MilesBuzz! - Going on a Carnival Cruise? Rake in the miles...

I just went on a four night Carnival Cruise and found out that you could load up your casino player bank, aka your Sail and Sign Card, a maximum of $1000 per day/per guest (over 18 yo). This could be done at any slot machine, with no obligation to play that machine. Then, whenever you wanted, you could cash out the card at the casino cashier. In all, for a four night/five day cruise, I was able to pull out $10,000 IN CASH!!! This is all being charged to my Hilton Honors Amex Card just as all of my other expenses on board will be charged. In other words, there is no surcharge for the service.

Only thing to be careful of is that you must go through customs when leaving the ship and you can't have more than $10,000 on your person (without declaring it) or else it may be confiscated.

Considering I value the 30,000 Hilton Honor Points + Gold Status Renewal to be about $400 and the cruise only cost me $400, I figured it payed for my trip.

Royal Caribbean used to allow this but now charge 3% for Casino transactions... unless you are in their casino players club ;-)

The nice thing is that my mother is... and we'll be traveling together in a few months... very excited to do this again.

Make sure they use a US Bank to process the credit card for onboard purchases. If they don't you will have a big surprise.

Only thing to be careful of is that you must go through customs when leaving the ship and you can't have more than $10,000 on your person (without declaring it) or else it may be confiscated.




Sounds like an interesting way to earn miles/points easily, but I personally wouldn't want to be carrying $10,000 in cash for the following reasons:

1. I would feel like a theft risk by carrying $10,000 in cash.
2. If flying home, and TSA did a secondary screening with me, I wouldn't want to hassle with providing evidence that I got the $10,000 in cash from a cruise ship casino.

1. I would feel like a theft risk by carrying $10,000 in cash.
2. If flying home, and TSA did a secondary screening with me, I wouldn't want to hassle with providing evidence that I got the $10,000 in cash from a cruise ship casino.

well you could possibly store it in your room safe??the tsa thing would only apply if you're getting on a flight. would not be much of an issue if i went to Alaska since i live in SEA. like the op stated, it might be more of an issue during customs..but on my last trip they pretty much just waved me through. maybe you could cash out $9999? :D

You could always hit a local bank branch before catching your flight :)

This is interesting. Does anyone know about other cruise lines - do they apply a 3% or similar surcharge for casino transactions?

Sounds like an interesting way to earn miles/points easily, but I personally wouldn't want to be carrying $10,000 in cash for the following reasons:

1. I would feel like a theft risk by carrying $10,000 in cash.
2. If flying home, and TSA did a secondary screening with me, I wouldn't want to hassle with providing evidence that I got the $10,000 in cash from a cruise ship casino.
1. True, that could be nerve-racking,
but maybe not a lot more so than coming home to find
$5000 in presidential $1 coins sitting on the doorstep. :D

2. Not sure you would HAVE to provide evidence,
but do you want an even MORE intrusive search? :eek:
If you buy the "casino cards" from princess website you
would have a receipt for all the cards to be cashed.

Does anyone know about other cruise lines - do they apply a 3% or similar surcharge for casino transactions?
I know Princess charges, and I'd be really surprised if the OP doesn't see the same charge on his Amex card from Carnival. They're both owned by the same company, and believe me, they're smart enough not to hand out free money like that.

Is this processed as if buying goods or as a cash advance?

That's an interesting idear. Let us know if the fees appear.

I have never seen a ship casino that didn't charge 2-4% for cash advances off a credit card. Even if they happen to code it as a purchase, you're still not coming out ahead.

I have never seen a ship casino that didn't charge 2-4% for cash advances off a credit card. Even if they happen to code it as a purchase, you're still not coming out ahead.

What the OP was suggesting was NOT charging it to your credit card but to your onboard card (RCCL calls it a SEAPASS card). Those onboard charges (spa, drinks, casino, excursions etc...) are then settled on your CC the final night of the cruise.

I know that RCCL now charges a fee for this, not sure about any others.

This casino trick is being discussed
in another FT thread simultaneously.

You can buy cards before departure at this link:

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/services/gifts/casino/index.jsp

They are waiting in your cabin when you board.
Change them for cash at the casino cashier.

I know Princess charges, and I'd be really surprised if the OP doesn't see the same charge on his Amex card from Carnival. They're both owned by the same company, and believe me, they're smart enough not to hand out free money like that.

It was made VERY clear that they do not charge a fee for pulling $$ from your Sail&Sign. However, if you go to the cashier and simply gave them a credit card to take out cash, they charge a 3% fee. Nonetheless, I will let you know as soon as it posts to my AMEX if there was a hidden charge.

Update: Just posted to my Amex with no hidden charges whatsoever. Charged as CARNIVAL PARADISE SAMIAMI. Also, as Carnival is based out of Miami, there was no foreign transaction fee from AMEX either.

The fee isn't charged separately to the credit card, but to the Sign & Sail Account. I was recently on a Carnival Cruise and there was a 3% fee on Casino transaction posted to the Sign & Sail. Make sure you check your cruise account summary.

The fee isn't charged separately to the credit card, but to the Sign & Sail Account. I was recently on a Carnival Cruise and there was a 3% fee on Casino transaction posted to the Sign & Sail. Make sure you check your cruise account summary.

I went through every line of carnival folio and even added up the expenses on my own and compared it to that what was charges to my AMEX. There was no transaction charge. Because you were making me a little nervous I did some investigative work and went to the 'Ocean Players' website (this is the casino that is onboard Carnival and its subsidiaries). Anywho, it says this:

Question: Can I use my onboard account to get funds in the casino?
Answer:

Yes, you can use the onboard account card (room card) the cruise line gives you to purchase chips or tokens in the casino. There may be a small fee for the service and a limit on the amount of funds you can take per day or per cruise. There is no charge at the slot machines for using your onboard account card to access funds. Please consult the casino staff onboard for details.

http://www.oceanplayersclub.com/AboutTheClub/FAQ.aspx#Ques38

So it looks like there is a charge for taking out chips, but not on slots (which I used). I would have been surprised if there was a charge because every time you slid your card through the maching it said "Withdraw from onboard account - NO CHARGE".

You could always hit a local bank branch before catching your flight :)

True, but some of us still bank at local non-mega banks and credit unions without branches all of the country that offer a higher level of service and higher interest rates than the mega-banks. Thus those without a branch in the port city, before flying out, would have to deal with the hassle of probably paying a fee to exchange the cash into a cashiers or travelers check.

True, but some of us still bank at local non-mega banks and credit unions without branches all of the country that offer a higher level of service and higher interest rates than the mega-banks. Thus those without a branch in the port city, before flying out, would have to deal with the hassle of probably paying a fee to exchange the cash into a cashiers or travelers check.

Now you see the logic behind having an extra account at a mega-bank that you don't use as a primary ;)

On my 3 night Mexico Cruise they had casino night.

a drink cost $ 3.50 + mandatory tip and you got a $ 5 casino chip that had to be wagered once.

I bought 1000 Cocktails. The servers were happy since it added up a few hundred $$'s in tips. I got tons of miles on that crusie.

On my 3 night Mexico Cruise they had casino night.

a drink cost $ 3.50 + mandatory tip and you got a $ 5 casino chip that had to be wagered once.

I bought 1000 Cocktails. The servers were happy since it added up a few hundred $$'s in tips. I got tons of miles on that crusie.

That's all good and nice, but how did your $5000 wager go in the casino if you don't mind me asking? Also, how many of those cocktails did you drink?

PS. The tip is not mandatory for drinks (unless it was for this particular promo). Even though it adds it automatically, you can can tell your server a different amount while you're ordering. Not that I have done this.

i've been doing this on NCL for a while. no charge for adding it to a shipboard account, you can add $2000 per day to your account, and they'll give you it in cash (for use in their slots). put the cash in the safe, rinse and repeat.

just be wary of adverse action from your CC's, particularly in the current climate.

First, great story verse99!

Next, it would be good to hear more experiences from people about this strategy - it seems there are conflicting messages. I'm going on an NCL repositioning cruise soon, and I'm encouraged by dixieducker's report to check out the current situation over there.

On my 3 night Mexico Cruise they had casino night.

a drink cost $ 3.50 + mandatory tip and you got a $ 5 casino chip that had to be wagered once.

I bought 1000 Cocktails. The servers were happy since it added up a few hundred $$'s in tips. I got tons of miles on that crusie.

This is nice idea, but only if you were planning to gamble almost $5,000 anyway (or drink 1000 drinks), as you would be expected, mathematically, to lose a majority of the gambling money.

This is nice idea, but only if you were planning to gamble almost $5,000 anyway (or drink 1000 drinks), as you would be expected, mathematically, to lose a majority of the gambling money.

That's true - I originally assumed that the chips could be cashed in (most can), but the poster noted that they had to be wagered once. I wouldn't do that myself.

NOW THAT THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT THE CARD COMPANIES AND THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. WHAT AMAZES ME IS WHEN YOU FIND A SOFT SPOT MOST PEOPLE ADVERTISE IT AND THEN ONE LOOSES THE LOOPHOLE. I WAS DOING THIS BEFORE MOST OF YOU WERE BORN, NOW FOR SURE THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. OR LIKE WAS MENTIONED CHARGE THE 3%.

THE PERSON THAT EXPOSED THIS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF.:mad:

Flyertalk is about sharing information. Also please don't yell.

That's all good and nice, but how did your $5000 wager go in the casino if you don't mind me asking? Also, how many of those cocktails did you drink?

PS. The tip is not mandatory for drinks (unless it was for this particular promo). Even though it adds it automatically, you can can tell your server a different amount while you're ordering. Not that I have done this.

I did ok THAT night and actually came out ahead. It's a huge advantage in any casino to buy chips at around 20% off.

You are right I should have put automatic instead of required tip.

The actual cocktail was nasty, but the wait staff did not have me or my friends pay for any drink we wanted THAT NIGHT from the menu, so I had quite a few beers.

Some people have IM me. Here are more details:

This was Carnival

The chips were match play.

I had to play one real chip and 1 promotional chip and I could play the promotinonal chip until they lost.

The first dealer took the promotional chip on a push and didn't let it play again. I spoke with the pit boss and he let me play them until I lost.

Also they cut me off at 1K drinks as I wanted to order another 1K..... Supposedly they ran out of promo chips.

This is nice idea, but only if you were planning to gamble almost $5,000 anyway (or drink 1000 drinks), as you would be expected, mathematically, to lose a majority of the gambling money.

Black Jack only has a small house advantage. If the player has a 10% advantage (-20% off promotional chips that need to be wagered with 1 real chip) this is HUGE and you are mathematically guaranteed to come out ahead.

Black Jack only has a small house advantage. If the player has a 10% advantage (-20% off promotional chips that need to be wagered with 1 real chip) this is HUGE and you are mathematically guaranteed to come out ahead.

Assuming you know basic strategy, of course..

Play like a donkey, and you can waste away even that huge advantage.

Black Jack only has a small house advantage. If the player has a 10% advantage (-20% off promotional chips that need to be wagered with 1 real chip) this is HUGE and you are mathematically guaranteed to come out ahead.

Um, no. You are not. Even if you play perfectly for the duration of the cruise.

NOW THAT THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT THE CARD COMPANIES AND THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. WHAT AMAZES ME IS WHEN YOU FIND A SOFT SPOT MOST PEOPLE ADVERTISE IT AND THEN ONE LOOSES THE LOOPHOLE. I WAS DOING THIS BEFORE MOST OF YOU WERE BORN, NOW FOR SURE THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. OR LIKE WAS MENTIONED CHARGE THE 3%.

THE PERSON THAT EXPOSED THIS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF.:mad:


Been mentioned for years on Cruise Critic. Carnival and other lines know about it. Carnival stopped allowing it for chips about a year ago. but they found that on the Slot Machines, it greatly reduced the amount being spent. Philosophy is that if you have $200 on the slot Machine, you are going to play some.

I disagree that the promo chip thing is a good way to get miles (by buying 1k drinks). The actual value of the promo chip is $2.50, not $5...

Bet promo chip and win: you end up with $5 and a promo chip (not $10 like you would with a real chip).
Bet promo chip and lose: you end up with $0

You can bet the promo chip again as long as you win with it, but mathematically the value would be almost $2.50 if you played blackjack with basic strategy.

I think this is right, but correct me if I'm wrong because I'm cruising Carnival next month!

I disagree that the promo chip thing is a good way to get miles (by buying 1k drinks). The actual value of the promo chip is $2.50, not $5...

Bet promo chip and win: you end up with $5 and a promo chip (not $10 like you would with a real chip).
Bet promo chip and lose: you end up with $0

You can bet the promo chip again as long as you win with it, but mathematically the value would be almost $2.50 if you played blackjack with basic strategy.

I think this is right, but correct me if I'm wrong because I'm cruising Carnival next month!

I think the point is that if you win, you have:

5$ chip you bet
5$ promotional chip to play again
10$ in winnings.

IOW, buying these chips, he's bettting 8.50$ (5$ chip, plus the drink chip) to win 10$ every hand (Or more if he hits BJ).

Mathematically, I don't see the flaw over 1,000+ hands... except the boredom of playing that many hands.

NOW THAT THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT THE CARD COMPANIES AND THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. WHAT AMAZES ME IS WHEN YOU FIND A SOFT SPOT MOST PEOPLE ADVERTISE IT AND THEN ONE LOOSES THE LOOPHOLE. I WAS DOING THIS BEFORE MOST OF YOU WERE BORN, NOW FOR SURE THE CRUISE LINES WILL PUT A STOP TO IT. OR LIKE WAS MENTIONED CHARGE THE 3%.

THE PERSON THAT EXPOSED THIS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF.:mad:

Nice attitude. :rolleyes:

This "trick" has been around for years and years, and if search was working properly, I could probably find 200 threads on the subject.

Most people avoid it because they don't want to carry the cash home. They're afraid of getting robbed, talking to customs (over 10K), and now you have to fear the TSA, given that they have become self appointed kurrency kops (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/omni-pr/966328-aclu-sues-dhs-over-unlawful-tsa-searches-detention-stl-4-700-incident.html). Others are afraid they'll actually lose some of the cash in the casino. :)

RCCL was the last holdout on the 3% fee, they added it sometime in the last 18 months.

Its very interesting to see the Carnival is experimenting with removing it.

I disagree that the promo chip thing is a good way to get miles (by buying 1k drinks). The actual value of the promo chip is $2.50, not $5...

Bet promo chip and win: you end up with $5 and a promo chip (not $10 like you would with a real chip).
Bet promo chip and lose: you end up with $0



Bet ANY $ 5 chip and win: you end up with $5 win and a ANOTHER chip for the next hand.

So I like to argue there is no difference between a promo chip and a real chip if you are going to play BJ for a few hours anyway....

Its very interesting to see the Carnival is experimenting with removing it.

They're not removing it. If you go to the casino cage and ask for chips using your Sail and Sign account, they will charge the 3% fee. It's only fee-free if you use a slot machine to take cash from your S&S account. Then you can cash out of the slot machine and get cash at the cage. That's the only way to beat the fee. They don't want people who are using the slots to think twice about taking out more cash, so they don't impose the fee there.

It's more of a loophole than a fee-removal. ;)

I don't know if this loophole exists on other lines.

I was on the Pride in 2002 and again in 2006 and it was 3% no matter where you asked for it.

It sounds to me like the technology to load your slot machine with credits using your Sign & Sale as a vehicle is what is driving this. I wager that given how cheap P&O is as a company it will be short lived. They never seem to want miss out on a fee.

I was on the Pride in 2002 and again in 2006 and it was 3% no matter where you asked for it.

Even just sticking your S&S card into the slot machine and putting cash in your "bank" form your S&S account? I've been on 5 Carnival cruises since 2005 and have done this every time, fee-free.

And for whoever asked up-thread, all Carnival credit card charges, no matter where you sail, are processed through their Miami HQ so there are no foreign transaction fees to worry about if you're American.

Even just sticking your S&S card into the slot machine and putting cash in your "bank" form your S&S account? I've been on 5 Carnival cruises since 2005 and have done this every time, fee-free.

And for whoever asked up-thread, all Carnival credit card charges, no matter where you sail, are processed through their Miami HQ so there are no foreign transaction fees to worry about if you're American.

Maybe I'm just clueless.

the tsa thing would only apply if you're getting on a flight. would not be much of an issue if i went to Alaska since i live in SEA.

Untrue - if you take an AK cruise from SEA you will stop in a Canadian port, most likely Victoria (no cruise ship can depart from the US and return to the US without visiting a non-US port unless that ship is registered in the US, which none of the ships to Alaska are). And you will go through US immigration and customs upon your return in SEA.

There is US immigration and customs to deal with whenever you re-enter the US, whether by land, sea or air.

If you could get $1,000 per day for 4 days, how did you get $10,000? If you include your wife/kids in the total of $10,000, shouldn't you inlcude the price of their cruise in the cost? It seems like maybe you got something you value at $400 and paid $1,200 for the cruise, which is fine, but I just want to understand the math.

If you could get $1,000 per day for 4 days, how did you get $10,000? If you include your wife/kids in the total of $10,000, shouldn't you inlcude the price of their cruise in the cost? It seems like maybe you got something you value at $400 and paid $1,200 for the cruise, which is fine, but I just want to understand the math.

- I went with a friend whose S&S card was linked to my credit card.
- It was a four night/5 day cruise. Thus, I was able to pull out $1,000 per day per S&S card. This came out to $10,000
- I got the cruise at a super cheap price because it was a last minute Mexican Cruise during the midst of the Swine Flu fiasco. Not including gratuity, the total for the cruise came to just over $400 for two people including all taxes.

Hope this clears it up for you!

Bet ANY $ 5 chip and win: you end up with $5 win and a ANOTHER chip for the next hand.

So I like to argue there is no difference between a promo chip and a real chip if you are going to play BJ for a few hours anyway....

I agree if you are talking one chip, but with 1000 promo chips you have to actually lose 1000 hands or end up with worthless promo chips.

I agree if you are talking one chip, but with 1000 promo chips you have to actually lose 1000 hands or end up with worthless promo chips.

True.. This only works if you truly enjoy gambling and don't mind spending 4-8 hours at the tables, which I usually do anyway if there is a casino...

so the idea is to use the cards, if you are going to gamble anyway.