No longer able to get cash in the casino for non-refundable OBC?

[Project_gal]

This is what you said in your post, " By trying to stop people withdrawing non-refundable OBC, they are killing an income stream."

 

I meant exactly what I said. Celebrity are trying to stop one issue [people attempting to withdrawn non-refundable OBC] but may not thought what it may men to them [customers purchasing less OBC and, probably, spending less on board].

 

With increasing percentage of Celebrity's customers not being from the US and foreign exchange rates being so volatile, purchased OBC is not insignificant to Celebrity.

[excitedofharpenden]

I meant exactly what I said. Celebrity are trying to stop one issue [people attempting to withdrawn non-refundable OBC] but may not thought what it may men to them [customers purchasing less OBC and, probably, spending less on board].

 

With increasing percentage of Celebrity's customers not being from the US and foreign exchange rates being so volatile, purchased OBC is not insignificant to Celebrity.

 

I'm not sure how much profit Celebrity are making purely from their foreign exchange dealing. They offer the service to promote take up on their ships of things like drinks packages, spending in the shops, on spa packages, on shore excursions, on specialty dining and not to be used as a cashing facility in the casino. Perhaps I'm being thick, but it makes perfect sense to me and I'm one who has used pre-purchase of OBC quite extensively. For me at least it's a non-issue now my tips are pre-paid rather than in cash.

 

Phil

[brfan]

Advance notice for what? The rules have not changed, they have just found a way to keep people from circumventing them.

 

That would be fine if it just applied to those with unspent non-refundable OBC. However from the posts I'm reading it sound like they aren't giving cash at the casino to anyone whether they have OBC or not or am I misreading?

 

Perhaps Celebrity should find a way to update their accounting system to not deduct cash advances from non-refundable OBC and that would solve the issue. I can't imagine it would be that difficult to do.

[Ma Bell]

I meant exactly what I said. Celebrity are trying to stop one issue [people attempting to withdrawn non-refundable OBC] but may not thought what it may men to them [customers purchasing less OBC and, probably, spending less on board].

 

With increasing percentage of Celebrity's customers not being from the US and foreign exchange rates being so volatile, purchased OBC is not insignificant to Celebrity.

 

If there is no place other than the casino to get "refundable" cash, I would agree. I don't think that is likely. People are still able to get cash from Guest Relations. Even if it was, extra tips can still be allocated from your on board account and credits can still be played in the casino.

[Ma Bell]

That would be fine if it just applied to those with unspent non-refundable OBC. However from the posts I'm reading it sound like they aren't giving cash at the casino to anyone whether they have OBC or not or am I misreading?

 

Perhaps Celebrity should find a way to update their accounting system to not deduct cash advances from non-refundable OBC and that would solve the issue. I can't imagine it would be that difficult to do.

 

I think it's very likely that they will do that but as I said earlier, anything having to do with computers seems to take Celebrity a while to get right.

[uktog]

I'm not sure how much profit Celebrity are making purely from their foreign exchange dealing. They offer the service to promote take up on their ships of things like drinks packages, spending in the shops, on spa packages, on shore excursions, on specialty dining and not to be used as a cashing facility in the casino. Perhaps I'm being thick, but it makes perfect sense to me and I'm one who has used pre-purchase of OBC quite extensively. For me at least it's a non-issue now my tips are pre-paid rather than in cash.

 

Phil

I agree, if its refundable it goes back to my card I use at check in as well so no problem. I have never understood why people who travel refuse to hand over a credit card as hold on their cruise onboard spending. Unfortunately some of us also have to hand them over to hotels in inhospitable parts of the world but it is part of the expectations and far more preferable than a park bench.

So the easiest solution, if your credit is refundable, hand over your credit card at check in and then you do not have to run around the ship worrying on the last night

[NLH Arizona]

I guess I just don't see an issue here. If you have non-refundable OBC, you can cash it in at the casino for promotion chips or slot play, otherwise it can be spent on the ship. It is called On Board Credit, which means it is credit to be spent on board the ship, not to be cashed out and taken home or spent off the ship.

[excitedofharpenden]

If there is no place other than the casino to get "refundable" cash, I would agree. I don't think that is likely. People are still able to get cash from Guest Relations. Even if it was, extra tips can still be allocated from your on board account and credits can still be played in the casino.

 

Cash from GR for any refundable left over is my understanding too if you don't want it to go back to your credit card. I'm usually pretty accurate as to what I need and if there is an error then I'm usually short rather than over. If you are purchasing a large amount of OBC knowing that you are going to cash it out using the advantageous exchange rate you got rather than spend it onboard then to me that's abusing the system and you've stuffed it up for everybody.

 

Phil

[NLH Arizona]

Cash from GR for any refundable left over is my understanding too if you don't want it to go back to your credit card. I'm usually pretty accurate as to what I need and if there is an error then I'm usually short rather than over. If you are purchasing a large amount of OBC knowing that you are going to cash it out using the advantageous exchange rate you got rather than spend it onboard then to me that's abusing the system and you've stuffed it up for everybody.

 

Phil

NCL is having the same issue, so what they did was restrict purchases of OBC to $1,000 per cabin. Too many people trying to make a profit using the advantageous exchange rate they were given.

[Project_gal]

I agree, if its refundable it goes back to my card I use at check in as well so no problem. I have never understood why people who travel refuse to hand over a credit card as hold on their cruise onboard spending. Unfortunately some of us also have to hand them over to hotels in inhospitable parts of the world but it is part of the expectations and far more preferable than a park bench.

So the easiest solution, if your credit is refundable, hand over your credit card at check in and then you do not have to run around the ship worrying on the last night

 

Where you can still obtain OBC in cash at the Casino, you actually have to have a credit card registered against your account so that is not the issue here.

 

Unless you have a US$ and depending on how the exchange rates have changed since you purchased your OBC, it can be a very poor choice to have a large credit refunded on your card.

[Project_gal]

I'm not sure how much profit Celebrity are making purely from their foreign exchange dealing. They offer the service to promote take up on their ships of things like drinks packages, spending in the shops, on spa packages, on shore excursions, on specialty dining and not to be used as a cashing facility in the casino. Perhaps I'm being thick, but it makes perfect sense to me and I'm one who has used pre-purchase of OBC quite extensively. For me at least it's a non-issue now my tips are pre-paid rather than in cash.

 

Phil

 

Phil

 

I would have agreed with you if I had not watched how Celebrity appear to use exchange rates to control how much OBC is sold. They offer excellent rates in different parts of the world at different times. I am sure that they gain benefit from selling OBC in a number of ways.

 

We have always pre-paid our tips on every cruise we have been on. When I mention gratuities, I am referring to any additional gratuities we give.

[Project_gal]

That would be fine if it just applied to those with unspent non-refundable OBC. However from the posts I'm reading it sound like they aren't giving cash at the casino to anyone whether they have OBC or not or am I misreading?

 

Perhaps Celebrity should find a way to update their accounting system to not deduct cash advances from non-refundable OBC and that would solve the issue. I can't imagine it would be that difficult to do.

 

You are correct. We have purchased OBC for a cruise as soon as booking up to two years in advance.

[uktog]

Where you can still obtain OBC in cash at the Casino, you actually have to have a credit card registered against your account so that is not the issue here.

 

Unless you have a US$ and depending on how the exchange rates have changed since you purchased your OBC, it can be a very poor choice to have a large credit refunded on your card.

 

Not sure I agree - the exchange rates for notes are always far worse than those for electronic transactions such as credit cards. All UK banks work with much wider exchange rate margins off the middle market spot rate for notes than credit cards. Yes if I was going to use the dollars before I went home, I might ask for it to be refunded in cash otherwise it is a far better deal being credited back to our cards.

 

Last month on Quest (who use the same rates) the credit conversion for a small amount of surplus was a buy back at 1.49; I have just looked back the banks note buy back at that time and it was between 1.51 and 1.535

[brfan]

If there is no place other than the casino to get "refundable" cash, I would agree. I don't think that is likely. People are still able to get cash from Guest Relations. Even if it was, extra tips can still be allocated from your on board account and credits can still be played in the casino.

 

I only thought you could get cash from guest relations on the last day? That wouldn't work if you purchased OBC from Celebrity (therefore refundable) because of a better exchange rate for the purpose of using it for the casino and extra tips.

[Project_gal]

Not sure I agree - the exchange rates for notes are always far worse than those for electronic transactions such as credit cards. All UK banks work with much wider exchange rate margins off the middle market spot rate for notes than credit cards. Yes if I was going to use the dollars before I went home, I might ask for it to be refunded in cash otherwise it is a far better deal being credited back to our cards.

 

Last month on Quest (who use the same rates) the credit conversion for a small amount of surplus was a buy back at 1.49; I have just looked back the banks note buy back at that time and it was between 1.51 and 1.535

 

That is where we differ. We would never exchange our US$ cash on our return but just hold it until next time.

[excitedofharpenden]

Phil

 

I would have agreed with you if I had not watched how Celebrity appear to use exchange rates to control how much OBC is sold. They offer excellent rates in different parts of the world at different times. I am sure that they gain benefit from selling OBC in a number of ways.

 

We have always pre-paid our tips on every cruise we have been on. When I mention gratuities, I am referring to any additional gratuities we give.

 

I still don't think Celebrity is running it as a foreign exchange business, but rather to attract people to spend money on their ships. This is a quote from the OBC gift page. It doesn't say anything about cashing money at the casino;)

 

Gifts shops, food, drinks or games - give family and friends the gift of all things Celebrity with fabulous onboard credit certificates for use during their cruise.

 

Phil

[uktog]

That is where we differ. We would never exchange our US$ cash on our return but just hold it until next time.

 

Way too risky in our view particularly for large amounts which is what I think you were referring to. Notes can be withdrawn from circulation, rates can easily go against you and given other items you may hold, probably not covered on the home insurance policy.

 

I would rather let our Banks do what they are supposed to and let them run the foreign exchange desks, speculating on the forex to make or save a few bob is not for me, did it enough in the day job in the past!!

 

Each to their own!!

[Beanb41]

Just seen a sign photographed at the casino on the Solstice which states that OBC will only be used for promotional chips or promotional vouchers for the slots. It appears it makes no difference if it is refundable or non refundable. The perk / scam what ever you want to call appears over fleet wide

[excitedofharpenden]

Way too risky in our view particularly for large amounts which is what I think you were referring to. Notes can be withdrawn from circulation, rates can easily go against you and given other items you may hold, probably not covered on the home insurance policy.

 

I would rather let our Banks do what they are supposed to and let them run the foreign exchange desks, speculating on the forex to make or save a few bob is not for me, did it enough in the day job in the past!!

 

Each to their own!!

 

Must admit that any surplus USD I have at any time never get converted back. I always need them cruising on ships that use them as their base currency. I never have huge amounts though.

 

Phil

[villauk]

Must admit that any surplus USD I have at any time never get converted back. I always need them cruising on ships that use them as their base currency. I never have huge amounts though.

 

Phil

 

I think that's the difference. The few of us that may have a little spare $ left at the end of the cruise probably just keep it until their next sailing. However, there is a difference between exchanging small amounts and purchasing large amounts of OBC because of exchange rates.

 

I would think that the majority of pax, more than likely, purchase OBC because they can budget their OB spending and not have a huge chunk still owing at the end of a cruise, as opposed to purposely purchasing for the sake of exchange rates :confused:. Perhaps I'm being naive?

[uktog]

Must admit that any surplus USD I have at any time never get converted back. I always need them cruising on ships that use them as their base currency. I never have huge amounts though.

 

Phil

 

Agree, I was just making the point that Projectgal seemed to hold the large amounts, cashing out when she had large amounts but leaving the small amounts for a convert back.

 

I do not cash out large amounts, I let it go back to the card, however the notes I bring back from general currency we get elsewhere just gets kept.

It may of course depend on what is meant by large :)

 

Bean41 is right, I think people got greedy, the cruise line spotted it and closed off the loophole. I have no problem, because when I buy OBC it is for the purpose of excursions, additional drinks or the spa, its not for any other reason.

[excitedofharpenden]

 

I would think that the majority of pax, more than likely, purchase OBC because they can budget their OB spending and not have a huge chunk still owing at the end of a cruise, as opposed to purposely purchasing for the sake of exchange rates :confused:. Perhaps I'm being naive?

That is the sole reason I've done it although the rate does play a part. Cashing it out has never been a thought, just a way to soften the blow of spending onboard, taking advantage of a good rate if I feel it's good at a certain time and avoiding the rubbish exchange rate I get with my credit card. That is what it should be about I think and why Celebrity's decision to stop cashing at the casino makes sense. Cash handling is costly and time consuming. It's one of the reasons exchange rates on cash are worse than the commercial rate.

 

Phil

Edited February 19, 2016 by excitedofharpenden

[Beanb41]

That is the sole reason I've done it although the rate does play a part. Cashing it out has never been a thought, just a way to soften the blow of spending onboard, taking advantage of a good rate if I feel it's good at a certain time and avoiding the rubbish exchange rate I get with my credit card. That is what it should be about I think and why Celebrity's decision to stop cashing at the casino makes sense. Cash handling is costly and time consuming. It's one of the reasons exchange rates on cash are worse than the commercial rate.

 

Phil

 

Cash handling wouldn't be the reason. The role of the cashier in the casino is to do just that. Its more likely that X have finally woken up that many passengers have been taking what was originally an incentive to use X cruises as an opportunity to further reduce their cruise fare by taking the incentive as cash - not what intended. a 5% fee for what in many cases was hundreds of dollars for nothing was minimal. We will just have to spend our OBC on board, not a great chore

Edited February 19, 2016 by Beanb41

[excitedofharpenden]

Cash handling wouldn't be the reason. The role of the cashier in the casino is to do just that. Its more likely that X have finally woken up that many passengers have been taking what was originally an incentive to use X cruises as an opportunity to further reduce their cruise fare by taking the incentive as cash - not what intended. a 5% fee for what in many cases was hundreds of dollars for nothing was minimal. We will just have to spend our OBC on board, not a great chore

 

There's more to the term cash handling than just the cashier counting it at the till.

 

Phil

[Beanb41]

There's more to the term cash handling than just the cashier counting it at the till.

 

Phil

 

The passing over of a few hundred dollars a day OBC and charging it back to on a seapass card is no more work than one of the shop attendants selling a bag of sweets or a T shirt in the general store