Casino Credits

[jtdlmc]

Can anyone tell me their recent experience using casino credits which you purchase in the cruise personalizer prior to cruising?  Do you still get a voucher that you exchange for cash?  If not, is it easy to cash out if you have any $ left in your account?  Can you cash out at any time during the cruise and can you take the total remaining balance when you cash out?

[kitty2264]

They still leave the vouchers in your cabin for you to cash out at the casino cashier.  I had to sign each of them and provide photo id, as well.  Easy enough!

[Redwing55]

I don't mean to be rude, but do you care to share why you would purchase a casino credit?  Honestly, I don't understand why Princess even offers that option.  I would just purchase OBC's and when I went to casino, I would load up my "card" from my cabin's account.  

 

For that matter, I don't purchase any OBC's ahead of time (except if there is some deal to do so) and just have the casino add it to my cabin account if/when I go to the casino.

 

Again, there are reasons for some to purchase OBC ahead of time.  It's buying a specific type.. in this case casino credit, where I don't understand where the advantage is.

 

And as far as cashing out... I have no idea if one uses casino credits as to how that works.  However, if one loads like $500 on the card for casino and has like $450 left on it, the cashier will give one $450 cash when you cash out.  Of course when you win and say you have $700 on it, they'll give you $700.  I haven't won large, so I don't know at what limit that they don't give one cash.

Edited April 12, 2019 by Redwing55

[jtdlmc]

35 minutes ago, Redwing55 said:

I don't mean to be rude, but do you care to share why you would purchase a casino credit?  Honestly, I don't understand why Princess even offers that option.  I would just purchase OBC's and when I went to casino, I would load up my "card" from my cabin's account.  

 

For that matter, I don't purchase any OBC's ahead of time (except if there is some deal to do so) and just have the casino add it to my cabin account if/when I go to the casino.

 

Again, there are reasons for some to purchase OBC ahead of time.  It's buying a specific type.. in this case casino credit, where I don't understand where the advantage is.

 

And as far as cashing out... I have no idea if one uses casino credits as to how that works.  However, if one loads like $500 on the card for casino and has like $450 left on it, the cashier will give one $450 cash when you cash out.  Of course when you win and say you have $700 on it, they'll give you $700.  I haven't won large, so I don't know at what limit that they don't give one cash.

 

Sure, not that it is anyone’s business, but I don’t mind sharing why I wish to purchase casino credits.

 

Three reasons actually.  One being that I live in Canada and when I booked my cruise almost two years ago the exchange rate was much less than it is now.  Everything I purchase prior to getting on the ship is at that exchange rate.  Everything purchased on the ship is charged to my credit card at the current exchange rate, which is much higher now, plus an additional 2.5% conversion fee by the credit card company.  

 

The second reason is that is if I were to purchase regular OBC, any remaining credit at the end of the cruise is either refunded to my credit card in Canadian funds or I wait 6 weeks to receive a cheque in the mail which could either be US or CND funds.  I don’t wish to wait 6 weeks to have my money refunded nor do I wish to be reimbursed in CND funds.

 

Thirdly, I have purchased everything else in advance, drink packages, souvenirs that I want from the gift shop, specialty dining, so I can’t see needing any additional money but we do like to gamble a bit.  Another reason for casino credit versus OBC.  

 

So.....that’s why I would like to purchase casino credits before cruising.  

Edited April 12, 2019 by jtdlmc

[Redwing55]

10 minutes ago, jtdlmc said:

 

Sure, not that it is anyone’s business, but I don’t mind sharing why I wish to purchase casino credits.

 

 

 

Thirdly, I have purchased everything else in advance, drink packages, souvenirs that I want from the gift shop, specialty dining, so I can’t see needing any additional money but we do like to gamble a bit.  Another reason for casino credit versus OBC.  

 

So.....that’s why I would like to purchase casino credits before cruising.  

Gotcha.. it's that exchange thing.. Good strategy.  I did read your issue about not waiting for a check, etc.  And, being Canadian, it adds to the expense of getting US dollars from the Casino, since you'd need to exchange them and that isn't free.  Good luck with your gambling and getting your answer.

 

I admit I was giving a US perspective and in that regard, any money I put on my cabin card IN THE CASINO either winds up staying with the casino (losses) or comes back as CASH before we leave the ship.  So unlike OBC's, one doesn't wait for that check/refund from Princess.  The casino marches to a bit of a different beat in that regard.

[mnocket]

2 hours ago, Redwing55 said:

Gotcha.. it's that exchange thing.. Good strategy.  I did read your issue about not waiting for a check, etc.  And, being Canadian, it adds to the expense of getting US dollars from the Casino, since you'd need to exchange them and that isn't free.  Good luck with your gambling and getting your answer.

 

I admit I was giving a US perspective and in that regard, any money I put on my cabin card IN THE CASINO either winds up staying with the casino (losses) or comes back as CASH before we leave the ship.  So unlike OBC's, one doesn't wait for that check/refund from Princess.  The casino marches to a bit of a different beat in that regard.

 

I might be wrong, but this was my thinking on my last Princess cruise.  I too struggled with trying to understand  the relative difference between buying OBC or casino credits.  I wound up buying casino credits.  I figured if I wanted money for other onboard purchases I could just cash in chips for money.  Worked out fine.

[Georgie562]

Not only that but the Casino Credit is actually there as well for a non cruising passengers to buy as a gift for a cruising passenger on their upcoming voyage. Maybe that person buying the credit doesn't know better and thinks Casino Credit sounds more exciting to gift than OBC.