Carnival gift card discount decreased from 10 to 8 percent- WHY?

[ToddP719526]

As of today, the AARP discount on Carnival gift cards has gone from 10% to only 8%. I am just trying to find out WHO made this decision. Was it AARP or Carnival? I called and got a horrible word salad answer from the rep at AARP who talked about "market conditions, yada yada" but no real answer to this basic question. 

[ShawnM905383]

Time to cancel AARP

[JChristopher84]

wow, how ungrateful.

[leonp574353]

 I don't think AARP is where the blame lies. Carnival is pinching people everywhere they can now and I am guessing they are selling the cards to AARP for more money with less discount.

[SusanC244610]

IT IS AARP. they make the decision on gift card percentages.  Carnival has issued a response to the issue stating it is the gift card distributor that makes the decision. 

[JChristopher84]

While AARP is responsible for adjusting the discount rate offered on the AARP website, they have no control over the how much Carnival sells the cards to them. AARP receives them at a discount and is able to sell them at a similar discount. but if Carnival no longer sells them to AARP (corporate) as cheaply, they clearly can't sell them for less than they get them for. In what world would that make sense?

[MarkS245273]

NOT GOOD on the reduction to 8% !   AND ... the AARP website is still broken and it is the 19th ... you can put items in the cart, but cannot check out ...   chipping away at reducing the AARP customer base ...

[AARPConsumerCare]

I understand the change to the Carnival Cruise gift card discount is frustrating @MarkS245273. We do our best to offer a wide range of products at great prices. However, sometimes product pricing can change due to a number of conditions. Our goal is to make sure you have access to high-quality products even if we occasionally need to adjust the discounts we offer. AARP Rewards did briefly have an issue with checkout after the maintenance was completed, that issue has been resolved. Let us know if you're still having trouble checking out.
Brandon C.

[wt9848]

Carnival Gift Cards are GONE as of today!! Only 2 cruise gift cards available. I cruise 2xs a year and only utilize AARP to buy Carnival Gift Cards

[dirtracen99]

That's why I enrolled in aarp. 50 bucks saved on a 500 card paid for the script to aarp. Guess I'll ne renue.

[bbsdad807]

Also not happy about the reduction of discount.  Not sure who is responsible or if our efforts to express our disappointment would be of any help, but maybe someone on this site will send our comments up the chain.

[jm46071191]

This Is very upsetting, this is one of the reason I continue to renew my membership.  Alot of Carnival cruisers have reach out to Carnival to blame them for your change. SORRY NOT sure I will renew my next membership when it is time because of this change😪

[JChristopher84]

You're still saving 8%. do you really think you're owed something? How entitled. The cost of membership is far lower than the savings you get for using the cards to pay for a single cruise. Go ahead, cancel your membership and pay full price. 😜

[DavidA13235]

You can get 8% off on other sites without paying for membership. AND 10% still on occasion. I just bought $1000 on another site offering 10%. Yea I will not be renewing my membership until the 10% comes back... if it comes back.

[PedroS29699]

what site did you use?

[AARPConsumerCare]

@DavidA13235  I totally understand! We really appreciate your commitment to buying gift cards through the AARP Rewards program. While we can't match the prices you might find on other sites, we hope you continue to enjoy the benefits and convenience of everything our program offers. Let me know if I can help with anything else, and thank you for being a valued Rewards member!  Jodee R.

[ToddP719526]

Can you name the other site?

[DavidA13235]

If they don’t delete this sure: Newegg.com usually sells them on promo for 10% like once a month… gotta keep checking. And Gcx.com has them for 8% already - no membership needed.

[AARPConsumerCare]

I can understand how upsetting this can be, @jm46071191. We hope you stay with us. - Diana G.

[LynetteS426871]

I need to purchase carnival gift cards tonight and of course, there is an update.  Can you help me?  

[AARPConsumerCare]

@LynetteS426871 I'm so sorry that the Rewards site will not be ready until tomorrow, November 19. I invite you to check back for updates here: https://www.aarp.org/rewards/ ?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=15290963692; - Janelle M.

[JChristopher84]

No rewards purchaes can be made until the update is complete on the 18th. 

[StefanieH749302]

Also a draw for our household.  Reducing benefits isn't a great selling point for renewing.

[TimothyF334094]

I won’t be renewing either. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

We understand the change to the Carnival Gift Card discount is disappointing and hope you continue to be a member.
Brandon C.

[ShawnM905383]

Nope

[AARPConsumerCare]

@ToddP719526 Regrettably, the previous discount is no longer available. Availability and pricing of products may vary due to several factors. Unfortunately, that's all the information we have about this change.  - Janelle M.

[grannygirl21]

  I wish I would have been notified earlier as I was going to purchase them last week but had to wait until payday today.  Was anyone notified?

[RichardK68]

Why would anyone have to be notified? there is nothing on the website's fine print that states otherwise. 

[AARPConsumerCare]

@grannygirl21 So sorry! We did not have a notification for this change. Please know that the Carnival Cruise gift cards are still available in our Rewards catalog, the percent discount has just changed from 10% to 8%: https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/?cmp=SNO-LITHIUM---&socialid=15134573014#sort-by=default. I'm always here to help if you need anything.  - Janelle M.

[JeffH938219]

These are not available. AARP is just not that great.