Unused OBC?

[travel123456]

I know variations of this have been asked in the past but I am starting a new thread in hopes that someone with recent experience responds:

 

As part of the explore4 promotion we received a big chunk of OBC from Holland I also received more than 300 in OBC from my Big Box Travel Agent.

 

I believe that the Holland OBC is not refundable if not used. Is the BBTA OBC able to be credited to me if unused?

 

I know I will be using most of this amount with Gratuities\Service charges and there are always other expenses but since it is an alaska cruise, we have booked excursions in advance as they are already becoming waitlisted and have drink package and dinners as part of Explore 4. We don't gamble so I just wonder about using up that entire OBC.

 

Thanks for your comments

[iancal]

We have always been able to get TA provide OBC's credited back to our credit card if we did not use them.

 

On our last cruise we had cruise line provided OBC's that were based on 'use it or loose it'.

 

We went to the casino and withdrew $260. cash on our remaining cruise line supplied shipboard OBC's. They gave us cash but did charge us a five percent fee. 95% was much better than 0%!

[NMLady]

I know variations of this have been asked in the past but I am starting a new thread in hopes that someone with recent experience responds:

 

As part of the explore4 promotion we received a big chunk of OBC from Holland I also received more than 300 in OBC from my Big Box Travel Agent.

 

I believe that the Holland OBC is not refundable if not used. Is the BBTA OBC able to be credited to me if unused?

 

I know I will be using most of this amount with Gratuities\Service charges and there are always other expenses but since it is an alaska cruise, we have booked excursions in advance as they are already becoming waitlisted and have drink package and dinners as part of Explore 4. We don't gamble so I just wonder about using up that entire OBC.

 

Thanks for your comments

 

Most TA OBC are refundable. However, sometimes not. You need to check with your BBTA to find out what yours are.

 

If not refundable you could spend them for photos or in the onboard shops or for internet minutes.

[Alberta Quilter]

Get the unlimited laundry package while onboard, that will use up a bit. I know you said you don't gamble but do you play bingo? That would use up a bit. Purchase some alcohol in the duty free shop to take home. You might still like to buy a wine package as the wine offered through the Explore4 is not very good IMO. Buy a trinket or two in the shops. Have a spa treatment, or buy a thermal package. Get Win A Cruise raffle tickets. Purchase a wine tasting, eat at a specialty restaurant (other than your E4 dinner). You'll find all kinds of ways to use up your OBC, or at least the HAL OBC!

 

Just read NM Lady's post - I forgot all about photos and Internet packages!!!

Edited June 18, 2015 by Alberta Quilter

[travel123456]

thanks for the replies.

 

Yes, at the price of photos, that could eat up a chunk of it!!

 

May have to do a spa treatment too!!

[iancal]

You do not have to gamble to get money from the casino.

 

You go to the cash cage and ask for cash from your on board account. They give you cash, less five percent. What you do with the cash after that is your business.

 

Only downside....you have to go into that smoke filled casino.

[richwmn]

If you don't have a problem with the 5% loss, the front desk will advance you money against your onboard account as well. This is true even if you don't have OBC to offset it.

[pv girl]

Since many of you know the ins and outs of using OBC, I have a question -

can you go to front desk and get foreign currency against your OBC without a 5% penalty. In the past, I have used actual cash to get foreign currency. This would be basically charging the currency to my account.

[catl331]

can you go to front desk and get foreign currency against your OBC without a 5% penalty.

No. You take a double hit, first 5% to withdraw it as $US, then an exchange fee. To avoid the 5% fee, go to a casino slot machine and charge a few hundred against your on board account (I think think the max is $300 per day per person). Take a few spins, then cash out at the machine and then at the cage. No fee! Edited June 18, 2015 by catl331