Carnival Sea Miles Master card???

[newbieMom]

DH and I each got the Carnival Sea Miles MC on our recent cruise. Has anyone used sea miles before? Any strategies for getting the most bang for our buck (or points rather?) There wasn't any info included with the card on what types of discounts/perks we can get with points...anyone know where to find those? And is it wrong that I want to put EVERYTHING on this card and get another cruise ASAP? LOL!

[tef43]

The "Sea Miles" affinity card is perhaps one of the WORST points programs around.

[paradoc1]

Cut it up now, they have the worst point reward program around also a friend of mine was 1 day late ( after the normal 10 day grace period ) and they jumped his intrest rate to 24% from 16% and when they did that it put him over his limit and they charged him $100 over the limit fee, he cut the card up and got rid of it. after he told me about this I did the same thing. I would tell you to get rid of it now

[rjkcubs]

I have had this card for four years now, and have charged everything I could on it. I was very nervous about redeeming my points as I had heard horror stories on this board. However, I had a great experience. I felt the discount they gave me was fair, and right in line with other popular credit cards out there. Basically, we charged all of our monthly expenses on this card, paid them off each month and after 4 years received a free cruise. I believe you can check your accumulated miles at www.seamiles.com.

[jonesbk]

Just to give you an idea of how great it is:

 

1- I used it for a cash advance on a cruise (on a Sunday) a month or 2 after getting it, they suspended my line of credit immediately. I called and spoke with them, but the "department" that handles those issues are only there during business hours Monday - Friday. I missed the chance to get 2000+ SeaMiles because I could not use it to pay off my S&S card. After much conversation later that week, my credit was reissued/approved, etc.

 

2- Random billing emails. Still not sure what happened, but we were TWO days late making a monthly payment. BAM, lost ALL of our SeaMiles, interest rate MAXED out, and credit line decreased to the balance on the card. Three days later, after scheduling the payments to be automatic, someone from "collections" called from Barclay's. Explained to them what happened. The interest rate was reduced back to what it was, but the credit line was not reapproved or whatever.

 

3- While we were dealing with the incident in 2, recieved a call from Barclay's offering their credit protector service/insurance. Explained that I had just recieved a call from "collections" not 5 minutes before she called and the person on the line stated that my card was showing current and my credit line was what it was in the beginning and my interest rates were excellent with no history of late payments or credit reductions or even a note about being called by collections. When I recieved my next statement, the credit line WAS INDEED reduced.

 

4- I finally had had enough and paid the thing off in full. I called the company to close the card and was given the runaround for almost 30 minutes. I had to listen to the same pitch about the SeaMiles program being the greatest out there somewhere around 4-5 times from 3 different people. Once I explained why I was closing the account, they offered me 1500 or so SeaMiles to keep the card. I told them I would be happy to keep the card if they credited me the SeaMiles I SHOULD have earned on my cruise (2k+), the miles I had already earned (1.5k or so) and some additional. The told me there was NO WAY that would happen, so I politely told them there was NO WAY I was keeping the card.

 

I SO love Discover's rewards program, beats Barclay's any day.........

 

With all that being said, good luck with Barclay's.............

[PittsburghGirlee]

It's crap, trust me, pitch it.:p

Charged tons of stuff every month for 2 years, never carried a balance and all I got was a lousy $50.00 off. I think you have to spend over $100,000.00 to get the free cruise or something:confused::confused:

I am now using my Discover with cash back. Much more REWARDING.

Just my 2 cents:o

[martinchem]

After accumilating 10,000 points they offer $75.0 off a 5-7 day cruise unless you get a certain room upgrade then you may get $125.00 off. You MUST book through them. I recently booked my last cruise cheaper and got a $100 OBC through a different agency, my points sit there with two years left before they expire, waiting for them to enhance the program so I can use them before I lose them and then I'll be done. The program doesn't work for me, I'd rather use my Chase Freedom and get 3% on some purchases and 1% on the rest, I'll get $100 cash per 10,000 points just on the 1% minimum and can book my cruises as I wish not being held to one agency that I don't care to do business with.

[poobears]

Cut it up now, they have the worst point reward program around also a friend of mine was 1 day late ( after the normal 10 day grace period ) and they jumped his intrest rate to 24% from 16% and when they did that it put him over his limit and they charged him $100 over the limit fee, he cut the card up and got rid of it. after he told me about this I did the same thing. I would tell you to get rid of it now

 

 

So your friend paid 11 days after due date on a maxed out card and complained because they jumped his rate up and charged him fees?

 

Sounds like it was his fault, not the cc companies.

[okgirl]

I have to agree with others here. I think there are probably far better rewards cards out there and I may open a thread to discuss just that.

 

Having said that I haven't had any problems with my Seamiles card. I use it almost exclusively for my Carnival purchases. I need just over 9000 points to get me to 1 inside cabin on a 7 day, so I should be there by next year.

 

I've heard that Walkovia has a great reward card. I'm wanting something that I can easily use for air tickets.

[ETinCA]

Has anyone had a good experience with these guys? I have about 35,000 points as of today.

[noledave]

Pitch it! I went through the process to book our 7 day cruise for 2 and it has been very time consuming. First, the points needed were a lot more than the RC/ Bank of America Card. Secondly, I am still trying to get my fuel charges back from October. They make you book your cruise through a TA in Arizona, and Carnival will not help you with problems that occur. They refer you back to your TA - which is the one they make you book through. I found out Carnival refunded by Fuel surcharges months ago to the TA but I cant get a check out of them. Our cruise for 2, balcony cabin, ended up costing us about 277,000 seamiles....

[bsfstire1]

To be honest to you, we have had our card for 5 years and have had very few problems (maybe it's because I pay it off every month). I try to be smart about which cruise we take(can you say research, a lot of research, and watching their web site to see how many points each cruise costs, everyday, which to me, is half the fun). We've only taken one cruise, and the card ended up saving us a significant amount of money, even when checking online, everywhere. The trick is to let the points pile up and than do a cruise right before they expire. I know a lot of people on this board like the Norweigen card better, and I did look at switching, but the difference doesn't seem to be that big, unless I'm missing something.

[cathyoo]

I'm so hoping it is not as bad as everyone says. I've had the card since June 05 and we are at 150,000. With two cruises planned before June 2010. We should have about 200, 000. points by then or close to it. When we return from DD's wedding cruise in April 2010 I plan to book me a great big fat FREE cruise (cause we are going to be in the poor house. Sure hopes it works out for me

[bsfstire1]

Okgirl, you are right, I think another thread is needed, it would be interesting to compare.

[spleenstomper]

I did some research the other day on the net about it, and I have decided not to get a card. It seems like 99% of people had MAJOR problems with the card. I think, also, you only get a choice of 2 cabins and you can't upgrade... inside cabins I think.

 

It was a good 9 to 1 against the card. For every 9 people who had major issues, 1 said they didn't mind the card.

 

And, yes, it seems like you need 100K points for EACH person to get a "free" inside cabin.

 

The American Express blue card gives the same 1:1 ratio of dollars spent to points and for every 25K (Maybe 35K?) points, you get something like 500 dollars off a travel purchase. (someone correct me... I have to go look in my purse later on...)

[Aplmac]

Cut it up now,

- also a friend of mine was 1 day late .... he cut the card up and got rid of it.

after he told me about this I did the same thing.

I would tell you to get rid of it now ===> Mail it to me.

No don't cut it up. :eek:

 

Void the info on the magnetic strip on the back

by using a magnet -and send it to me, pleease!

 

I've wanted one of those cards with the ship on the front

for my card collection -for some time now.

 

.......................................................

 

David Hunt

3,Erdiston Drive, Pine Gardens.

St.Michael -BARBADOS

 

I'd really appreciate it, honestly.

(Incurable collector!)

 

.

[newbieMom]

Well crud!!!!!! Here I was all excited:( And it's such a pretty, pretty card too! The girl at the desk said it's better to use points for discounted cruises instead of free cruises. We're never late and always pay balances each month, but I'd hate to have a hard time with a TA and restrictions on TA's and that sort of thing. Is there a card out there with a great rewards program that you use specifically for cruising????? Any suggestions?

[Aplmac]

Well crud!!!!!! Here I was all excited:(

 

And it's such a pretty, pretty card too!

Which is why I'd love to have one for my card collection! :):)

 

 

.

[Traveler353]

Dump it fast! There are much better reward programs out there. The people that you will have to deal with when trying to get your rewards are clueless about the program. If you have any problem with your booking Carnival will have nothing to do with you and Seamiles will be no help at all.

[war eagle]

Well crud!!!!!! Here I was all excited:( And it's such a pretty, pretty card too! The girl at the desk said it's better to use points for discounted cruises instead of free cruises. We're never late and always pay balances each month, but I'd hate to have a hard time with a TA and restrictions on TA's and that sort of thing. Is there a card out there with a great rewards program that you use specifically for cruising????? Any suggestions?

 

We got the Carnival Sea Miles Mastercard 4 years ago when we sailed the Carnival Conquest. Since then we have put a lot of our bills on there and pretty much everything. Several months ago I called sea miles to see how many miles I had for redemption and to my surprise I had 91,000. So..... that is how I got my cruise now that we are leaving on in 18 days on the Glory!!!! It was enough to get one free cruise (but we added a little extra to get the balcony this time). It might not accumulate fast enough for serious cruisers though. We are very excited and counting the days.... making my lists and checking them twice and starting to pack. Anxious to meet some roll callers!!

Sheila

[happybooker1]

Because they were having a promo. Transfer a balance & you get 10,000 points right away. Plus no interest for 1 year. Once I got the card I set up online bill pay for automatic payments every due date.

 

I have a bal. left on my card for around $500. Will that be enough to cover the S&S cards for son & me? I don't want to max it out and I sure don't want to miss a payment date!

 

So, so far I have to say they haven't screwed me over. <crosses fingers>

[80sramfan]

I have over 60,000 point on this card and they are totally unusable. Also, the miles expire so now everymonth I see my miles total go down since I no longer use the card. The card and the program sucks. I wouldn't go near this with a 10ft pole.

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Cut it up now, they have the worst point reward program around also a friend of mine was 1 day late ( after the normal 10 day grace period ) and they jumped his intrest rate to 24% from 16% and when they did that it put him over his limit and they charged him $100 over the limit fee, he cut the card up and got rid of it. after he told me about this I did the same thing. I would tell you to get rid of it now

 

So your friend paid 11 days after due date on a maxed out card and complained because they jumped his rate up and charged him fees?

 

Sounds like it was his fault, not the cc companies.

 

Carnival really pushes this card on the ship and mis-represent in my opinion. Our cruise director told us how we could have a free cruise by just paying for this cruise & sail & sign card. Maybe if we paid for a bunch of suites for family & friends and spent thousands at the casino. lol

 

I use the card for all my cruises & onboard expenses and all internet charges etc. I pay off the balance every month so I don't carry a balance. One time, I was on a cruise and was 2 days late on the the payment and incurred a hefty penalty for late charges. They wouldn't budge even though I was on a cruise. My interest jumped to 24% and I have a credit score of 820. Not right. The only reason I haven't cut it up is because I like the picture of the cruiseship on the front and if I close out the account, it actually hurts my credit cuz then I reduce the amount of credit available to me by $18K which brings down your credit score. Go figure. I keep using it but will never be late and will always pay my balance. If something happens and I need to rely on the card to survive, I'll die cuz I refuse to pay 24% interest and would rather starve then pay them.

[UpstateCruizer]

Well crud!!!!!! Here I was all excited:( And it's such a pretty, pretty card too! The girl at the desk said it's better to use points for discounted cruises instead of free cruises. We're never late and always pay balances each month, but I'd hate to have a hard time with a TA and restrictions on TA's and that sort of thing. Is there a card out there with a great rewards program that you use specifically for cruising????? Any suggestions?

 

I switched to Chase Freedom last July after reading about it on these boards. Back then they offered 3% rewards on your top 3 spending categories and 1% on all the others. For us that is great as we charge anything and everything possible just to get the cash back.

 

We had been an avid fan of Discover card but their rewards options were less appealing to us and we did not want to turn in $100 in cash back for $100 cash. I wanted a program that offered more. Discover Card does have an option that allows you to trade in cash back towards a discounted amount on Carnival. The catch is you have to use their agency listed and it was higher than the rate Carnival gave me. No savings there~!

 

Chase Freedom does just that. When we have built up our cash rewards to $200 they allow us to select a $250 Chase Check in exchange of that $200. Not bad at all and we've gotten 2 of them already and are working on our 3rd soon.

 

I'd much rather have the money to deposit into my checking account and decide how I want to spend it. Whatever card you choose try to use just that card since it will help build up points or cash back value quicker that way.

[snookymom]

We use our Merrill Lynch signature rewards card whenever possible.