Using OBC on slots without incurring 5% transaction fee

[mhlcanada]

I read in Celebrity’s Cruise 101 blog that to use OBC on slots, insert seapass and select OBC as the preferred credit method. However, a 5% transaction fee will automatically be added to your seapass.  Is there any other way to avoid the transaction fee? For example, with my $350 obc, can I charge $350 to my room when I play and at end of the cruise apply the obc to the outstanding room charges to avoid the 5% fee?

[buzz031]

This 5% charge might be new? Last fall at a slot machine, I was able to charge $$ to my onboard account and it took it out of the OBC. This was on the Silhouette and Eclipse.

[mhlcanada]

This is from their website in Cruise101 articles (was updated in late 2023)

[wrk2cruise]

I know there is a 5% charge if you don't have OBC and the charge is going to your credit card but I've never seen the charge applied to OBC. 

[Jeremiah1212]

The way that process is described is not how most do it. I'm not sure I recall that method even being an option. You select a room charge, not OBC, as the payment source. You load your account with the desired amount and that posts to your account like any other onboard charge. Just like if you purchase a drink or specialty dinner. Your OBC is applied toward the room charge until it's spent then you would have a balance due at the end of the cruise if you deplete the OBC. You can also rack up some serious credit card points this way but it's borderline not the scrupulous use of your credit card program. 

 

Despite people often saying this is not allowed and you can't do it, the casino host has instructions available at the desk that explain exactly how to accomplish this. I almost always cash out the $600+ nonrefundable Retreat OBC with no 5% fee. 

[mhlcanada]

That’s what I thought but their write up is clearly referring to obc, which I believe is unfair! You can use full value of obc to pay for other things like gift shop purchases, excursions etc. so why charge 5% for using on slots. I will be on Celebrity Edge May 11 and will definitely challenge that onboard.

[wrk2cruise]

2 minutes ago, mhlcanada said:

I will be on Celebrity Edge May 11 and will definitely challenge that onboard.

 

Only if you are charged I hope.  There have been no accounts of anyone being charged the 5%.

 

Some lines don't allow OBC to be used to pay gratuities.  I'm glad Celebrity does.

[Bosjoe]

2 hours ago, mhlcanada said:

I read in Celebrity’s Cruise 101 blog that to use OBC on slots, insert seapass and select OBC as the preferred credit method. However, a 5% transaction fee will automatically be added to your seapass.  Is there any other way to avoid the transaction fee? For example, with my $350 obc, can I charge $350 to my room when I play and at end of the cruise apply the obc to the outstanding room charges to avoid the 5% fee?

I took $200 out of my Refundable OBC on a slot machine, 3 weeks ago. I was not charged any fee. I played $40 then cashed out. On the last day I still had $125 in OBC, added that to a slot machine, then cashed out. I had just over $5 left when we got off the ship and it was refunded to my CC .

[Liao]

3 hours ago, mhlcanada said:

I read in Celebrity’s Cruise 101 blog that to use OBC on slots, insert seapass and select OBC as the preferred credit method. However, a 5% transaction fee will automatically be added to your seapass.  Is there any other way to avoid the transaction fee? For example, with my $350 obc, can I charge $350 to my room when I play and at end of the cruise apply the obc to the outstanding room charges to avoid the 5% fee?

Use the personal banking feature, play one spin then cash out 

[mhlcanada]

My OBC is non refundable. I intend to play through all $350 of it on slots but if they charge 5% transaction fee during the download, I am afraid I will be left with only $332.50 to use. Anyway, I will need to clarify with them before I use it.

[Cruisernewbie44]

3 hours ago, mhlcanada said:

My OBC is non refundable. I intend to play through all $350 of it on slots but if they charge 5% transaction fee during the download, I am afraid I will be left with only $332.50 to use. Anyway, I will need to clarify with them before I use it.

Please report back

[Shadow9612]

11 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

The way that process is described is not how most do it. I'm not sure I recall that method even being an option. You select a room charge, not OBC, as the payment source. You load your account with the desired amount and that posts to your account like any other onboard charge. Just like if you purchase a drink or specialty dinner. Your OBC is applied toward the room charge until it's spent then you would have a balance due at the end of the cruise if you deplete the OBC. 

This is how it worked for me on Silhouette in January.  No 5% transaction fee.

[mhlcanada]

2 hours ago, Cruisernewbie44 said:

Please report back

Will do. My cruise is not until May 11.

[miched]

In March we played our OBC in the slots and weren’t charged any fees.  You do have to run thru 50% of what the amount you used to play.   Eg   If you put in $100 you have to play at least $50 before cashing out, such as playing $5/ play you would need to play 10 times.   If you cash out before that you will get the cash but the next time you try to play anymore OBC you will find that your account is locked. 
 

Things may have changed as it use to be 10% but I think too many people were doing that.   It also use to be that you could just cash in at the cashier without playing for a 5% fee.   
 

We have also found that different ships have different policies.  Last year we did a side by side cruise on a M class and S class.  The casinos had different rules OBC rules, and also different pay schedules on the VP machines. 
 

Happy cruising 🌊🚢🇺🇸🌅

[Dsciorti]

On 4/30/2024 at 8:16 AM, wrk2cruise said:

I know there is a 5% charge if you don't have OBC and the charge is going to your credit card but I've never seen the charge applied to OBC. 

I always charge back to my Seapass(no OBC) right at the slots and have never been charged 5% when it goes to my credit card. 

[wrk2cruise]

44 minutes ago, Dsciorti said:

I always charge back to my Seapass(no OBC) right at the slots and have never been charged 5% when it goes to my credit card. 

 

I know at one point the fee was waived for suite and Zenith guests.  I suspect maybe some levels of Blue Chip as well.

 

I've never been charged the fee either but most times I'm doing OBC.

 

Years ago there were no fees and people were taking the daily max to run up points on their credit cards and not really spending in the Casino, just taking the cash home.

[Pushkin]

Just debarked on May 4th.  No 5% charge for transfers to slot machine, but total transfers were not more than OBC balance.  At the Casino desk, they said it would be a 5% charge to get money (charge to credit card on file) to play slots (no mention of OBC).

 

[highway180]

1 hour ago, Pushkin said:

Just debarked on May 4th.  No 5% charge for transfers to slot machine, but total transfers were not more than OBC balance.  At the Casino desk, they said it would be a 5% charge to get money (charge to credit card on file) to play slots (no mention of OBC).

 

If you go to the casino cage you WILL get charged (in most cases) for an advance on your credit card, and it will get posted as a cash advance(higher interest/fees). If you do a room charge there will not be a fee and it posts to your account as entertainment, so no cash advance fees as well.