Carnival gift cards, onboard account, & casino account.

[luvincruising]

Just off the Valor and this is what I learned:

 

Gift cards can be applied to your onboard account when you check-in at the port [if the card readers are working]. Gift cards can also be added onboard at Guest services or at the kiosks. There is 1 kiosk by GS and another by the liquor store. If you want to use them, go at off times. They are very popular. Gift cards can be used to pay the deposit on a future cruise when you book it onboard. If you have already added all your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to the candy store and buy a new Carnival gift card with your S&S and use the new card to pay your deposit.

Warning: Any gift card money left on your onboard acct at the end of the cruise is non-refundable and cannot be reloaded to the original cards[this was conveyed by a GS mgr and separately by a GS rep]. If you do have gift card money left on your acct at the end of the cruise, go to the candy store on the night before debark and buy a Carnival gift card and a St. Jude t-shirt to zero out your acct; and/or, go to GS and have them add a specific amount to your dining team gratuities - over and above the auto-gratuities.

 

Setting up a casino acct:

After you have added your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to any slot machine, insert your S&S card in the slot, and follow the instructions and create a 4 digit pin. Once your pin is active, select the amount to move from your onboard acct to your casino acct - $10 - $500.00. $500.00 is the most that can be moved from your S&S until you cash out. You are now ready to play the slots.

To cash out:

go to any slot machine, insert your S&S in the slot, enter your pin, and select the cash out button; go to the cashier cage, give her your S&S card, enter your pin into the keypad, and the cashier will give you the cash that is left in your casino acct.

Warning: you can only cash out twice before the system locks you out. When your acct is locked up, a message will appear on the slot machine screen - "EFT NOT PERMITTED. PLEASE SEE A CASINO HOST FOR ASSISTANCE.". The casino host can reset your acct but they will tell you that you will have to play a lot more to prevent your acct from being locked again. They do not want you using the slot machines as an ATM.

To avoid the 3% service charge at the table games, use cash to buy chips at the tables or the cashier cage.

 

I hope this information is helpful.

:)

[erinmarie424]

Very helpful. Thanks!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Schoifmom]

Warning: Any gift card money left on your onboard acct at the end of the cruise is non-refundable and cannot be reloaded to the original cards[this was conveyed by a GS mgr and separately by a GS rep]. If you do have gift card money left on your acct at the end of the cruise, go to the candy store on the night before debark and buy a Carnival gift card and a St. Jude t-shirt to zero out your acct; and/or, go to GS and have them add a specific amount to your dining team gratuities - over and above the auto-gratuities.

 

Almost correct. Their website states that anything remaining on your S&S account that was funded by a gift card will be refunded to you with a gift card. It is true that the funds cannot be reloaded back to the original gift card. Some people have reported receiving these gift cards in the mail following the cruise, others have reported receiving a check. Gift cards are NOT use-it-or-lose-it.

[skidawg79]

Just off the Valor and this is what I learned:

 

Gift cards can be applied to your onboard account when you check-in at the port [if the card readers are working]. Gift cards can also be added onboard at Guest services or at the kiosks. There is 1 kiosk by GS and another by the liquor store. If you want to use them, go at off times. They are very popular. Gift cards can be used to pay the deposit on a future cruise when you book it onboard. If you have already added all your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to the candy store and buy a new Carnival gift card with your S&S and use the new card to pay your deposit.

Warning: Any gift card money left on your onboard acct at the end of the cruise is non-refundable and cannot be reloaded to the original cards[this was conveyed by a GS mgr and separately by a GS rep]. If you do have gift card money left on your acct at the end of the cruise, go to the candy store on the night before debark and buy a Carnival gift card and a St. Jude t-shirt to zero out your acct; and/or, go to GS and have them add a specific amount to your dining team gratuities - over and above the auto-gratuities.

 

 

That's wierd you say that, I have a $1000 gift card I'm using on the cruise. I've called carnival 3 seperate times (I always like to call a few times to make sure the answers are consistent). All three vacation planners said that anything left over from the gift card is refunded on a gift card. I'll have to check again. Thank you for the heads up!

[Schoifmom]

Just off the Valor and this is what I learned:

 

Gift cards can be applied to your onboard account when you check-in at the port [if the card readers are working]. Gift cards can also be added onboard at Guest services or at the kiosks. There is 1 kiosk by GS and another by the liquor store. If you want to use them, go at off times. They are very popular. Gift cards can be used to pay the deposit on a future cruise when you book it onboard. If you have already added all your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to the candy store and buy a new Carnival gift card with your S&S and use the new card to pay your deposit.

Warning: Any gift card money left on your onboard acct at the end of the cruise is non-refundable and cannot be reloaded to the original cards[this was conveyed by a GS mgr and separately by a GS rep]. If you do have gift card money left on your acct at the end of the cruise, go to the candy store on the night before debark and buy a Carnival gift card and a St. Jude t-shirt to zero out your acct; and/or, go to GS and have them add a specific amount to your dining team gratuities - over and above the auto-gratuities.

 

 

That's wierd you say that, I have a $1000 gift card I'm using on the cruise. I've called carnival 3 seperate times (I always like to call a few times to make sure the answers are consistent). All three vacation planners said that anything left over from the gift card is refunded on a gift card. I'll have to check again. Thank you for the heads up!

 

Q: Can I receive a refund on any unused portion of the Carnival Gift Card amount that was applied towards my Sail & Sign account while onboard?

A: Any unused portion or overage of the gift card that was applied toward your Sail & Sign account will be issued in the form of another Carnival Gift Card.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2004/related/1

 

That should settle it once and for all.

[Pops, Esq.]

According to the website, this is how it SHOULD work (not saying it actually does work that way).

 

Sail & Sign Refundable Overages

 

Refundable overages on a guest's Sail and Sign account will be refunded back in the same form of payment as was made for the initial deposit on the Sail & Sign account.

 

Credit Card: If the guest uses a credit card for their Sail & Sign deposit, any refundable overages will be credited back to the original credit card account.

Debit Card: if the guest uses a bank debit card for their Sail & Sign deposit, any refundable overages will be credited back to the original debit card account.

Carnival Gift Card: If the guest uses a Carnival Gift Card for their Sail & Sign deposit, any refundable overages will be refunded in the form of a new Carnival Gift Card.

 

As noted above, the gift cards are not reloadable. (Although I have seen posts where GS told the cruiser that she needed the original card, so there is confusion on this point). I think there is also some confusion with some between gift cards (which are refundable) and cruise cash (which is use-it-or-lose-it).

 

I will go with the cash out through the casino option for any leftover funds. Seems better to have the money in my hands when I get off the ship.

Edited February 24, 2016 by kbanowsky

[crusinpsychRN]

 

Q: Can I receive a refund on any unused portion of the Carnival Gift Card amount that was applied towards my Sail & Sign account while onboard?

A: Any unused portion or overage of the gift card that was applied toward your Sail & Sign account will be issued in the form of another Carnival Gift Card.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2004/related/1

 

That should settle it once and for all.

 

I was told yesterday not to throw away the gift card. In case something happens, they need the info on the gift card.

[Schoifmom]

I will go with the cash out through the casino option for any leftover funds. Seems better to have the money in my hands when I get off the ship.

 

That's what I did. I always prefer to be sure to get my money, rather than needing to fight for it should there be any issues later on.

 

I was told yesterday not to throw away the gift card. In case something happens, they need the info on the gift card.

 

It couldn't hurt to keep it, but since they are not reloadable, you will not be getting anything refunded to that card. Once it is at $0, that is where it stays.

[pcvtmom]

Glad to know they can be loaded at check in! Thanks for the information.

[13cheermom]

Glad to know they can be loaded at check in! Thanks for the information.

 

I have read this before from another thread, but am cautious about doing so at the port incase there are any problems. If I wait till I get onboard at guest services if there are any problems they can work it out. Also with OP statement that the gift cards are use it or lose it, I have to disagree also, because gift cards are clearly 100% refundable (just not clear as to the form they will use). But might start using the casino method for cashing out, since it seems they are discontinuing giving cash refunds the last night of cruise.

[MalleyCat]

By the time we cruise, I will have a small amount of money left on my gift card. I'd like to use the gift card and also provide a credit card. Is there a way to set the account up so that the gift card be used before my credit card is charged?

[13cheermom]

By the time we cruise, I will have a small amount of money left on my gift card. I'd like to use the gift card and also provide a credit card. Is there a way to set the account up so that the gift card be used before my credit card is charged?

 

They always use the gift card funds first before applying any amount to a credit card. Just make sure you apply gift cards early in the cruise. We always use them with the credit card for back up, fortunately we usually have funds remaining from the gift cards so nothing is usually charged on the cc.

[lisajm]

By the time we cruise, I will have a small amount of money left on my gift card. I'd like to use the gift card and also provide a credit card. Is there a way to set the account up so that the gift card be used before my credit card is charged?

 

Yes, this should be done automatically. However I would ask during check-in to make sure.

[queeniesgirl]

Also, can you pre-load gift cards into your account before you cruise? Or do you have to bring the cards with you and do this on the ship? I've been purchasing a few for our upcoming cruise and it would be nice to add to our account ahead of time.

[jennas_mum]

So, am I understand this correctly? In order to use gift cards to play at the tables I have to cash out at the slots first? Is there another way without paying a fee?

 

Thanks,

 

Donna

[bar1068]

We are in the "group" that use gift cards, don't always use them up onboard, don't mess with getting cash at the casino, and have received checks a short while after the cruise with our balance due us.

 

Has anyone actually been issued a new gift card onboard for a gift card balance? I wonder about this because often we use e-cards onboard, so no physical card available. Though I guess they could add that to the e-card again...

[luv2trvlnow]

 

I was told yesterday not to throw away the gift card. In case something happens, they need the info on the gift card.

I had a problem with one of my cards one time. They said they had added it, but something went wrong. On my account it said unknown amount. I went back and they had to do it again, so it was good I still had the card. In fact it took them several minutes to get it to work with an amount instead of unknown amount $0. So, make sure you keep the card in case something like this happens to you.

Edited February 24, 2016 by luv2trvlnow

[NCTribeFan]

I've posted this several times in other threads about gift cards...

 

The first time I took one and applied it to my S&S was a $500 card. I ended up not using it all. Girl at Service Desk told me it would be returned to the original card.

 

It wasn't. I received a refund check in less than a week. No big deal, but that was definitely not what people had been saying here and wasn't what I was told on the ship.

 

I've also posted before that the casino does NOT want you using the slots as an ATM. So, unless you actually want to travel home with wads of cash in you pocket, I recommend buying the gift cards in $100 increments and applying as needed.

 

Also, I've never been able to upload my gift cards at the kiosks (I've tried on Freedom, Conquest, Splendor & Sunshine). It simply has never worked for me. Doesn't work with a swipe; doesn't work with keying in the number (and trying it multiple times with 16 digits gets old quickly). Luckily, I'm Platinum and rarely have a wait at the service desk to have them applied. I do request a receipt. Seems that it doesn't show up when you view your account on the tv, but does if you get a printout at a kiosk.

 

And, as has also been posted many times, no, you cannot "pre-load" your S&S account with the cards. You must take them with you. And don't forget that they're same-as-cash so don't be careless with them.

[Schoifmom]

Also, can you pre-load gift cards into your account before you cruise? Or do you have to bring the cards with you and do this on the ship? I've been purchasing a few for our upcoming cruise and it would be nice to add to our account ahead of time.

 

No, you cannot, unless you are willing to use your gift cards to purchase Cruise Cash which is use-it-or-lose-it.

[MalleyCat]

Thank you LisaJM and 13Cheermom! I'll enter my credit card info when I do the online check in and add the gift card once we get there.

[pmoniz]

Thank you for all the info!!

 

We had received gift cards for Christmas to use toward the Cheers program on our upcoming cruise next week and now with the Enhanced Cheers the price will be $80 more if we purchase onboard (which is dumb). But what can you do???

 

Now, knowing this information we can pre-purchase the Cheers online, apply the gift cards at check in and use the funds in the casino and get the cash back (if any)!!

[Schoifmom]

Thank you for all the info!!

 

We had received gift cards for Christmas to use toward the Cheers program on our upcoming cruise next week and now with the Enhanced Cheers the price will be $80 more if we purchase onboard (which is dumb). But what can you do???

 

Now, knowing this information we can pre-purchase the Cheers online, apply the gift cards at check in and use the funds in the casino and get the cash back (if any)!!

 

You can pre-purchase Cheers using the gift cards, I believe. You would have to call to do that, you can't do it online.

 

Give it a try and report back if it works :)

[pmoniz]

You can pre-purchase Cheers using the gift cards, I believe. You would have to call to do that, you can't do it online.

 

Give it a try and report back if it works :)

 

I called last night they said no you can't use your gift cards to purchase anything through the Fun Shops!

[Schoifmom]

I called last night they said no you can't use your gift cards to purchase anything through the Fun Shops!

 

Sorry, that stinks.

[cruzelover55]

Just off the Valor and this is what I learned:

 

Gift cards can be applied to your onboard account when you check-in at the port [if the card readers are working]. Gift cards can also be added onboard at Guest services or at the kiosks. There is 1 kiosk by GS and another by the liquor store. If you want to use them, go at off times. They are very popular. Gift cards can be used to pay the deposit on a future cruise when you book it onboard. If you have already added all your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to the candy store and buy a new Carnival gift card with your S&S and use the new card to pay your deposit.

Warning: Any gift card money left on your onboard acct at the end of the cruise is non-refundable and cannot be reloaded to the original cards[this was conveyed by a GS mgr and separately by a GS rep]. If you do have gift card money left on your acct at the end of the cruise, go to the candy store on the night before debark and buy a Carnival gift card and a St. Jude t-shirt to zero out your acct; and/or, go to GS and have them add a specific amount to your dining team gratuities - over and above the auto-gratuities.

 

Setting up a casino acct:

After you have added your gift cards to your onboard acct, go to any slot machine, insert your S&S card in the slot, and follow the instructions and create a 4 digit pin. Once your pin is active, select the amount to move from your onboard acct to your casino acct - $10 - $500.00. $500.00 is the most that can be moved from your S&S until you cash out. You are now ready to play the slots.

To cash out:

go to any slot machine, insert your S&S in the slot, enter your pin, and select the cash out button; go to the cashier cage, give her your S&S card, enter your pin into the keypad, and the cashier will give you the cash that is left in your casino acct.

Warning: you can only cash out twice before the system locks you out. When your acct is locked up, a message will appear on the slot machine screen - "EFT NOT PERMITTED. PLEASE SEE A CASINO HOST FOR ASSISTANCE.". The casino host can reset your acct but they will tell you that you will have to play a lot more to prevent your acct from being locked again. They do not want you using the slot machines as an ATM.

To avoid the 3% service charge at the table games, use cash to buy chips at the tables or the cashier cage.

 

I hope this information is helpful.

:)

 

I think I have made a major mistake. We gamble, a little, but had gotten the idea that we could cash out gift cards through the casino. We have prepaid the cruise, gratuities and Cheers! I now have $1500. of gift cards that were for a surprise for my husband. After our cruise, we are going to a land based casino. My idea was to give him the option of "saving" most of his 1/2 of the gift cards, or whatever. I know I would save mine for the land based as we get such great comps. Now, with what I am reading on this thread, I won't be able to do that? When you said you can only cash out twice, did you mean for the day or for the entire cruise? :eek: Help! Another poster said only $300. can be cashed out. If I get an answer quick enough I may be able to cancel $500. of the $1500. Thanks in advance for any help. The posters that gave the links to show the rules, well rules seem to be able to be gotten around from from what I had read. Geez! We aren't stealing from them! I bought mine through AARP. and I am sure we will use some of them.:confused: