Can we use our OBC for the casino?

[shoegal24]

Hello!

 

Never been on Celebrity before, and I was wondering if we can use our $100 OBC from our TA for the casino.

 

We have purchased beverage packages and pre-paid our gratuities, as well as pre-booked excursions, so I can't really think of anywhere else we would like to use it.

 

Thanks!

[Italy52]

Hello!

 

Never been on Celebrity before, and I was wondering if we can use our $100 OBC from our TA for the casino.

 

We have purchased beverage packages and pre-paid our gratuities, as well as pre-booked excursions, so I can't really think of anywhere else we would like to use it.

 

Thanks!

 

Yes you can. We just returned from our Alaska cruise and had some OBC that we were going to loose if we didn't use it. So, we checked with Guest Services and they confirmed we could use it in the casino. There is, however, a fee associated with this transaction --- sorry I don't remember how much it was. Maybe some one else can help here.

 

 

Karen

[cruisestitch]

The fee is 3%. You will receive $97 in cash for the $100 OBC.

[Andy]

The fee is 3%. You will receive $97 in cash for the $100 OBC.

 

The fee is 3%, but you recieve $100, and billed $103 to your shipboard account. This can be applied against OBC's.

 

I feel it's important to remind everyone that I've seen a handful of TA promotions, which stated in their "fine print" that some OBC's cannot be used in the Casino. The odds are excellent that you won't have an issue, but it's not a given.

 

I have not seen this limitation in any Celebrity promotions.

 

The bottom line is, if it's a TA promotion, always ask about any limitations with your TA in advance. I hope this is helpful !

[cruisestitch]

Question to Andy --

 

If you want to use the $100 exactly, and walk off with a 0$ balance, wouldn't you withdraw $97 and pay the fee of $3? Yes I know it's a couple of pennies off, but the concept is the same. I think it's actually $97.08, but from a practical matter, you would get $97 and pay $3. Or, if you don't mind having a $3 bill at the end of the cruise, you withdraw $100 and see that as a balance owed at the end. Woudn't either scheme work?

[Andy]

Question to Andy --

 

If you want to use the $100 exactly, and walk off with a 0$ balance, wouldn't you withdraw $97 and pay the fee of $3? Yes I know it's a couple of pennies off, but the concept is the same. I think it's actually $97.08, but from a practical matter, you would get $97 and pay $3. Or, if you don't mind having a $3 bill at the end of the cruise, you withdraw $100 and see that as a balance owed at the end. Woudn't either scheme work?

 

Hi Cruisestitch !

 

I'm not certain, but if it were possible, you could withdraw $97 in Cash and they would bill your account $99.91 ($97 + 2.91 fee). You can leave the .09 cent credit balance behind. I do not believe they would be so precise to deal with pennies.

 

When I request money from the Cage, it's usually in $100 increments, so I'm not an expert on smaller transactions. I recall a Cage employee mentioning that Cash advances are rounded to $5 increments, but I'm not positive on this.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

One thing not mentioned to OP is that there's no obligation to gamble the $100. You can simply ask for the cash advance and get some spending money for the trip home, albeit at the cost of the 3% fee. If it's OBR (refundable OBC), you'd otherwise eventually be getting 100% of the leftover funds credited or refunded back to you, but it might be worth three bucks to have the extra cash in your pocket. If it's nonrefundable (OBN), go ahead and use the casino as an ATM (which is actually why they started charging the 3% fee-- too many people were using the casino a fee-free ATM).

[cruisestitch]

I'll give it a try next week!

[Andy]

I'll give it a try next week!

 

Hi Cruisestitch !

 

Have a great Cruise. Which ship are you sailing on ?

[cruisestitch]

Summit to Bermuda, leaving June 26. I'll be the one traveling with a measuring tape (to see how big the in-room safe is) (see an earlier thread:)

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Summit to Bermuda, leaving June 26. I'll be the one traveling with a measuring tape (to see how big the in-room safe is) (see an earlier thread:)

 

It's not big enough for your laptop if that's what you were wondering.

[Oren]

There are two types of OBC: One labeled "refundable" and the other "nonrefundable".... My question for the posters is if the "nonrefundable" OBC can be used in the casinos which, in a way, makes it really refundable with a 3% fee, of course?

[cruisestitch]

Yes, you are taking a cash advance from the casino cashier -- withdrawing money against your on board account. There is a 3% fee for this. Once you have the cash in your pocket, you can use it in the casino, or walk away with it.

 

If was OBR and refundable, you could just wait and have it credited to your credit card and use it to pay bills or whatever.

 

If it is OBN definitely don't leave it on board -- withdraw it, even with the fee, and it's yours to do with as you choose. Just because you are taking it out from the casino cashier doesn't mean you have to use it there.

[Orator]

You don't have to use it there, but the casino will be more than pleased to accept your donations.

[dkjretired]

Down 3% before you start dealing with the casinos odds....