HAL Refusing AARP Discount Because....

[Stevesan]

Holland America declined an AARP discount because our travel agent (AAA) is extending us an onboard cabin credit.

HAL's representatives say we can have either the cabin credit or the AARP discount, but not both.

I can understand if the AARP discount isn't combinable with another HAL discount or credit promotion. However, their reasoning escapes me here. The credit is coming from our TA, not HAL.

Our TA has already appealed this up the management ladder and been consistently turned down. She doesn't comprehend HAL's refusal, either. She's also certain that HAL and AAA are not in agreement on sharing the cost of the cabin credit.

I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has had an AARP discount refused or approved in combination with a TA's credit.

[Cruiseoften]

Holland America declined an AARP discount because our travel agent (AAA) is extending us an onboard cabin credit.

HAL's representatives say we can have either the cabin credit or the AARP discount, but not both.

I can understand if the AARP discount isn't combinable with another HAL discount or credit promotion. However, their reasoning escapes me here. The credit is coming from our TA, not HAL.

Our TA has already appealed this up the management ladder and been consistently turned down. She doesn't comprehend HAL's refusal, either. She's also certain that HAL and AAA are not in agreement on sharing the cost of the cabin credit.

I'd be glad to hear from anyone who has had an AARP discount refused or approved in combination with a TA's credit.

Pardon my big grin - C*ARP members (to my knowledge) do not receive discounts from HAL or any other cruise line - however, I can't understand the TA's cruise credit being disallowed unless it somehow violates the (new?) rule about agencies advertising discounts. Any gift (wine, flowers, Casino chips etc.) a TA gives a client comes out of the commission on the sale - perhaps the TA will just give you a check and you can spend that as you wish.

C*anadian.

[jhannah]

I have been told by AAA that AARP discounts aren't combinable with other discounts or credits. The non-AARP reduction was better ... so I simply quit even asking for the AARP as well.

[gizmo]

Pardon my big grin - C*ARP members (to my knowledge) do not receive discounts from HAL or any other cruise line - however, I can't understand the TA's cruise credit being disallowed unless it somehow violates the (new?) rule about agencies advertising discounts. C*anadian.

There has been an AARP memeber discount/credit for a long, long time. About 3 or 4 years ago Hal started refusing to allow it if you had another type of credit.

Not allowing the credit for the OP has nothing to do with new rules about advertising. Those new rules are cruise lines under RCL. Carnival has some new rules in effect also, but it is not the same as the lines under RCL and only applies to Carnival, not Hal or any other lines owned by CCL. (At least for the time being.:rolleyes: )

Here is a thought for the OP.
Maybe the TA could purchase casino chips for you. You can then cash them in once you get them. Since it is more like a bottle of wine or flowers maybe this would get around the "you can't combine issue". I don't know if AAA would go for it but you can always try. :)

I think it is LOUSY that Hal will not let you combine credits.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I've never gotten an AARP discount. How much is it supposed to be? Generally, my TA's have always told me they're already discounting as much as they can and to try to also get any other discount would only end up costing me more. Who knows? I always just decide if I think it's a fair price and let it go.

I actually like the new policy at RCCL ... the price is the price wherever you go. Then TAs do other stuff for you. In our case we're getting a very large Master Giftcard (unfortunately not until the week we sail).

[elmorejj]

I have tried many times to get the AARP discount but have never rec`d it. HAL always has some kind of tale...you are already getting a super low fare, or ,no you can`t combine it, or other nonsense. Its getting to be the same when you try to use an Ocean and Cruise news cabin credit....jean :cool:

[Renorita]

I've never gotten an AARP discount. How much is it supposed to be? Generally, my TA's have always told me they're already discounting as much as they can and to try to also get any other discount would only end up costing me more. Who knows? I always just decide if I think it's a fair price and let it go.

I actually like the new policy at RCCL ... the price is the price wherever you go. Then TAs do other stuff for you. In our case we're getting a very large Master Giftcard (unfortunately not until the week we sail).

You are not old enough silly! :D

[gizmo]

I have tried many times to get the AARP discount but have never rec`d it. HAL always has some kind of tale...you are already getting a super low fare, or ,no you can`t combine it, or other nonsense. Its getting to be the same when you try to use an Ocean and Cruise news cabin credit....jean :cool:

That Ocean and Cruise is also a joke. I was never able to use it. :(

[Linda-E]

AARP's web site says:
"Offer is not combinable with any other promotion including standard upgrades, alumni upgrades and additional shipboard credit."

Often agencies "give" cruisers shipboard credits under a particular promotion available to their agency. They don't actually pay for it in cash - it's provided by the cruiseline as a promotion.

The AARP credit does not apply with many special deals. We're on Westerdam next week and couldn't get AARP credit with our promotional rate, but we did get an agency credit.

Linda

[Toad]

Actually having cruised with HAL many times, I believe those people under the age of 50 should more likely receive a discount. If they gave a discount to everyone who was eligible 90% of the ship would be receiving a discount and about 10% would not. If they are trying to get a younger crowd this might be the way to do it!

[tommy]

We are on the Oct sailing on the Veendam and booked direct with Holland and we are getting a 200 dollars AARP discount.Plus we were given a 200 dollar cabin credit for problems we encountered on the Zuiderdam. TOM

[Stevesan]

AARP's web site says:
"Offer is not combinable with any other promotion including standard upgrades, alumni upgrades and additional shipboard credit."

Often agencies "give" cruisers shipboard credits under a particular promotion available to their agency. They don't actually pay for it in cash - it's provided by the cruiseline as a promotion.

The AARP credit does not apply with many special deals. We're on Westerdam next week and couldn't get AARP credit with our promotional rate, but we did get an agency credit.

Linda

Linda, our booking is for RVI Europe cruise. The AAA literature re the credit for this cruise does not include a disclaimer. However, as much as they deny it, I initially suspected that the AAA credit is an agreement between HAL and AAA whereby they commonly share the cost of the credit. Otherwise, why the heck would HAL care what credit the TA extends to a customer?

To others who ask - the AARP standard discount is usually $50 p/p.

To all, I appreciate the feedback. At least I know I'm not the Lone Ranger.

[HeatherInFlorida]

You are not old enough silly! :D

Hahahahahaha.....ROTFL .... you don't know how funny you are, Renorita:) .

I have found for the most part that the AARP discount is only good at Hampton Inns and places like that. Beyond that, you can usually only use it on the full fare ... such as when you book thru the HAL site. You're bound to do better with other discounts by shopping around.

This also holds true for car rentals. While I do very well with my BJ's discount on car rentals, I'm never "allowed" to use the AARP discount. So much for AARP. I really wonder sometimes why we belong. Hampton Inns never asks for proof anyway:D

[damdamsels]

LindaE, were you able to get a AAA discount for the cruise on January 16th. Our AAA office said no credits were available for this sailing? Do you think we could still get a AARP discount?

[tommy]

Hahahahahaha.....ROTFL .... you don't know how funny you are, Renorita:) .

I have found for the most part that the AARP discount is only good at Hampton Inns and places like that. Beyond that, you can usually only use it on the full fare ... such as when you book thru the HAL site. You're bound to do better with other discounts by shopping around.

This also holds true for car rentals. While I do very well with my BJ's discount on car rentals, I'm never "allowed" to use the AARP discount. So much for AARP. I really wonder sometimes why we belong. Hampton Inns never asks for proof anyway:D
We are getting $200 because its a 2 week cruise,and the price thru Holland is as low as any ta we called,plus they gave us a $200 dollar ship credit.So sometimes you can combine the two.Heather Iam almost afraid to ask,whats a BJ discount? TOM

[HeatherInFlorida]

We are getting $200 because its a 2 week cruise,and the price thru Holland is as low as any ta we called,plus they gave us a $200 dollar ship credit.So sometimes you can combine the two.Heather Iam almost afraid to ask,whats a BJ discount? TOM

First, I'm amazed that the HAL site if giving you the same price as any TA. I have never seen that before. Is your cruise soon? Sometimes when they want to fill the ship, they'll lower the price, but who cares? Great for you and $200 plus the AARP discount! You can't beat that.

"BJ's" is BJ's Wholesale Club which is much like Costco. They have excellent discounts on all sorts of things including cruises. Their stores are all over the U.S. At the front of each store they have flyers about all the discounts, but you do have to be a "club member" which is about $40/year for husband and wife.

[tommy]

Heather,I wont debate the use of TAs,There are to many on here.But we have done 18 cruises and the last 9 or so we book direct.The only difference in price is usually no more than 100 dollars either way plus we seem to make out better on upgrade.Our cruise is in Oct of 2005.The price can vary daily,so we check every day when it goes down we get the lower price. TOM

[Linda-E]

Janet,

I doubt that they will add the AARP discount after final payment. Your travel agent should have tried to get that for you when you booked the cruise. It doesn't hurt to ask though. :)

We got a shipboard credit as part of a promotion for our travel agency. Couldn't use AARP with the rate, but we got a balcony for the price of an outside cabin. We had balcony guarantees for 6 cabins and all were upgraded. Five of them are in a row with balcony partitions that open, and the sixth is just a few cabins away. I generally have to struggle with cruiselines to get group cabins in the same zipcode, even when getting assigned cabins, so I am very pleased with HAL right now.

See you on the Westerdam.

Linda