Carnival gift cards

[juditha99205]

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

Am I looking in the wrong spot?

[MarthaP479184]

Carnival gift cards can be used to buy anything carnival sells . . . except for other gift cards.  So yes, you can use them for your cruise fare.   

If you have already made a deposit on a cruise that you booked directly through Carnival then log in to  your carnival.com account, navigate to your cruise, then go to make payment.   It will give you the option to pay all or part of your balance by gift card.

If you booked through a travel agent, call the TA and feed them the gift card number over the phone.

[shamit]

You can use it for both.  To pay towards your unpaid cruise balance you can do it online.  There is a choice of using a gift card and you enter the number.  If that doesn't work you can call and they will do it. 

It also be added to your sail and sign card either at the kiosk or at Guest Services once onboard not before.  It also can be used ahead of time to purchase drink packagess, excursions, internet packages, and gifts.

Now if you were buying the Celebrity or Royal Caribbean gift cards they can only be used when booking a new cruise. 

[OrganizedChaos75]

AARPTeri's reply indicates, to me, that AARP has no idea when the Carnival cards will return. I think the problem comes from outsourcing their rewards program to an outside company. There's a disconnect between AARP and HelloWorld, and AARP doesn't always know what's going on. Many people have experienced headaches dealing with the old Rewards For Good customer service and Allstate Reward's customer service. Those reps are often in the dark because an outside company handles the programs, leaving them with little knowledge of what's happening.

AARPTeri is advertising the other features of AARP Rewards, but what they don't understand is that many people used Rewards For Good, and are trying to use AARP Rewards, solely for the Carnival gift cards. That's why they are here, many don't care about those other features. And I believe AARP knows how valuable those Carnival gift cards are to them because they made them members-only. They're using those gift cards to gain new membership, but thanks to this new rewards service and the company that runs it, it's having the opposite effect.

[AARPTeri]

@OrganizedChaos75 , @juditha99205 , @LindaF69700 @KandyP234702 

The carnival $100 ecards are now back on our site.  To purchase you can find them offered in the Members Only section of the catalog - https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/members/

Please remember that you may purchase 1 gift card from this retailer per month and up to a total of 3 gift cards, each from a different retailer, per month.

[n437089m]

When will they offer 500 carnival gift cards or are they gone? 

[WaltDittrich]

They're available now: https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/members/

I had to scroll down a couple of pages, but they're there.

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@n437089m wrote:

When will they offer 500 carnival gift cards or are they gone? 

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The company AARP uses to distribute the gift cards doesn't seem interested in the $500 ones. If they haven't shown up by now, I doubt they ever will.

[AARPJessicaT]

@n437089m Only $100 egift card are available at this time. 

[TulaTula2]

I am an AARP member and see that the Carnival digital cards are available. I just want to make sure that there are actually digital codes being emailed and not the physical plastic card being mailed as the timeframe for delivery will take too long for my use. The last time I bought this was in 2018 and the digital method has been discontinued?

[jc50748700]

I am so sorely disappointed in AARP. Before their switch to their new fullfillment provider(the original one was Delux Rewards), there was never a hitch, hiccup, or burp. But with their new provider, who ONLY provides e-cards(not the plastic cards that come through the mail) plus the fact that when AARP rolled out their new 'Rewards' program, and they finally became available, people bought them, AND when they got the e-cards, they did not come with the PIN number! And only 1 purchase per monthh....AND you have to be an AARP member. I'm sorry, but those restraints do not appeal to me in the least.

AARP, ARE YOU LISTENING??? 

I'm sorry, but I have to move on.  In fact I have......to Allstate Rewards. They STILL use Delux Rewards as their gift card fullfillment provider....with PLASTIC cards sent through the mail.....or UPS. In fact, today(Jan.27, 2019) I ordered a $500.00 gift card from them(for that same 10% discount that we've all come to love). They have them all in stock.In fact, they offer a $1,000 Carnival Gift Card. PLUS..... you do not have to be an Allstate Insurance Company policy holder. BUT....you do have to jump through some hoops in order to garner points to accumulate enough to purchase a gift card from them if you are not an Allstate policy holder. Points are sooooo easy to come by. 

I'm almost convinced that the reason for AARP to change fullfillment companies who provide their gift cards to the millions of AARP members, was a business decision. But In my humble opinion, it was a poor business decision.....for what evert the reason. 

Sorry to make this longwinded. I'm off my soapbox now. Just know that there ARE alternatives out there. God bless.

[LauraB773202]

How do you get points if you are not an Allstate policy holder?

[nwbw10]

you recieve emails with codes. There are facebook groups that help by sharing codes also. I have paid for 3 cruises with Allstate rewards (I am not a policy holder). I cannot even pay for one cruise with the aarp rewards now that they are limited to one $100/month. I will NOT renew AARP for this reason.

[RussellP197074]

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@nwbw10 wrote:

you recieve emails with codes. There are facebook groups that help by sharing codes also. I have paid for 3 cruises with Allstate rewards (I am not a policy holder). I cannot even pay for one cruise with the aarp rewards now that they are limited to one $100/month. I will NOT renew AARP for this reason.

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I can understand your frustration, however membership only costs around or uner $20 per year.  You ca purchase $200 worth of cards and it pays for itself. And you don't need to use points.  I'm retired, and I have the Medigap through AARP, so the little bit of cards I can get are still better than nothing, as long as they are cards and not e-cards, which I don't trust. My next cruise isn't until next April right now so I can get one per month until January, before final payment is due.  In the meantime I can also use points to purchase cards at Allstate, and get as many as I need just before final payment is due, to make up the difference, while saving as many necessary points as I can in Allstate for the next one.  I can get better restaurant cards in Allstate as well, than what is offered now in AARP.  Allstate's program is the same one AARP used to have.  Those of us that have experience with AARP's old program can appreciate that.  Emphasis on appreciate!

[a460667k]

Ecards have worked fine for me. But i find it PATHETIC that people have had to go to Allstate, and for good reason!  And telling everyone on the AARP site.  I am so disappointed that they have given us a vastly inferior program, and touted it last year so much. Ugh. Don't even come here anymore. No point in it. I'll have to try Allstate, but without a smartphone, and not a driver, it is hard to join.

If anyone is interested, it may make sense to get a Carnival Mastercard. I have one, and you know the deal, you get points for what you spend on it.  I sometimes forget about using those points. Anyway, now i can get some Carnival gift cards for free, using just my mastercard points. Free. No, it wont pay for a whole cruise, but whatever i get is not 10% off, it is free. Or, I can use it for the onboard gratuities.

So anyway, just putting it out there about the Carnival mastercard since people are so interested in the Carnival gift cards.  I have not regret having it, and double points on Carnival purchases too. And I also have found their security to be fine.

[PaulP539039]

I agree that AARP is pathetic when it comes to Carnival gift cards.  The onld program was so much better, the new program almost worthless.

However, I do not agree about the Carnival Mastercard.  If you are in the market for a rewards card, do a bit of internet research.  Points earned on the Carnival card have a variable value, even when used for cruise related purchases.  My understanding is that Carnival points are often worth less than one cent a point (i.e.,  less than 1%), even when used on cruise related purchases.  In comparison, a simple cash back card like the no annual fee Citi Double Cash card with 2% cash back on every purchase would be a better card no matter where you use the reward cash.   And there are many other rewards cards that seem to do better than the Carnival card.  Anyways, do your research!

[a460667k]

@PaulP539039      You are correct in that there are probably some better cash back cards. I got my carnival mastercard a long time ago on a cruise. I think when you use the points on a cruise related thing, you get the most value for the points.  I just mentioned the card because so many people are interested in the 10% off gift cards. If they had a Carnival credit card, a few of those gift cards would be absolutely free.

[pp17339694]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I don't understand how having the Carnival Credit Card can get you any Carnival Gift cards "absolutely free."    You still have to pay for ninety percent of the gift card.  If you use a credit card to pay for the gift card, you can get rewards back.   But paying for the gift card with a cash back card like the Citi Double cash gets you more rewards than paying for the gift card with the Carnival Credit Card.  If you are trying to say that you can use Carnival points to purchase Carnival gift cards directly from Carnival and so they are "free", well, you could use your cash back from Citi Double cash to also buy those gift cards from Carnival, and I guess that would also be free.

Anyways, I am beginning to sound like a jerk, so will not post any more on this topic.  Lol

[df27853182]

Download thier app and drive.  You can earn points fairly wuickly too and their delivery time for the cards is about 10 business days

[WilliamJ383974]

I logged onto my Allstate account from 2 years ago when I had renter's insurance and didn't see anything about rewards.  Do you have to load the phone app (which i am betting allows them to sell your driving history to other insurance companies)?  Because for me that is too high a price for a measly 10% off a cruise.

BTW, as someone mentioned, the AARP gift card now requires you join AARP.  Is there a limit on how many of the $100 Carnival cards can be bought at one time for $90 each?  I don't want to join and see that I can only buy 1, 2 or 3 a month.  I happen to prefer e-gift cards because I can get them quickly (assuming they don't have long processing delays).

[OrganizedChaos75]

@WilliamJ383974People who aren't Allstate policy holders have to use the Allstte app to create a Drivewise/Rewards account. The app does not function without giving it access to your phone's GPS for Drivewise tracking. I don't know if the process is any different for policy holders. AARP only allows us to buy 1 Carnival gift card per month. If you have a spouse with you on the AARP membership account, they can create their own AARP Rewards account and that enables you to buy two per month. To require an AARP membership just to buy the Carnival cards, then limit us to 1/month, is insulting. But there's nothing we can do. They seem to have convinced themselves this is a better program and show little regard to the fact that so many people don't like it, including paying members.

[LauraB773202]

Thank you! I'm looking into it now. It appears they have $100, $500 and $1,000 card options like AARP use to have. 

[b74524s]

Laura, I found them also, but it doesn't seen to have them discounted.   Can you give instructions on how you do it?

[LauraB773202]

All State shows that they have the same discount as AARP use to, you have to create an account and then go to rewards and see the rewards that have ava. It's a 10% discount.

[df27853182]

I also switched to Allstate but do not carry their insurance. 

I ordered several $100 cards as Christmas gifts for some that I knew would be cruising. It was great!  There has been no problem!  

AARP hasn't listened in a long time and I will not be renewing my membership when it is due.  Hate it because I used to like the program now I don't see anything that's related to me at all. 

[KandyP234702]

@AARPTeri The e-cards may be there, but these are not discounted cards. There is no benefit to getting these cards via AARP at all. 

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@KandyP234702 wrote:

@AARPTeri The e-cards may be there, but these are not discounted cards. There is no benefit to getting these cards via AARP at all. 

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The 10% off Carnival cards are currently available, but only the $100 card (for $90). Go to your rewards account, click on Redeem, then the Members Only tab. Just be aware that some people aren't getting the cards when they buy them and it doesn't appear AARP has resolved the problem yet.

[KandyP234702]

I did find them now, thank you. But, I am concerned that you mention that some people are not getting them? Are these the actual gift cards, or an ecard? It appears that you would get the actual card, although limited to one a month. But, if you pay and don't get it, that is a whole new headache!

[OrganizedChaos75]

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@KandyP234702 wrote:

I did find them now, thank you. But, I am concerned that you mention that some people are not getting them? Are these the actual gift cards, or an ecard? It appears that you would get the actual card, although limited to one a month. But, if you pay and don't get it, that is a whole new headache!

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These are the e'cards. Some people who ordered them were getting the confirmation email, but not the actual email that contains the gift card number & PIN. If it makes you feel any better, I have seen a few people say they finally got the email. It took several hours, but it came.

I don't know if that was due to the efforts of AARP or if that's just how long some of them are normally taking. In the past, with the company that ran Rewards for Good, the email containing the e'cards were said to come within an hour, but usually arrived within 5-15 minutes. If this new company, HelloWorld, is to blame for e'cards taking several hours to arrive, then that's just another strike against them.

[JohnK969065]

Only 1 - $100 gift card per month???  $500 gift cards aren't available?  Our AARP membership is up in July 2020, we will NOT be renewing.  Even though we didn't need an AARP membership in the past to purchase the gift cards we felt it was only right to support AARP by keeping our membership up.  No reason now for us to keep it.  Bad move AARP, bad move.

[s665921l]

I originally sent my inquiry about this back at the end of September when this new program first came out.  Still no update, just that they are coming.  Carnival gift cards and other discounts are one of the main reasons we all join.  We also feel that we deserve more of an answer since that was 6 wks ago.  @AARPTeri @AARPConnieB

Can some one please provide an answer from AARP?