Too much OBC

[keithm]

For our upcoming 12 night cruise we ended up with $850 in OBC. PLUS pre paid gratuities. We don't do the spa thing so that is not a place we would blow any significant money. Because it's such a port intensive itinerary with 8 and 9 hour tours we won't be deck sitting sucking down $8 drinks. All tours, including Celebrity's have been prepaid.

 

So, where are we going to spend $850? Some of the funds come from Celebrity when we booked the cruise onboard the last sailing, $300 comes from the Go Perk thing. $150 comes from our TA.

 

Never had OBC left over before. What type of OBC is refundable and what is forfeited if not used?

I'd just use the OBC all around the ship! there's plenty of ways to spend it.

[upwarduk]

We had $600 OBC plus beverage package and prepaid tips as perks for a recent sailing. We bought an Apple iPad Air from the computer place onboard :)

 

I did the same last year. It was a 128 GB mini, so loads of memory. Cost me $559, which when converted to UK sterling was £380, so I didn't have to pay VAT ( UK sales tax) when we returned to UK.

[thirstyman1]

We have a $100.00 Celebrity Card, are there any restrictions on it like the OBC? Can we just "cash out" in the casino with a service charge?

Thanks!

[Longboysfan]

The OBC gods giveth and Taketh away....

 

Usually through Shore excursions.

[rockdoctor]

I'm not sure if this is correct, so maybe someone can confirm: If you've booked your tours through Celebrity you may be able to cancel and rebook using your OBC when you board the ship. If you can do that, it'll use up a chunk of your non-refundable OBC.

 

Works as long as the excursion isn't sold out and wait listed. I was told when you cancel and rebook, you join the wait list.

[ideliver416]

You can withdraw from casino in chips but you must play them, but any winnings you can keep and cash in.

[PoppyandNana]

You can withdraw from casino in chips but you must play them, but any winnings you can keep and cash in.

u

 

How would this work with slots?

[MR_T]

u

 

 

 

How would this work with slots?

 

 

When you take non refundable obc out at the casino they load the value onto your sea pass card then you just play via putting that in the slots & transferring the money to the game,

 

Whatever winnings you have can be cashed out in the normal way & if you have obc left from the money you loaded to the machine this then gets put back on your card for next time, [emoji4]

 

It may sound complicated & long winded but it's a very straightforward process, [emoji4]

[CABINET]

I wonder how long before they lock down betting half red and half black. And hoping you don't get green.

 

I've never been in a casino - how does that work exactly?

[sr4mjc]

I've never been in a casino - how does that work exactly?

 

This is at the Roulette table. Betting on Red or Black pays 1:1. If you had $100 promotional chips to play, you put $50 on red, $50 on black and the wheel spins. If it lands on red, you "win" $50 and lose the $50 on black. In theory you would do this bet twice and have $100 in real won chips. If it lands on the either 0 or 00, the green spot you lose everything for that bet.

[CABINET]

This is at the Roulette table. Betting on Red or Black pays 1:1. If you had $100 promotional chips to play, you put $50 on red, $50 on black and the wheel spins. If it lands on red, you "win" $50 and lose the $50 on black. In theory you would do this bet twice and have $100 in real won chips. If it lands on the either 0 or 00, the green spot you lose everything for that bet.

 

Thanks for replying.

 

Do you get your "stake" back as well. In other words would they give you $50 in real chips and your $50 promotional tips back?

 

Sorry to be so dim.

[rM3panno]

Thanks for replying.

 

Do you get your "stake" back as well. In other words would they give you $50 in real chips and your $50 promotional tips back?

 

Sorry to be so dim.

 

 

They should be swapping your promo chips for real chips on the winning color but you will likely have to remind them. There is no minimum play thorough multiple on promo chips. So, once you win the winnings and original bet should me in actual chips. Same case for promo chips on blackjack.

 

If you do this please make sure you use the table with a single "0" green like in Europe. The more common American roulette table has "0" and "00" further reducing your odds of winning the red or black bet.

 

 

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[CABINET]

They should be swapping your promo chips for real chips on the winning color but you will likely have to remind them. There is no minimum play thorough multiple on promo chips. So, once you win the winnings and original bet should me in actual chips. Same case for promo chips on blackjack.

 

If you do this please make sure you use the table with a single "0" green like in Europe. The more common American roulette table has "0" and "00" further reducing your odds of winning the red or black bet.

 

 

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Thanks very much. If we are ever in the position of having too much OBC this will be very useful advice - assuming they don't stop it of course but I don't really see how they can.

[jagoffee]

Thanks very much. If we are ever in the position of having too much OBC this will be very useful advice - assuming they don't stop it of course but I don't really see how they can.

No reason for the Casino to stop it. I would guess they would allow you to do it all day long. I would be willing to bet that the person that keeps making the suggestion has never really done it either.

 

I do not play roulette, but say 38 numbers which includes two greens? 2/38 or 5.27% opportunity to donate all your chips (OBC) to the casino?

Edited April 14, 2016 by jagoffee

[basil1]

Cool... thanks!

Yes. OBC shows up as a credit to your onboard account. Any monies that are charged to your cabin, including gratuities, will be deducted from your credit. It basically operates just like your checkbook.

[rM3panno]

No reason for the Casino to stop it. I would guess they would allow you to do it all day long. I would be willing to bet that the person that keeps making the suggestion has never really done it either.

 

I do not play roulette, but say 38 numbers which includes two greens? 2/38 or 5.27% opportunity to donate all your chips (OBC) to the casino?

 

 

I'm not recommending this to anyone unless they are comfortable losing it all. I would suggest that you only do this if you have non refundable OBC. I'm a gambler and too much OBC isn't ever a problem. As I mentioned play this bet only on the table with a single green 0 to get to 2.702% odds of losing al of your bets.

 

While I personally haven't done this as I would rather just play the table games as I regularly do I know people who have done this and it is about the best chance of getting cash back from non refundable OBC.

 

 

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[bubbachief]

I'm not recommending this to anyone unless they are comfortable losing it all. I would suggest that you only do this if you have non refundable OBC. I'm a gambler and too much OBC isn't ever a problem. As I mentioned play this bet only on the table with a single green 0 to get to 2.702% odds of losing al of your bets.

 

While I personally haven't done this as I would rather just play the table games as I regularly do I know people who have done this and it is about the best chance of getting cash back from non refundable OBC.

 

 

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To cover the potential loss if 0 or 00 wins, why not put a small bed on those numbers in addition to the red/black bet. What is the payback, 36 to 1?

[JEDIKNIGHT]

Bring the cash to the poker table when I'm there. I'll guide you thru each hand.

[SandG]

I didn't see if anyone mentioned this already, but when you get on board the ship, ask at the front desk how much of your OBC is refundable and how much is non-refundable. We've found that many times, a portion of our OBC is refundable and that will go back to the credit card after the cruise is over.

 

I was in a similar position as you in 2015. We had prepaid drinks, free gratuities, and we were doing all private excursions. Some of my OBC was refundable, but with the non-refundable portion, I treated myself to a Citizen's watch and a Michael Kors purse. I would never buy such an expensive handbag if I had to spend my own money.

 

If you have the regular drinks package, you can also spend some OBC to upgrade to the premium package and drink some better wines, martinis, etc.

 

Sue

[donaldsc]

There is no such thing as non-refundable credit; in the worse case there is discounted refundable credit.

 

If you truly can't find anything that you want to do or buy or drink on the cruise, buy something that you resell once you get home. Check on Craig's list or e-bay to find out what the best stuff to buy is before you leave on the cruise.

 

Do not open the box so you can sell it as brand new unopened un-registered. Even if you get only half of your money back and you will probably get much more, you are only out half of the money instead of all of ot.

 

Another thing to do is to figure out what gifting occasions are coming up and what the gift recipient would like. Use the money to buy something on the ship. You come out even better with that scenario as you will have to pay sales tax if you buy your gift on land and you don't have to pay sales tax on the ship. You you plan to spend say $400 for a gift, it will cost you $432 if you are in a 8% tax state as opposed to the $400 you pay on the ship.

 

Another final thought and I do not know if CC will allow you to do this. Go on the board for your cruise and ask if anyone wants you to buy something for them on the ship. Give them a discount and you have pre sold your OBC before you even spend it. As a variant of this scenario, find out if any of your friends want you to buy something on the ship - electronics, cameras, watches, etc. If you make a deal with a friend before you leave, make sure that you get their money in advance so they don't back out of the deal.

 

You just need to think creatively which none to the people who have responded to you question have done.

 

DON

[Beanb41]

I didn't see if anyone mentioned this already, but when you get on board the ship, ask at the front desk how much of your OBC is refundable and how much is non-refundable. We've found that many times, a portion of our OBC is refundable and that will go back to the credit card after the cruise is over.

 

I was in a similar position as you in 2015. We had prepaid drinks, free gratuities, and we were doing all private excursions. Some of my OBC was refundable, but with the non-refundable portion, I treated myself to a Citizen's watch and a Michael Kors purse. I would never buy such an expensive handbag if I had to spend my own money.

 

If you have the regular drinks package, you can also spend some OBC to upgrade to the premium package and drink some better wines, martinis, etc.

 

Sue

 

You can check the status of your OBC yourself on your stateroom TV . Go to your account. Any OBC you have is identified clearly as either refundable or non refundable. NOn refundable is used before refundable. By the way no one can have too much OBC refundable or otherwise

[Beanb41]

There is no such thing as non-refundable credit; in the worse case there is discounted refundable credit.

If you truly can't find anything that you want to do or buy or drink on the cruise, buy something that you resell once you get home. Check on Craig's list or e-bay to find out what the best stuff to buy is before you leave on the cruise.

 

Do not open the box so you can sell it as brand new unopened un-registered. Even if you get only half of your money back and you will probably get much more, you are only out half of the money instead of all of ot.

 

Another thing to do is to figure out what gifting occasions are coming up and what the gift recipient would like. Use the money to buy something on the ship. You come out even better with that scenario as you will have to pay sales tax if you buy your gift on land and you don't have to pay sales tax on the ship. You you plan to spend say $400 for a gift, it will cost you $432 if you are in a 8% tax state as opposed to the $400 you pay on the ship.

 

Another final thought and I do not know if CC will allow you to do this. Go on the board for your cruise and ask if anyone wants you to buy something for them on the ship. Give them a discount and you have pre sold your OBC before you even spend it. As a variant of this scenario, find out if any of your friends want you to buy something on the ship - electronics, cameras, watches, etc. If you make a deal with a friend before you leave, make sure that you get their money in advance so they don't back out of the deal.

 

You just need to think creatively which none to the people who have responded to you question have done.

 

DON

 

Not sure where you have been cruising, sunshine but there is non refundable OBC and there is refundable OBC

 

Non refundable OBC is that provided by the cruise line as a form of perk in a promotion or as compensation. Any non refundable OBC not used at the end of a cruise is lost

 

Refundable OBC is OBC that has been purchased as a gift either by the passenger or third party through the Celebrity website. If not used at the end of a cruise can be redeemed in cash on the last night of a cruise or it will automatically be transferred to the credit card used as security for onboard accounts

[donaldsc]

Not sure where you have been cruising, sunshine but there is non refundable OBC and there is refundable OBC

 

Non refundable OBC is that provided by the cruise line as a form of perk in a promotion or as compensation. Any non refundable OBC not used at the end of a cruise is lost

 

Refundable OBC is OBC that has been purchased as a gift either by the passenger or third party through the Celebrity website. If not used at the end of a cruise can be redeemed in cash on the last night of a cruise or it will automatically be transferred to the credit card used as security for onboard accounts

 

You sort of missed my point which seemed to be obvious to me as I am sure was obvious to most of the others who read my post.

 

I totally understand the difference between refundable and non refundable OBC. My point, sunshine, was if you have undesired non refundable of say $400, there are 3 things that you can do with it -

 

1 - use it to do something that you really want to do on the ship just to spend the money for anything which seems like a total loss;

 

2 - do not spend any of it so the money goes back to the cruise line which is also a total loss; or

 

3- use it to buy something that you can resell or gift to a friend or even donate to a charity which is not a total loss.

 

Seems to me that you are suggesting that option 1 or 2 should be chosen which gives no benefit to anyone except the cruise company. I am saying that option 3 should be chosen so that the non refundable OBC can benefit you even if you sell it for less than it cost you; or benefit your friend who receives an unexpected gift and saves you the cost of buying the friend a gift with your own money; or benefit a charity who can use it or sell it to benefit the charity. If you donate it to a charity, you may even be able to deduct the cost of the item from you taxes although I am not sure of that.

 

What part of that scenario did you not understand sunshine.

 

DON

[bigbenboys]

We have all 4 perks. We have $800 OBC. We bought 3 shore excursions. 2 cartons of cigarettes for friends. Some shampoo, conditioner, lotion also for friends. We are now down to $300. We are going to do one specialty restaurant. I'm sure we will spend it all. We are currently on millennium.

 

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[chamima]

You can also "gift" that non-refundable OBC to a favorite crew member as an added gratuity.

Go down to Guest Relations and ask for the form.