Using Non Refundable OBC in the Casino

[qsuzi]

Prior to our recent cruise, several of you shared that you were able to use non refundable OBC in the Casino and then "Cash Out" receiving cash. We did not try to do this on our recent Westerdam cruise because the Front Office said that nonrefundable OBC could not be used in the Casino. Has the policy recently changed? What is your recent experience?

[KirkNC]

I have never tried it but have to belive the lines are smart enough to have not allowed this. If they did, a lot less people would complain on the Azamara board about what to do with OBC's.

Edited June 21, 2016 by KirkNC

[Kathyfromstl]

I know that HAL given OBC is not refundable. How about OBC given by my TA?

 

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[blizzardboy]

I know that HAL given OBC is not refundable. How about OBC given by my TA?

 

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TA OBC is refundable.

[Kathyfromstl]

TA OBC is refundable.

Will HAL automatically put it on my credit card or can I get it in cash before disembark? If cash, can I get it at anytime to use in a port?

 

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[blizzardboy]

Will HAL automatically put it on my credit card or can I get it in cash before disembark? If cash, can I get it at anytime to use in a port?

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I'd call HAL customer service on the refund mechanism. Onboard credit can be used for anything on the ship including shore excursions, but I can't see them giving you cash for a trip ashore.

[richwmn]

Will HAL automatically put it on my credit card or can I get it in cash before disembark? If cash, can I get it at anytime to use in a port?

 

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I know you can receive it in cash on the last evening. Others on this board have indicated that they received a credit on a card. I know that on one cruise after I had cashed out, I got a call on the final morning that I needed to go to the front desk because a credit had been added to my account and I needed to pick up a small extra amount.

 

If you try to get cash, other than using the slot card trick, prior to closing your account they will charge a fee for getting it. I don't remember how much.

[kazu]

I have had non refundable OBC on my cruises and while the Front Office may say what the rules are, the slot machine does not differentiate if you want to charge to your on board account. (It probably doesn't even know if you have obc). It's a charge to your on board account plain and simple.

 

I never have to worry about getting cash at the end of the cruise (always have a bill ;) BUT I have used it to get cash in various ports against OBC or against my account. It has worked well for me in the past :). Of course, I also "donate" to the casino. LOL

[3rdGenCunarder]

We had a lot of OBC on a one-week cruise a few years ago. I don't know how I do it, but it seems the shorter the cruise, the more OBC I have. Should be the other way around! Anyway, some went to HSC, some to an excursion, but there was still a fair amount left over. I did some shopping on board--cookbook, gift shop bracelet--and then figured since it wasn't mine to begin with, I wouldn't work to blow off the remaining $35. I was very surprised to discover a $35 credit on the next month's credit card bill. I guess something wasn't "tagged" correctly and the system thought it was my money.

 

The fine print for the current anniversary promo says that the OBC given to suites may not be used for HSC (so what, the promo already pays that) or in the casino. As we learned from the promo that gave OBC for excursions, what the website says and what actually happens can differ--the "excursion" OBC worked just fine in the bars...

[qsuzi]

Thanks so much for the answer Kazu. We have lots of non refundable OBC on our December cruise so if needed I will try the casino "cash out".

[kazu]

Thanks so much for the answer Kazu. We have lots of non refundable OBC on our December cruise so if needed I will try the casino "cash out".

 

Just a little heads up. It's a good idea to charge it a couple of days before cash out. do a couple of spins each night and then cash out a couple of days later or the last night.

[DaveOKC]

Just a little heads up. It's a good idea to charge it a couple of days before cash out. do a couple of spins each night and then cash out a couple of days later or the last night.

 

Thats the way we do it as well. During the cruise we play a little everyday (our normal routine anyway) and charge it to the cabin. If we win, we cash out that evening. Next day, repeat the process. No real problem to do it.

[catl331]

Thanks so much for the answer Kazu. We have lots of non refundable OBC on our December cruise so if needed I will try the casino "cash out".

I have no personal experience with having "excess" OBC of any kind :) but I've read that if you have both the refundable kind (purchased by you, your TA, or your friends) and non-refundable (from HAL or Carnival Corp), the "non" will be used up first.

 

We have several times charged slot machine funds to our on-board account, played a little, and cashed-out most of it.

Edited June 22, 2016 by catl331

[qsuzi]

Just a little heads up. It's a good idea to charge it a couple of days before cash out. do a couple of spins each night and then cash out a couple of days later or the last night.

 

I'm taking a couple of your very helpful "heads up" with me as a reminder. :D

[Crew News]

Two days before our Disembarkation Day May 2016 I noticed $700 credit on our account. I opened a $500 account at the Casino, lost $10 and realized that luck was not on my side. Cashed in $490.

 

Felt lucky the day before Disembarkation and opened an account for $200. Lost $17 and cashed in $183.

 

There were $700 in charges to the Casino on my account statement, a final charge on my credit card for $99 in last-minute souvenirs from the Shops, and I had $673 in cash in my wallet.

 

OBC included Explor4, FCD, CCL, PG Mariner discounts, price drop after final payment, and booking within 60 days of last cruise.

 

The ship has one pocket for all OBC and charges according to our HAL PCC which has proven to be the case on our cruises for the last two years.

[blizzardboy]

Two days before our Disembarkation Day May 2016 I noticed $700 credit on our account. I opened a $500 account at the Casino, lost $10 and realized that luck was not on my side. Cashed in $490.

 

Felt lucky the day before Disembarkation and opened an account for $200. Lost $17 and cashed in $183.

 

There were $700 in charges to the Casino on my account statement, a final charge on my credit card for $99 in last-minute souvenirs from the Shops, and I had $673 in cash in my wallet.

 

OBC included Explor4, FCD, CCL, PG Mariner discounts, price drop after final payment, and booking within 60 days of last cruise.

 

The ship has one pocket for all OBC and charges according to our HAL PCC which has proven to be the case on our cruises for the last two years.

 

That's contrary to what I was told by a HAL ship's services supervisor. OBC from HAL is supposed to be used to pay account charges before OBC that has been purchased by the cruiser or their TA.

Edited June 22, 2016 by blizzardboy

[DaveOKC]

That's contrary to what I was told by a HAL ship's services supervisor. OBC from HAL is supposed to be used to pay account charges before OBC that has been purchased by the cruiser or their TA.

 

I have no doubt that what you were told is correct and is company policy.

 

However, I have found that HAL's onboard accounting is not up to the task of implementing these restrictions, thus what others on this board are reporting is correct in the "real HAL world".

[blizzardboy]

I have no doubt that what you were told is correct and is company policy.

 

However, I have found that HAL's onboard accounting is not up to the task of implementing these restrictions, thus what others on this board are reporting is correct in the "real HAL world".

 

HAL wouldn't refund OBC from one of their promotions, as stated in promo rules. If you had $300 from HAL and $300 from your TA and only spent $200, they're going to refund $300 not $400. While it doesn't show specifically on your account as 2 types of OBC, HALs system knows the source and does the math. Think of it like "first in, first out" accounting practices with HAL OBC as first in.

[Crew News]

I have no doubt that what you were told is correct and is company policy.

 

However, I have found that HAL's onboard accounting is not up to the task of implementing these restrictions, thus what others on this board are reporting is correct in the "real HAL world".

 

You are correct. The Front Desk told me the same thing about not using "non-refundable" OBC when I told them that I was just going to "blow it" in the Casino. Unfortunately, I was not able to "blow it" all and had to cash out.

 

If your credit card bill from HAL does not reflect the "cashed-out" amount, you will have the cash in your wallet to cover the credit card bill. No harm in trying.

[jtl513]

HAL wouldn't refund OBC from one of their promotions, as stated in promo rules. If you had $300 from HAL and $300 from your TA and only spent $200, they're going to refund $300 not $400.

True - but you could go to the Front Desk and get a $412 cash advance, paying a 3% fee, and end up with $399+ in your pocket. :) Edited June 22, 2016 by jtl513

[blizzardboy]

Unfortunately, we always seem to have too much fun to worry about there being left-over OBC. Fortunately, we always seem to have too much fun to worry about there being left-over OBC. It's all in your perspective.

Edited June 22, 2016 by blizzardboy

[Crew News]

Unfortunately, we always seem to have too much fun to worry about there being left-over OBC. Fortunately, we always seem to have too much fun to worry about there being left-over OBC. It's all in your perspective.

 

To stray from the topic, I graduated from Shortridge HS and attended Butler in Indy. Lived at the Teepee!!!

Edited June 22, 2016 by Crew News
Realized the OP was from my home

[taxmantoo]

True - but you could go to the Front Desk and get a $412 cash advance, paying a 3% fee, and end up with $399+ in your pocket. :)

 

You can also save the 3% fee ... A few nights before the cruise ends, sit at a poker table and order chips equivalent to the amount of unspent OBC on your account with your cruise card. Simply cash those chips in the next night.

[KAE27]

You are correct. The Front Desk told me the same thing about not using "non-refundable" OBC when I told them that I was just going to "blow it" in the Casino. Unfortunately, I was not able to "blow it" all and had to cash out.

 

If your credit card bill from HAL does not reflect the "cashed-out" amount, you will have the cash in your wallet to cover the credit card bill. No harm in trying.

 

Just did this about two weeks ago on the Noordam. It wasn't actually my intention to cash out my non-refundable OBC, but it turned out we were better in the casino than we thought. Had absolutely no problem getting it back in cash.

[Kathyfromstl]

True - but you could go to the Front Desk and get a $412 cash advance, paying a 3% fee, and end up with $399+ in your pocket. :)

Can you get a cash advance at any time or have to wait until the end of the cruise? I assume the cash advance automatically comes from all of your OBC whether or not it's from HAL or TA. I would hate to have a cash advance hit my credit card and not taken from my OBC.

 

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