Another gift card question

[CountryCruiser]

I have 2 gift cards. Since my cruise is not until December, I don't want to risk losing them. Cruise is paid for. Can I go ahead and apply them to my onboard account? And if I do, can I use them to purchase a FTTF if it comes available?

[trueblue91652747]

I'm curious about this also.

[Rod in Az]

Unfortunately, there is no way to apply then pre-cruise to your account, you can however use them to pay for FTTF if it comes available.

 

If you have not prepaid your gratuities already you can have them added to your cruise and use the gift cards to pay them.

 

Although you didn't ask, I always keep my unused cards in the case with my passport so I don't forget them.

[tidecat]

You aren't able to apply them to your onboard account prior to boarding, but you can use them for FTTF or shore excursions purchased through Carnival. You can apply them to your Sign & Sail account once onboard.

 

If you're worried about losing the cards, get a safe deposit box at your bank or even just an inexpensive small fireproof safe (if you don't have something like that already) and keep them in there. Before you lock up the physical cards, you can write down the card numbers and PIN numbers in case if you want to use the cards online. You typically only need the PIN number to check the balance on the card.

 

The cards themselves do not charge a dormancy fee and do not expire, so they are good as long as Carnival stays in business.

 

 

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[trueblue91652747]

Thanks so much for the info. This is the first time we have used gift cards so this info really helps. Thanks again.

[Swampbaby]

I second the keeping the cards with my passport. I KNOW that the passport will go with me and the cards are inside the passport holder so they will also go with me.

[cruzn buckeye]

You aren't able to apply them to your onboard account prior to boarding, but you can use them for FTTF or shore excursions purchased through Carnival. You can apply them to your Sign & Sail account once onboard.

 

If you're worried about losing the cards, get a safe deposit box at your bank or even just an inexpensive small fireproof safe (if you don't have something like that already) and keep them in there. Before you lock up the physical cards, you can write down the card numbers and PIN numbers in case if you want to use the cards online. You typically only need the PIN number to check the balance on the card.

 

The cards themselves do not charge a dormancy fee and do not expire, so they are good as long as Carnival stays in business.

 

 

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I received a Carnival gift card as a gift. Pin#?? Do I have to activate this card? I just thought the money is on the card and I can start using it...

[FTLCruiseGal]

I received a Carnival gift card as a gift. Pin#?? Do I have to activate this card? I just thought the money is on the card and I can start using it...

 

You do not need to activate the card -- the money is on there. You will only need a PIN if you want to check the balance. In order to get the PIN, you will need to contact Carnival and give them the gift card number and set up a PIN with them. I thought it was under the scratch off on the back of the card, but that is not it.

Edited June 27, 2016 by FTLCruiseGal

[Schoifmom]

You do not need to activate the card -- the money is on there. You will only need a PIN if you want to check the balance. In order to get the PIN, you will need to contact Carnival and give them the gift card number and set up a PIN with them. I thought it was under the scratch off on the back of the card, but that is not it.

 

Hmmm, I've always used the number under the scratch off area when checking the balance online with no problems.

[Saint Greg]

Hmmm, I've always used the number under the scratch off area when checking the balance online with no problems.

 

 

 

Yeah my online gift cards came with PINs but I didn't need to use them to apply them towards my cruise.

[Saint Greg]

I have 2 gift cards. Since my cruise is not until December, I don't want to risk losing them. Cruise is paid for. Can I go ahead and apply them to my onboard account? And if I do, can I use them to purchase a FTTF if it comes available?

 

According to posts 60 and 61 in the below thread, if your cruise is paid for you can still apply gift cards towards your cruise fare and get a refund on your credit card. Then you wouldn't have to worry about losing them between now and then.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2371372&page=4

[Schoifmom]

According to posts 60 and 61 in the below thread, if your cruise is paid for you can still apply gift cards towards your cruise fare and get a refund on your credit card. Then you wouldn't have to worry about losing them between now and then.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2371372&page=4

 

That is true ONLY if you have put any portion of your cruise fare on a credit card (I only use gift cards for mine).

[Kd_chocolate]

According to posts 60 and 61 in the below thread, if your cruise is paid for you can still apply gift cards towards your cruise fare and get a refund on your credit card. Then you wouldn't have to worry about losing them between now and then.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2371372&page=4

 

Just checking...Is that just "until final payment date" as stated in post 60 since OP stated her cruise is already paid in full?

[Saint Greg]

Just checking...Is that just "until final payment date" as stated in post 60 since OP stated her cruise is already paid in full?

 

 

 

I assumed by "final payment date" they meant the final payment deadline...which is 2 months prior to the cruise date in my case.

 

 

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Edited June 27, 2016 by Saint Greg

[oohlalailicious]

Thanks so much for the info. This is the first time we have used gift cards so this info really helps. Thanks again.

 

I was told that even after the cruise is paid in full, you may request your deposit be refunded to your credit card and you may then use the gift card to pay for it. Worth a try right? :D

[Kd_chocolate]

I was told that even after the cruise is paid in full, you may request your deposit be refunded to your credit card and you may then use the gift card to pay for it. Worth a try right? :D

 

I assumed by "final payment date" they meant the final payment deadline...which is 2 months prior to the cruise date in my case.

 

 

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Thank you both! That's always good info to know!

[Sparky2]

You do not need to activate the card -- the money is on there. You will only need a PIN if you want to check the balance. In order to get the PIN, you will need to contact Carnival and give them the gift card number and set up a PIN with them. I thought it was under the scratch off on the back of the card, but that is not it.

 

I've also always used the scratch off # to check card balance. This is when I've ordered them through AARP and want to make sure the cards have the balance that I paid for.

[naz022292]

I was told that even after the cruise is paid in full, you may request your deposit be refunded to your credit card and you may then use the gift card to pay for it. Worth a try right? :D

 

You are correct. I had paid my cruise early (Final Payment Due Date is 7/18/16) and accidently ordered too much in discounted gift cards through Verizon. All of my cruise, except the deposit, was paid with gift cards. I called Carnival and they were able to refund my deposit to my credit card and apply payment from my gift card. She told me that this can only be done until final payment date.

[sk84fungirl]

Just got off the phone with my TA and he confirmed that my GC could not be applied to my account as it is paid in full, etc. I can use it once I arrive which I will for my gratuities and other stuff.

 

However, I did use one toward my air through Carnival which was quite helpful. And it was still after I made final cruise payment.

 

Will be interesting to see how this process works of taking it onboard with me as I will likely not be purchasing any excursions or other via the website but will use for gratuities and casino.

[Schoifmom]

Just got off the phone with my TA and he confirmed that my GC could not be applied to my account as it is paid in full, etc. I can use it once I arrive which I will for my gratuities and other stuff.

 

However, I did use one toward my air through Carnival which was quite helpful. And it was still after I made final cruise payment.

 

Will be interesting to see how this process works of taking it onboard with me as I will likely not be purchasing any excursions or other via the website but will use for gratuities and casino.

 

It works just like cash. You'll have no problems using it for gratuities and casino.

[bob7judy]

Just got off the phone with my TA and he confirmed that my GC could not be applied to my account as it is paid in full, etc. I can use it once I arrive which I will for my gratuities and other stuff.

 

However, I did use one toward my air through Carnival which was quite helpful. And it was still after I made final cruise payment.

 

Will be interesting to see how this process works of taking it onboard with me as I will likely not be purchasing any excursions or other via the website but will use for gratuities and casino.

 

I was able to use my gift card for my deposit and have the amount refunded to my credit card. My cruise was paid in full. The only stipulation I know of is it has to be before the final payment date. If you are not past that date, I would give the TA another call and have him try it.

[sk84fungirl]

I was able to use my gift card for my deposit and have the amount refunded to my credit card. My cruise was paid in full. The only stipulation I know of is it has to be before the final payment date. If you are not past that date, I would give the TA another call and have him try it.

 

We are past the final payment date. Less than 60 days before we cruise. I'm good as I have another scheduled cruise and looking to plan an additional on Vista.

 

Gift cards will definitely be put to use AND I will purchase more! :D