Cash Advances

[collector]

Can you still get cash advances on your credit card in the casino with no fees? That would be easier than carrying cash.

[Karynanne]

You can still obtain cash in the casino...but there is now a 3% fee.

[Constance331]

The best way to have money for the casino is the buy yourself bon voyage casino credit certificates from the X website. Click on the "Gifts" link at the bottom of the home page ... certificates come in increments of $25.00 (order #C170).

 

When you embark, you will have a card waiting for you in your cabin that gives the amount you're entitled to, which you then take to the casino cashier. I believe you have to take the entire amount at once.

[Addict]

If it's any help, you can also buy onboard credit for yourself. You can buy it online (unless you are in the U.K. then you have to call). And you don't have to pay the 3% charge as you have pre-paid the OBC so it's your money you are withdrawing. Celebrity have confirmed to me that there is no fee. You can withdraw any amount you like from the front desk.

[Cruiser Nonna]

Regarding On Board Credit - did Celebrity ONBOARD confirm this or a call to the company - I always was told that Onboard credit could be used for "purchases" onboard and that you could not get cash back?

 

If someone has done this onboard a ship recently would love to confirm this helpful information

 

Thanks -

[Constance331]

Regarding On Board Credit - did Celebrity ONBOARD confirm this or a call to the company - I always was told that Onboard credit could be used for "purchases" onboard and that you could not get cash back?

 

If someone has done this onboard a ship recently would love to confirm this helpful information

 

Thanks -

 

This had been the case with my recent experience onboard -- they would NOT give me cash against my onboard credit (this is OBC which I bought for myself through X's website prior to my sailing), without tacking on a 3% fee. Needless to say, I was extremely annoyed to learn that I was going to be charged 3% for the pleasure of using my own money on their ship ...:mad:

 

Believe me - if Customer Service is telling people they can withdraw onboard credit from the casino cashier for cash - they are wrong! All attempts to withdraw money at the casino with your seapass will result in a 3% service charge - and they don't care if you have a credit balance or not!

 

The only way to use your own money in the casino (if you do not wish to embark carrying alot of cash) is to buy yourself casino credit certificates as I previously explained in post #3.

[Dog Mommie]

Constance, am I correct in understanding that:

 

1. I pre-purchase casino credits,
   
2. I can charge them on my credit card (that gives me back rewards for purchases) and I can
   
3. Cash the credits in at the casino for CASH IN HAND (not to gamble with!) once onboard? With no penalty or charges?

[Addict]

Regarding On Board Credit - did Celebrity ONBOARD confirm this or a call to the company - I always was told that Onboard credit could be used for "purchases" onboard and that you could not get cash back?

 

If someone has done this onboard a ship recently would love to confirm this helpful information

 

Thanks -

 

Hi

 

Not sure how this has worked for others, but I can tell you we have done this recently - Panama Canal cruise on Millenium in April 2008 - and we withdrew funds when we needed and didn't pay any surcharges. And I confirmed with Celebrity U.K. again last week when I purchased credit for our upcoming Summit cruise in October - they said we would not have to pay any fees.

 

Perhaps different on other ships? But I don't see why it would be.

 

Perhaps it is different if you have OBC due to early booking, or Captains Club specials, or shareholders etc - I can understand them wanting to charge a fee if you wanted to withdraw cash from that - but when it's your own money???

 

Technically, any money you withdraw from the casino, should be used for gaming purposes - I would recommend withdrawing cash at the front desk.

[Constance331]

Constance, am I correct in understanding that:

1. I pre-purchase casino credits,
   
2. I can charge them on my credit card (that gives me back rewards for purchases) and I can
   
3. Cash the credits in at the casino for CASH IN HAND (not to gamble with!) once onboard? With no penalty or charges?

 

Sorry, Dog Mommie - what I said was that the best way of obtaining money for the casino, i.e., to gamble with (and not pay the 3% fee), was to buy the casino credits online.

 

Yes, I've obtained CASH IN HAND in exchange for the certificates, but I've always gone straight to one of the tables or slots to play; however, it is NOT unusual for me to - let's say - play only about $20 or so of the total amount, then exit the casino with the remainder of the money ... ;)

[Karynanne]

On Infinity, in June, there was a small sign at the Casino cage, that stated that there is a 3% surcharge for cash withdrawn. I don't see how any personnel at the window would know if you had a credit balance or not. I would hope that only the personnel at Guest Relations had access to that information, and not the staff in general.