Royal Caribbean Coupons (not gift cards) are a rip off and AARP won't help

[Karyn8]

 I bought a few RCL "coupons". I emailed them as per the description. I did see that the whole coupon must be used. I had a balance higher then the certificate but .......they won't apply it to port fees. I lost $36 dollars . I called RCL spent hours getting shifted around to be told they can't see if the balance was still there or even see the certificate in their system. They said ONLY AARP can see it since they sold me the certificate. I call AARP and they say call RCL. I explain what's transpired and they essentially say Tough luck!  I asked them to make a 3 way call and advocate on my behalf NO NO NO!!! They will note what RCL says and tells me will document my issue but I loose my money anyway.  I just happened to renew my membership last week for $63 and demanded they reverse this since I can't loose my money on a company that doesn't try to help.

   20 years I have been a member and regret it terribly. They are not in it for us seniors but only themselves like any greedy for profit company, sad reality.

[RenateW69623]

I have never used any of these cruise gift cards, so just looked at one out of curiosity.  It says to contact RCL customer service for any questions about these gift cards, but it sounds like from your experience that information is not correct.  Just one more negative thing about this rewards program.

[Karyn8]

 RCL said they can't even look up the "certificate" I need to contact the Vendor that sold them. AARP said they look up the certificate call the vendor to redeem them. I spent hours on hold trying to get things straightened out and finally was told tough by AARP. There are more restrictions then what's printed on the web page on AARP when you go to buy one. I submitted the "coupon" and it was partially applied and I lost 40% of it's value. I owed more then the coupon so didn't understand and was told it can't be applied to any balance of port fees or tax in the cruise fare. SO I paid the $40 with a visa doubling my loss. 

  In the fine print they don't even call this a gift certificate...........

"

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

GIFT DEVICES MUST BE REDEEMED DIRECTLY THROUGH ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL® for the U.S. dollar value shown on the face of the Gift Device."

[like92115]

Sorry to hear your problems with the gift cards.

Did AARP return your renewal money as you demanded? You're using their website so I don't know how that was resolved.

Best wishes to you.😞

[Karyn8]

 You don't have to be a member to use this web site. They said they would credit my husbands visa the $63. That amount alone is a rip off. I complied with the terms of the coupon BUT there were extra terms not specified when purchasing the coupon.