Paying extra $ to build onboard credit

[RuthlessBoss]

It used to be for retired people but no more, it is aimed at people 50 and over.

 

"AARP is a membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service."

 

I do not know but I would not see why not? Maybe other Canadians cruisers could answer that...??

 

Isn't it American Association for Retired People?

[RaiderFaninNM]

Isn't it American Association for Retired People?

 

Not anymore, they are just known as AARP, they just kept the letters for the organization. Membership is for people 50+ and I did read somewhere in here that someone joined at 30something?..........

[cruizinisthebest]

They don't care how old you are. We joined it and neither one of us is retired.

 

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[LMaxwell]

Yes, open up a separate/new savings account.

[LMaxwell]

Not anymore, they are just known as AARP, they just kept the letters for the organization. Membership is for people 50+ and I did read somewhere in here that someone joined at 30something?..........

 

It is an advocacy group. Membership is for anyone that wants to support them (pay for membership). Yes, I am in my 30's and a card carrying member. I use the discount quite often in a variety of places.

[hockeyluver]

Doesn't look like they can be shipped to a Canadian address.:( I just tried to plug one in and there's no option to do it.

 

Thanks

[RaiderFaninNM]

It is an advocacy group. Membership is for anyone that wants to support them (pay for membership). Yes, I am in my 30's and a card carrying member. I use the discount quite often in a variety of places.

 

Wow even better! When I turned 50, last year, I received a flier in the mail and decided what the heck and yes LOTS of nice discounts!

[FTLCruiseGal]

I'm confused. So is cruise cash refundable if you cancel the cruise you got it for or not? Just curious, because I'm on the gift card train. But some others I'm traveling with next year may be interested.

 

I purchased the cruise cash through the Fun Shops before my cruise. I had to cancel the cruise, so all my Fun Shop purchases were credited. The non-refundable part comes into play if you do not use all of it during the cruise. For example, you purchase $500 in cruise cash, but you only end up spending $450, you will not get that $50 back.

 

There are three kinds: cruise cash, cruise cash bar, and cruise cash photo. If they are going to go this route, I would recommend the cruise cash as it can be used toward any purchases (food in the specialty restaurant, drinks, pictures, in the Fun Shops, casino, or be placed toward your gratuities).

[ohiokate]

I'm using giftcards to pay for my cruise and plan on doing so to cover all my oboard expenses.

 

The 10% discount available through AARP and Verizon is a much better deal than any savings account interest rate.

[cruizinisthebest]

I purchased the cruise cash through the Fun Shops before my cruise. I had to cancel the cruise, so all my Fun Shop purchases were credited. The non-refundable part comes into play if you do not use all of it during the cruise. For example, you purchase $500 in cruise cash, but you only end up spending $450, you will not get that $50 back.

 

There are three kinds: cruise cash, cruise cash bar, and cruise cash photo. If they are going to go this route, I would recommend the cruise cash as it can be used toward any purchases (food in the specialty restaurant, drinks, pictures, in the Fun Shops, casino, or be placed toward your gratuities).

Thanks.

 

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[butterflys]

It is an advocacy group. Membership is for anyone that wants to support them (pay for membership). Yes, I am in my 30's and a card carrying member. I use the discount quite often in a variety of places.

 

Thanks so much for posting this. I thought it was for retired persons or persons over 50. I just signed up with my real birthday and I am in my thirties, I just became a member of AARP. I think the other poster is right they don't care how old you are.

 

You don't need to pay the membership fee to get the gift cards but you do need to register on the online site which is free.

 

If you are are considering becoming a member I would register on the site first, then sign up for membership because it gives you extra points! :D

[KARTI1955]

I would love to be able to buy carnival gift cards ahead of time, but they arent sold in Canada :( well at least I dont think so, havent seen any anywhere!

 

So I buy cruise cash and bar cash...... BUT I only buy what I know we will use up. a couple hundred of each. With our exchange rate........... every little bit helps :eek:

 

 

Carnival Gift Cards - Frequently Asked Questions

 

Saw this on the Carnival site.

 

 

Q: Is the Carnival Gift Card available in multiple currencies?

A: The Carnival Gift Card is only available in USD – if the cruise booking is in a currency other than USD, the gift card holder can still present/redeem it onboard – Note: Gift Cards are not redeemable nor sold on ships sailing out of Australia as the onboard functional currency is AUD.

 

Q: Can a Carnival Gift Card be purchased online using a Canadian address?

A: Yes, a Canadian resident can purchase an electronic gift card (e-Gift Card) online using their Canadian billing address.

[Swampbaby]

We do the "change jar" thing also. We live in Vegas though. DH can cash it in at the casino where he works so we don't have to lose a percentage of it at the coinstar machine, or have to roll it in order to cash it in at the bank.

 

I also have a "change jar". I can take the coins to our credit union and dump them in the coin counter. The money goes directly into the savings account and I simply walk over to the teller and withdraw that amount.

 

Since our FEB cruise has been paid off for several months, I've gotten OBC from price drops AND have the gift cards through Verizon. Have enough already to not only pay on-board expenses (prepaid the gratuity already) but enough for the deposit on our next cruise that I will book while on the upcoming one.

[cruizinisthebest]

Carnival Gift Cards - Frequently Asked Questions

 

Saw this on the Carnival site.

 

 

Q: Is the Carnival Gift Card available in multiple currencies?

A: The Carnival Gift Card is only available in USD – if the cruise booking is in a currency other than USD, the gift card holder can still present/redeem it onboard – Note: Gift Cards are not redeemable nor sold on ships sailing out of Australia as the onboard functional currency is AUD.

 

Q: Can a Carnival Gift Card be purchased online using a Canadian address?

A: Yes, a Canadian resident can purchase an electronic gift card (e-Gift Card) online using their Canadian billing address.

Problem is none of the discounted cards come in ecard form anymore. I guess if you want to get the ecards from Carnivalgiftcards.com, you can.

 

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[Badfinger]

Wow...given the frugal nature of most here, i would think most here would charge EVERYTHING on a credit card (anything not covered by one of those 10% savings gift cards anyway) in order to get rewards back on your credit card (plus earn few pennies in interest while your cash is sitting in the back). I believe ours gives us 3% back on travel.

[momof3cruisers]

Wow...given the frugal nature of most here, i would think most here would charge EVERYTHING on a credit card (anything not covered by one of those 10% savings gift cards anyway) in order to get rewards back on your credit card (plus earn few pennies in interest while your cash is sitting in the back). I believe ours gives us 3% back on travel.

 

Even better...pay for the discounted gift cards with your rewards credit card and end up with a 13% discount.:D

[Badfinger]

Even better...pay for the discounted gift cards with your rewards credit card and end up with a 13% discount.:D

 

Actually 12.7%........

[firemanbobswife]

Best believe I would be doing that except I get mine through Citi Easy Deals so I have to use my Citi Diamond Preferred card to purchase them. Which just gets me more points to use for more gift cards :( . I would rather have cash back or put it on my Cap 1 Venture Rewards card for future travel credit. I already have so many stinking Citi points that there's no way I will ever use them all! Haven't found anything else really worth buying on there except other gift cards. But still.

Edited October 26, 2015 by firemanbobswife

[DRZ2]

I registered but I can't find the gift cards :-(

[BrownIGirl21]

I'm using giftcards to pay for my cruise and plan on doing so to cover all my oboard expenses.

 

The 10% discount available through AARP and Verizon is a much better deal than any savings account interest rate.

I agree and it is a great way to save some money.

[luvincruising]

I registered but I can't find the gift cards :-(

 

The Carnival gift cards show up sporadically. They will not be available for days and, then suddenly, there they are. At times, the site will get you excited because you will see the Carnival gift card icon on the travel gift card page, but it will show "sold out" instead of "add to cart".

Check the site often and subscribe to the AARP Gift Card thread. I just checked and the Carnival cards are still not available.

:)