OBC Usage

[cruizinisthebest]

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

We dont know you cant buy gift cards. Someone asked john who gave the policy but who knows in practice but if too many are buying gift cards I sure can see the practice being stopped.

 

They can be used to buy a future cruise, or as someone said book pay venues ahead of time others have to pay for in cash. Let's see where this goes before deciding we know. 

I gave an answer based on the information I saw from someone who asked. It's fine with me if they allow you to buy gift cards since I used them almost exclusively with Carnival and therefore, well aware of all they can be used for. 

[cruisingguy007]

5 hours ago, cruizinisthebest said:

I agree 100%. I don't think people should be able to cash out either. I don't mind finding ways to spend all we have. But I do not get restricting the buying of gift cards. Especially since there is virtually no way to convert a gift card into cash. The money belongs to them forever. They should reconsider that restriction IMO. 

 

Sure there is. Buy gift cards with free OBC and then sell them for cash. 

[SNJCruisers]

12 hours ago, LAKingsFan said:

600 from past cancelled cruise combined with 500 from a casino offer

Makes sense.  Gamblers and Blue Cards are where Carnival puts almost all of their promotional energies.  With the rest to those who don't buy Cheers with the RU 1-2-3 codes.

Have a great cruise and enjoy spending the 1100.

[SNJCruisers]

If Carnival just followed in line with all of their competitors and gave a 125% FCC instead of 600 or 300 in OBC they would not be in the predicament that has ensued.

[Banditswife]

21 hours ago, wemjam said:

One trick I can offer if you have more than one cruise a few months apart, and simply can't use all the OBC in a manner you want on your first cruise is - use it to buy Carnival Gift Cards in Cherry on Top that you can then use for your next cruise.  Best of all, once you have the gift cards you CAN buy the things you want before you cruise the next time and pay for it with gift cards - such as steak house or specialty restaurants, excursions, cheers, etc.

 

 

If this is possible, good idea

[Banditswife]

We have over $1000 from canceled cruises-$600 for canceled cruise, $250 stock holder credit, $200 from our original Mardi Gras cancel & our TA adds a couple hundred. We purposely booked a longer cruise because of the OBC.  It will not be difficult to use it.  

[DAVLIB007]

21 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Keep telling everyone this and there is a good chance they will nip this in the bud. Same with the casino bank conversion. These methods allow people to convert credits to cash or salable gift cards (also convert to cash essentially). Won't last long if folks keep promoting it.  

 

21 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Keep telling everyone this and there is a good chance they will nip this in the bud. Same with the casino bank conversion. These methods allow people to convert credits to cash or salable gift cards (also convert to cash essentially). Won't last long if folks keep promoting it.  

The casino has already stopped this you get promotional chips with the OBC instead of regular chips. you have to play them and what you win on them you can convert to real money

[DAVLIB007]

9 hours ago, mgasaway said:

I have $1600 OBC for my cruise in Oct.  $1000 was a casino offer and $600 from a cancelled cruise.  I also have the OBC of $1000 on 3 other cruises I have booked next year (my offer was good for up to 8 cruises).  If I can't turn that into chips or my SS bank in the casino and (hopefully)have some some left to) cash out at the end of the cruise it will be the very last time Carnival ever gets a dime of the $$$$ I spend in their casinos.

your $1000 from the casino will be given as promotional chips and what you win on them will be your to cash in. as for the OBC iyou use to be able to get cash from casino on your room card then use the onboard credit to pay for it. 

[cruisingguy007]

48 minutes ago, DAVLIB007 said:

 

The casino has already stopped this you get promotional chips with the OBC instead of regular chips. you have to play them and what you win on them you can convert to real money

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info/update. I knew they would nip this in the bud. Too many people taking advantage of FCC as cash profit instead of a store credit as they intended. I'm surprised they let it go on as long as they have actually. The gift card loophole maybe next.  

[runnersuzy]

Well carnival is giving us 600 to spend to keep my deposit for a year,, free money and will spluge on things . I will then get used to the extras and will spend out of pocket.   Maybe trying new experiences will make it the best cruise ever.