OBC not allowed in the Casino?

[sleepless]

I just got off the phone with a rep from Celebrity. I had some questions about On Board Credit. During the phone call, I was advised that no OBC was allowed to be used in the casinos on any Celebrity ship. He said it didn't matter if it were promotional OBC, a gift from a TA, or a pre-purchased OBC (in our case, a gift from the staff of my DH). No longer is OBC allowed to be used in the casino.

 

Has the policy changed? Or, is the Celebrity rep misinformed?

[monorailmedic]

I just looked into this 11 days ago on the Constellation. In the casino, OBC can be exchanged for chips (or credits) marked 'promo' or similar. If you play with a promo chip and have earnings to show for it, those earning are yours and you can cash them out. You cannot however simply walk back to the cage with $500 in promo chips and cash out, they value would simply go back as OBC.

[DrivesLikeMario]

OF COURSE the reps are going to tell you that! You're asking the wrong person! They are going to go by-the-book with Celebrity policies.

Edited December 30, 2015 by DrivesLikeMario

[ghstudio]

If you want a guess, call celebrity. If you want to know the answer, ask here.

 

You can get cash or chips from the casino...just ask. They charge 5% to do this.

[jelayne]

If you want a guess, call celebrity. If you want to know the answer, ask here.

 

You can get cash or chips from the casino...just ask. They charge 5% to do this.

 

I know that previously you could withdraw cash with a 5% charge. We did that in June but from I am reading on the boards that is no longer possible.

[gopro63]

Sales pitch. But like people say rules can change, but always check wit ha live person before doing anything.

[DrivesLikeMario]

Some say they've tried it and had a problem lately. I think the majority of people that have tried have been successful but the more we draw attention to it, the sooner Celebrity will stop it. There are already a ton of threads about this exact topic if you "Search this forum".

[Crazy Cruzer]

I just looked into this 11 days ago on the Constellation. In the casino, OBC can be exchanged for chips (or credits) marked 'promo' or similar. If you play with a promo chip and have earnings to show for it, those earning are yours and you can cash them out. You cannot however simply walk back to the cage with $500 in promo chips and cash out, they value would simply go back as OBC.

 

Did they still charge the 5%.

 

There are ways to change promo chips for redeemable chips, but it takes a little casino play and will not necessarily come out 100% - might give a little back for house odds. Play them on a 1:1 even odds game like roulette black or red.

[sleepless]

I do have another question, is it possible to "cash out" on unused on board credit at the customer service desk, thus eliminating the need to use the casino?

[brfan]

I think it depends on how you request the money at the casino. If you just ask for cash they probably won't care and give it to you and the amount (plus 5%) will be added to your account and then if you have OBC it will be deducted from the OBC (I doubt their accounting system is smart enough to not do it this way). Now if you ask if you can have cash for my OBC, they'll probably say no, but as I said I doubt their accounting system can differentiate between a charge (eg. shop purchase) and a casino charge (from withdrawing cash).

 

The only way they can prevent anyone from using their OBC in the casino is to stop giving cash out and then they would lose money as people wouldn't have any money to play the casino so I can't see them doing that.

 

Whenever I've taken out cash at the casino, I've never been asked if I have an OBC. The only thing they mention is the service charge.

 

Speaking of the service charge I'm still curious to know if Celebrity charges the 5% if you have a cash account (Royal doesn't). I guess I'll find out in a couple of weeks when I'm on the Eclipse.

[Andy]

I do have another question, is it possible to "cash out" on unused on board credit at the customer service desk, thus eliminating the need to use the casino?

 

Celebrity does not allow this. However, if the OBC is refundable - which is usually OBC from a travel agent, any unused OBC should go back to your credit card. With that said, as the rules seem to be in flux - and not for the better, I'd definitely ask when onboard the ship.

 

If you have any questions, the codes are OBN (non refundable), or OBR which is refundable.

 

Hope this helps !

[Andy]

 

You can get cash or chips from the casino...just ask. They charge 5% to do this.

 

Hi Ghstudio,

 

We've read recent reports about OBC's in the Casino being exchanged for chips, which supposedly must be used and are not refunded - unless you win, and they are exchanged for unrestricted chips.

 

Did you experience this on your last cruise ? Or, was it the usual 5% surcharge with no restrictions ?

Edited December 30, 2015 by Host Andy

[ghstudio]

No special chips...they just gave cash if that's what you wanted. Equinox 12/11 cruise

[Andy]

No special chips...they just gave cash if that's what you wanted. Equinox 12/11 cruise

 

Thank you Ghstudio. Looks like different things are happening on different ships. Not terribly surprising, but it seems the policy is changing - at least from what was reported on Constellation. Who knows, maybe what they are doing on Connie is a trial ? Curious if it's happening on other X ships.

[Beanb41]

Celebrity does not allow this. However, if the OBC is refundable - which is usually OBC from a travel agent, any unused OBC should go back to your credit card. With that said, as the rules seem to be in flux - and not for the better, I'd definitely ask when onboard the ship.

 

If you have any questions, the codes are OBN (non refundable), or OBR which is refundable.

 

Hope this helps !

 

On the last night on the Solstice we went to guest relations to settle our account to took the outstanding refundable OBC as cash. Coming from outside the USA currency transaction fees and knowing that I would need US dollars again made taking the cash preferable.

I accept that this is only possible on the last night of the cruise, besides why would you want it earlier when one's seapass covers everything.

Edited December 30, 2015 by Beanb41

[Pennstatedj]

I just cashed out in the Casino on the last sea day. No problem, a 5% charge. This was on the Reflection on 12/12/15.

[Andy]

On the last night on the Solstice we went to guest relations to settle our account to took the outstanding refundable OBC as cash. Coming from outside the USA currency transaction fees and knowing that I would need US dollars again made taking the cash preferable.

I accept that this is only possible on the last night of the cruise, besides why would you want it earlier when one's seapass covers everything.

 

Hi Beanb41,

 

Agreed. As long as it's refundable OBC, they will give you cash. Frankly, if I had refundable OBC remaining, I'd suggest using your method, instead of waiting to see if or when the refund hits your credit card, and everything goes as planned.

 

If you have the opportunity to take the cash, it's the best plan.

 

Happy New Year !

[tangerinebunny]

We cashed out OBC-NR on Summit in early December. Since we were in a suite there was no 5% charge.

 

I had the impression from reading here that this was changing ship by ship.

[Oceangoer2]

Celebrity does not allow this. However, if the OBC is refundable - which is usually OBC from a travel agent, any unused OBC should go back to your credit card. With that said, as the rules seem to be in flux - and not for the better, I'd definitely ask when onboard the ship.

 

If you have any questions, the codes are OBN (non refundable), or OBR which is refundable.

 

Hope this helps !

This policy is confusing. I purchased gift specifically for the Casino for DH (Christmas present). The 'gift' dept knew this and sold it to me as an OBC. Does this mean he can't use it in the Casino and if he can, and wins, he'll lose 5% on it when cashing out?

[Guytoplay]

I hope OBC credits can be used. I have a lot of OBC-NR and ones purchased as wedding gifts by friends.

[ghstudio]

This policy is confusing. I purchased gift specifically for the Casino for DH (Christmas present). The 'gift' dept knew this and sold it to me as an OBC. Does this mean he can't use it in the Casino and if he can, and wins, he'll lose 5% on it when cashing out?

 

 

If you purchased it, then it is always refundable. They will charge the 5% which. Is just gouging you in this case. The 5% is based on the amount you withdraw from your account, not when you cash out

Edited December 31, 2015 by ghstudio

[gopro63]

if you do not ask these questions people just do not know.

 

 

5% is 5% exactly the same way you get charged via A ATM but a 5% fee. o be smart.

 

you got a balance of 100.00 in your acct take 95.00 out you are left wit ha zero balance

 

do it any other way you will be with a charged balance

[brfan]

Hi Beanb41,

 

Agreed. As long as it's refundable OBC, they will give you cash. Frankly, if I had refundable OBC remaining, I'd suggest using your method, instead of waiting to see if or when the refund hits your credit card, and everything goes as planned.

 

If you have the opportunity to take the cash, it's the best plan.

 

Happy New Year !

 

I guess I'm confused are you saying that Celebrity has found a way to not deduct a cash withdraw from your OBC (if it's non refundable)? I always thought a cash withdrawal is a charge just like any charge and if you have OBC the charge is deducted. Or is this a case of people going to the casino and asking to cash out a non-refundable OBC and being told no? I normally just ask for cash and don't mention anything about having an OBC and never had an issue with the charge being deducted from a non-refundable OBC.

[DonnaMW]

No problem getting cash out on constellation Christmas cruise. Now they did have a promo on Christmas Eve. Take $100 out get $110.00 no 5% charge. Now that was put on you card. But played A little then cashed out for casino receipt to cash in. But cash out other times no problem.

[ghstudio]

if you do not ask these questions people just do not know.

 

 

5% is 5% exactly the same way you get charged via A ATM but a 5% fee. o be smart.

 

you got a balance of 100.00 in your acct take 95.00 out you are left wit ha zero balance

 

do it any other way you will be with a charged balance

 

If you take out $95, they will charge your account $4.75 and you will still have a $.25 balance.