tips, when we decide who gets what. It works great without having to guess how much money to bring.

[smslms]

I have read the entire thread on this topic so far and it has been very helpful. Thanks to all who have posted on this topic.

 

My question is.....being that I am in Canada, when I purchase the Casino Credits with my VISA card how will the exchange be calculated?

 

In buying onboard credit (not casino credit) it is listed in CDN dollars and has a 20% exchange rate built in. To buy $100 UDS online credit from princess - they will charge my card $120 in CDN funds.

 

When looking at the Casino Credits is only states the US dollar amount. i.e. $100 USD. Will this be charged to my cdn visa in cdn funds? ie the same princess exchange rate of 20%, equalling $120?

 

Or will this be charged to my Visa in USD and the going foreign exchange rate with VISA is applied?

 

It is only worthwhile for me to purchase the casino credits if the princess 20% exchange is being used in this method. Anyone know if this is the case?

 

Thanks!

Jennifer

 

The conversion is handled by your credit card company, not Princess. Your statement will reflect a $100.00 US purchase, which will then be converted to CDN at the current ex rate.

[St Paul Girl]

The conversion is handled by your credit card company, not Princess. Your statement will reflect a $100.00 US purchase, which will then be converted to CDN at the current ex rate.

 

Hi: the exchange rate for Canadians, if we buy the Casino credits before the cruise, is determined by Princess and by when we booked the cruise and if we paid in Cdn or USD. I can buy $100USD Casino credit for $110 CDN, on my Cruise Personailzer and Princess bills my credit card $110CDN, which is about $85USD. Pretty good deal. I responded to Jennifer on the Caanadian tread.

Have a great cruise:

[wutang]

In cruise personizer, when you buy casino credit & pay what in the cart, you will check-out using credit card that will billed US exchange rate by cc company. So how do you able to get Princess cruise rate? Please explain.:confused:

[St Paul Girl]

In cruise personizer, when you buy casino credit & pay what in the cart, you will check-out using credit card that will billed US exchange rate by cc company. So how do you able to get Princess cruise rate? Please explain.:confused:

 

First, what currency did you book your cruise in? Cdns got a break when our currency took a dive. I booked our cruise in CDN dollars, not USD. When you login and buy casino credits, whatever shows up will be charged to you'd credit card in the currency you booked with.

Hope this helps.

[wutang]

OK I brought the cruise via third party (vacationtogo) which is USD only purchase. I guess I can not take advantage of the Princess's exchange rate then.:(