Using Gift Cards on S&S

[DebbieMo]

When checking in online do I choose to set up cash account if I will be using gift cards on my sign and sail or do I need to add a credit card and then use the gift cards instead onboard?

 

 

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[pcvtmom]

I set up my account with a credit card online. When I got on the ship, I went to guest services, and they added all of my gift cards.

[cruising maniac]

Set it up as a cash account then give them the gift cards at check in to be credited to your sign and sail. It is not necessary to give out your credit card number online if you plan on only using gift cards. I did this and then cashed out at the casino on the last night and retrieved my unused balance.

[Kanyon71]

I went to the Kiosk onboard and added my gift cards on our cruise took me about 10 minutes to get them both added (I had to do the pin setup and such).

[tawaik]

Set it up as a cash account then give them the gift cards at check in to be credited to your sign and sail. It is not necessary to give out your credit card number online if you plan on only using gift cards. I did this and then cashed out at the casino on the last night and retrieved my unused balance.

 

I went to the Kiosk onboard and added my gift cards on our cruise took me about 10 minutes to get them both added (I had to do the pin setup and such).

 

 

These responses are the best and thanks to CC members I followed their advice. Guest services line can get a little busy and Kiosk is a great option. I no longer add a credit card to my account until it is necessary and now when people ask me what I want for Xmas for my Birthday, I request Carnival Gift Card.

[firemanbobswife]

I always do a cash account. No sense in giving a CC when it's not necessary and then it takes a couple extra minutes when checking in while they change it.

 

I gave them my GCs right at check in this last time but have also used the self service kiosks and gone to GS. Since I always get FTTF, there's never a wait ;)

 

Whichever way you do it make sure you check your receipt (they will have you sign it at the port and GS) and make sure it's credited to your folio and not someone else's. Much easier to get fixed right then and there vs to find out later on and try and track it down.

[DebbieMo]

Thanks, I went ahead and did a cash account.

 

 

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[DebbieMo]

Can you set charging limits for kids on the kiosks?

 

 

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[SadieN]

Can you set charging limits for kids on the kiosks?

 

 

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If their accounts are cash accounts, then yes. It's the amount of cash put towards their account. Otherwise go to GS.

 

 

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[LibratPDX]

Now you can have your gift cards added to your account when you physically check in for your cruise on embarkation day :)

[DebbieMo]

If their accounts are cash accounts, then yes. It's the amount of cash put towards their account. Otherwise go to GS.

 

 

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I want to set up daily limits without having to do it daily so I guess that's through GS..

 

 

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[sjcruiser]

We set up there account online using the cash option, or sometime putting on the cc as a back up. We buy the gift cards from Lowes, and add them onboard at the kiosks or GS. The cards make a great gift for celebrations or just because. It's a great way to save up money to spend onboard also.

[Timbek2]

This might be dumb but if u have it set up as cash but then it's up during cruise how will u know? I've got $300 in gift cards which I'm hoping will cover everything we need but I want the cc as a back up just in case???

[firemanbobswife]

This might be dumb but if u have it set up as cash but then it's up during cruise how will u know? I've got $300 in gift cards which I'm hoping will cover everything we need but I want the cc as a back up just in case???

 

 

You can check your account on your tv or at the self service kiosks. If you reach your limit or are getting near it, go to GS and apply a credit card. I buy GCs to use so I don't go over my allotted budget.

Edited May 12, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[coevan]

Always use credit cards for everything, it's all about the mileage.

[firemanbobswife]

Always use credit cards for everything, it's all about the mileage.

 

 

Normally, yes. But I buy my Carnival Gift Cards for 10-20% off so that's a much better return than any credit card. I pay for my entire cruise and S&S account using them.

 

But I do use my CC to purchase the GCs so it all equals out in the end AND I save a ton of money :)

Edited May 12, 2016 by firemanbobswife

[kona_wahine]

For our b2b I added a credit card knowing I would pay mostly with a gc. I went to GS with FTTF first half and the second half went during a time I knew it wouldnt be crowded and had them load the gift cards. We owed $8 after the first cruise and $40 for the second. I didn't want a positive balance. Worked out perfect

Edited May 12, 2016 by kona_wahine

[miataman19]

Anyone have experience with this scenario? Sailing next month, paid for an excursion online at Carnival.com with a gift card. Just cancelled the excursion. Will I get the credit back on the original gift card I made the purchase with or will I receive an Email with the excursion refund on an E-card? I'm sure this will all work out but just curious.

[mosaic_mom]

Anyone have experience with this scenario? Sailing next month, paid for an excursion online at Carnival.com with a gift card. Just cancelled the excursion. Will I get the credit back on the original gift card I made the purchase with or will I receive an Email with the excursion refund on an E-card? I'm sure this will all work out but just curious.

 

They do not refund back to the same gift card. You will either get a new gift card in the mail or a refund check. We did this twice and got a new gift card one time and a refund check the other.

[evandbob]

Anyone have experience with this scenario? Sailing next month, paid for an excursion online at Carnival.com with a gift card. Just cancelled the excursion. Will I get the credit back on the original gift card I made the purchase with or will I receive an Email with the excursion refund on an E-card? I'm sure this will all work out but just curious.

 

The refund credit should appear back on your GC.

[seabeelarry]

Someone had also posted on a differant thread that you can check and set limits on the new HUB APP???

We are sailing next week, so I'll check that out, unless sime has here already?

[anitabrad]

how do you get discounted carnival gift cards?

[retiredgram]

how do you get discounted carnival gift cards?

 

I use aarp.org. Then go to the Rewards for Good site and it tells you how to earn points by answering quiz question.

Periodically they have $100 gift cards for $90 and $500 for $450.

[kaylahszoo]

Verizon also have discounted Carnival gift cards on their rewards menu. Have gotten them from there and also AARP.

[sturderick]

Now you can have your gift cards added to your account when you physically check in for your cruise on embarkation day :)

 

Yes. We just take our gift cards with us and they add them in as we are checking in. It takes no time at all.