Carnival gift cards

[juditha99205]

It looks to me like the Carnival gift cards are gone!

Am I looking in the wrong spot?

[a460667k]

@OrganizedChaos75  You say now you have to be a member to buy a Carn. gift card, but I don't see any listed for "members only" .  None at all.

The "rewards" are abysmal, even for members, and I don't frequent this site anymore. AARP gave us a drastic downgrade, and they should be ashamed, after all the hype for this new site.

Nothing has changed in over a month. Horrible and unacceptable, and really disappointing.

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@a460667k wrote:

@OrganizedChaos75  You say now you have to be a member to buy a Carn. gift card, but I don't see any listed for "members only" .  None at all.

The "rewards" are abysmal, even for members, and I don't frequent this site anymore. AARP gave us a drastic downgrade, and they should be ashamed, after all the hype for this new site.

Nothing has changed in over a month. Horrible and unacceptable, and really disappointing.

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The Carnival gift cards were available on the first day that the new AARP Rewards launched. They were members only that day and I'm assuming they'll continue to be. I suspect that was a strategic move on the part of AARP. I'm sure their data showed just how popular and how in-demand the Carnival gift cards have been over the years. Making them members only stands to gain AARP a lot of new members/revenue. Well, it did until everyone realized how bad the new program actually is. Now only time will tell.

I agree with everything you said. AARP Rewards is a major downgrade. Members-only gift cards, a terrible website that's annoying to navigate, no search feature for gift cards, LOW monthly limits on gift cards, gift cards that aren't worth purchasing. I mean, $1, $2, $4 off of their face value. Give us a break! The list of bad things goes on & on. All thanks to the fact that AARP switched to this HelloWorld company to run the new program when the old one was working just fine.

They "fixed" the E-gift card PIN issue by sending out physical gift cards to the ones who bought them on launch day. I don't know why it's taking so long to return them to stock. I've been doing these rewards programs for a few years. The company that ran Rewards For Good, Deluxe Rewards, Ltd., ran that and Allstate Rewards (they still run that one). They used to sell E-gift cards all the time and never had a problem with selling them without PIN numbers. I've also bought E-gift cards from other sources at times and never had that problem. AARP made a big mistake switching to HelloWorld, but I guess now they have to live with it. All at our expense.

[AARPConnieB]

Hi Pat, we are still working on getting the Carnival gift cards back. Thank you for your patience!

[KandyP234702]

@AARPConnieB  What does that mean? "Working on getting the gift cards back?" We have been told these will return, but will these really? Or is "working on it" simply an answer to placate everyone? 

It has been long enought to have some idea. Will these be the discounted cards that we were able to purchase before? 

I have never seen such poor response from anyone dealing with customers. There has to be someone in the chain that has some answers? 

[df27853182]

Our patience is running thin!  This is to the point of denial on the part of AARP!  Just like all the articles AARP posts about how to avoid a scam, who knew that AARP would pull the same stunt?!  So very disappointed!  Will not ever recommend this program again! 

[gs9897]

Wow...that's the best ya got after 6-7 weeks of waiting?  You didn't even attempt to address the numerous questions already asked relative to:

1) How Long before the cards return?

2) Will they be the same Carnival gift cards (same increments, same 10% discount)?

3) Will they be E-Cards or physical cards....or both?

4) Will there be controls exerted as to how many cards you can buy each month?

AARP is deliberately ignoring the people on this forum.  Why not be transparent and just tell your CUSTOMERS what's going on?  I don't understand the why the deception or deflection is necessary.

Surely, someone within the AARP organization can give some DEFINITIVE answers here. 

[jc50748700]

AARPConnie, I know you are at your wits end about all the problems AARP is having with their new fulfillment company for Carnival Gift Cards. Can you explain why the lack of progress is keeping everyone in limbo? And are Carnival gift cards going to be introduced again, that are very similar if not exact, to the gift cards competently handled by your previous gift card fullfillment company?

AARP the World awaits your reply! 

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@jc50748700 wrote:

AARPConnie, I know you are at your wits end about all the problems AARP is having with their new fulfillment company for Carnival Gift Cards. Can you explain why the lack of progress is keeping everyone in limbo? And are Carnival gift cards going to be introduced again, that are very similar if not exact, to the gift cards competently handled by your previous gift card fullfillment company?

AARP the World awaits your reply! 

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Even when the Carnival gift cards return, if the first day of AARP Rewards was any indication, the gift cards will now be limited to 1 card per month or up to 3 cards per month if bought from different retailers (whatever that means). I don't know if this new limit is being imposed by AARP or by the new rewards company, HelloWorld Inc. Their former fulfillment company, Deluxe Rewards, didn't impose such drastic limits on Carnival gift cards. I suspect it comes from the new fulfillment company.

AARP, you're now forcing people to become members to buy Carnival gift cards, a stratetic move that I suspect is based on the fact that those gift cards are in high demand, so stop punishing your members even further by imposing this monthly limit. If it's not AARP, then go with a fulfillment company that can handle the demand, like Deluxe Rewards could.

[AARPTeri]

@jc50748700   When posting it is always helpful to use the @ symbol so the person is notified. 

Yes, we will be returning the e-gift cards to the site but do not have a firm date to provide yet.  We are insuring they will work properly.

[nwbw10]

@AARPTerrican I just ask...why not return to simply mailing the plastic gift cards?

You do understand that people PAY for the AARP subscriptions? The ONLY reason we pay for it is to get the gift cards. The new rewards program is an epic fail in every sense. The videos still fail to award points ( at least several of them have been completed by me numerous times with no points). The selection of redeemable items is a complete joke!!!! There really is no benefit at all to this program. I have completeley given up and gone to the "other" rewards program and it has been smooth sailing. I am only saddened that we had just renewed our AARP membership for 3 years 😞

What happened to AARP? Did someone take over who simply has no idea what they are doing? Or, is this a typical "cut costs and screw the customer" move? 

[jc50748700]

@AARPTeri Thank you!

[RussellP197074]

The good news is you can join Drivewise and keep getting points here at the same time. Eventually you will be able to get Carnival Gift Cards from both.

[MirandaV803876]

The only reason I purchased a membership (at 26 years old, mind you) was to be able to continue to purchase Carnival and Royal Carribean gift cards at 10% after they phased out the Rewards for Good program. Now, I cant even earn points because every time i complete a quiz or watch a video I dont receive points and the gift cards arent even showing with no ETA on when they will be available. Not only that, now I'm hearing they will start limiting how many you can buy each month. Had they been upfront about all this from the begining i would have never purchased a memebership. The headache is not worth $16 a year. I will be calling customer service to see if I can cancel and still get my money back as its been less than a week. If anyone else also feels scammed, look into the Allstate rewards program. You dont have to have your insurance through them to take advantage of their rewards, and they are MUCH better than what AARP is offering.

[JohnK969065]

Thank you MirandaV!  I just signed up for Drivewise, now I'll be able to pay off my upcoming cruise with discounted gift cards.  Hopefully AARP brings them back - the only reason I kept my membership and will be canceling it if they don't come back.

[a460667k]

I heard about the Allstate site thru another thread right here......and i checked it out. I am not a driver, nor do i have a fancy phone. Can i still join the Allstate rewards?  I checked out the stie and didnt see how i could.

Anyone know?

It's pathetic that we here on aarp are resorting to this!  Just recently we had a pretty good rewards program ourselves, but now look at what they foisted on us!  Really LOW of them, after all the hype.

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@a460667k wrote:

I heard about the Allstate site thru another thread right here......and i checked it out. I am not a driver, nor do i have a fancy phone. Can i still join the Allstate rewards?  I checked out the stie and didnt see how i could.

Anyone know?

It's pathetic that we here on aarp are resorting to this!  Just recently we had a pretty good rewards program ourselves, but now look at what they foisted on us!  Really LOW of them, after all the hype.

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If you're not an Allstate customer, the only way you can sign up for their rewards program is by using the Allstate smartphone app. Then you earn points by letting the app track your driving, because it's a "safe driving" service, and through promotional codes that come by email.

The Allstate Rewards website is exactly like the old Rewards For Good site because it's the same company that ran RFG.

[a460667k]

Thanks Tab215. It looks like I can't be an Allstate rewards person. No smartphone, and no car, not a driver.
They had to go and change Rewards for Good! ugh. But---there IS hope that the ship gift cards (at 10% off) will come back. Maybe.
Sad to know there is another program, but I can't join! Thanks again for your reply.

[rolaur]

Mine received as well and spent before anything else could go wrong...LOL! I still have a few from the old program to use onboard at the end of the month.

[JohnP366062]

I got my new ecard and spent it. Hallelujah!

[a460667k]

See John,  I told you it would get resolved. They HAD to do something.....you paid for it and they had to make it good. Congratulations! enjoy.

[b74524s]

Got mine too, though I was under the impression I was getting a physical card that was going to be mailed out. 

[b74524s]

AARP Teri, Finally had a response 2 days ago which offered us a return of money or a physical card.  I chose the physical card and was told it would be mailed out yesterday 10/3 with expedited shipping.  This morning I called AARP rewards and the customer service rep told me it could take up to 12 weeks to get the card.   When I asked to speak to a supervisor she said in broken English that should could give me the number of the group that issues the card.   I said sure and then she proceeded to give the the generic number to Carnival Cruise Line.  Frustrating!

[AARPTeri]

@b74524s   I am sorry you had that experience.  I have checked and you will receive an email with the shipping and tracking of the card today.  You can then expect to receive the card tomorrow.  Please let us know if you do not.

[PatB273614]

Can't seem to find the link where I can use my points for carnival gift cards 

[RhondaK916562]

Are these going to be available again?  If so when?

[rolaur]

@AARPTerri Does that mean that they are all going out today? That would be great as I also have a cruise coming up soon. Thanks.

[JohnP366062]

Same here. I've been told "several weeks" I cruise is coming up soon so I really need for it to be delivered sooner rather than later. Ive checked my ups choice and nothing is pending delivery. 

[cooky11111]

Ugh that they are gone!  That's why we were keeping our membership.   We were saving up for a cruise and this made it possible.  It was the best benefit to have a AARP membership.

[a460667k]

You never had to be a member to buy the cards. When our membership ran out, i was still able to buy them. It is fine with me if non members could buy the cards.
I learned about this site thru cruise critic! someone mentioned that rewards for good had the cards discounted, and that is how i got here to begin with. I had no idea what Rewards for Good was, even tho i was an aarp member, before reading about it on Cruise critic.

[RhondaK916562]

You are correct you didn't need to be a member to buy them previously.  Many of the cards now are for members only, however, not sure about the carnival ones because I haven't had the privilege of seeing them on the new site.  I just know that this member would like them to be available.  That was my favorite item offered from AARP member or no member.  I just happen to be a member of AARP and hope they listen to those of us that pay dues.