Balto. Guys Posted September 10, 2016 #1 Share Posted September 10, 2016 We have never gotten Gift Cards. What are the pros and cons of using them? I would only get them if they were discounted. Where is the best place to get them? We are in Balto. Md. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florings Posted September 10, 2016 #2 Share Posted September 10, 2016 There are no cons that I can think of....I only get them when they are discounted also and use them to pay for the cruise, or buy cruise cash or pre-cruise items for the cabin. I live in Florida, so I get them from Publix supermarket when they are available, but I've seen other threads where people get them from AAA and from Verizon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuff_Said Posted September 10, 2016 #3 Share Posted September 10, 2016 We get them from AARP when they are available. They sell them for 10% off in $100 and $500 increments. You don't have to be a paying member to get them, but you do have to accumulate points on their site. It's 1,000 points plus $90 for a $100 card and 5,000 points and $450 for a $500 card. We are using them to pay for our cruise next July plus onboard spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCCruiser1013 Posted September 10, 2016 #4 Share Posted September 10, 2016 We are buying $50 gift cards every month leading up to our cruise in December so that we have at least most of our S&S taken care of. Our grocery store (Giant Eagle) has them and they have amazing discounts on gas when you buy gift cards, so we go that route. I also hear that Verizon and AARP offer them for discounts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobben Posted September 10, 2016 #5 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Just paid our next cruise off using gift cards. Buying them discounted at 10 percent off helped save a few dollars. Our last cruise I took about 1200 in gift cards and had them added onto the sign and sail account once we boarded. We didn't have to worry about a large tab at the end, anything left over on the last night I cashed out in the casino. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firemanbobswife Posted September 10, 2016 #6 Share Posted September 10, 2016 The only con that I can think of is that they aren't refundable. So if you buy some and don't go on a cruise, you can't get your money back. You could try and sell them, but you can't just simply cancel them and get a refund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gramgoingcruising Posted September 10, 2016 #7 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Got mine from Verizon. They are out of them at this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenhem31 Posted September 10, 2016 #8 Share Posted September 10, 2016 We only buy them for fuel perks. We pay for our cruise with them and use them toward our on board account. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daff67 Posted September 10, 2016 #9 Share Posted September 10, 2016 To get the gift cards from AARP, you need to create an account on aarp.org for their rewards for good program. The program is free. You take quizzes to earn points for the gift cards. You'll get points just for signing up. It's 1000 points plus $90 for a $100 gift card. I was able to get one last week but right now, they're not even showing up on their site. I read somewhere else on this board that it happens sometimes but they always show up again. I hear they have $500 gift cards for $450 but I haven't seen those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray98 Posted September 10, 2016 #10 Share Posted September 10, 2016 No cons really.....we used gift cards for about everything last cruise and saved 10%. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetsixteencruisers Posted September 10, 2016 #11 Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) We get ours through Verizon saved 10% as well on the balance of our cruise. Just keep in mind, you CAN NOT use your gift cards for pre-cruise purchases of the cheers pkg, bottomless bubbles or anything from the Bon voyage programs. Edited September 10, 2016 by sweetsixteencruisers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredgram Posted September 10, 2016 #12 Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) To get the gift cards from AARP, you need to create an account on aarp.org for their rewards for good program. The program is free. You take quizzes to earn points for the gift cards. You'll get points just for signing up. It's 1000 points plus $90 for a $100 gift card. I was able to get one last week but right now, they're not even showing up on their site. I read somewhere else on this board that it happens sometimes but they always show up again. I hear they have $500 gift cards for $450 but I haven't seen those. My $500 cards came by UPS and I had to sign for them . The $500 ones go fast on AARP. The $100 cards come by regular mail. Edited September 10, 2016 by retiredgram Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southbayer Posted September 10, 2016 #13 Share Posted September 10, 2016 I just bought 4 $500.00 cards for my B2B cruise coming up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RecoveryDude Posted September 11, 2016 #14 Share Posted September 11, 2016 One of the best reasons to sail carnival is the 10% off gift cards! I pay for the ENTIRE cruise ... plus S&S and all excursions with these cards! I get at least 10% off EVERYTHING! I keep a watch out for the 15% off eBay flash sales too. FYI ...can't do that with the discount Royal Caribbean gift "certificates" that are sold on VZ/AARP ... with those, you can only use ONE per cruise ... and can only be used AFTER you have paid the deposit. Cannot be used for S&S account either. So basically you can get $50 off your RCCL booking. That's it. No thanks, I will stick with Carnival where I get 10% off it all!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalaDragonflyLady Posted September 11, 2016 #15 Share Posted September 11, 2016 I can't think of any cons. While you can't currently use them to purchase pre-cruise items, I have read that they are "working on it". I've never received a gift card that had an expiration date, so IMO it doesn't matter that they are "non-refundable". In addition to AARP and Verizon, Citibank has them as well (City Easy Deals). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cousin Eddie Posted September 12, 2016 #16 Share Posted September 12, 2016 One con to remember for all gift cards, not just Carnival, is that they are cash equivalents. This means if your card get lost or stolen or the card balance is stolen or somehow lost you will be taking the loss, as opposed to some level of fraud or loss protection on credit cards and some debit cards. You can mitigate the risk somewhat by applying the cards to a booking shortly after purchasing. Obviously the longer you hold the cards the greater the risk. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave994 Posted September 12, 2016 #17 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Is there a way Canadians can buy them or are we out of luck? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIENA6334 Posted September 12, 2016 #18 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I buy mine at kroger-during the summer and fall they run specials to earn 4X the fuel points. I buy off and on till my cruise and usually have enough to take care of my SS card plus save a ton on gas!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum53 Posted September 12, 2016 #19 Share Posted September 12, 2016 Is there a way Canadians can buy them or are we out of luck? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Call Carnival and ask if and where they are sold in Canada. Check the gift card display at your local grocery store, as well as Walmart (if there's one in your area). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum53 Posted September 12, 2016 #20 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I buy mine at kroger-during the summer and fall they run specials to earn 4X the fuel points. I buy off and on till my cruise and usually have enough to take care of my SS card plus save a ton on gas!! Ditto! In fact, Kroger is selling gift cards (including Carnival) this week with 4X the fuel points. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidecat Posted September 12, 2016 #21 Share Posted September 12, 2016 I can't think of any cons. While you can't currently use them to purchase pre-cruise items, I have read that they are "working on it". You can pay for Carnival shore excursions prior to your cruise using gift cards. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kctwinmommy Posted September 12, 2016 #22 Share Posted September 12, 2016 We get them from AARP when they are available. They sell them for 10% off in $100 and $500 increments. You don't have to be a paying member to get them, but you do have to accumulate points on their site. It's 1,000 points plus $90 for a $100 card and 5,000 points and $450 for a $500 card. We are using them to pay for our cruise next July plus onboard spending. We do the same. The benefit being we save $50! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalaDragonflyLady Posted September 12, 2016 #23 Share Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) You can pay for Carnival shore excursions prior to your cruise using gift cards. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes you can............I should have been more specific............currently you can't pay for in-cabin items (and the other things mentioned by sweetsixteencruisers) pre-cruise :D Edited September 12, 2016 by LibratPDX Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daff67 Posted September 15, 2016 #24 Share Posted September 15, 2016 AARP Carnival gift cards are available! $100 and $ 500! Sent from my SM-G920P using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheermomof2girls Posted September 15, 2016 #25 Share Posted September 15, 2016 We purchased some at Kroger with 4x fuel points- used those to pay off our cruise balance and saved a ton on fuel. We have also purchased a few $500 ones from AARP to get the 10% off. I figure, it's money we would be spending anyway, but this way we either get savings from the gift card amount or from the fuel points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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