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Everything About Buying Discount Cruise Gift Cards via AARP (Carnival, Royal Caribbean, & More)

There’s a way that you can purchase gift cards for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Princess, and other cruise lines… all for a sharp 10% discount off their face value. This deal means you can save potentially hundreds of dollars off your next cruise.

That may sound too good to be true, but the offer is available through AARP, the popular senior interest group. There’s no catch or hoops to jump through, apart from being a member.

Even better, before you think you have to be an older American to join up and get these savings on cruise gift cards, membership is open to anyone . That means you can save no matter your age.

Still, there are some details you should know. That’s why I signed up for the AARP program myself to see exactly how things work. Here is how to sign up, purchase cards, and take advantage of the savings…

Overview of the AARP Cruise Gift Card Program

First things first, what exactly is the deal offered by AARP?

As an interest group with tens of millions of members across the country, AARP is known for its influence. For members, it also offers a number of benefits and perks.

The group’s website includes everything from insurance plans to car buying programs to credit cards to literature about topics in aging. But the site also has what it calls “AARP Rewards.”

Here, the group offers all sorts of deals from discounted magazine subscriptions to book deals to sweepstakes entries. One of the biggest groups of deals, however, is dedicated to discounted gift cards.

You’ll find specials for gift cards entailing everything from restaurants to grocery stores. All of them offer a discount off the face value. For instance, there are $25 gift cards to clothing store H&M for $23 — about 8% off the face value. Other options include discounted cards to AirBnB, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s and more.

Of all those discounts, it’s the cruise gift cards that seem to offer some of the best deals. Here, the cards are 8-10% off the face value . Given the cost of a cruise, that can save you potentially hundreds of dollars.

What Cruise Line Gift Cards Are Available?

At the time of this article, there are a total of five different cruise lines with gift cards available via AARP. The available lines include:

• Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America

Combined, these lines represent roughly 100 cruise ships offering trips just about anywhere in the world. In other words, no matter if you want to sail the Caribbean or Australia, the Mediterranean or Alaska, you can do it while saving some serious money.

What Sort of Discount is Offered?

At the time of this writing, each cruise line on the AARP list of offers had two denominations of cards offered: $100 and $500.

Each card is offered at an 8-10% discount. So in general the $100 gift cards sell for $90 via AARP and the $500 cards sell for $450 .

So if you were to purchase a cruise costing $2,500, you could buy five of these cards for $2,250, saving yourself $250 off the purchase.

Here are the current discounts by cruise line:

• Celebrity: 10% off
• Royal Caribbean: 10% off
• Princess: 8% off
• Carnival: 10% off
• Holland America: 8% off

Do I Have to Be an AARP Member to Buy?

Of the five different cruise lines that have gift cards on the AARP website, four of them — Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America and Celebrity — specifically state they are for “Members Only.” Holland America doesn’t make that distinction.

For Holland America, you should be able to register for a free AARP account to purchase. However, I haven’t tried doing that. Given that most lines require a paid membership (which starts at only $12), it’s best to sign up that way.

I’m Not Over 50 Years Old. Does That Mean I Can’t Get the Discount?

No! While AARP is known for being an interest group for older Americans, anyone can join, no matter their age. We were personally able to sign up for a membership and then access all the gift cards with no issue despite being under 50 years old.

Where Do I Go to Buy the Gift Cards?

So where exactly do you go to get your card? If you don’t yet have an AARP account, first you’ll need to register. If you sign up, expect a $12 per year charge. That’s a small price to pay for the ability to save up to 10% off your cruise.

If you’re already registered with AARP, follow these steps to find the gift cards:

• Visit AARP.org
• Click “AARP Rewards” in the menu at the top
• Click “Login” at the top right of the next page and then enter your email/password
• Once signed in, look for the drop down menu on the Rewards page. Select “Redeem” and then “All Rewards”
• Scroll down until you see the heading “All Rewards”. Enter “cruise” in the search box to bring up all the discounted cruise gift cards

I’ll admit that it was a little confusing on how to find the discounted cruise gift cards at first. When creating a new account like I did, I suggest that once you register, go ahead and sign out, then close your browser. Then re-open the browser and sign back into AARP. When I signed up, it seemed to not recognize my new account at first.

Is There a Limit on How Cards Many I Can Buy?

Yes. Each gift card will come with restrictions on how many are able to be purchased at once. The “Premium” items like Carnival gift cards had a limit of 25 per month. The non-premium cards had a lower limit of just five gift cards per month.

If you are headed on an expensive cruise, it may be that you have to purchase over multiple months to get all the gift cards you need.

Are There Special Restrictions on Using the Cards?

Before you buy the cruise cards, you’ll definitely want to read through all the fine print that’s provided on the AARP website about their use. Each cruise line seems to have different rules regarding usage.

For instance, Royal Caribbean only allows you to use the card for a new reservation. And you have to book the cruise, pay a deposit, and then email in a copy of the gift certificate to apply to your remaining balance.

Lines like Princess and Carnival are more lenient on when and where you can use the card, but it’s still smart to understand the rules about the cards before buying. You can find the terms on the AARP site before purchasing.

Can I Use These Cards For Myself?

Absolutely. Like other gift cards, the cruise cards don’t have anyone’s name attached. You can use them like cash. So if you want to buy them as a gift for someone, you can do that. Or if you have a cruise coming up and want to use the discount to save money, you can do that too.

Are the Gift Cards Physical or Digital?

If you’re wanting to purchase these as a gift, then you should know that the discounted cards are actually digital. According to the fine print on AARP, each of these is “fulfilled as a digital gift code.”

You will receive the card via email. One thing to note is that it can take several minutes before the cards arrive in your inbox.

Are the AARP Discount Cruise Cards a Good Deal?

If you’re looking for a deal, it doesn’t get much better than this. With no strings attached, hoops to jump through, or other headaches, you can essentially get 10% off the cost of your cruise by buying these gift certificates and then using them to pay for the trip. So a $2,000 cruise becomes $1,800 just with buying the cards through AARP.

And since you can still shop around and buy your cruise how and when you want, you can buy the cards, and then wait for a deal that looks good to you. The only difference is instead of paying full price, you get a discount.

I’ve personally bought and used cards for a Carnival cruise. Applying the cards on the payment page was simple, and I had no issues.

If you plan to cruise one of the lines offering the cards, we see no reason not to take advantage.

More on Saving on a Cruise:

• The Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• 10 Rules to Getting the Best Deal on a Cruise
• The Best Time to Book a Cruise (Save Money, Better Cabins)

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

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Celebrity Cruise Lines, I wouldn’t call them a “Gift Card” because that is misleading. A “Fare Reduction” card is more like it. The limitations are RIDICULOUS and they only have ONE thing they can be used for. New Bookings, forget anything onboard or excursions, gift shops or even the casino, sorry, they will not apply. Far from any other form of what is called a “Gift Card”.

how do you use the digital codes for carnival? i dont see anywhere on my cruise page to enter it

When it comes to the payment screen, there should be a spot to enter a gift card number.

I have done this for 4 Carnival cruises. It works great. I had no problem purchasing them and redeeming them when booking my cruise. I used USAA travel service to book all of my cruises and they accepted my carnival gift cards over the phone for payment. I saved 10% and it was easy.

On your payment page click on gift card, enter the card number, the pin and the amount you want applied to the card. I have done this multiple times. Good luck and happy cruising.

Unfortunately, the discount for the Princess Cruises gift card has gone from 10% to 8%. I asked AARP about this, and they said that the discount amount is up to Princess, not AARP.

Travel insurance will not reimburse payment towards a cryise paid with a gift card should you need to cancel for any reason.

No place to add gift card online for payment. Called gift card #, they can’t add it no place on cruise personalizer. So exactly hiw are yiu redeeming Princess gift for cruise payment.

AARP Rewards (and thus access to gift cards) is only available to US residents. Wish I’d known this before joining AARP (which you can do as a Canadian).

Go online and chat. I just did it and cancelled my membership and got reimbursed. Same problem you had.

Warning: The AARP site does not support Safari, only Chrome. Mac users, I just saved you half an hour, you’re welcome. I left them lots of feedback.

how do i get a gift card

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Cruise line gift cards: Where to buy them, how to spend them

If you're racking your brain to come up with the perfect gift for your cruise-loving family member or friend, consider buying them a gift card or certificate from their favorite cruise line.

Cruisers will appreciate a gift they can use toward purchasing their cruise fare or splurging on a beverage package, specialty restaurant or spa treatment. Don't rule out the first-timers on your list; you can help them fund their first foray into cruising or surprise them with something extra to make their upcoming trip special.

If you're a cruiser, you may also want to purchase a gift card for yourself, especially when you can find a deal. AARP sometimes offers digital gift cards for cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean at a savings of up to 10%.

Gift cards purchased with Target's RedCard receive a 5% discount. You can also look for Black Friday sales on Disney gift cards at Sam's Club and other promotions offered through the cruise lines or retailers.

Not every cruise line offers gift cards, and some have alternative ways to help pay for a portion of someone else's vacation. However, if you're in the market for cruise line gift cards, read on to find out which seven lines offer them, where to buy them and how to use them.

Holland America Line

Holland America offers gift cards in denominations between $5 and $2,000 that are available to buy on its website. You can either purchase a physical card to send enclosed with a personal message or choose a digital version that the recipient can open online with personalized audio and photos.

The line offers one or two sales a year that feature an added perk, such as a $100 bonus card with a $1,000 purchase.

You can use the cards to pay for cruise bookings, pre-cruise expenses or onboard charges covering specialty dining, beverages, shore excursions, spa treatments, gratuities and other purchases. They can also be used to buy Holland America's "Have It All" bundle, which includes a beverage package, shore excursion credit, Wi-Fi and specialty restaurant meals.

Holland America's gift cards are also available at online retailers, including Amazon, Target and Walmart, in preset amounts. Certain banks feature credit card programs where you can redeem points for the cruise line's gift cards. If you prefer to shop in person, you'll find gift cards in stores such as Target, Publix, Kroger and Giant Eagle.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

Gift cards are only available in U.S. dollars. Gift cards are activated upon receipt, and they cannot be resold. In addition, buyers cannot purchase an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 in one day.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises also offers gift cards on its website in denominations between $5 and $2,000. Buyers can personalize the line's eGift Card with photos and audio for the recipient. Princess Classic Gift Cards arrive by mail, with free shipping on cards over $100. Expedited shipping is also available.

You can use Princess gift cards to pay for your cruise, including fares with the Princess Plus and Princess Premier all-inclusive packages .

Recipients can also settle part or all of their onboard bill with gift cards at the end of the cruise at the passenger services desk. That means gift cards can essentially pay for meals in specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments and other onboard splurges.

You cannot use the gift card to pay for land excursions as part of a cruisetour, flights booked through Princess or gratuities.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries

You can find Princess gift cards in grocery stores like Kroger, Harris Teeter and Giant Eagle and online at retail sites such as Amazon, Target and Best Buy.

Gift cards are only available to residents in the U.S. and Canada. Classic Gift Cards cannot be mailed to Canada, so Canadian residents should choose the eGift Card option.

Buyers are limited to a $10,000 online aggregate purchase in one day and a maximum of five transactions a day. Anyone can use the gift card since there's no name on the card.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line 's online gift cards are customizable from $100 up to $1,000. You can purchase a physical card that's mailed and even have it wrapped and delivered in a tin for an additional $1.99 (for up to five cards). If you prefer, you can choose an e-gift card that's sent to the recipient online.

The gift card can be used toward a cruise booking, pre-purchased shore excursions or spa treatments. You can also apply it to beverage packages and gratuities. If you'd like to use the card as an onboard credit, you must go to the guest services desk or Sail & Sign kiosk to apply the gift card as payment for your onboard bill once you're on the ship.

Related: Cruise onboard credit: What it is, where to get it and how best to use it

Carnival's gift cards are available in over 9,000 retail outlets, including Best Buy, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Lowe's, Safeway, Winn-Dixie and Publix. You can also purchase gift cards on board Carnival's ships. You can buy as many cards as you'd like, but there is a maximum online transaction of five gift cards at one time.

All gift cards are in U.S. dollars and not accepted on ships using a different onboard currency. You can transfer the gift card to another user since there are no names on the cards.

Disney Cruise Line

Gift cards for Disney Cruise Line are sold online at shopdisney.com in preset amounts, from $25 to $500. You can choose from over 60 Disney designs of physical gift cards and have them shipped, or you can send a themed eGift Card.

Gift cards are also sold at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney retail locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. If you're purchasing them in person, you can load them for any amount from $15 to $1,000. The cards are reloadable with as little as $5 and up to $1,000. They can be reloaded at any location that sells the gift cards. That option is not available online.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

Use Disney gift cards to purchase a cruise, shore excursions, merchandise on the ship and other onboard expenses. You can also spend the cards at Disney-owned properties, like Disney's Vero Beach Resort; on trips or cruises with Adventures by Disney; for Disney on Broadway; and at retail stores and other Disney businesses.

You'll also find them in preset amounts at retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line ended its gift card program in 2021, but you still can send gifts to cruisers in the form of an onboard credit or spa credit. Onboard credit is available in $25 increments up to $100. Mandara Spa certificates are offered in amounts of $25, $50 and $100.

To send the gift, you'll need to know some personal information, including the birth date of the recipient or the reservation number for the booking. You can order the gift of onboard credits on Norwegian's website.

CruiseFirst certificates are another gift option. These advance purchase vouchers can be used to pay for cruises of six days or longer and are valued at double the price. For example, you'll pay $150 for a certificate worth $300. You can transfer these vouchers to another person as a gift without a charge.

You can purchase up to 10 certificates per person at a time, and they can only be applied to new reservations on voyages scheduled at least 120 days out from the purchase date of the certificate. Only one certificate can be used per sailing — and there are a few other restrictions. These vouchers expire within three years of the purchase date.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is another line that uses a gift certificate program rather than gift cards. Certificates are available in the following U.S. dollar increments: $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $1,500, $1,700 and $2,000. These certificates must be redeemed at least 10 days before the cruise.

Use them to pay the cruise fare, with some restrictions, or apply them toward onboard credit to cover specialty dining, beverage packages, spa treatments, gift shop purchases and other items. If you want to apply the gift certificates as payment for expenses on the ship, you'll need to redeem them online 10 days before the sailing date. They cannot be used for government taxes, fees, gratuities or casino play.

Related: 35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has an online store where you can purchase onboard credit to celebrate someone's birthday, honeymoon, anniversary or other memorable occasion while on their cruise.

Gift certificates are available in $25 increments. These certificates can be purchased online if you know the recipient's reservation information, or you can call Celebrity's Store Customer Support team to place an order.

Note that gift cards cannot be used to pay shipboard charges, including gift shop purchases, casino debts, shore excursions or gratuities.

You can also give specialty dining certificates for $45 each. If the amount charged is less than that, the remaining sum will be applied to the passenger's onboard account.

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AARP Member Offer Details

As a valued AARP member, receive up to $200 Onboard Credit per stateroom when booking your next Holland America Line cruise. Use your onboard credit for products or services while onboard, including Shore Excursions, Beverages and Spa services. To receive this offer, please verify your AARP member status by clicking on the link below. 

Offer Details

What is onboard credit.

Onboard Credit is spending money for you to use to purchase products or services while onboard. Onboard Credit can be applied to Shore Excursions, Beverages, Items from The Shops, or Services at the Greenhouse Spa. The amount of Onboard Credit you'll recieve is based on your stateroom selection and the length of your cruise. 

Not an AARP Member? Join or renew your membership  today! 

Aarp membership already verified book your next cruise today, terms & conditions.

AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. AARP Member Onboard Credit through this offer (“Offer”) is available in the following amounts: US$50 per stateroom for guests booked in an Inside or Ocean View stateroom on a 5- to 9-day cruise; US$100 per stateroom for guests booked in an Inside or Ocean View stateroom on a 10+ day cruise or Alaska cruisetour; US$100 per stateroom for guests booked in a Verandah stateroom, Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, or Pinnacle Suite on a 5- to 9-day cruise; US$200 per stateroom for guests booked in a Verandah stateroom, Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Neptune Suite, or Pinnacle Suite on a 10+ day cruise or Alaska cruisetour. Onboard Credit is in USD, is neither refundable nor transferable, and has no cash value.  Guests must submit the validation form annually to maintain eligibility for the promotion.  Guests must set up a Mariner account and obtain a Mariner identification number to receive Offer. Onboard Credit may take up to 72 hours to be applied to the eligible Mariner account. Onboard Credit expires at the end of the Eligible Cruise and may not be used in the Casino or on any other specified fees or items. Wi-Fi Surf Package : All onboard Internet usage is subject to Holland America Line’s standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device, but only one device can be actively connected at a time. Upgrades are available once on board for a single day, the remaining duration of the voyage or adding more devices. Offer applies to 1st/2nd guests in a stateroom only and must have an AARP verification to redeem. Wi-Offer is for new bookings only. The offer is available only on select cruises. Offer and/or its terms may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply.   

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WARNING - AARP Gift Cards

By groundloop , October 3, 2022 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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I went online to purchase discounted Carnival gift cards from AARP a bit over a month ago, I've never had a problem with these before.  This time the transaction didn't go through even though my credit card was charged.  

I talked to a representative at AARP Rewards and was told the problem occurred because I was using an ad-blocker with my browser (ok, maybe true but why didn't their website warn me to disable ad blockers before making a purchase?).  They promised to refund my credit card within 5 days, so far it hasn't happened and I'm currently sitting on hold waiting to speak to them again about this.

I'm questioning whether the hassle of correcting their error was worth saving a little bit on a few gift cards.  

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Interesting, did you get the email confirmation they send out when you purchase or is that how you figured out it did not go through?     

I purchased 5 Princess gift cards around the end of August through AARP and never disabled my ad blocker.  It went through without any problems.  I did one at a time and got the email with the edoc # immediately after.  If there was a problem with the first one I would not have purchased any more until I found out what the problem was.

Hope you resolve this.  It was well worth the savings of $250.

64funwhisper

I bought 5 and was going to wait till I got on the ship to load to my account because of the trouble people are having with them do you think I should load them to cruise cash now to see if mine is going to have a problem ??? 

39 minutes ago, Drazil65 said: I went online to purchase discounted Carnival gift cards from AARP a bit over a month ago, I've never had a problem with these before.  This time the transaction didn't go through even though my credit card was charged.     Interesting, did you get the email confirmation they send out when you purchase or is that how you figured out it did not go through?     

Never got an email confirmation, normally they come through very quickly.

6 minutes ago, 64funwhisper said: I bought 5 and was going to wait till I got on the ship to load to my account because of the trouble people are having with them do you think I should load them to cruise cash now to see if mine is going to have a problem ??? 

I wouldn't do 'cruise cash' because that's a use it or lose it proposition.  You can check your gift card balance here:   https://carnival.ourgiftcards.com/checkbalance   

So long as the proper amount is confirmed you're fine.

thanks groundloop ! I checked my Balances there all ok -so I will wait till I get on the ship 

luv2trvlnow

4 hours ago, groundloop said: I went online to purchase discounted Carnival gift cards from AARP a bit over a month ago, I've never had a problem with these before.  This time the transaction didn't go through even though my credit card was charged.     I talked to a representative at AARP Rewards and was told the problem occurred because I was using an ad-blocker with my browser (ok, maybe true but why didn't their website warn me to disable ad blockers before making a purchase?).  They promised to refund my credit card within 5 days, so far it hasn't happened and I'm currently sitting on hold waiting to speak to them again about this.   I'm questioning whether the hassle of correcting their error was worth saving a little bit on a few gift cards.      

When you purchased them is about the time their website started having problems with purchases.  You haven't been able to make purchases for the last 3 weeks or more.  They just made up a reason that wasn't the truth. 

If you look at their site now,  they have a notice that AARP Rewards checkout is having problems and unavailable for purchases.  People are complaining on their forum about all the IT problems they are having.  I wouldn't trust giving them any of my money for a card when it comes back up.  Every month they have the same problems with the Extra Credit activities.  It takes them a few hours to get it corrected and then the next month they have the same problems all over again. Totally imcompetent IT!!!

AARP has occasional "senior moments."

OP...have you initiated a dispute with the card company you used to make the purchase?  Its obvious you were charged and have the proof.  There are times when going that route will resolve faster than going to through the place that did not provide the goods/service.  Your card company will flat out ask them for the proof that they sent out the email with the reward info for you to use.  When they cannot provide it, the card company will handle it and should credit back your card for the amount you were charged.  

I am also having an ongoing issue with the Rewards site ,I  ordered 3 $500 Carnival gift cards on Sept 16 ,2022 ,we also never got the confirmation email but are card was charged , we still have not gotten our cards or refund , all we are getting is promises . No more gift cards for us , not worth the aggravation

On 10/3/2022 at 1:57 PM, 64funwhisper said: I bought 5 and was going to wait till I got on the ship to load to my account because of the trouble people are having with them do you think I should load them to cruise cash now to see if mine is going to have a problem ??? 

I suggest you download them before you leave and , if you have an Apple phone, save them to your Wallet app. If not Apple phone, take a screenshot and save it in your photo album.

Top_of_the_Cube

I think I finally understand why one might buy Cruise Cash with Carnival Gift cards.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is the convenience of having the Cruise Cash applied to your account without a trip to Guest Services or the quirky kiosk.

Makes sense.  For me, though, I prowl around the ship late at night, so the Guest Services line is usually non-existent, and the ladies working the desk usually flirt with me (must be a boring job).  Also, on my last cruise the kiosk actually worked for me (first time ever).  The kiosk doesn't flirt, she's just a big tease.

On 10/3/2022 at 7:40 PM, Drazil65 said: OP...have you initiated a dispute with the card company you used to make the purchase?  Its obvious you were charged and have the proof.  There are times when going that route will resolve faster than going to through the place that did not provide the goods/service.  Your card company will flat out ask them for the proof that they sent out the email with the reward info for you to use.  When they cannot provide it, the card company will handle it and should credit back your card for the amount you were charged.  

I talked to my credit card company shortly after this mess started, they require you to contact the merchant and at least attempt to resolve it with them.  

Nearly three weeks later AARP Rewards issued a credit to my card, but they screwed that up also.  Someone mistakenly issued the credit twice, and then attempted to fix that by putting a charge on my card but for some reason did that twice as well..... WITH THE NET RESULT BEING THAT I'M STILL OUT $3150.  At the same time they also told my credit card company that they'd issued a refund so the card company thought all was well.  And to make matters worse my credit card company had sent forms through the mail for me to fill out but I was on a cruise so never saw those until too late.

I'll eventually get this straightened out, but I'm at the point where I'm kicking myself in the ass for being cheap and trying to save a few dollars with discounted gift cards.

CruizinSusan70

On 10/4/2022 at 3:25 PM, Top_of_the_Cube said: The kiosk doesn't flirt, she's just a big tease.

How do you know that the kiosk is female?

• 3 weeks later...

Yikes groundloop 😲 ...thanks for the heads up! I purchased AARP Carnival gift cards to pay for our cruise just prior to COVID. I had no problems, not even during the two cancellations we had. (We are set to sail March 4, 2023.) With that being said, I was going to purchase a another 1 or 2 for spending on the ship! I too, think I will just forgo the small savings to avoid the possible huge headache!! I hope you get it all worked out soon!

I have made several different purchases, and applied the amounts,  in the last week or two without a bit of trouble.It seems things have been fixed. Sorry that others have had different experiences!

I purchased two $100 gift cards. I didn't receive a confirmation for the first one, but my credit card was charged. I checked my spam filter and the confirmation was there. I added the AARP email address to my contacts, and ordered a second gift card. Once again the confirmation went to my spam folder. I used one gift card toward my internet. I used the second one as cruise cash. I don't drink enough to buy a package, so this will cover the few drinks I will have here and there. I've also printed out all my receipts in case there is an issue. 

BoozinCroozin

I will buy AARP Gift Cards. I am protected with my CC company. I would also only buy e-gift cards. This way I have them immediately. I for one enjoy the 10% discount on about $4,000.

Colorado Beach Bum

Just bought 3 @ $500.  Worked perfectly.  Have them saved to my apple wallet.  

• 9 months later...

On 10/4/2022 at 3:02 PM, tpcwags said: if you have an Apple phone, save them to your Wallet app

How do you do this, I cannot figure out where to even see the gift cards?

AllgoodOnTheRoad

I bought one today without issue. 

AARP Rewards: Explore Ways to Reward Yourself

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Traveling can be one of the most rewarding ways to spend your leisure time during your golden years . You’ve spent decades of your life working hard, and now it’s time to enjoy your hard-earned money.

While traveling unlocks new and enriching experiences, global exposure and a chance to see more of the world, it can also come with a hefty price tag.

According to the AARP 2024 Travel Trends Report, 65% of those 50 or older plan to travel in 2024. Travelers 50 and older expect to spend $6,659 on average in 2024, which is consistent with 2023’s average of $6,688. Meanwhile, travelers 50-59 plan to spend $6,054, travelers 60-69 plan to spend $6,865, and travelers 70 and older plan to spend $6,987.

These are no small figures, indicating that it’s going to cost you a pretty penny to take a vacation. Luckily, there are some travel package deals and travel discounts that you can take advantage of now.

1. Flight Package Discount

When booking through the AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia, members can get exclusive access to a $50 gift card of their choice when they book any flight package.

2. Tour Package Discount

In tandem with AARP Travel, Trip Canvas helps seniors create fantastic vacations with exclusive AARP member benefits. For example, they offer private and customized tour packages designed especially for seniors, starting at $2,400 per person for a 12 day trip .

3. Cruise Package Discount

For AARP members, there are two tour companies that offer package discounts for seniors:

• Explorations by Collette: $50-$100 off small-group cultural immersion tours
• Grand European Travel: Up to $100 off guided vacations, including U.S. National Parks

Additional Senior Travel Discounts

In addition to vacation package discounts, there’s a whole bunch of other travel discounts for seniors — from flights, hotels cruises and rental cars, according to AARP and U.S. News & World Report . Some are for AARP members, while others are for any senior. By stacking these travel discounts, you can essentially create your own vacation package at a lower cost:

• British Airways: $65-$200 off roundtrip flights. (AARP)
• Delta Air Lines: Senior discounts available in certain markets .
• United Airlines: Discounted fares to select destinations for seniors 65 and older.

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• Carnival: Some discounted rates are available on select cruises for guests 55 and older.
• Holland America Line: Up to $200 onboard credit on select cruises. (AARP members)
• Royal Caribbean: Some discounted rates are available on select cruises for guests 55 and older.

Rental Cars

• Avis: Up to 35% off base rates with Pay Now and other benefits. (AARP members)
• Auto Europe: 5% senior discount when booking online.
• Budget: Up to 35% off base rates with Pay Now and other benefits. (AARP members)
• Budget Truck Rental: 10-20% off truck rentals. (AARP members)
• Payless Car Rentals: 5% off base rates and other benefits. (AARP members)
• Sixt: 5% senior discount for those 50 or older.

Disclaimer: Offers listed subject to change — prices and discounts accurate as of original publication on Sept. 18, 2024.

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Sunset Cruise

Event details are subject to change. Before attending, please check with the organization to confirm.

About the Event

Sunset Cruise at Road America is a leisurely, low-speed, 3-lap experience of the iconic 4-mile track with your own vehicle. It is the perfect opportunity to experience one of the premier road courses in the country. This relaxing on-track opportunity is bucket list experience for locals and fans world-wide!

Sunset Cruise runs on select dates May through September. Space is limited. Advance registration is required.

What You Need: Each participant must sign an insurance waiver – you will receive an email with an online link to the waiver the week of or you can complete a waiver upon arrival. The driver must possess a valid driver’s license. Passengers (including minors with guardian) are allowed provided they have a seat and seat belts. Trucks, Motorcycles, SUVs and vans are allowed for Sunset Cruise, but CANNOT exceed 8 feet in height. Ensure your vehicle has at minimum 1/2 tank of fuel. Minimum age for motorcyclists is 16 years old, helmets are encouraged.

Where To Be: Participants should arrive between 5:15 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. at the Main Gate with proof of waiver ready if completed online. After check-in, you will be directed to the paddock to park. A mandatory meeting will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. in the staging area. Road America license plate holders get to be in the lead directly behind the pace car for all Sunset Cruises!

What To Do: All drivers are expected to operate their vehicles in a responsible manner. Any driver deemed a danger to themselves or others will be immediately removed from the track. NO passing is allowed. NO exceeding the max speed of 35 mph. NO switching of drivers or passengers during the event.

Price: $25/vehicle in advance $35/vehicle at the gate

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Member Benefits

Holland America Line

Disclosures

Up to $200 Onboard Credit on Select Cruises

Holland America Line   has been saved

Holland America Line   has been removed

Cruises can be purchased online or by phone through Holland America, or via a travel agency.

Holland America Line’s fleet of 11 ships offers more than five hundred sailings a year visiting all 7 continents, including cruises in Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.  AARP members receive up to $200 in onboard credit per stateroom, based on the length of the cruise and the stateroom chosen.

or, call Holland America Line at

You’ll leave AARP and go to the website of a trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions, and policies apply.

Limited Time Member Offer

Free Surf Wi-Fi Package on 2025 Grand Voyages

AARP Members enjoy an exclusive bonus benefit on 2025 Grand Voyages! For a limited time, receive our Surf Wi-Fi Package when you book select cruises with a valid AARP verification.

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AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.

Limited Time Member Offer Restrictions

Wi-Fi Surf Package: All onboard Internet usage is subject to Holland America Line’s standard policies, which may limit browsing of some sites due to network security and bandwidth usage. Applications that use high bandwidth may be blocked and offerings are subject to change with or without notice. The plan can be activated on any device, but only one device can be actively connected at a time. Upgrades are available once on board for a single day, the remaining duration of the voyage or adding more devices. Offer applies to 1st/2nd guests in a stateroom only and must have an AARP verification to redeem. Wi-Offer is for new bookings only. The offer is available only on select cruises. Offer and/or its terms may be modified or withdrawn without prior notice. Other restrictions and exclusions may apply.