Warning on using Carnival Gift Cards

[Jdfireman]

I ask again what phone number did use to call amazon please i am not buying this story

[4_THE_HALIBUT]

I also purchased $1500 worth of Carnival gift card from Amazon in December for the Chase Freedom offer. My intent was to apply to my S&S account for my April cruise. Informed by guest services that six of the $100 cards had zero dollar balances. After the cruise, I was able to find out they were already redeemed prior to my cruise. Spent weeks with Amazon and Carnival trying to get some resolution. Amazon sent me back to Carnival. Carnival sent me back to Amazon. Just a continuous circle. Carnival was very explicit that they could not help me because I did not purchase the gift cards from them. I filed a dispute with my credit card, but it was denied because too much time had passed.

 

I'm just amazed that Amazon doesn't provide better protection since they are selling on behalf of someone else. Guess I'm just naive.

[cruizinisthebest]

Don't buy gift cards from Amazon!

 

That is all.

 

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[splintz]

i have used 10 gift cards that i bought from verizon with no problems. but it is true i have never been asked for a pin#. and i have used them on the computer and also have given the numbers over the phone. i think a simple solution to this would be for carnival to start requiring the pin# when you use them.

[ImaginationCruiseBride]

It sounds like the only time anybody has trouble with the gift cards they were purchased from Amazon, so I'm assuming the problem is with Amazon and not with gift cards in general.

[DrPepper7]

The issue is not whether the cards have a pin or not. Its the fact that Carnival does not require the pin to use the card. So, anyone who goes on the Carnival website and guesses a gift card number (which is not hard to do at all!!) can use someone else's money. This is entirely Carnival's issue for not having enough security for their cards. I was able to go to Carnival's site and find a valid $500 gift card after only 2 guesses!!! So if I could do it that easily, so can all the actual thieves out there.

 

The OP bought the cards in 12/15 and they were all valid. But before they had a chance to use them, someone else used them by the method stated above. So, Amazon did nothing wrong...they sold valid cards that the numbers were then stolen off of. And it is Carnival's fault that they make it so easy to steal card numbers.

 

I posted again to John Heald today, and he says to leave it with him and he will get it to the right people, so hopefully they correct it soon and begin requiring the pin numbers.

[cruizinisthebest]

They can start requiring all the pin #s they want, until or unless Amazon stops selling empty cards, the problem will continue with AMAZON.

 

I've gotten numerous cards over the years with the same number sequence until the last 4 numbers. Never had a problem with the balance being zero. To me it seems obvious that the issue is with Amazon. Who would buy another from them even if they did start requiring pin #s? Not me!

 

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Edited August 19, 2016 by cruizinisthebest

[DrPepper7]

All my gift cards are from AARP, so likely the one I was able to guess is also from AARP (assuming that they have the cards with the closest numbers chronologically). So, it isn't an issue with Amazon cards.

[luv2trvlnow]

It sounds like the only time anybody has trouble with the gift cards they were purchased from Amazon, so I'm assuming the problem is with Amazon and not with gift cards in general.

 

I agree the problem seems to be with Amazon. Even though I had no problem with my 2 cards. I wonder if they aren't training their people to activate the cards. I know something has to be done so the gift card can be used, otherwise people would steal the cards and use them. If you buy them in a store the cashier does something to make that card usable.

[DrPepper7]

The Amazon cards may be stolen more frequently, but the potential is there for any card.

[ray98]

They can start requiring all the pin #s they want, until or unless Amazon stops selling empty cards, the problem will continue with AMAZON.

 

 

 

This problem wasn't because Amazon sold 'empty gift cards'. All cards had the appropriate balances and per Carnival the two which were empty were used by someone in April.

[gfsmith]

The issue is not whether the cards have a pin or not. Its the fact that Carnival does not require the pin to use the card. So, anyone who goes on the Carnival website and guesses a gift card number (which is not hard to do at all!!) can use someone else's money. This is entirely Carnival's issue for not having enough security for their cards. I was able to go to Carnival's site and find a valid $500 gift card after only 2 guesses!!! So if I could do it that easily, so can all the actual thieves out there.

 

The OP bought the cards in 12/15 and they were all valid. But before they had a chance to use them, someone else used them by the method stated above. So, Amazon did nothing wrong...they sold valid cards that the numbers were then stolen off of. And it is Carnival's fault that they make it so easy to steal card numbers.

 

I posted again to John Heald today, and he says to leave it with him and he will get it to the right people, so hopefully they correct it soon and begin requiring the pin numbers.

 

You are exactly right Amazon did nothing wrong nor did the OP. Waiting so long to use the cards was not a good idea though. just my opinion.

[cruizinisthebest]

This problem wasn't because Amazon sold 'empty gift cards'. All cards had the appropriate balances and per Carnival the two which were empty were used by someone in April.

 

It was empty by the time they decided to use it. And you shouldn't feel compelled to rush and use them just in case someone gets to it first. I have gift cards for my sailing last week that I brought months ago. All of the correct balances are still there. Even using some cards partially for excursions or whatever, the remaining balance is correct.

 

I've never gotten a gift card from Amazon. Never saw the point. They aren't discounted or anything. But like I said, my brother got one for me. And out of the many that I've purchased and several as gifts, the one from Amazon was the only one with an issue. I don't see how requiring a pin # for their cards or any other solves the problem. If they are ecards, then the pin for it can be gotten too. But to each his or her own. I have paid off two cruises with these cards plus spending money and deposits on others. And I've gotten them from Verizon, AARP, ebay (ecards), and my local grocery store. So I can stick with those options or the card site. Amazon is no Bueno pin or not based on my own experience.

 

To make them truly more secure, require a pin and scramble all of the digit - not just the last 4.

[heffa72]

You might be able to buy Cruise Cash but I'm not sure. I'll have to try it. Of course that is use it or lose it so be sure to stay on top of your balance once on the ship.

 

Nope, never mind. I forgot you can't use GCs on Funshop purchases.

 

Is cruise cash handled the same way as if you had used cards to fund your sail and sign? If so, I would imagine you could cash out at the casino the way some recommend? (Move all the funds onto a slot machine and then cash out.)

 

Or is cash handled/treated differently?

[firemanbobswife]

Is cruise cash handled the same way as if you had used cards to fund your sail and sign? If so, I would imagine you could cash out at the casino the way some recommend? (Move all the funds onto a slot machine and then cash out.)

 

 

 

Or is cash handled/treated differently?

 

 

You will need to cash out. With gift cards, you will either get a check or another gift card (people have reported both). Cruise cash you lose any that's left over if you don't cash out.

[martinchem]

I think if Carnival required the pin number to be used for all transactions that would take care the problem. There is an issue with the security of these cards otherwise.

[elainmir]

OP Amazon did indeed have Carnival gift cards in the past...I thought about doing a few for gifts for others but when I went back they were gone. No mas...I love Amazon and Carnival but the issue lies with both...Carnival should require a pin number and Amazon's GC's should've had a pin!

[Sparky2]

For everyone that has had an issue there are thousands that have not. No need to worry about anything until there is actually something to worry about.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

 

Edit: BTW those cards can be used for down payments on future cruises while on the ship.

 

I have a $500 one right now & plan to order another one before our cruise this coming January. I plan to book next year's B2B while on that cruise.

[Sparky2]

Just checked the balance on all of my $100 cards, and they're all OK. Hope they're still OK in January.

[3redheads]

For those who suggested the OP waited too long to use the money, unless you are booking another cruise, you cannot use them for OBC. I'm currently holding on to a few cards for my October trip. I obtained them from Verizon. Before that, I was able to apply $2000+ in gift cards in order to pay for my cruise.

 

If you google sites to check your gift card balance, you come up with many sketchy sites. Be careful where you plug in the card # and PIN. The OFFICIAL site can be accessed through a link on the Carnival site:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/564/~/credit-card-gift-cards-and-carnival-gift-card-payments

[cruzelover55]

For those who suggested the OP waited too long to use the money, unless you are booking another cruise, you cannot use them for OBC. I'm currently holding on to a few cards for my October trip. I obtained them from Verizon. Before that, I was able to apply $2000+ in gift cards in order to pay for my cruise.

 

If you google sites to check your gift card balance, you come up with many sketchy sites. Be careful where you plug in the card # and PIN. The OFFICIAL site can be accessed through a link on the Carnival site:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/564/~/credit-card-gift-cards-and-carnival-gift-card-payments

 

Glad to hear your response. You are right and I hadn't thought of it, that, I shouldn't just check willy nilly to see if I have a balance. That could indeed be a way to put the cards into someone else's hands. This thread has me a little freaked, as I buy gift cards all the time from many retailers other than Carnival. Have never had a problem. BUT, had never bought Carnival cards until for this upcoming cruise. As I stated earlier, I purchased some (through AARP) that I used towards the cruise, and have $1000. left to use ON the cruise. I have had them about 6 months. Supposed to be a surprise for my husband, hope it is not a surprise for ME!:eek:

[DobbyMO]

Good luck. JH will just post it on his Facebook page asking the masses what he should do about it and then his loyal followers will blame you saying its all your fault :o Get ready for it is all Im saying.

 

 

Actually most of the posts have been supportive, (see John's Facebook page, my post there was around the same time as this one 9:00 am 8/18/2016).

 

One lady posted that she was actually able to find a gift card with a $100 balance that she could have stolen, but of course she did not. It took her 2 tries.

 

John seemed supportive, but more than 24 hours have passed and no response from anyone at Carnival.

[DobbyMO]

I totally understand your frustration, but I don't see this as Carnival's problem. I agree that you need to follow up with Amazon. They are the seller of the gift cards.

 

That is an issue with gift cards that the company has no way of knowing who used the cards. I'm not sure they could find out who used the exact numbers like katmike suggested. But that would sure help.

 

I respectfully disagree. Amazon sold us $300 of Carnival approved Gift Cards. I received $300 of gift cards. When I went to use the cards, $200 of the cards value was gone. Carnival could tell us the date and time to the minute they were used. They won't tell us who used the cards for "security" reasons. Carnival knows who used them. They said they would tell Law Enforcement but not us. Unfortunately , our local Law Enforcement said basically "Miami, where Carnival accepted the stolen property, is out of our jurisdiction".

 

The flaw with the gift cards is that they are easy to guess the next number and it just takes a "bad guy" some time to figure what card number is "Lucky". From there, they can sell that Lucky number to someone and that someone uses the card. Poof, your money is gone and Carnival says "To bad, not our problem".

[DobbyMO]

Ty for the info Please provide the phone # to call amazon... thank you

 

They have many phone numbers, a Google search gives me 1 (888) 280-4331. That is one of the numbers I used. Between my wife and I, we have called Amazon on this matter over 5 times and spent well over 3 hours taking to them. Their basic answer is that it is Carnival's problem.

 

It is also interesting that Amazon no longer sells Carnival Gift cards. The reviews on the cards they sold shows many unhappy customers.

[DobbyMO]

For everyone that has had an issue there are thousands that have not. No need to worry about anything until there is actually something to worry about.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

 

Edit: BTW those cards can be used for down payments on future cruises while on the ship.

 

I am just trying to give people a heads up and bring light to a bad situation. I hope you enjoy your cruise :) and if you have any gift cards, no one steals them. If and when that happens, I and many others will feel your pain.

 

With the world today, I am afraid situations like mine are going to happen much more frequently until Carnival makes these cards much more secure.