$200.00 Coupon Fraud

[JeanieRich]

I purchased one of those $200.00 "off any Carnival Cruise" coupons on the Splendor for $100.00. I specifically asked if this could be used on any cruise and if the coupon would be $200.00 off any future cruise. I was told yes it would be. When I read the fine print, it is not even good for $100.00 on a cruise under 7 days and only worth $200.00 on a 12 day or longer cruise. Has anyone tried getting a refund on these coupons from Carnival? I am wondering if I should bother as a friend told me they will refuse to refund any money on these rip off coupons. I am so angry with Carnival for this fraud that I am tempted to never sail Carnvial again, I am a senior and I think they gear these hard sell liars onboard to take advantage of older people who grew up in a time that no one would ever do something like this. I appreciate any input you may have. Carol in CA

[stthomaslover]

I don't think you are reading the coupon correctly. I purchased 5 last year and have used 4 so far. On a 7 day cruise, you will receive 100.00 off the price of the cruise, plus you will receive 100.00 on board credit. Good deal in my book.

 

Cindy

[Nunu]

I know lot's of people on here will put the blame on you for not reading all of the fine print but having said that I think it's a shady practice of any cruiseline selling those coupons if they have that many restrictions and the seller doesn't clearly explain them before the sale.

[Mrs.C05]

I know lot's of people on here will put the blame on you for not reading all of the fine print but having said that I think it's a shady practice of any cruiseline selling those coupons if they have that many restrictions and the seller doesn't clearly explain them before the sale.

 

I agree with this; Partial blame to you for not reading the fine print but also blame to Carnival for not specifically telling you the restrictions. If it's almost too good to be true, there must be a catch.

[firefly333]

My input is the sign at the future cruise desk said "UP TO $200 off" No where did it say you would get $200 off.

 

Yep, and dont forget you have to send it in certified mail to get that $50 off a 5 day cruise, so you wouldnt get a whole $50 off once you take into consideration the cost of mailing it in. I havent yet used them on any short cruises.

 

Im hoping Carnival catches up to the modern world and puts this system on the computer so you can call up and have them applied. They are 20 years behind the times no allowing you to do this over the phone like other cruise lines. They really need some programming help there.

[firefly333]

Has anyone tried getting a refund on these coupons from Carnival? I am wondering if I should bother as a friend told me they will refuse to refund any money on these rip off coupons. I am so angry with Carnival for this fraud that I am tempted to never sail Carnvial again, I am a senior

 

Lots of people here have gotten refunds on the coupons, no problem if you decide you dont want the OBC, but seems like now that you bought one or more then you might as well use them.

 

I think you are over reacting. True, they may not have been great about explaining them to you. btw before you get even more upset. Be aware the money is OBC, not a discount. You keep saying you get a discount, you get no discount, its money to spend onboard.

[oceanseagle12]

wow- stthomaslover is correct. I have used mine on my December Dream sailing, which is a 7 day cruise. I received $100 credit off my final balance, and $100 onboard credit.

 

I am sorry that you misunderstood the terms- the salesperson on the Liberty was pretty good about explaining to me how it worked, sounds like that wasn't the case for you. :(

 

I did understand, however, that it is refundable (although I didn't ask that question when I bought mine, so I am uncertain.

 

But let me help make sure you understand what you have before you send it back:

 

You will receive the $100 credit off your final balance plus the different dollar amounts you see in the fine print as onboard credit.

So, say you book a 5 day cruise-you pay your deposit, and send in the certificate. They will reduce your balance due by $100, and apply $50 of OBC.

If it is a 7 day, they still reduce balance by $100, and apply $100 OBC.

 

I hope this helps...

[stthomaslover]

wow- stthomaslover is correct. I have used mine on my December Dream sailing, which is a 7 day cruise. I received $100 credit off my final balance, and $100 onboard credit.

 

I am sorry that you misunderstood the terms- the salesperson on the Liberty was pretty good about explaining to me how it worked, sounds like that wasn't the case for you. :(

 

I did understand, however, that it is refundable (although I didn't ask that question when I bought mine, so I am uncertain.

 

But let me help make sure you understand what you have before you send it back:

 

You will receive the $100 credit off your final balance plus the different dollar amounts you see in the fine print as onboard credit.

So, say you book a 5 day cruise-you pay your deposit, and send in the certificate. They will reduce your balance due by $100, and apply $50 of OBC.

If it is a 7 day, they still reduce balance by $100, and apply $100 OBC.

 

I hope this helps...

 

With all the negative responses, I was beginning to wonder if I was correct. I know they have worked great for me and will purchase a few more when I travel on the Freedom in October. Yes they are fully refundable, but why would you want a refund, where else can you double your money, pay 100.00 get another 100.00.

 

Cindy

[Traveler353]

With all the negative responses, I was beginning to wonder if I was correct. I know they have worked great for me and will purchase a few more when I travel on the Freedom in October. Yes they are fully refundable, but why would you want a refund, where else can you double your money, pay 100.00 get another 100.00.

 

Cindy

 

Do these work if one books using a Military rate?

[LHP]

We bought 10 and have used 2 ...with a 3rd to be used in December.

 

If you don't use them (or change your mind)...just send it back for a FULL REFUND.

[firefly333]

Do these work if one books using a Military rate?

 

No. Not good with military.

 

Also, since some get confused, the $100 applied to your final payment, is the $100 you paid for the certificate. Some come away thinking they are going to get $100 off plus $100 OBC = $200, just wanted to clear up anyone still confused.

[Traveler353]

No. Not good with military.

 

Also, since some get confused, the $100 applied to your final payment, is the $100 you paid for the certificate. Some come away thinking they are going to get $100 off plus $100 OBC = $200, just wanted to clear up anyone still confused.

 

Thanks, I have not seen these for sale on either the Holiday or Fantasy. Are they sold on the Triumph? I guess that are not usable for Military Rate because it is already so low to begin with.

[Roz]

I think "fraud" is a strong term to use in this instance. Implies deliberate attempt to deceive or lie. You may have misunderstood the terms of the coupon, but that's not fraud, as others have successfully used the coupon and been satisfied.

 

Roz

[Traveler353]

Like everthing to do with Carnival, you have to read the fine print. Let the Buyer Beware.

[DC-COOL]

can you buy them and then give them away as a gift

[firefly333]

can you buy them and then give them away as a gift

 

#2 condition on the back says non transferrable.

 

---------

 

Traveler, no they arent sold on Triumph, just on about 4 ships so far. The program is still new and sure being rolled out slowly. Conquest sells them.

[Marietta]

How can you expect someone to read the fine print on the back when they make you pay for the cert and then you get to pick it up the next day while trying to get off the ship? My husband fell for this too. Hard sell to someone who does not do any of our travel planning. We were on the Conquest, on a military rate, and now we have two of these certs that we have $210 invested in because our PVP told us to send them in, certified of course, and then they sent them back because they are not valid with military. It seams like no one knows what rates they are good for until after you send them in and spend the $10 in postage. So far we have yet to find a rate that they will use them with. I guess if I paid full fare? Does anyone do that?

 

They do misrepresent them. Some people like them, I guess, but if your a "Senior" and "Military" I don't think they should be pushing them on you.

 

Okay, sorry for the rant. I was SOOOOOOO pi$$ed about this I wasn't going to ever cruise Carnival again. Now I guess I'll just take them back to the Conquest and hope we run into the same guy. :cool: We're only 6 hours from Galveston so Carnival is 1/2 price compared to most other lines (no airfare), I guess I can forgive them this...

[tedjazz]

Let the Buyer Beware.

 

New Carnival Motto?

[Traveler353]

New Carnival Motto?

 

 

It just seems like try to make everything so difficult these days. They must have a huge staff of lawyers just sitting around and writing disclaimers for every piece of paper and program that is generated by Carnival.

[WhansaMi]

My husband fell for this too. Hard sell to someone who does not do any of our travel planning. We were on the Conquest, on a military rate, and now we have two of these certs that we have $210 invested in because our PVP told us to send them in, certified of course, and then they sent them back because they are not valid with military. It seams like no one knows what rates they are good for until after you send them in and spend the $10 in postage. So far we have yet to find a rate that they will use them with. I guess if I paid full fare? Does anyone do that?

 

They do misrepresent them. Some people like them, I guess, but if your a "Senior" and "Military" I don't think they should be pushing them on you.

 

...

 

I guess I'm having trouble with the idea that other people need to protect you from yourself.

 

If you husband doesn't know anything about the travel plans, why didn't he ask you before he bought them?

 

Adults should, imo, be responsible for their own actions. We all have purchased something impulsively, but I can't see holding others responsible for that.

[tedjazz]

It just seems like try to make everything so difficult these days. They must have a huge staff of lawyers just sitting around and writing disclaimers for every piece of paper and program that is generated by Carnival.

 

People don't appreciate what you are saying until they get "Stung". The Lawyers are there to protect the bottom line, but the company doesn't need to throw out customer service opportunities with every disclaimer. Not good for business in the long run. Even with glimmers of hope that the economy is coming back, the travel industry is still getting knocked around. Bad press will not help the bottom line.

[tk5953]

It is unfortunate that some feel the future cruise certificate program was less than they anticipated. A simple request is all it takes to receive a full refund for the $100 per certificate you spent. If you incurred the expense of certified mail without reading the terms at that time, then yes, you have to absorb the postage fee. The benefit of the certificate is recieving shipboard credit on your future booking as an incentive for your "refundable" $100 purchase (yes, the ammount of credit is determined by the number of days you sail). I purchased (2) certs on my Conquest cruise in November 2008 and used one for a 5-day Ecstacy cruise in Feb. 2009 ($50 shipboard credit) and another 7-day Conquest in April 2009 ($100 shipboard credit). On each cruise, my initial $100 was applied as a reduction to my cruise price (full return of my purchase price). So, I was given $150 of free money for the $200 I invested (a very respectable rate of return by my standards:)). I purchased (2) more certs on the Conquest to use for my next (2) bookings. On the Conquest, the representative (Sharon) was very informative and made certain that it was understood the certificates could "not" be used under only (2) conditions. Both military and travel agent pricing does not qualify, but ANY other discounted fare will have the certificate honored. I personally love this program and would like to see it on every ship (it was not available on the Ecstacy:cool:). Just my .02 or maybe .05.

[katiel53]

I don't see how the OP feels ripped off after reading the explanations on here. I think the OP might now understand and is too embarassed to post again.

 

It amazes me how people can always find a way to post and complain, but when they are wrong, can't own up that they mis-understood or were wrong. Oh, yeah, I forgot, everyone is out to get the seniors!!!!!!!

 

(I can say that because I too am one, but at least I admit when I am wrong.)

[oceanseagle12]

It is unfortunate that some feel the future cruise certificate program was less than they anticipated. A simple request is all it takes to receive a full refund for the $100 per certificate you spent. If you incurred the expense of certified mail without reading the terms at that time, then yes, you have to absorb the postage fee. The benefit of the certificate is recieving shipboard credit on your future booking as an incentive for your "refundable" $100 purchase (yes, the ammount of credit is determined by the number of days you sail). I purchased (2) certs on my Conquest cruise in November 2008 and used one for a 5-day Ecstacy cruise in Feb. 2009 ($50 shipboard credit) and another 7-day Conquest in April 2009 ($100 shipboard credit). On each cruise, my initial $100 was applied as a reduction to my cruise price (full return of my purchase price). So, I was given $150 of free money for the $200 I invested (a very respectable rate of return by my standards:)). I purchased (2) more certs on the Conquest to use for my next (2) bookings. On the Conquest, the representative (Sharon) was very informative and made certain that it was understood the certificates could "not" be used under only (2) conditions. Both military and travel agent pricing does not qualify, but ANY other discounted fare will have the certificate honored. I personally love this program and would like to see it on every ship (it was not available on the Ecstacy:cool:). Just my .02 or maybe .05.

 

 

I absolutely agree. I LOVE this program. Especially since I bought mine with winnings from the casino. :D

[Nunu]

I don't see how the OP feels ripped off after reading the explanations on here. I think the OP might now understand and is too embarassed to post again.

 

It amazes me how people can always find a way to post and complain, but when they are wrong, can't own up that they mis-understood or were wrong. Oh, yeah, I forgot, everyone is out to get the seniors!!!!!!!

 

(I can say that because I too am one, but at least I admit when I am wrong.)

I stumble through life everyday and willingly admit to my ignorance.