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Carnival gift cards on AARP


nitewolfusaf
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Hello all I was wondering if anyone knows if AARP is no longer selling the electronic version of the Carnival gift cards?  Not getting the email option when I try to add them to my shopping cart.  I emailed them and they replied by telling me to call them.  I called them and the person I spoke to didn't seem to have a clue, so I figured I'd reach out here.  Just wondering if anyone knows if they're no longer selling electronic versions or if they're just currently sold out of them.  Thanks

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1 hour ago, teknoge3k said:

I hate that they did away with the e-cards. I would MUCH rather have them then get a physical card for several reasons. Seems they're trending backwards. 

ITA and that is very disappointing.  I guess I should order some.  

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I have ordered these cards for a number of years--formerly through Verizon Wireless, now through AARP.

 

Out of all the orders I've placed for the mailed cards, I've only had one problem not receiving them within a week. They never showed up.

 

The service that I received from Rewards For Good was outstanding--they cancelled my order, credited my credit card, and I just re-ordered.

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My issue with the physical cards isn't me worried about them getting lost or not delivered. That's not anything I am worried about. What I like with the digital cards are

  • They are instant. No waiting on delivery.
  • No need to scratch a card and type in a bunch of numbers. It's much easier to copy and paste numbers, especially if you're using several cards at once.
  • No need to keep up with a physical card, and having the risk of them being lost between when you get them and the cruise. I can keep a text file of a list of numbers on my phone so I can pay my balance off the last night with them. I am less likely to lose my phone than a little gift card.
  • We do not use the USPS so if I order under $500, then I actually have to remember to check the mailbox. Otherwise we check our mailbox literally once every 2-3 weeks at best. Usually not even that often. 
  • There is no shipping charge on the e-cards. I know the shipping charge is minuscule but I needed a 5th reason. I'm OCD and 5 reasons are better than 4.  
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I believe I heard/read that it was much easier for someone to hack or create the digital ecards than the plastic ones.  I've used both many times,  for paying off a cruise or on board expenses, and the only issue I ever had redeeming a card was on board with an email version.  For that one cruise only, I had to wait a day for the redemption to show, and I could only redeem 3 $100 cards at a time.

GS told me it was due to counterfeit cards being circulated, and I'm glad I only had that issue once.

Digital or plastic, I love being able to pay off a cruise (and my casino donations) at a 10% discount.

Hopefully, Rewards for Good will upgrade their anti counterfeit technology and begin issuing safer ecards in the future.

Edited by evandbob
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2 minutes ago, shoptom said:

One thing I did not understand about these cards is that you cannot add them to your on board account ahead of time.  They are only for paying off your balance due.

 

This is incorrect.

You can't add them to your account from home before your cruise, no. You can add them to your account once you get to the cruise terminal, from any kiosk or from guest services on the ship. You can also use them to pay for any onboard spending that you do, shopping, casino, excursions, etc. They can be used for more than just for your cruise fare that's due.

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1 hour ago, teknoge3k said:

 

This is incorrect.

You can't add them to your account from home before your cruise, no. You can add them to your account once you get to the cruise terminal, from any kiosk or from guest services on the ship. You can also use them to pay for any onboard spending that you do, shopping, casino, excursions, etc. They can be used for more than just for your cruise fare that's due.

I just used some for Fun Shops purchases for our upcoming cruise--water, vodka/ mixers, cookies, etc.

I have more that I will apply to my account while on the ship.

 

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I really liked the E-cards, and they did lose our order of $100 cards once. However, we stick to the $500 cards. Those are shipped differently, and come quickly and without problem. We had a remaining balance of $60 for the cruise, and it felt weird to just pay it and not wait for the physical cards to show up! 

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  • 3 weeks later...
5 minutes ago, deedaydreamer said:

I apologize if this has been answered previously, but if I ordered a $500 card today would it be here via UPS in 4 days or is that too risky?

In my experience, it takes about a week to get the physical gift cards. I think you might be taking a risk.

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On 11/3/2018 at 8:12 AM, deedaydreamer said:

I apologize if this has been answered previously, but if I ordered a $500 card today would it be here via UPS in 4 days or is that too risky?

 

Too risky if you need them this week. Mine have been taking a few days before they ship and a total of 7-8 days before I get them. 

Edited by Saint Greg
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On 11/3/2018 at 9:12 AM, deedaydreamer said:

I apologize if this has been answered previously, but if I ordered a $500 card today would it be here via UPS in 4 days or is that too risky?

 

Probably a moot point now, but I ordered a $500 one on 10/27 and received it last Thursday, exactly 5 business days later. Four days is pushing it, so I hope you decided not to take the chance. 

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I ordered my $500 card on Monday and it was here Friday. I received an email stating because of the amount they were sending it UPS and I would have to sign for it. I ordered 2 $100 cards on Tuesday and they arrived by mail on Saturday. 

Edited by OTgirl
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On 10/18/2018 at 7:50 AM, shoptom said:

One thing I did not understand about these cards is that you cannot add them to your on board account ahead of time.  They are only for paying off your balance due.

 You buy cruise-cash online ahead of time with the cards and that gets added to your sign and sail account in advance.

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1 hour ago, EarloftheSeas said:

 You buy cruise-cash online ahead of time with the cards and that gets added to your sign and sail account in advance.

Cruise cash is non-refundable, though. It is my understanding of it is added on board as a credit to the account, unused portions of the gift card are refunded it over $5 from what I have read. If you know you will use all of it, cruise cash is fine. If you aren't sure, I'd add it on board.

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14 minutes ago, bahacca said:

Cruise cash is non-refundable, though. It is my understanding of it is added on board as a credit to the account, unused portions of the gift card are refunded it over $5 from what I have read. If you know you will use all of it, cruise cash is fine. If you aren't sure, I'd add it on board.

 

You can always cash out in the casino if you want to get cruise cash.

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Just a warning about the AARP cards from a personal experience that I have just gone through. Be sure that you give yourself plenty of time to receive them. Previously we have received them about 7 days after ordering them, however....

 

I ordered 2 $100 gift cards on November 1st and after realizing we have not received them yet, I check the order. I discovered at that point that they had not even been shipped yet. After talking to customer service, I was told that they would need to submit a ticket to figure out what happened, which can take 2 to 3 business days. No big deal if I had the extra time, however, our cruise leaves on the 15th (which originally I thought was plenty of time).  Knowing that even if they discovered the issue and shipped them next week, we would not get them in time. :( I unfortunately had to cancel my order (which is another ticket) and I will have to wait to be refunded. 

 

Moral of the long story, just give yourself a couple of weeks before your trip to order, and be sure to check if it shipped about 3 days after you order. 

 

Other than this instance we have not had an issues. 

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