3% at Casino?

[Rickster 1662]

I'm getting a little confused reading these threads concerning a 3 percent charge for withdrawing chips at the casino.

 

I would understand this charge if you are giving the teller your credit card, BUT do they also charge you if you give the teller you shipboard card???

 

I have not cruised Princess in a while and have never incurred this problem on other lines. I would think that purchasing chips is like any other shipboard purchase and would be charged to your shipboard account.

 

Thanks

[myangel]

Yes, 3% applies to cruise cards as well......

[cherylandtk]

Yes, using your shipboard card in the casino gets you a 3% surcharge. It is considered a cash advance by the cruiseline whereas a purchase in the gift shops is not. The only way to get chips or use the casino without a surcharge is to bring cash or travellers checks for gambling. The 3% charge is now common on several cruise lines.

[Ethel5]

Yes, using your shipboard card in the casino gets you a 3% surcharge. It is considered a cash advance by the cruiseline whereas a purchase in the gift shops is not. The only way to get chips or use the casino without a surcharge is to bring cash or travellers checks for gambling. The 3% charge is now common on most cruise lines.

 

This is true, but when they put the casino charge through to the credit card company, it goes in as a purchase not a cash advance.:)

[Twelvevman]

This is true, but when they put the casino charge through to the credit card company, it goes in as a purchase not a cash advance.:)

 

They probably due this to prevent people from doing this as a way to get around the fee for cash advances on the credit card. It would be very easy to buy a few hundred in chips then turn around and redeem for cash. Don't forget, any merchant is charged a percentage for credit card purchases.

[Cruise Junky]

I also heard a lot of people would go and take a $5000 cash advance from the casino, not use it for gambling, pay their credit card company back the $5000 when they got home, and pocket 5,000 points from their credit card company as it was showing up as charge not an advance.

[fti]

I also heard a lot of people would go and take a $5000 cash advance from the casino, not use it for gambling, pay their credit card company back the $5000 when they got home, and pocket 5,000 points from their credit card company as it was showing up as charge not an advance.

 

This would not be a very good use of their money if they were charged 3% of $5000 = $150 just to accrue 5,000 points from their credit card.

[Cruise Junky]

This would not be a very good use of their money if they were charged 3% of $5000 = $150 just to accrue 5,000 points from their credit card.

 

This was done before the 3% was put into place. Pretty good way to earn 5,000 points actually. If it's a charge not an advance, you're not going to pay interest before you get your bill.

[chasetf]

This is true, but when they put the casino charge through to the credit card company, it goes in as a purchase not a cash advance.:)

Didn't know that ... but certainly helps out with the interest rate....:D

[cbpanda]

I have not cruised Princess in a while and have never incurred this problem on other lines.

 

When we were on Carnival, we experienced this surcharge on cash at the casino. Which is why, we brought additional cash with us on our recent Princess cruise.

[hblackmon]

Is there an ATM on the ship, that you could use to get money for the casino instead of paying the 3% fee? I'm shocked to hear there is a fee, as I have previously cruised on RCCL and have never had a fee (I'm cruising on Princess for the first time next weekend).

[Cruise Junky]

Is there an ATM on the ship, that you could use to get money for the casino instead of paying the 3% fee? I'm shocked to hear there is a fee, as I have previously cruised on RCCL and have never had a fee (I'm cruising on Princess for the first time next weekend).

 

There is, but the ATM fee is around $6.00 per transaction, plus whatever your bank would charge....3% is probably a bargain.

[hblackmon]

My bank actually reimburses me for whatever the ATM charges and does not charge any additional fee - so I'll use the ATM route. Thanks for the info!

[source]

Hi Guys,

We've taken several cruises on Princess and are about to embark on the Diamond in November. Send yourself a bon voyage gift of casino chips and you will not be charged a fee. We have done this every time to avoid paying a fee. It is listed on your credit card as merchandise NOT a cash advance when you order them. My husband and I send each other gifts before each cruise and when you arrive on board you will receive a voucher which you redeem in the casino for the cash. Call Princess for the item number as I don't see it listed in theanswer book. Good Luck in the casino! ;)

[DSavard]

Hi Guys,

We've taken several cruises on Princess and are about to embark on the Diamond in November. Send yourself a bon voyage gift of casino chips and you will not be charged a fee. We have done this every time to avoid paying a fee. It is listed on your credit card as merchandise NOT a cash advance when you order them. My husband and I send each other gifts before each cruise and when you arrive on board you will receive a voucher which you redeem in the casino for the cash. Call Princess for the item number as I don't see it listed in theanswer book. Good Luck in the casino! ;)

 

 

It does work. I purchase them and cash them in for spending cash. (no ATM fees) or in the casino!!

 

 

 

Onboard Experience Home Services Gifts Casino

 

 

Casino

Surprise your friends with a lucky side bet. Casino credits are redeemable in the shipboard casino.

To order a gift, please complete this form (PDF).

 

 

 

Casino Credit

Available in $25, $50, or $100 increments.

Item #6003 - $25

Item #6004 - $50

Item #6005 - $100

[serene56]

The casino credit sounds like the way for me to go.

 

When you get this through the gifts section-- how do we get them?

do they just leave chips in the cabin?

[aggieastrosfan]

The casino credit sounds like the way for me to go.

 

When you get this through the gifts section-- how do we get them?

do they just leave chips in the cabin?

 

When I did this on the Grand in '04, there was a card in our cabin when we arrived for the vouchers. I just took the vouchers to the cashier, and she cashed them for me.

[Ethel5]

The casino credit sounds like the way for me to go.

 

When you get this through the gifts section-- how do we get them?

do they just leave chips in the cabin?

 

You can just call Princess and order them with a credit card. It's easier than downloading the form etc.

[serene56]

DOes Princess have a gift selection on their web page- (if so I am not fining it)

[Toto2Kansas]

DOes Princess have a gift selection on their web page- (if so I am not fining it)

Follow this link, it will take you to the PDF file for Princess gift ordering:

http://www.princess.com/onboard/services/gifts/index.html

[cruzluvers]

Yes, 3% applies to cruise cards as well......

 

Does it make any difference if you settle your shipboard account in cash or with traveler's checks? Of course, if you're settling up in cash at the end of the cruise, it would not be a big deal to buy your casino chips with cash as well, although I can see where that approach could be a bit of an inconvenience. However, to save the 3% fee I'm sure it's an inconvenience most guests might be willing to endure.

 

On the other hand, to the unwary (not Cruise Critic members, to be sure) cash/traveler's check guest who has not read through the entire Cruise Answer Book (the brochure describes this charge as "a nominal fee" - personally I don't consider 3% as being the least bit "nominal" - and the Passage Contract make no mention of it at all) will be, IMHO treated very unfairly by the imposition of this surcharge. After all, in the absence of a credit card being part of the transaction there is zero cost to Princess and no justification for the 3% vig.

 

One last observation. According to the current Princess brochure ("Tips for Your Trip", "Do I need cash on my vacation?") the fee also applies to bingo cards.

 

John F.:)

[honeyclair]

"It does work. I purchase them and cash them in for spending cash. (no ATM fees) or in the casino!!" - DSavard

 

I thought that this is a great idea to circumvent both 3% and ATM charges but according to Princess the gift chips are nonrefundable. No money will be given for them if they are not all used at casino. My question is how is that possible, you give the cashier the voucher, he gives you the chips, you come back in 10 mins and cash out?

Any comments?