AARP GIFT CARDS

[reggie50]

We always use AARP gift cards for anything we want on carnival cruises you pay $90 and you get $100 gift card or you pay $450 and you get a $500 Carnival gift card it goes towards anything on the cruise including the casino it’s like putting cash on your account

my question is has anybody ever done this on celebrity I am going on the celebrity silhouette March 11–10 days just curious

[LabMom57]

Read the fine print. Celebrity's GCs are far more restrictive than the others.

 

[reggie50]

Thanks 

[Swagner36]

You can't use gift cards for deposit

You can only use $1000 in gift cards

Can't be used for onboard credit

And there are more restrictions, just used mine a couple of weeks ago

[Rulers Mom]

how do you buy them? I'm on the AARP site, they aren't easy to find.

 

[Swagner36]

Go to AARP rewards.

Redeem rewards and then scroll down until you see the gift cards

[Cruzinram]

The T/C have changed. Gift cards amounts are unlimited. No longer limited to 1000.00 per cabin. We use them all the time. but be very careful. ALWAYS call gift card dept at 888-837-5676. I even get conflicting information depending on who I speak to. I have been told that port fees and taxes are non-refundable in case of cancelation. I found this out the hard way. They also do something strange when invoice is totaled. I still  do not understand why the fare is discounted I believe by 100.00 per certificate. When totaled the amount does not match the actual cruise fare. This presented me with some challenges when I recently had to cancel. In addition your agent will loose commission on the sale, My agent was not happy. I would advise to always have Travel Insurance to ensure you get all of what you paid the voyage. Check with GC dept before ever purchasing and go over any changes that may have been make to the T/C. I wrote a letter to them and strongly suggested that the T/C be posted on the Web just as Princess does. Do not count on your agent knowing the T/C. I think my agent is now up to speed and how to use after I have booked my last four voyages with her. I have also heard recently that Celebrity is working on way to refund GC back to your certificate and also use them for onboard purchases. This would solve a lot of issues. We save a bundle using them and will continue to do so. Just be careful. 

[Swagner36]

I just had to go through this 2 days ago. They made the receipt right by returning to the right invoice charge and taking the full amount of gift card towards payment. Also the GC department verified you can only use $500 per person. That is right on the terms of use on the gift card

[kasowell2]

12 minutes ago, Swagner36 said:

I just had to go through this 2 days ago. They made the receipt right by returning to the right invoice charge and taking the full amount of gift card towards payment. Also the GC department verified you can only use $500 per person. That is right on the terms of use on the gift card

Thanks for the info. Just read the terms and it can only be used for new bookings. I’m glad I saw this because I was just about to buy enough to pay our cruise off and I would’ve been stuck with a lot useless gift cards.

Also, if I read it right you can’t even use them for purchases on the cruise. Is that right?

[Swagner36]

1 minute ago, kasowell2 said:

Thanks for the info. Just read the terms and it can only be used for new bookings. I’m glad I saw this because I was just about to buy enough to pay our cruise off and I would’ve been stuck with a lot useless gift cards.

Also, if I read it right you can’t even use them for purchases on the cruise. Is that right?

 

[Swagner36]

There is a number to call for GC support in the print. Call them and ask? I also saw where they can't be used for onboard credit.

Edited January 18 by Swagner36

[hcat]

sounds very complicated

 

We  still use our Royal C credit card to accrue points.   It's a bit difficult to apply to Celeb cruises but it works.

 

.We were able to add some nice OBC for our upcoming cruise.

[Cruzinram]

4 hours ago, Swagner36 said:

I just had to go through this 2 days ago. They made the receipt right by returning to the right invoice charge and taking the full amount of gift card towards payment. Also the GC department verified you can only use $500 per person. That is right on the terms of use on the gift card

I have used gift cards for four bookings in a row, and confirmed each time by calling that their is no limit on the dollar amount you can use. There was a change in T/C. I just booked last week and called before booking and confirmed there is no limit. I used three 500 and one 250 dollar card no problem. Like I said before be careful you are getting accurate information. I one had a correct invoice two times and adjusted invoice two times. The gift card dept needs to clean up their act and publish the t/c for all to see.

[kasowell2]

I booked through a travel agent and they said I could but I’m not taking a chance on buying non refundable gift cards and then being denied

[alyssamma]

@Cruzinram is correct. These are several threads here...one started by me...that deal with this in detail. The TLDR is..

 

1) used to be limited to 1k. That has now changed but not everyone got the memo. Lots of misinformation out there.

 

2) more often than not using them will screw up your invoice and possibly your TAs commission.

 

3) there is a good chance if you have to cancel, your trip insurance will not cover the GC portion. This is a GC thing and not an X thing. The carnival forum has the best discussion about this, but there are threads here too.

[Cruzinram]

4 hours ago, alyssamma said:

@Cruzinram is correct. These are several threads here...one started by me...that deal with this in detail. The TLDR is..

 

1) used to be limited to 1k. That has now changed but not everyone got the memo. Lots of misinformation out there.

 

2) more often than not using them will screw up your invoice and possibly your TAs commission.

 

3) there is a good chance if you have to cancel, your trip insurance will not cover the GC portion. This is a GC thing and not an X thing. The carnival forum has the best discussion about this, but there are threads here too.

 

[Cruzinram]

I had to cancel booking that was paid with GC. Got 100% of my money back from Insurance in about 5 weeks. Do not use the cards to pay port fees and taxes. The GC are just like cash and should be protected as such. Port fees and taxes will be refunded by Celebrity,  All of the TC floating around have no revision dates on them so you know which one is the most current. Once you understand the process easy to you.   To much of a savings to pass up.

[Swagner36]

15 hours ago, Cruzinram said:

I have used gift cards for four bookings in a row, and confirmed each time by calling that their is no limit on the dollar amount you can use. There was a change in T/C. I just booked last week and called before booking and confirmed there is no limit. I used three 500 and one 250 dollar card no problem. Like I said before be careful you are getting accurate information. I one had a correct invoice two times and adjusted invoice two times. The gift card dept needs to clean up their act and publish the t/c for all to see.

I have turned them in to AARP for the way Celebrity is treating people with the gift cards. They are investigating. Also I found out most travel insurance companies won't cover gift cards.

[alyssamma]

On 1/18/2024 at 2:43 PM, Cruzinram said:

I had to cancel booking that was paid with GC. Got 100% of my money back from Insurance in about 5 weeks. Do not use the cards to pay port fees and taxes. The GC are just like cash and should be protected as such. Port fees and taxes will be refunded by Celebrity,  All of the TC floating around have no revision dates on them so you know which one is the most current. Once you understand the process easy to you.   To much of a savings to pass up.

It's good you got a refund but that hasn't been the case for everyone. Bottom line is be informed and make your own decision. If saving 200, maybe it's not worth it. If saving 1000...maybe so. Regardless, check your insurance if you use them to make sure you are covered. Don't simply assume.

 

Again, there are several good threads here going over the pros and cons.

[Cruzinram]

Over the course of 4 bookings we have saved around 1400.00. Almost enough for another Cruise.

 

[Swagner36]

I don't know if this is new policy or not but my TA got an email from Mary Allen of Celebrity gift certificate program. 

Gift certificates are non refundable. What this means if you have to cancel your cruise for any reason you will lose your gift cards totally. Gift cards are not covered by trip insurance either. Talked to AARP and their response was once you buy them they are done. So even if you cancel before final payment is due you will lose your gift card.

[Cruzinram]

I had to cancel a Cruise back in the fall. It was paid for gift cards from a third party provider. I filed an insurance claim and told the them it was paid for in gift cards. They paid the entire claim. A gift card is just like cash. You cannot use them for deposit and not recommended for taxes and fees. The problem is that once the card is used Celebrity has no way of loading the money back on the card if you have to cancel. I think Princess Gift card can be reloaded. Taxes and fees can be refunded back to your credit card so that amount should not be claimed on your travel insurance.

[Cruzinram]

Recently tried for onboard purchase for Celebrity. Cannot use them for obc. Fare only. Not taxes or fees or deposit. Cancel before final payment you may lose your money. If you have travel insurance cancel with a valid claim  it is be paid by the insurance. I have done this before, This is for third party providers such as aarp. Cards purchased from Celebrity with out a discount would be different policy. Any questions call gift card dept but tell them where you bought the cards. I was told by gift card dept that I could use them for odc but they were wrong. Just be careful.

[PTC DAWG]

What company wouldn't love for you to buy a gift card?  They know up front a certain percentage of them will never be used..free $$$ for them.  

 

[rcrabb1513]

On 5/5/2024 at 12:29 PM, Cruzinram said:

I had to cancel a Cruise back in the fall. It was paid for gift cards from a third party provider. I filed an insurance claim and told the them it was paid for in gift cards. They paid the entire claim. A gift card is just like cash. You cannot use them for deposit and not recommended for taxes and fees. The problem is that once the card is used Celebrity has no way of loading the money back on the card if you have to cancel. I think Princess Gift card can be reloaded. Taxes and fees can be refunded back to your credit card so that amount should not be claimed on your travel insurance.

I just got off the phone with a gift card customer service person.  She told me while the T&C says the deposit was to be paid by credit card or cash, she has applied GC's for the deposit with no issues.  She did emphasize the non refundable nature of the gift cards if we canceled our booking.  She recommended we get Celebrity's travel protection product, a clear up sell attempt.

 

I thought of a question I should have asked.  If Celebrity cancels the cruise will we be offered a cash refund or only cruise credit?  My guess would be only a cruise credit.