How to use gift cards?

[Mary229]

Another idea is when you view the gift card online with you iPhone it allows you to add it to your apple wallet.  Once onboard I just open my apple wallet and hand it over to pay my bill

[pghflyer]

I

4 hours ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

I thought you could only claim up to the amount you put on that card.  Can you clarify?

I was saying that it was a good point, not that I knew how it worked (paying with gift card and credit card, I have not done that).  I paid for a flight on my Chase card and then there was flooding and the airport closed and we were stuck for 3 days incurring hotel and meal and incidental costs that were all also put on the Chase.  I got refunded for all those costs.  

[Calnev1]

On 3/27/2023 at 5:09 PM, Hllb said:

You just need the card number and the pin, so you could just screen shot them on your phone (so you don't have issues with cell service).

I have been using HAL egift cards for years now to pay for onboard expenses.  I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you bring a hard copy print out of your egift card.  The last three HAL cruises I was on the guest service folks wanted the hard copy when I went to put the card on my onboard account.  I was very glad I had the hard copies.

 

Another poster asked about using the GCs in the HAL casinos. It is simple.  Put the gift card(s) on your onboard account.  If you play slots, load your slot account by selecting "charge to room."  If you play table games, tell the dealer you want to buy some chips and "charge it to your room."  These charges will flow to your onboard account, and the gift card will be used to pay for the charges.  If you don't blow all your charges in the casino, you get whatever is left over from the casino cage in cash.

[YourWorldWithBill]

20 hours ago, Calnev1 said:

Another poster asked about using the GCs in the HAL casinos. It is simple.  Put the gift card(s) on your onboard account.

These charges will flow to your onboard account, and the gift card will be used to pay for the charges.  If you don't blow all your charges in the casino, you get whatever is left over from the casino cage in cash.

Thanks; good info. I was buying the chips before the cruise, then the paper for the chips is in the stateroom when you arrive. But this is easier.

[LucindaCurl1]

I'm considering purchasing Holland America Gift cards from AARP for a 10% discount.  Can I use the gift cards now to put on my onboard credit rather than being on board and going to guest services?

 

 

[Mary229]

5 minutes ago, LucindaCurl1 said:

I'm considering purchasing Holland America Gift cards from AARP for a 10% discount.  Can I use the gift cards now to put on my onboard credit rather than being on board and going to guest services?

 

 

Yea, you can buy onboard credit on the manage my cruise page.   I do this to cover gratuities and other items.  

[zgscl]

The one issue I had with the AARP gift cards was that I bought one on the last night of the cruise and for some reason they flagged the transaction and I had to call them on disembarkation day first thing. Once I spoke to them I was able to verify and they sent the gift card. Then due to bad luck there was a system outage onboard and they couldn't apply it so I ended up buying a $500 gift card that I didn't need at the time and a separate $500 charge on my card for my onboard account. 

Other than that I have gotten the cards within a few minutes of purchase and have had no other trouble applying them. Your TA can apply them to the reservation online through the agent portal just as easily as a credit card, or by phone. The front desk should be able to apply them easily on the ship but definitely having the paper copy will be helpful. The only place I have not been able to use them is online purchases for shore excursions, etc. I would imagine that if you call to book they could probably apply it. 

Keep in mind that once you buy one you will never get that cash back. If you have a refund it will go back to the card so definitely keep a list of the numbers. I also wouldn't think it is worth it unless you are a frequent HAL sailor and are absolutely sure you will be able to use it. 

[EddiesToys]

On 5/19/2023 at 11:54 AM, Mary229 said:

Yea, you can buy onboard credit on the manage my cruise page.   I do this to cover gratuities and other items.  

Just tried to buy AARP gift cards for HAL.  No go.  Phone number on east coast, CLOSED!

Not too impressed with AARP!

[Mary229]

2 minutes ago, EddiesToys said:

Just tried to buy AARP gift cards for HAL.  No go.  Phone number on east coast, CLOSED!

Not too impressed with AARP!

What happened, specifically?  

[EddiesToys]

I didn't make a copy, but it said that transaction didn't process and to call 1-866-451-6305.

Customer service is on East Coast.  I'm in California.  I may call Monday, or just forget it. 

My Preferred Savings Account with my bank pays 4.76% monthly which is more than the one time AARP savings if  cards are purchased 3 or more months in advance.  Then there is the 3% my Big Box credit card gives me, plus another 2% CC "Rewards".  So much math!

Edited May 22, 2023 by EddiesToys

[EddiesToys]

40 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

What happened, specifically?  

I just noticed that AARP "History" is unavailable due to maintenance.  Maybe that's the issue.  My credit card company verified that there have been no declined transactions.

Edited May 22, 2023 by EddiesToys

[Mary229]

8 hours ago, EddiesToys said:

I just noticed that AARP "History" is unavailable due to maintenance.  Maybe that's the issue.  My credit card company verified that there have been no declined transactions.

Their site is glitchy.  Isn’t it nice that keeping it in the bank for a while is worthwhile ?!   I only use the cards for pre purchases, like shore excursions and to take onboard to pay my onboard expenses.   My credit card offers insurance which I figured is worth close to 10% so, no, I don’t use gift cards to pay the cruise fare either 

Edited May 22, 2023 by Mary229

[Nodakboiler]

If your CC is automatically entered, the AARP site might not recognize it. You usually need to physically enter each digit as well as security code and expiration date. Others have had this issue.

[BermudaBound2014]

12 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Their site is glitchy.  Isn’t it nice that keeping it in the bank for a while is worthwhile ?!   I only use the cards for pre purchases, like shore excursions and to take onboard to pay my onboard expenses.   My credit card offers insurance which I figured is worth close to 10% so, no, I don’t use gift cards to pay the cruise fare either 

 

Hi Mary, I believe you said you use Chase Sapphire for your CC to get the insurance? If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Chase cover everything as long as any portion of the trip has been placed on that CC? Maybe I'm getting mistaken with another CC.

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Hi Mary, I believe you said you use Chase Sapphire for your CC to get the insurance? If I'm not mistaken, doesn't Chase cover everything as long as any portion of the trip has been placed on that CC? Maybe I'm getting mistaken with another CC.

That is the rumor, there is no verification of that on the documentation that I have seen.  If someone could verify the any portion theory with 100% certainty I would change my ways 

[BermudaBound2014]

11 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

That is the rumor, there is no verification of that on the documentation that I have seen.  If someone could verify the any portion theory with 100% certainty I would change my ways 

 

Thanks. I"m going to make some calls here shortly. I just got the Sapphire and I'm looking at purchasing annual insurance. I need to really dig into the details. Will keep you posted.

 

On a side note, I'm a bit hesitant to use the gift cards to pay off the next cruise. Considering it's 35 days this isn't like slapping down a couple grand for a bus run. The gift cards make me nervous in the event HAL does a Ch7/11. I do not believe the gift cards come with any protection at all. 

Edited May 22, 2023 by BermudaBound2014

[Red Haired Lady]

29 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Thanks. I"m going to make some calls here shortly. I just got the Sapphire and I'm looking at purchasing annual insurance. I need to really dig into the details. Will keep you posted.

 

On a side note, I'm a bit hesitant to use the gift cards to pay off the next cruise. Considering it's 35 days this isn't like slapping down a couple grand for a bus run. The gift cards make me nervous in the event HAL does a Ch7/11. I do not believe the gift cards come with any protection at all. 

 

@Mary229  @Native Floridian 26

 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve covers up to $10K for one traveller and up to $20K for two  travellers.  You must put a portion of the charge on the Chase card. (I don't know how much that is, so I always put about half on the Chase card and half using gift cards)  Here is the Guide to Benefits.  See page 28 and onward.

 

 

Chase Sapphire Pref Card Benefits 2021.pdf

Edited May 22, 2023 by Red Haired Lady

[Red Haired Lady]

On 5/6/2023 at 12:26 PM, Native Floridian 26 said:

I thought you could only claim up to the amount you put on that card.  Can you clarify?

 

24 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

That is the rumor, there is no verification of that on the documentation that I have seen.  If someone could verify the any portion theory with 100% certainty I would change my ways 

 

13 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Thanks. I"m going to make some calls here shortly. I just got the Sapphire and I'm looking at purchasing annual insurance. I need to really dig into the details. Will keep you posted.

 

On a side note, I'm a bit hesitant to use the gift cards to pay off the next cruise. Considering it's 35 days this isn't like slapping down a couple grand for a bus run. The gift cards make me nervous in the event HAL does a Ch7/11. I do not believe the gift cards come with any protection at all. 

 

[Red Haired Lady]

Just now, Red Haired Lady said:

 

 

 

see post 67

[Mary229]

13 minutes ago, Red Haired Lady said:

see post 67

Yes, that is what I have read many times.   I am waiting until someone who has filed a claim verifies.  If it was just me I wouldn’t be concerned but with an elderly parent I may need to use the insurance one day. 

[Red Haired Lady]

45 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Yes, that is what I have read many times.   I am waiting until someone who has filed a claim verifies.  If it was just me I wouldn’t be concerned but with an elderly parent I may need to use the insurance one day. 

I have used it, but it was a minor claim not a whole trip.  This was when they had many claims resulting from covid.  Understandably they were overwhelmed by the volume of claims so it did take awhile. 

[richwmn]

As a note on using gift cards. I sent my Travel Agent 11 gift cards to use today. In the past she has had to call HAL and read the number/pin to an agent there. She told me that she can now enter the card numbers and pins into a web site for payment. Much easier. All were applied without a problem this afternoon.

 

[Native Floridian 26]

1 hour ago, Red Haired Lady said:

 

@Mary229  @Native Floridian 26

 

The Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve covers up to $10K for one traveller and up to $20K for two  travellers.  You must put a portion of the charge on the Chase card. (I don't know how much that is, so I always put about half on the Chase card and half using gift cards)  Here is the Guide to Benefits.  See page 28 and onward.

 

 

Chase Sapphire Pref Card Benefits 2021.pdf 360.36 kB · 3 downloads

From the Benefit Summary on page 30:  Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance The Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefit provides reimbursement for Eligible Travel Expenses charged to the Cardholder’s Account up to ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars per Covered Person and up to twenty thousand ($20,000.00) dollars per Trip, if a loss results in cancellation or interruption of the travel arrangements

 

Would you really expect them to reimburse more than was was charged on the card?

Edited May 23, 2023 by Native Floridian 26

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

From the Benefit Summary on page 30:  Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance The Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefit provides reimbursement for Eligible Travel Expenses charged to the Cardholder’s Account up to ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars per Covered Person and up to twenty thousand ($20,000.00) dollars per Trip, if a loss results in cancellation or interruption of the travel arrangements

 

Would you really expect them to reimburse more than was was charged on the card?

I would not.  

[Red Haired Lady]

30 minutes ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

From the Benefit Summary on page 30:  Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance The Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefit provides reimbursement for Eligible Travel Expenses charged to the Cardholder’s Account up to ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars per Covered Person and up to twenty thousand ($20,000.00) dollars per Trip, if a loss results in cancellation or interruption of the travel arrangements

 

Would you really expect them to reimburse more than was was charged on the card?

I think I would after reading this. (Italics are mine)

Also from page 30-

The Cardholder and Immediate Family Members are covered when the Cardholder’s name is embossed on an eligible Card issued in the United States, and the Cardholder charges all or a portion of a Trip to his or her Credit Card Account and/or Rewards programs associated with the Account

 

Page 33 - 

• No benefit will be paid for any Eligible Travel Expense unless a portion of such Eligible Travel Expense has been charged to the Account.

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Red Haired Lady