The upsell fairy and Carnival gift cards - Will Tidecat get burned?

[tidecat]

I logged in to the my Cruise Manager, noticed an upgrade offer to move from an Ocean View to a balcony for a reasonable price. I went so far as to pick out a room number, and then went to the payment page - only to find the only form of payment is a credit card. Given that I have two gift cards with small balances, and had bought a e-gift card to use for this, I guess I'll have to call in the morning and hope a CSR will be able to take payment via gift cards.

 

 

[Pyxie]

Considering the current wait times and the fact that these offers are usually sent to many people and first come, first serve (they can and DO sell out and usually pretty quickly), I would just pay with a credit card and use my gift card for something else.

[cmichael1221]

In the past I paid with a credit card and then called in and had them apply the gift cards and refund the credit card payment.  Took some time, but they were able to help out.

 

[tidecat]

56 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

Considering the current wait times and the fact that these offers are usually sent to many people and first come, first serve (they can and DO sell out and usually pretty quickly), I would just pay with a credit card and use my gift card for something else.

I actually would up having to do that - the room I first wanted was on the aft part of Deck 8, but I had to settle for the front of Deck 8. I knew I didn't want to book Deck 6 (immediately above the lanai), and didn't want to book Deck 9 and be directly under the Lido Deck.

[mondello]

@tidecat I wasn't aware they put upsell offers in your Cruise Planner/Manager. I'll have to keep an eye on mine for my upcoming cruises.

[kelkel2]

Honestly, I get the appeal of using the gift cards, but I wouldn’t wait if you really want that upsell. It likely won’t be there when you finally get through. 

[Bevv]

2 hours ago, kelkel2 said:

Honestly, I get the appeal of using the gift cards, but I wouldn’t wait if you really want that upsell. It likely won’t be there when you finally get through. 

I purchase gift cards at AARP... at 10% off.  Worth a little hassle at times to save the $$. I agree though that I would not have used my gift card in the original poster's situation.

[cruisingguy007]

12 hours ago, mondello said:

@tidecat I wasn't aware they put upsell offers in your Cruise Planner/Manager. I'll have to keep an eye on mine for my upcoming cruises.

 

Same, where is everyone seeing this specificially? Is there a specific tab/section you have to click and does this happen pre/post final payment? How close to departure does this typically happen (aprrox)? Just want to BOLO in case ones of these blessings comes my way. 

[Old Fart Cruisers]

2 hours ago, Bevv said:

I purchase gift cards at AARP... at 10% off.  Worth a little hassle at times to save the $$. I agree though that I would not have used my gift card in the original poster's situation.

The Carnival MasterCard (Barclays) was offering 10% cash back on Carnival (dot) com purchases at one time, which would save the hassle of prepaying the gift cards.  Would an upsell offer count for that?  Also, does anyone know if the 10% cash back offer is something the Carnival MasterCard still does, or was that just a limited time offer?

Edited January 9, 2022 by Old Fart Cruisers

[cruisingguy007]

2 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

The Carnival MasterCard (Barclays) was offering 10% cash back on Carnival (dot) com purchases at one time, which would save the hassle of prepaying the gift cards.  Would an upsell offer count for that?  Also, is the 10% cash back offer something the Carnival MasterCard still does, or was that just a limited time offer?

 

They need a new bank to partner up with. Their card offering is super weak. Nearly every inhouse card I have nets me 5% cash back on all purchases and additional offerings for 10%-20% cashback on promotional items. I would sign up immediately if I got 10% cash back on transactions but their offers are terrible and can easily be eclipsed with other cards. Not sure why anyone would be enticed to get their current card offerings. 

[mondello]

3 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

They need a new bank to partner up with. Their card offering is super weak. Not sure why anyone would be enticed to get their current card offerings. 

I accepted it because I got a $250 statement credit off my first $500. I've been concentrating all my purchases on a Citi Thank You card and using the points for Carnival gift cards. Almost up to my third $100 GC.

I've been pinballing to save on offers to pay for our Spring Break/Vista and Summer B2B/Valor. In addition to the aforementioned savings of $550, I've gotten $250 off $1000/Citi Diamond Preferred, $35 off $100 on Chase Slate, Chase Amazon, and Bank Of America. Total savings of $905.

Remaining balance of last cruise to pay off is $1200. I just submitted FCC from our Horizon/Sunshine switcheroo, which is only $165 for our 2 cabins because I didn't pay much to book. One was a casino offer.

$905+165=$1070. I'll save at least 10% off the remaining balance by purchasing Carnival gift cards,plus another $100-200 savings from my Citi points. All cards are paid off monthly, it's not like I'm spending frivolously.

Cruising is fun and saving money is sweet!

[cruisingguy007]

1 minute ago, mondello said:

I accepted it because I got a $250 statement credit off my first $500. I've been concentrating all my purchases on a Citi Thank You card and using the points for Carnival gift cards. Almost up to my third $100 GC.

I've been pinballing to save on offers to pay for our Spring Break/Vista and Summer B2B/Valor. In addition to the aforementioned savings of $550, I've gotten $250 off $1000/Citi Diamond Preferred, $35 off $100 on Chase Slate, Chase Amazon, and Bank Of America. Total savings of $905.

Remaining balance of last cruise to pay off is $1200. I just submitted FCC from our Horizon/Sunshine switcheroo, which is only $165 for our 2 cabins because I didn't pay much to book. One was a casino offer.

$905+165=$1070. I'll save at least 10% off the remaining balance by purchasing Carnival gift cards,plus another $100-200 savings from my Citi points. All cards are paid off monthly, it's not like I'm spending frivolously.

Cruising is fun and saving money is sweet!

 

I'd take that too. I'd close it right after but I wouldn't pass that up either lol. 

[kelkel2]

10 hours ago, cruisingguy007 said:

 

They need a new bank to partner up with. Their card offering is super weak. Nearly every inhouse card I have nets me 5% cash back on all purchases and additional offerings for 10%-20% cashback on promotional items. I would sign up immediately if I got 10% cash back on transactions but their offers are terrible and can easily be eclipsed with other cards. Not sure why anyone would be enticed to get their current card offerings. 

I opened it for 20,000 bonus points. It paid for my deposit for our cruise! It was worth it to me. 

[rmajor]

On 1/9/2022 at 11:02 AM, cruisingguy007 said:

 

Same, where is everyone seeing this specificially? Is there a specific tab/section you have to click and does this happen pre/post final payment? How close to departure does this typically happen (aprrox)? Just want to BOLO in case ones of these blessings comes my way. 

I find them under my to do list on my carnival account

[cruisingguy007]

29 minutes ago, rmajor said:

I find them under my to do list on my carnival account

 

Finally! Thank you very much. I shall BOLO.