Three Exciting New AARP Rewards Cruise Line Gift Cards!

[AARPTeri]

Week of 3/28/22, we’ve added the following three gift cards to the Rewards catalog:

• Royal Caribbean Digital Gift Card (Members Only)
• $450 ($500 Value 10% off)
• $90 ($100 Value 10% off)

• Holland America Line Digital Gift Card (Available to all)
• $450 ($500 Value 10% off)
• $90 ($100 Value 10% off)

• Princess- Digital Gift Card (Available to all)
• $450 ($500 Value 10% off)
• $90 ($100 Value 10% off)

Redeem yours today! https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/ 

[AARPJanelleM]

@SandraW323746 Good question, Sandra. We recommend that you check out the Rewards terms and redemption instructions shown on the item redemption page for complete info. 

[LauraL263632]

Hi,  I purchased 4-$500 Princess GC's and 1-$500 Holland America GC's on 2/18/23.  I received one Princess GC (Order # 8058) and the Holland America GC.   I'm missing three $500 Princess cards.  Checked spam folder and not there.  Checked my credit card statement and was charged for 5.  Can you resend? 

Thanks Laura

[JoyceW364692]

Did you end up getting the gift cards? how much longer did you wait?

[AARPJanelleM]

@LauraL263632 It can take up to 24 hours to receive the replacement emails and they were sent yesterday. Let me know if there's anything further we can do!

[KathlindaR821521]

We just purchased five $500 Holland America gift cards for $450 each through AARP to help pay for our upcoming cruise. I entered each of the five gift cards for payment, however, Holland America only valued each gift card at $450, not the $500 as promoted on your website. Were the giftf cards that were sent to me mis-valued? It really wasn't worth buying the gift cards. Please advise.

[AARPJanelleM]

@KathlindaR821521 Thanks for letting us know. Were you able to get to the bottom of this when you gave us a call? The notes on your account show that you were able to check the balance with a phone agent. If you're still having an issue with the available balance on the gift cards you purchased, please reach out to Holland America Line. They can be reached via email at HALgiftcardsupport@hollandamerica.com or phone 1-855-501-4161. Complete gift card terms and conditions can be found on their site: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy/gift-card-terms-and-conditions.html

[JodiB988076]

I ordered three Princess gift cards 3 days ago and have yet to receive an email with the gift card info (PIN). (We even checked the spam folder.)   I checked my VISA statement, and I was charged the correct amount.  Let me know what I should do.

[AARPJanelleM]

@JodiB988076 Thanks for flagging. We escalated this for you when you contacted us via chat. You can expect a resolution within 3-5 business days. I'm always here to help!

[CarleighP686036]

Would you please resend me the email for the gift card that I purchased on 5/22/23? I can't find it anywhere. (Sorry for posting here, I'm new and I don't know how to make a new post or contact you directly.) Thank you!

[AARPJanelleM]

@CarleighP686036 Hi Carleigh, thanks for participating in the Rewards program! Your request was processed when you called us; please let me know if you need anything further!

[JenniferT825967]

I can't seem to get to that area of the website. I keep getting redirected to the "get started" page.

[BillD916633]

Consider yourself lucky. See @JodiB988076  post above

[KellyT739254]

Me, too!

[pennyring]

Hi @AARPJanelleM ,

I purchased (5) Princess Cruises gift cards, but only received emails for (4) of them. Would you be able to resend? I'm looking for the one ending in 62.

Thank you,

Amber

[AARPJanelleM]

@pennyring Sure thing, Amber! I re-sent that email for you, it should be delivered within 24 hours. Be sure to also check your spam folder. Let me know if there's anything further I can do!

[pennyring]

You're amazing!  Received moments ago and I have paid off our cruise! Appreciate your quick help! ❤️

[RogerR733153]

I purchased the Royal Caribbean cards to pay off a cruise balance.  Went to my cruise account to and it didn't take it.  I called to void and refund and was told that AARP's policy is to do nothing to help.  Buyer Beware, How is this advocating for older retired people???  You just expect people to lose their funds if they cannot use the card and need that money.  This seems so anti what this organization is supposed to stand for.  And...you warn people about scams.  AARP should assist with errors , especially when notified within minutes of the transaction. 

[LCWATER]

I agree. I'm stuck with a $500 Royal Caribbean gift card that I paid $450 a year ago. The initial "can only apply to a new reservation" did not show up on my screen when I first ordered it. Noticed it after I received it. Immediately called AARP asking could I reverse/cancel and was told no. Even asked could I just change to 5-$100 gift cards; still was told no. I've used AARP Carnival gift cards with no problem up until then. I have gone on 2 Royal Caribbean cruises since purchasing with another cruise booked. Unfortunately because you have to pay a deposit when you book and you can't apply the gift card at the time of booking, my balance owed for the cruise ends up being under $500. Unlike Carnival gift cards, you can't even carry the balance over, nor apply it to gratuities, nor use it towards your onboard acct, etc. I'm out $450 and I'm on fixed income. I even asked Royal can they credit my credit card back the deposit amount once the gift card is applied and was told no. I would just forfeit the gift card balance as it doesn't carry over. I would never ever recommend the $500 gift card from AARP unless you're booking a more expensive cruise or a cruise where multiple people are going to be in the cabin that will take your total cruise up to over $500. 

[RogerR733153]

Yes, this is completely outrageous that AARP does not work with its members on this. This is supposed to be a group advocating for older adults and the fine print is easy to overlook.  Royal is at fault too for putting out such a bad/useless product that truly has no benefit.  When you are used to the convenience of the Carnival Cards, you do not expect the Royal cards to be so restrictive.  I had to work through Royal to get my card applied to my booking, many calls and departments and waited many weeks but did finally get it applied.  I also posted my disappointment on Royal's many social media accounts.

[jkpalmer]

Royal is really picky about the use of gift certificates/gift cards. 

You have to book directly with Royal (after the booking is made they can transfer it to your TA for you).

You make the deposit with your credit card just like always.

Then, RIGHT THEN, you can use the gift cards/certificates to pay on your cruise. 

If you have $100 cards, you can use up to 9, if you have $500 cards, same thing, up to 9 cards. 

Whatever the balance is after using the cards, that cannot be paid for with cards later on. It must be paid for with your credit card before the final payment date. 

The cards can NOT be used on ship. 

I just got off the phone with Crown&Anchor and they passed me to 3 people, the final one a supervisor. I wrote all the details down and this is their policy as it stands Oct 1, 2023 per the supervisor of Incentives. However, if you purchase cards directly from their web page(there is not a discounted rate for them) those cards, can be used on ship, Here is a cut and paste they sent me in an email related to the conversation. "Use them towards the purchase of a cruise or for onboard credit toward the spa, gift shop, bar, specialty restaurants and more."

----

Just thought I would let everyone know how fair Carnival is with their redemption policy. 

[AARPJanelleM]

@RogerR733153 Hi Roger, thank you for taking the time to reach out. All purchases made with AARP Rewards are final and we are unable to process refunds. I understand that you attempted to use your gift cards to pay off a cruise balance. The Terms & Conditions for this item state that the gift card must be used on a new reservation. I'm terribly sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. If you are having an issue with applying the gift card to a new reservation, we recommend that you reach out to Royal Caribbean for assistance. 

[shamit]

@RogerR733153 :  I think you will be able to use it on your next cruise.  RC gift card terms says the reservation has to be made through RC, not through a Travel Agent.  But the big thing is it has to be on a new reservation.  So I guess that means you can't pay off an existing reservation with one of these gift cards.  It appears as if it can only be used towards the deposit on a new cruise booked at RC.  So hopefully you can use it if you cruise with Royal again.  Don't throw it away!  Use it when you book your next reservation.

[KennethG683811]

@AARPTeri - would you be able to tell me if these gift cards expire at all??  I had an unfortunate experience this week where a gas gift card I had used a lot of points on had expired, I would like to know if any 'fine print' before I get one of these - thanks!

Kenneth

[AARPJanelleM]

@KennethG683811 Be sure to check the terms and conditions for each specific gift card. The official terms and conditions are shown once you click an item on the redemption page: https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/ Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!