Opinions about No Refund for FCC if you aren’t allowed to Cruise

[dog]

19 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

But when I purchased them there were no restrictions  preventing me from using the cards. In fact I used the cards for a cruise they cancelled and now can't use them due to preexisting conditions. The rules changed due to circumstances which everyone understands. I would expect Princess to do the right thing and make a refund of the cost of the cards and not the bonus portion which was a freebie. 

I spoke to Princess rep re; health restrictions today. You should call and try to find out for your situation. 

[cruzsnooze]

1 hour ago, cherylandtk said:

Buying gift cards is sort of like buying foreign currency-it’s only good in certain countries. Not a problem if you can travel there; big problem if you cannot.

 

While I’m sympathetic to your plight, I would not hold out hope that Princess  will change refund policies because your travel abilities have changed.  Your expectations were different when the cards were purchased, but that is an inherent risk of purchasing any gift card.  

My travel abilities have NOT changed, I have had my pre-exisiting condition for many years. I can travel but Princess won't let. 

[Daniel A]

18 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

My travel abilities have NOT changed, I have had my pre-exisiting condition for many years. I can travel but Princess won't let. 

Isn't this a moot point?  Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought you decided to take the FCC option instead of refunds to the gift cards.  Before I read that prior post,  I was going to suggest that you apply the gift cards to OBC for a friend or relative taking a very short cruise.  The relative could put that OBC into casino credits and then cash out getting you the cash that way. But again, I guess you took the FCC instead.  I think you will still be able to sail in the future.  After there is an effective vaccine, I suspect restrictions will loosen up. 

[cruzsnooze]

27 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Isn't this a moot point?  Please correct me if I'm wrong but I thought you decided to take the FCC option instead of refunds to the gift cards.  Before I read that prior post,  I was going to suggest that you apply the gift cards to OBC for a friend or relative taking a very short cruise.  The relative could put that OBC into casino credits and then cash out getting you the cash that way. But again, I guess you took the FCC instead.  I think you will still be able to sail in the future.  After there is an effective vaccine, I suspect restrictions will loosen up. 

I had to take the FCC because after requesting a refund and having it denied there was no point in reloading $9000 worth of cards. That amount is way to much to cash out via the casino or give away to friends or relative for a short cruise. I complied with the terms of the cards and applied it to a cruisetour that got cancelled. Carnival Corp. gets a free loan from me for a year and a half. 

 It's not quite a moot point because Carnival can still do the right thing and refund the $9000 and keep their extra 25% FCC. 

Edited April 18, 2020 by cruzsnooze

[dog]

4 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

I had to take the FCC because after requesting a refund and having it denied there was no point in reloading $9000 worth of cards. That amount is way to much to cash out via the casino or give away to friends or relative for a short cruise. I complied with the terms of the cards and applied it to a cruisetour that got cancelled. Carnival Corp. gets a free loan from me for a year and a half. 

 It's not quite a moot point because Carnival can still do the right thing and refund the $9000 and keep their extra 25% FCC. 

Call Princess. I talked to them today. Health restrictions may not apply to you if your health condition is under control for a certain amount of time before cruise. 

[Daniel A]

10 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

I had to take the FCC because after requesting a refund and having it denied there was no point in reloading $9000 worth of cards. That amount is way to much to cash out via the casino or give away to friends or relative for a short cruise. I complied with the terms of the cards and applied it to a cruisetour that got cancelled. Carnival Corp. gets a free loan from me for a year and a half. 

 It's not quite a moot point because Carnival can still do the right thing and refund the $9000 and keep their extra 25% FCC. 

I can sympathize with your situation, but as I understand it everyone who is getting refunds are having the refunds being refunded to the original payment method.  This is what Princess offered you.  As I said earlier, since we don't even know what that whole 'severe chronic condition' actually means, so you may very well be able to use those FCC's.  I certainly hope you can cruise again.

[Coral]

11 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

I used $9000 in gift cards and Princess has told me they will reload the cards even though my health puts me at high risk and I cannot cruise at this time. I am assuming I will have to wait until a vaccine is available allowing Carnival Corp to hold this large amount of my money indefinitely. I wish there was a way to get my money back.....................any ideas? 

Find a friend who likes cruising.....

 

I personally don't find the allure of a slight discount for buying gift cards. I am content with the discount my agent gives me.

 

Sorry you are in this situation. I am thinking that once COVID-19 crisis is over and there is a vaccination or a prescription cure, the regulations will be more relaxed. Cruise lines would be silly to cut off a large percentage of their cruising demographic.

 

 

[cruzsnooze]

6 minutes ago, Coral said:

Find a friend who likes cruising.....

 

I personally don't find the allure of a slight discount for buying gift cards. I am content with the discount my agent gives me.

 

Sorry you are in this situation. I am thinking that once COVID-19 crisis is over and there is a vaccination or a prescription cure, the regulations will be more relaxed. Cruise lines would be silly to cut off a large percentage of their cruising demographic.

 

 

I get about 14% with my big box TA and their visa card in addition to any discounts or bonus cards so it's been a win win in the past. It was a good ride while it lasted but the future of cruising is fluid. 

 We'll see what happens.

[Coral]

9 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

I get about 14% with my big box TA and their visa card in addition to any discounts or bonus cards so it's been a win win in the past. It was a good ride while it lasted but the future of cruising is fluid. 

 We'll see what happens.

Yea - I think the future in everything is unpredictable. I think you will be cruising again in the future!

[travelhound]

56 minutes ago, Coral said:

Yea - I think the future in everything is unpredictable. I think you will be cruising again in the future!

Yup, by next winter they will probably have a vaccine, so I would just book for next year.  That said, 2020 is going to be a problem for people over 70.

[neverbeenhere]

We currently hold $20k + in Princess gift cards, that we will be using in the future. I bought these cards at discount of 10%. So, if I use them in the next 70 years, I will be getting a better return than my checking account. 
We still have 10 cruises booked for 2020 on various lines, we will see how many we actually get to sail. 

[jagoffee]

6 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

But when I purchased them there were no restrictions  preventing me from using the cards. In fact I used the cards for a cruise they cancelled and now can't use them due to preexisting conditions. The rules changed due to circumstances which everyone understands. I would expect Princess to do the right thing and make a refund of the cost of the cards and not the bonus portion which was a freebie. 

Perhaps they will refund your money, when the cruise lines are able to operate. 

Too early to know at this point.  I am fairly confident that Princess is not likely to create unique rules.  IMO they would be hard to defend.  
 

I do wish you the best of luck. Be particularly careful with your health issues. 
 

Edited April 19, 2020 by jagoffee

[Ombud]

On 4/18/2020 at 7:59 AM, jagoffee said:

The gift cards are in fact not refundable, which you knew where you purchased them. You  have certainly identified the downside of purchasing gift cards with a bonus.  At the time, it probably seemed like easy money.

👍👍👍 I'm in that boat! Hindsight is 20/20 but who knew last Black Friday? I should have known better by Valentine's Day promo. My cruises are covered until 2022

[BIGADORF]

While I appreciate all the information I gained from these replies , it seems like a lot of them are off topic and dealing with Gift Cards refund. Since I did not get any discount using Gift Cards and I am not looking to profit from the discount associated with Gift cards, I just need more info on getting a cash refund since due to the new health rules I won't be able to use the FCC.

 Thank you

[Ombud]

4 hours ago, BIGADORF said:

While I appreciate all the information I gained from these replies , it seems like a lot of them are off topic and dealing with Gift Cards refund. Since I did not get any discount using Gift Cards and I am not looking to profit from the discount associated with Gift cards, I just need more info on getting a cash refund since due to the new health rules I won't be able to use the FCC.

 Thank you

I requested and received a 100% charge card refund + FCC for one of my cruises so it can be done. At the time it was called 'Option 2'

[cherylandtk]

23 hours ago, BIGADORF said:

...I just need more info on getting a cash refund since due to the new health rules I won't be able to use the FCC.

 Thank you

Have you contacted Princess and had them confirm your assessment of your inability to travel?  The policy does not clarify exactly what a severe, underlying health condition is, so the first step is to get confirmation in writing from Princess that they will not allow you to travel in the future.

[Daniel A]

23 hours ago, BIGADORF said:

While I appreciate all the information I gained from these replies , it seems like a lot of them are off topic and dealing with Gift Cards refund. Since I did not get any discount using Gift Cards and I am not looking to profit from the discount associated with Gift cards, I just need more info on getting a cash refund since due to the new health rules I won't be able to use the FCC.

 Thank you

To be clear, there is no requirement from Princess for any special treatment of PAX who are 70 or older.  There is no published requirement for a fit to sail letter for anybody.  I would bring a copy of the Princess health and safety PDF from April 14 and ask your own doctor if he/she thinks this applies to you.  (My personal belief is that when they stated a "severe" chronic condition they meant one that is not well controlled.)

 

You can print a copy of Princess' PDF here:

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/plan/Health-Advisory-and-Travel-Safety-Procedures.pdf

 

If you find that your health will prevent you from sailing, the above PDF states "Guests who are unable to sail because of a failure to meet the following criteria will be issued a full cruise credit or refund"

[BIGADORF]

I have spoken with 4 representatives of Princess and none of them can give me a definitive answer. Two of them were not even aware of the April 14 statement from Princess that has been posted here. They definitely will not put anything in writing.

6 hours ago, cherylandtk said:

Have you contacted Princess and had them confirm your assessment of your inability to travel?  The policy does not clarify exactly what a severe, underlying health condition is, so the first step is to get confirmation in writing from Princess that they will not allow you to travel in the future.

 

[cherylandtk]

16 hours ago, BIGADORF said:

I have spoken with 4 representatives of Princess and none of them can give me a definitive answer. Two of them were not even aware of the April 14 statement from Princess that has been posted here. They definitely will not put anything in writing.

 

Nothing will happen until you ask the question in writing.  Mail it certified, Attn. Fleet Medical.

 

If they write back, you have your answer. If they do not, you have your supporting documentation needed to proceed further in requesting and obtaining your refund.  

[dog]

17 minutes ago, cherylandtk said:

Nothing will happen until you ask the question in writing.  Mail it certified, Attn. Fleet Medical.

 

If they write back, you have your answer. If they do not, you have your supporting documentation needed to proceed further in requesting and obtaining your refund.  

Good advice. I add,  send it to a few departments is: Customer Relations, Captain Circle etc

[AF-1]

Until the CDC puts out memo stating the cruise lines are good to start sailing I would not worry about not being medically qualified to sail.  It is too early in the game to worry about being denied boarding.  No one is cruising as of today thru June.  Sit back, relax, and have another cup of coffee; or tea.

[Ombud]

On 4/18/2020 at 7:16 AM, voljeep said:

are gift cards transferrable ? sell on E-bay or Craigslist ?

Gift cards are transferrable.  OP do you have kids that could use them?