Casino charge to room

[Tree_skier]

8 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

If you get cash to gamble by charging your room account, there is a 5% fee. So, if you ask a slot machine to deposit $1000 into your slot account as a room charge, you will get a $50 service charge. The casino/cruise line is pay a fee to get money from your credit card at the end of the cruise,,, they are just passing it along to you... with a kicker. 

There is no charge if you are putting a room charge onto a slot machine.  The 5% is only charged when you are sitting at a table.

[BirdTravels]

27 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

There is no charge if you are putting a room charge onto a slot machine.  The 5% is only charged when you are sitting at a table.

There is a 5% service charge to place a charge on your room account. 

[Tree_skier]

4 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

There is a 5% service charge to place a charge on your room account. 

Only at a table not at a machine.  I have done this on each of my last 4 cruises and not been charged anything.

[GalvestonCruiserx3]

On 5/12/2023 at 7:01 PM, Tree_skier said:

Only at a table not at a machine.  I have done this on each of my last 4 cruises and not been charged anything.

So, to clarify-if I stick in my SeaPass card and start playing on a slot machine there is no extra charge.  But if I hand the SeaPass card to the dealer at a table and say "Put it on my SeaPass card"  there is an extra 5% charge to play?  If this is true, then crazy, and a total disincentive to gamble.  People don't like to see actual cash flying out of their hands.  I truly don't understand why the charge then.

[RFerrington]

53 minutes ago, GalvestonCruiserx3 said:

So, to clarify-if I stick in my SeaPass card and start playing on a slot machine there is no extra charge.  But if I hand the SeaPass card to the dealer at a table and say "Put it on my SeaPass card"  there is an extra 5% charge to play? 

Yes

[GalvestonCruiserx3]

34 minutes ago, RFerrington said:

Yes

Crazy.  Such a disincentive to blow money in the casino.  Guess I'll be sticking to slots because I won't remember to carry cash, and I don't want to carry cash around. This will be our first Royal cruise, and there are some definite negatives compared to other cruise lines.

[Biker19]

53 minutes ago, GalvestonCruiserx3 said:

Guess I'll be sticking to slots because I won't remember to carry cash, and I don't want to carry cash around.

You could get cash via the slot machine and carry it over to a table without a charge.

[cruiseboy89130]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

You could get cash via the slot machine and carry it over to a table without a charge.

But only once!

[cruisegus]

On 4/29/2023 at 11:49 AM, sandebeach said:

Someone from our casino page posted that this also is happening in the Celebrity casino. 

Have not seen that message on a Royal ships machine yet but it appears they have updated the casino software to lock you out of future slot xfers from sea pass if a % is not risked

[scottraveller]

So can you take say $500 at a slot machine and then play at the tables. If you need to take out more will you be able to do that at the tables instead or is this blocked off as well

[VegasVic14]

Too many confusing scenarios being discussed back and forth so far, so I might as well throw more into the mix:  

 

As I only play video poker, are those machines considered "slots" or are they, as some online casinos categorize them, considered "table games"? (I suspect VP machines are considered slots by RCI.)

First and foremost, slots are room charge fee free?

Can I room charge multiple times in the same day?

Can I room charge if I visit the casino every day it's open?

Bottom line: If possible, I want to avoid carrying a large amount of cash onto the ship and want to be assured of an alternative casino game plan.

Edited May 17, 2023 by VegasVic14

[VegasVic14]

NM repeat of previous post.

Edited May 17, 2023 by VegasVic14
duplicate

[Ourusualbeach]

On 5/12/2023 at 7:00 PM, RoperDK said:

I have never had a service fee added to my slot machine advances.

That has been my experience as well

[molly361]

5 minutes ago, VegasVic14 said:

Too many confusing scenarios being discussed back and forth so far, so I might as well throw more into the mix:  

 

As I only play video poker, are those machines considered "slots" or are they, as some online casinos categorize them, considered "table games"? (I suspect VP machines are consided slots by RCI.)

First and foremost, slots are room charge fee free?

Can I room charge multiple times in the same day?

Can I room charge if I visit the casino every day it's open?

Bottom line: If possible, I want to avoid carrying a large amount of cash onto the ship and want to be assured of an alternative casino game plan.

Yes they are considered slots and can be played fee free.  If you gamble at least 50% of what you charge to your cabin you should be able to do that every day.  There is a max per day but I don't recall the amount

[VegasVic14]

8 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Yes they are considered slots and can be played fee free.  If you gamble at least 50% of what you charge to your cabin you should be able to do that every day.  There is a max per day but I don't recall the amount

Hopefully, someone can clarify the daily limit.

[cruiseboy89130]

29 minutes ago, VegasVic14 said:

Hopefully, someone can clarify the daily limit.

$500 If you don't play 50% - your locked out after the first transaction!

[RFerrington]

The daily limit on cash draws at the tables is $5000 per account.  I don’t know if that’s the same for machines or not. 

[PWP-001]

The total daily amount that can be charged to your room in the casino is $5,000, either at slot machines, table games or a combination of the two.

 

The 5% convenience fee is waived for players once PRIME status (2,500 points earned) is achieved.  That's also what unlocks free drinks while actively playing.

 

I can't speak to the fee being assessed for slot machines since my first cruise --walking on with zero points-- was with a casino group.  There was a little get-together as the casino opened on the first day and the casino bumped us all immediately to PRIME for the cruise.  That sticker may have just been about the comp drinks, as the next afternoon I was approached and congratulated by a host that said that I was being upgraded.  I had earned the 2,500 and he was upgrading me to PRIME.... So maybe the system which could assess fees at the machines only saw me as entry level until I did hit 2,500 points and the fee isn't assessed for any slot players.

[PWP-001]

On 5/16/2023 at 8:07 AM, GalvestonCruiserx3 said:

So, to clarify-if I stick in my SeaPass card and start playing on a slot machine there is no extra charge.  But if I hand the SeaPass card to the dealer at a table and say "Put it on my SeaPass card"  there is an extra 5% charge to play?  If this is true, then crazy, and a total disincentive to gamble.  People don't like to see actual cash flying out of their hands.  I truly don't understand why the charge then.

The 5% convenience fee is to help offset the cost Royal incurs to submit credit card payments.  No, Royal isn't paying 5%:  based upon their high volume, I'd guess their cost (merchant discount) is right under 2%.  Yes, that's a small cost they could eat, given how much they earn in the casino from GAMBLERS.

 

However, many non-gamblers use the casino as an ATM to withdrawal cash, charging it to their credit card.  There are dozens of threads on Cruise Critic where passengers share how to do this, cheating the system and Royal.  

 

Also, on a 14 day cruise on another line, I was at a table when a passenger plopped down as a $50 Blackjack table, called for $5,000 in chips, literally played 3 hands and cashed out.  I saw her do that twice.  And I can imagine she did it other times when I wasn't there.  If I'm right, her purpose was "manufactured spending," a practice credit card companies referred to as "gaming the system" and they deem prohibited.

 

So, the 5% convenience fee is intended to discourage room charges for anything but gambling.  

 

Personally I think as a cost savings measure they should institute the 5% fee even for slot machines for those players that haven't reached PRIME.  However, to not penalize the true gambler, on that very first cruise where they are charged the fee, it should be refunded once they hit PRIME, proving their appetite for gambling.

 

And to all those gamblers that won't hit PRIME... every machine does have a slot where you can insert your $1, $5, $10, & $20 bills.

 

 

[GalvestonCruiserx3]

3 hours ago, PWP-001 said:

The 5% convenience fee is to help offset the cost Royal incurs to submit credit card payments.  No, Royal isn't paying 5%:  based upon their high volume, I'd guess their cost (merchant discount) is right under 2%.  Yes, that's a small cost they could eat, given how much they earn in the casino from GAMBLERS.

 

However, many non-gamblers use the casino as an ATM to withdrawal cash, charging it to their credit card.  There are dozens of threads on Cruise Critic where passengers share how to do this, cheating the system and Royal.  

 

Also, on a 14 day cruise on another line, I was at a table when a passenger plopped down as a $50 Blackjack table, called for $5,000 in chips, literally played 3 hands and cashed out.  I saw her do that twice.  And I can imagine she did it other times when I wasn't there.  If I'm right, her purpose was "manufactured spending," a practice credit card companies referred to as "gaming the system" and they deem prohibited.

 

So, the 5% convenience fee is intended to discourage room charges for anything but gambling.  

 

Personally I think as a cost savings measure they should institute the 5% fee even for slot machines for those players that haven't reached PRIME.  However, to not penalize the true gambler, on that very first cruise where they are charged the fee, it should be refunded once they hit PRIME, proving their appetite for gambling.

 

And to all those gamblers that won't hit PRIME... every machine does have a slot where you can insert your $1, $5, $10, & $20 bills.

 

 

It seems like the new to Royal gambler isn't encouraged to spend money in the casino. I have no interest in using the casino as an ATM and have no idea why someone would do that.  I simply want to gamble some, using my SeaPass card because I don't want to carry a purse or cash around the ship at all.  I can guarantee you I would spend more just handing a SeaPass card to the dealer than handing them a $20 bill, even though it is essentially the same thing.  Now, with an extra 5% tacked on if I use the SeaPass at a table, I'll think twice about gambling at tables.  I would think if they wanted to get people hooked on gambling in the casino they would encourage the ease of just handing the SeaPass card to the dealer.  I can guarantee you they don't lose money on casino offers to frequent gamblers.  Just one of many things that I am finding out I don't like about Royal!

[PWP-001]

3 hours ago, GalvestonCruiserx3 said:

It seems like the new to Royal gambler isn't encouraged to spend money in the casino. I have no interest in using the casino as an ATM and have no idea why someone would do that.  I simply want to gamble some, using my SeaPass card because I don't want to carry a purse or cash around the ship at all.  I can guarantee you I would spend more just handing a SeaPass card to the dealer than handing them a $20 bill, even though it is essentially the same thing.  Now, with an extra 5% tacked on if I use the SeaPass at a table, I'll think twice about gambling at tables.  I would think if they wanted to get people hooked on gambling in the casino they would encourage the ease of just handing the SeaPass card to the dealer.  I can guarantee you they don't lose money on casino offers to frequent gamblers.  Just one of many things that I am finding out I don't like about Royal!

I think most people are aware that the credit card processing fee is a non-issue for the casual gambler who charges to their room, as chances are great their losses will exceed the cost when playing SLOT MACHINES.  Table games are a much different story, especially at a Blackjack table with good players.

 

Here's an idea.  Ask to speak to the Casino Manager (not a host) and explain your situation and about how much you plan to gamble.  Question if that would be enough play for him/her to consider refunding the convenience fee.

[AjStylezz]

That's an interesting perspective on the credit card processing fee, especially when it comes to different games. The idea of chatting with the Casino Manager is a smart move, though! Maybe they'd appreciate the open communication. On a related note, have you ever tried to play live casino? It could be another cool way to mix things up!

[Love2Snorkle]

Years ago before Covid, my credit limit was over $500k for my credit card.  They were giving back 5% rebate for travel charges.

 

I charged $400k to the card playing table games and received my $20k rebate from the credit card.  I was able to do it again the next month for $500k.  So total was 45k return.

The year after, I went on the same cruise and they told me I had to pay 5% fee for table games.  I declined.  I think someone ruined the fun.  Bummer.  

[Love2Snorkle]

I like to exaggerate.  Please don't believe what I say.

[VegasVic14]

Following up with this topic:  On the first day in the casino, I charge $500 to my room and play out $260 (over 50%). I assume the remaining $240 carries over on my card. Can I repeat the same "charge $500, play out $260" and bank another $240 on the card the next casino day?