Casino Credits versus Travelers Checks

[caribill]

 

 

I thought it was looked at as a purchase not a cash advance, maybe I am wrong??

 

 

As far as the credit card company is concerned, it is a charge.

 

As far as the casino is concerned, it is cash to give you to spend anyway you want although they would prefer you spend it in the casino.

[caribill]

Travelers checks are almost obsolete; those using them are usually older and used to doing things that way. I'll bet most younger people don't even know there is such a thing as a travelers check.

 

 

It is getting hard to buy actual travelers checks these days. They prefer to sell you a prepaid American Express card which can then be used for charges and at ATMs, just like a prepaid Visa or prepaid MasterCard.

 

However, you cannot get cash at the purser's desk with plastic. And if you use the card to get cash at an ATM outside the USA or use it to charge outside the USA, you are subject to the 2% fee they charge on all foreign transactions.

[coo359a2]

I had to go to two banks before I could find the dollar amounts and denominations that I wanted for the traveler's checks. Just not worth the effort when you can call Princess for the casino credits and have the cash readily avaialble for whatever use you need.

[Pia1913]

 

 

As far as the credit card company is concerned, it is a charge.

 

As far as the casino is concerned, it is cash to give you to spend anyway you want although they would prefer you spend it in the casino.

 

Exactly. Your charge to the credit card is a charge like anything else. And if you have a Princess Visa, as some of us do, that's called double points. Nobody says you have to spend the $$$. Last cruise, when we got home, I redeposited the $500 into my account. Never spent a dime of it.

[bhopal21]

 

 

I thought it was looked at as a purchase not a cash advance, maybe I am wrong??

 

No Stewart, you are correct as stated.:D

 

Mike:)

[smoosh21]

Far as I can tell, there is no other way to pay for them but with a credit card. A casino credit is the same as buying any of the other gifts on board, which are usually bought for a passenger by somebody else.

 

Does the Casino give you cash?

[Pia1913]

Does the Casino give you cash?

 

Yes. What else would a casino give you? :D

[nho9504]

1) I told the rep I wanted to purchase Cashino credit to use for our 01/31/09 cruise on Sapphire Princess. It took her a while to figure out what the different denominations I could purchase. She asked me WHEN would I want to get the credit, the day of sailing? (Isn't this a dumb question? :rolleyes:)

 

After she took the information etc, she said the transaction was approved (meaning going thru) and I would see the OBC in my account... I said I am not buying an onboard crdit, I am buying a Cashino Credit... :confused:

 

She wasn't sure how I would receive the credit, just kept saying that the credit I purchased now is attached to our booking... and she has no clue HOW I would get to that money...

 

She said I would see this on my booking, online. I dont see that being reflected at all. :confused:

 

2) There is no transaction reference or anything, to document the purchase. She did say if I wanted a confirmation, she would mail that to me. Of course I want a confirmation of the transaction...

 

3) I saw the authorization has gone thru because the available credit on my card is reduced by the exact amount of my purchase.

 

So, the experts here please tell me, the "card" will be waiting for me when we board. In case the rep messed up and processed the purchase as an OBC, I guess we would have to extract it thru the sign and sail card at the slot machine...:eek:

[Pia1913]

1) I told the rep I wanted to purchase Cashino credit to use for our 01/31/09 cruise on Sapphire Princess. It took her a while to figure out what the different denominations I could purchase. She asked me WHEN would I want to get the credit, the day of sailing? (Isn't this a dumb question? :rolleyes:)

 

After she took the information etc, she said the transaction was approved (meaning going thru) and I would see the OBC in my account... I said I am not buying an onboard crdit, I am buying a Cashino Credit... :confused:

 

She wasn't sure how I would receive the credit, just kept saying that the credit I purchased now is attached to our booking... and she has no clue HOW I would get to that money...

 

She said I would see this on my booking, online. I dont see that being reflected at all. :confused:

 

2) There is no transaction reference or anything, to document the purchase. She did say if I wanted a confirmation, she would mail that to me. Of course I want a confirmation of the transaction...

 

3) I saw the authorization has gone thru because the available credit on my card is reduced by the exact amount of my purchase.

 

So, the experts here please tell me, the "card" will be waiting for me when we board. In case the rep messed up and processed the purchase as an OBC, I guess we would have to extract it thru the sign and sail card at the slot machine...:eek:

 

If you had a rep who didn't know what you were talking about, you should have asked to speak to someone else. It appears as if you bought OBC instead of casino credit. If so, there will not be a card, but it will be reflected on your shipboard account. So yes, you will need to extract it from the slots.

[nho9504]

If you had a rep who didn't know what you were talking about, you should have asked to speak to someone else. It appears as if you bought OBC instead of casino credit. If so, there will not be a card, but it will be reflected on your shipboard account. So yes, you will need to extract it from the slots.

 

So, do you receive any confirmation in any form or fashion, regarding the purchase - whether it is an OBC or a cashino credit?

 

It was not until she finished everything and then came back to tell me now the credit is in your account, that I felt she may have processed the wrong way. It would be easier to just receive the card... Else, we have used the slot machine for our last cruise to extract the credit balance of our shipboard account, so we will do the same if it is the case. Though I am hoping it is not, because I also want to use the slot machine method to put some charges on another CC (to meet spending requirement for bonus pts.)

[Toto2Kansas]

1) I told the rep I wanted to purchase Cashino credit to use for our 01/31/09 cruise on Sapphire Princess. It took her a while to figure out what the different denominations I could purchase. She asked me WHEN would I want to get the credit, the day of sailing? (Isn't this a dumb question? :rolleyes:)

 

After she took the information etc, she said the transaction was approved (meaning going thru) and I would see the OBC in my account... I said I am not buying an onboard crdit, I am buying a Cashino Credit... :confused:

 

She wasn't sure how I would receive the credit, just kept saying that the credit I purchased now is attached to our booking... and she has no clue HOW I would get to that money...

 

She said I would see this on my booking, online. I dont see that being reflected at all. :confused:

 

2) There is no transaction reference or anything, to document the purchase. She did say if I wanted a confirmation, she would mail that to me. Of course I want a confirmation of the transaction...

 

3) I saw the authorization has gone thru because the available credit on my card is reduced by the exact amount of my purchase.

 

So, the experts here please tell me, the "card" will be waiting for me when we board. In case the rep messed up and processed the purchase as an OBC, I guess we would have to extract it thru the sign and sail card at the slot machine...:eek:

 

Yep, sounds like you purchased shipboard credit instead of casino credits. Sometimes those CSR reps are so dense. :eek:

Next time, just fax the order over on the gift order sheet, we have never had a mix up when we fax it over and the casino credit vouchers are always waiting for us when we arrive.

Although I must add, the last time they were stuck in our mailbox (two weeks ago), not even in an envelope and there were a bunch of them there. Didn't feel like they were delivered in the safest manor this last cruise. Thankfully, they make sure to ask for your cruise card each time you cash any in, so that is a double security measure.

[Pia1913]

Yep, sounds like you purchased shipboard credit instead of casino credits. Sometimes those CSR reps are so dense. :eek:

Next time, just fax the order over on the gift order sheet, we have never had a mix up when we fax it over and the casino credit vouchers are always waiting for us when we arrive.

Although I must add, the last time they were stuck in our mailbox (two weeks ago), not even in an envelope and there were a bunch of them there. Didn't feel like they were delivered in the safest manor this last cruise. Thankfully, they make sure to ask for your cruise card each time you cash any in, so that is a double security measure.

 

If you noticed Sue, each time you cashed one they also pulled the companion card from their file.

[Toto2Kansas]

If you noticed Sue, each time you cashed one they also pulled the companion card from their file.

 

Yep, until the final sea day when I had 7 left and they only had 6 at the cage. LOL

 

It took some doing, but they finally found they had another woman sign her name to mine. There goes the security on that one. LOL

[Pia1913]

Yep, until the final sea day when I had 7 left and they only had 6 at the cage. LOL

 

It took some doing, but they finally found they had another woman sign her name to mine. There goes the security on that one. LOL

 

:D:D:D Too funny! I don't leave it until the end, just in case something happens. I'd rather have the cash sitting in my safe.

[nho9504]

Yep, sounds like you purchased shipboard credit instead of casino credits. Sometimes those CSR reps are so dense. :eek:

Next time, just fax the order over on the gift order sheet, we have never had a mix up when we fax it over and the casino credit vouchers are always waiting for us when we arrive.

Although I must add, the last time they were stuck in our mailbox (two weeks ago), not even in an envelope and there were a bunch of them there. Didn't feel like they were delivered in the safest manor this last cruise. Thankfully, they make sure to ask for your cruise card each time you cash any in, so that is a double security measure.

 

If you noticed Sue, each time you cashed one they also pulled the companion card from their file.

 

Hi,

 

I called back to verify whether I bought an OBC or a cashino credit. This rep looked it up and said it was a cashino credit. Then she had to put me onhold when I asked her HOW the "credit" would be delivered. She came back to tell me it would be in the form of Voucher...

 

Oh, when I asked what if the voucher does not show up when we board the ship... she said she could not send me any confirmation directly, but could fax this to my TA about my purchase... Interesting.

 

Good to know that the cashino would also have records.

[Pia1913]

Hi,

 

I called back to verify whether I bought an OBC or a cashino credit. This rep looked it up and said it was a cashino credit. Then she had to put me onhold when I asked her HOW the "credit" would be delivered. She came back to tell me it would be in the form of Voucher...

 

Oh, when I asked what if the voucher does not show up when we board the ship... she said she could not send me any confirmation directly, but could fax this to my TA about my purchase... Interesting.

 

Good to know that the cashino would also have records.

 

Glad to hear it's been done correctly. There will be vouchers delivered to your cabin the first day. May be there when you board or will arrive some time before departure.

[Jimjam]

Sounds like a great idea to purchase casino credt.. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE CRUISE MUST THESE BE PURCHASED??

 

Thanks !

[Pia1913]

Sounds like a great idea to purchase casino credt.. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE CRUISE MUST THESE BE PURCHASED??

 

Thanks !

 

My friend called them yesterday; they said 5 days minimum. I wanted to put it on my CC just after it closes on the 21st and my cruise is on the 27th. Works for me.

[coo359a2]

I bought some casino credits on the 23rd and it posted to my Visa account on the 23rd. They were very fast with their posting this time. I got a confirmation email - which I requested - and it only showed "Gift" - not what type of gift or how much.

 

I called back and was told by a CSR that they never show prices when giving a gift. She said that my Visa statement will show Princess Special Services (it does) with the amount and that will be enough. I do know the last time I bought casino credits (Oct) it showed the total amount of credit ($500) and that there would be 5 $100 gift cards in my cabin. I use the term "gift card" but know there are others that have called these cards something else. I will probably call Princess tomorrow and ask about the email not showing the dollar amount that I purchased.

[nho9504]

Glad to hear it's been done correctly. There will be vouchers delivered to your cabin the first day. May be there when you board or will arrive some time before departure.

 

Do you ever receive any confirmation BEFORE you board the ship?

 

My TA received 20 pages fax from Princess, but she said there is nothing about the Cashino Credit. All she saw was the FCC and Shareholder credit attached to our booking.

 

The Rep did not say it would take 5 days minimum to process the credit when I called on Friday afternoon 01/23/09. Our sailing is 01/31/09 on Sapphire.

 

My card shows the authorization, but not the billing which probably will be at least Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I hope to see the billing before we fly out - at least I can print the online activity to show Princess charge.

 

EDIT: When I asked for confirmation the rep refused to send it directly to me. I will call back Monday to ask for a email confirmation.

[44summertime]

Can the purchase be done AFTER sailing- Say if we were to run short on cash during the trip.

[Pia1913]

Do you ever receive any confirmation BEFORE you board the ship?

 

My TA received 20 pages fax from Princess, but she said there is nothing about the Cashino Credit. All she saw was the FCC and Shareholder credit attached to our booking.

 

The Rep did not say it would take 5 days minimum to process the credit when I called on Friday afternoon 01/23/09. Our sailing is 01/31/09 on Sapphire.

 

My card shows the authorization, but not the billing which probably will be at least Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I hope to see the billing before we fly out - at least I can print the online activity to show Princess charge.

 

EDIT: When I asked for confirmation the rep refused to send it directly to me. I will call back Monday to ask for a email confirmation.

 

That was your mistake for not insisting on the email confirmation. You are the one putting the $$$ on the account and you are the one to receive the email. Your TA has nothing whatsoever to do with this.

 

As for the 5 days, Tina said that when she spoke to them, they told her the latest she could ask for money to be put on the account was 5 days prior to embarkation.

[Pia1913]

Can the purchase be done AFTER sailing- Say if we were to run short on cash during the trip.

 

I doubt it. Actually, I would say no. If you really need cash desperately, just get it from the cage at 3%. $3.00 on a hundred is not so terrible in the scheme of things.

[Toto2Kansas]

Can the purchase be done AFTER sailing- Say if we were to run short on cash during the trip.

 

No, this is something you have to order before you board. If you run short of cash onboard, just use the ATM machine (and pay the fees) or charge slot play to your shipboard account and you can cash it in whenever you need it.

[coo359a2]

I did have one CSR at Princess tell me that you could buy casino credits one day before you sail. The next time I asked, another CSR said they would need 5 days. So who is actually correct :confused:.

 

The email confirmations I receive have always listed my TA as the agency contact and it is to her attention at the agency's main address in Florida. I know that she has also received copies of these confirmations.

 

This last confirmation I received was the first one not to list what I actually purchased.