AARP e-gift card

[PacnGoNow]

50 minutes ago, chubbypiggy said:

Yesterday I bought Princess gift cards using my Citi Visa card.  In less than 10 minutes, the purchase amount was already showing "pending" in my credit card account, and I got emails from AARP giving me the gift cards' order # and pin #.

 

Around 15 minutes after I made my purchase, my sister used her Capital One credit card and bought Princess gift cards.  In about 15 minutes, my sister got an email from Capital One alerting a pending charge was made, and the amount shows as "pending" on her Capital One account.  It has been about 24 hours now, and she still haven't received any emails from AARP giving her the order # and pin # of the gift cards.

 

Anyone who purchased Princess gift cards from AARP waited more than 24 hours before receiving emails from AARP on the gift card order # and pin #?

 

Thank you.

Check junk mail. If not there, call or email AARP rewards.

 

[chubbypiggy]

Just now, PacnGoNow said:

Check junk mail. If not there, call or email AARP rewards.

 

I checked junk mail, not there.  If still no email by tomorrow, I will call them.  Thanks.

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, hattielucille11 said:

No what I said was I paid the balance of my cruise $1000 and added an extra $500 total of $1500 which Princess automatically put into OBC as I thought would happen and it did. I have no clue about after final payment. Sorry wish I knew for you

I think it is taking a while for folks to get what you did.

 

You owed $X to PCL in order to fully pay for your voyage.  You entered a payment of $X + $500 and OVER-PAID what you owed.  PCL put the excess into OBC rather than, say, crediting back your credit card.

 

Another poster mentioned this doesn't work if using a TA.  I'd say it *might* work if the TA is charging you what Princess rate is with no discount.  In a discounting TA situation, the agency makes up the fare difference with some "accounting magic" which is likely from their commission pool or actually paying the difference.  An overpayment to the guest's credit card in this case wouldn't help get the OBC. 

 

[jeno]

On 12/5/2022 at 7:07 PM, darnoc23 said:

Hello,

I purchased the AARP e-gift card and received it in my email within 5 minutes.  I don't see a place to add the e-gift card on my existing booking through cruise personalizer or the medallion app.  Do I just add gift cards at the cruise?  Would love to do it before so everything is on my account.  TIA. 

How much does the $500 gift card cost? I’m assuming it’s a deal of some sort. 

[Chad_O]

1 hour ago, jeno said:

How much does the $500 gift card cost? I’m assuming it’s a deal of some sort. 

I believe the AARP price is $450.00. I am going to find out tomorrow when I try to order one! 😁

[Torfamm]

@Steelers36 the website shows that AARP gift cards are now available to residents of Canada

[brisalta]

37 minutes ago, Torfamm said:

@Steelers36 the website shows that AARP gift cards are now available to residents of Canada

They are not AARP cards. They are Princess Cruise Line gift cards sold via the AARP rewards web site.

[Torfamm]

3 hours ago, brisalta said:

They are not AARP cards. They are Princess Cruise Line gift cards sold via the AARP rewards web site.

Yes, that is correct. The Princess Cruises gift cards sold on the AARP Rewards site are now available to Canadian residents. They were not in the past 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Torfamm
Typo

[Steelers36]

30 minutes ago, Torfamm said:

Yes, that is correct. The Princess Cruises gift cards sold on the AARP Rewards site are now available to Canadian residents. They were not in the past 

Hi.  I appreciate you posting this information and tagging me.  At this time, I do not need any Princess Gift Cards.  When I was trying to purchase some before, the final step was always failing on my credit card (and I even tried with a friend's PC who has a US VPN).  I do not want to risk doing a purchase and having it work as I will "own" at least one gift card.

 

I did some poking around their website and recent information seems to indicate that Canadian residents cannot participate in AARP Rewards.  IMO, I ought to be able to purchase cards using my US address and a US credit card.  When I tried this before, I was stymied at every turn and spoke to them on the phone.  Apparently, they had an IP address block and could detect I was not in USA (hence my effort to go around that with a US VPN). 

 

We will be in FL after Christmas and I could try it there, but I just don't need/want any GC's now as we have no immediate cruise plans.  But a friend might.

 

Would you mind telling where you have seen this information or announcement.  I am looking for an official source that you saw since I cannot do a live purchase attempt.  Thanks!

[HaveDogWillTravel]

On 12/7/2022 at 9:35 AM, chubbypiggy said:

Anyone who purchased Princess gift cards from AARP waited more than 24 hours before receiving emails from AARP on the gift card order # and pin #?

My friend bought them this past Monday. She finally got them late last night -Wednesday. 

[Torfamm]

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Hi.  I appreciate you posting this information and tagging me.  At this time, I do not need any Princess Gift Cards.  When I was trying to purchase some before, the final step was always failing on my credit card (and I even tried with a friend's PC who has a US VPN).  I do not want to risk doing a purchase and having it work as I will "own" at least one gift card.

 

I did some poking around their website and recent information seems to indicate that Canadian residents cannot participate in AARP Rewards.  IMO, I ought to be able to purchase cards using my US address and a US credit card.  When I tried this before, I was stymied at every turn and spoke to them on the phone.  Apparently, they had an IP address block and could detect I was not in USA (hence my effort to go around that with a US VPN). 

 

We will be in FL after Christmas and I could try it there, but I just don't need/want any GC's now as we have no immediate cruise plans.  But a friend might.

 

Would you mind telling where you have seen this information or announcement.  I am looking for an official source that you saw since I cannot do a live purchase attempt.  Thanks!

It’s under rewards terms when you select a Princess gift card. I have no idea if Rewards membership is limited to US residents,  but it states explicitly that Canadian residents can purchase e-gift cards for delivery by email https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/#all_rewards

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Torfamm

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, Torfamm said:

 

It’s under rewards terms when you select a Princess gift card. I have no idea if Rewards membership is limited to US residents,  but it states explicitly that Canadian residents can purchase e-gift cards for delivery by email https://www.aarp.org/rewards/redeem/#all_rewards

 

Okay.  I understand where you are coming from.  What you have reproduced are the specific Reward terms (for the Princess Gift Cards), which AARP Rewards has provided pretty much verbatim from the Princess Gift Card website (as though buying from them directly).  The actual AARP Rewards Terms and Conditions here:   https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions/  

clearly indicate AARP Rewards program is only for US residents.  

 

But they seem to lock it up like military secret since providing a US mailing address and a credit card with US billing address is insufficient to get a purchase to work.

 

[Torfamm]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Okay.  I understand where you are coming from.  What you have reproduced are the specific Reward terms (for the Princess Gift Cards), which AARP Rewards has provided pretty much verbatim from the Princess Gift Card website (as though buying from them directly).  The actual AARP Rewards Terms and Conditions here:   https://www.aarp.org/about-aarp/rewards-terms-and-conditions/  

clearly indicate AARP Rewards program is only for US residents.  

 

But they seem to lock it up like military secret since providing a US mailing address and a credit card with US billing address is insufficient to get a purchase to work.

 

I see. So the issue isn’t the Princess gift cards but participating in the AARP Rewards program at all. I guess that makes a certain amount of sense. Is the a similar organization in Canada as there is with Automobile Clubs? 

[NavyCruiser]

Group of us have already made final payment for our upcoming Princess cruise next month.

Quick questions:

If we purchase the $500 gift card today, we can immediately input it into our account online?

Or have to wait until boarding ship & have cust service desk apply?

Can it be used for excursions, onboard shop purchases, casino, gratuities...?

Let's say there's $100 leftover, can we get that credit back, or it's lost forever/non-refundable?

Thanks,

[Shelly97060]

On 12/6/2022 at 1:22 PM, chubbypiggy said:

Last year, I bought several $500 Princess gift cards on Princess website during a promotion.  In January, I used them to pay for 2 cruises.  After paying for the 1st cruise, I still had one unused $500 card, and another $500 card with $200 unused balance.  So, I called to pay payment on my 2nd cruise, the balance was $950.  I planned to use the unused $500 card, used card with remaining balance of $200, and charge $250 with my credit card.  The Princess agent told me Princess system can only take one type of payment, either pay all with gift cards or all with credit card.  Since my remaining gift cards total only $700, which is not enough to pay my final payment balance of $950, then I will not be able to use my gift cards; I need to pay the entire $950 with my credit card.  So now I am stuck with the two gift cards that I can only use them if I happen to have purchase of $750 or less, 

Sorry this happened to you. The Rep simply needed to process the payments as two separate transactions. 

Edited December 9, 2022 by Shelly97060

[JimmyVWine]

2 hours ago, NavyCruiser said:

Group of us have already made final payment for our upcoming Princess cruise next month.

Quick questions:

If we purchase the $500 gift card today, we can immediately input it into our account online?

Or have to wait until boarding ship & have cust service desk apply?

If you have already paid off your cruise, the only thing the Gift Card will be good for is establishing On Board Credit.  Yes, you can apply the card to do that, but you either have to call Princess and give them the number and PIN over the phone, or go to Guest Relations once on board.  You cannot add your amount to your account on line. 

Can it be used for excursions, onboard shop purchases, casino, gratuities...?

Once the amount is in your account it functions as normal OBC, with no differentiation.  It will apply to everything that gets charged to your folio.

Let's say there's $100 leftover, can we get that credit back, or it's lost forever/non-refundable?

Gift Card OBC is fully refundable.  Anything left over will be returned to you via check a few weeks after your cruise ends.  I tried to have my leftover rolled over to my next cruise.  I gave them my booking infomation and the person at the Guest Services Desk said that I was all set.  And then when I got back home, about a week later I received a check.  So much for being "all set."

Thanks,

See above.

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, Torfamm said:

I see. So the issue isn’t the Princess gift cards but participating in the AARP Rewards program at all. I guess that makes a certain amount of sense. Is the a similar organization in Canada as there is with Automobile Clubs? 

Yes, but you don't have these sort of expanded features like you have in US.  Just various discounts for senior-related things like insurance, reverse mortgages, movers, and a host of other services.  It is CARP here (as equivalent to AARP), but I don't belong.  I prefer the Canadian Snowbird Association. 

 

You also have another association down there - AMAC.  But I think these reward gift cards at 10% off are only with AARP Rewards. 

Edited December 10, 2022 by Steelers36

[darnoc23]

On 12/7/2022 at 8:53 AM, JimmyVWine said:

There is no option for using a Gift Card to buy OBC.  The screen you will get to is exactly the same as the one shown in Post #43 above, even if you book directly with Princess.  I called and used the chat, and both methods confirmed that if you want to apply a Gift Card toward OBC, you must call.  Every time I have called, I have been connected to someone who knew exactly what I was trying to do and completed my request in under 5 minutes.  If you want to pay down your existing cruise balance using a Gift Card, the radio button to do so appears.  But when you go to buy OBC, that radio button is non-existent.

Hi Jimmy, what was the number you called?  I tried the 800-774-6237 number a couple of times and get different answers.  I've been transferred to their sales and gift card department and was told to call guest services, which was the department that transferred me to them.  Chat does say they're not able to accept any payments due to security reasons.  One person said I just need to give them the gift cards and they can "slide" the card upon check in.  Which I mentioned that the gift card is digital.  If you can give me the number and department you talked to, that would be great.  Thanks. 

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, darnoc23 said:

Hi Jimmy, what was the number you called?  I tried the 800-774-6237 number a couple of times and get different answers.  I've been transferred to their sales and gift card department and was told to call guest services, which was the department that transferred me to them.  Chat does say they're not able to accept any payments due to security reasons.  One person said I just need to give them the gift cards and they can "slide" the card upon check in.  Which I mentioned that the gift card is digital.  If you can give me the number and department you talked to, that would be great.  Thanks. 

I called the basic number on the website. The last time I did this was in September, so I can’t be certain that they haven’t changed things. 

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, darnoc23 said:

Hi Jimmy, what was the number you called?  I tried the 800-774-6237 number a couple of times and get different answers.  I've been transferred to their sales and gift card department and was told to call guest services, which was the department that transferred me to them.  Chat does say they're not able to accept any payments due to security reasons.  One person said I just need to give them the gift cards and they can "slide" the card upon check in.  Which I mentioned that the gift card is digital.  If you can give me the number and department you talked to, that would be great.  Thanks. 

Any agent should be able to do this. That is the general customer service number or 1 800 Princess. However, there are a lot of new agents that do not know how to enter GC’s.  Believe me, I know.

 

If you call, I would call Mon-Fri and right after they open 6 am/PT.  Hoping to get right through and maybe to an agent who has some seniority, that knows

how.

 

Let us know how you make out.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, darnoc23 said:

Hi Jimmy, what was the number you called?  I tried the 800-774-6237 number a couple of times and get different answers.  I've been transferred to their sales and gift card department and was told to call guest services, which was the department that transferred me to them.  Chat does say they're not able to accept any payments due to security reasons.  One person said I just need to give them the gift cards and they can "slide" the card upon check in.  Which I mentioned that the gift card is digital.  If you can give me the number and department you talked to, that would be great.  Thanks. 

It looks like at least one of the reps at Princess thought you wanted to buy Gift Cards and not redeem them.

[mfanderso]

I am trying to purchase AARP gift cards this morning to make final payment on my cruise which is due in a few days.  It just keeps spinning and won't go to checkout.  I hope they aren't going to start having problems like they did in September!

[mfanderso]

25 minutes ago, mfanderso said:

I am trying to purchase AARP gift cards this morning to make final payment on my cruise which is due in a few days.  It just keeps spinning and won't go to checkout.  I hope they aren't going to start having problems like they did in September!

Update:  Changed from my computer to my iPad and it went right through!  

[darnoc23]

On 12/11/2022 at 5:52 PM, PacnGoNow said:

Any agent should be able to do this. That is the general customer service number or 1 800 Princess. However, there are a lot of new agents that do not know how to enter GC’s.  Believe me, I know.

 

If you call, I would call Mon-Fri and right after they open 6 am/PT.  Hoping to get right through and maybe to an agent who has some seniority, that knows

how.

 

Let us know how you make out.

Hi, I finally got someone on the call that was taking the gift cards.  However, my digital gift cards did not come with an expiration date.  Only the gift card numbers and PIN.  The person I was on the call with stated the expiration date should've been included in the email.  I contacted AARP and they stated there's no expiration date?  Can someone confirm if the expiration date is in their gift card?  

[Torfamm]

2 minutes ago, darnoc23 said:

Hi, I finally got someone on the call that was taking the gift cards.  However, my digital gift cards did not come with an expiration date.  Only the gift card numbers and PIN.  The person I was on the call with stated the expiration date should've been included in the email.  I contacted AARP and they stated there's no expiration date?  Can someone confirm if the expiration date is in their gift card?  

They do not have expiration dates. The agent is confused