If you've ever searched the Internet for ways to save on cruise vacations, you may have come across rewards programs that offer the opportunity to earn discounted gift cards to cruise lines.
Some credit cards, like a Citi credit card with ThankYou Rewards, allow you to redeem rewards points for travel and cruise gift cards, but they're not the only rewards programs that offer this benefit. Certain loyalty programs offer their members the opportunity to earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or even purchase gift cards at a discount.
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A popular program for purchasing cruise line gift cards recently made some changes that those looking for cruise deals will want to know about before planning to pay for their next cruise with gift cards.
Carnival Cruise Line passengers used to be able to rack up significant savings with this program, but the discount amount has been steadily shrinking in recent months.
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Image source: Carnival Corporation
AARP Rewards Program Offers Discounted Gift Cards to Cruise Lines
AARP, the nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Americans age 50 and older to choose how they live as they age, has a rewards program that offers benefits to people of all ages.
The AARP Rewards program is a free loyalty program that gives members the opportunity to earn points for completing AARP Rewards activities, such as completing health questionnaires and playing AARP games. Points earned can be redeemed for gift cards, among other rewards.
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You don't need to be an AARP member to join, but AARP members earn 50% more points and can access exclusive members-only rewards like discounted gift cards. Discount travel and cruise line gift cards offered through the program, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean gift cards, are only available for purchase by AARP members.
If you want to take advantage of AARP's exclusive member rewards, you can join AARP before the end of 2024 for $12 for your first year before the cost of membership increases in January, but you should keep in mind that Carnival Cruise Line's discount offered through the program no longer exists. decreased twice in 2024.
AARP discount on Carnival Cruise Line gift cards is being reduced
Earlier this year, the AARP Rewards website offered members a 10% discount on Carnival Cruise Line gift cards, meaning they could purchase a $100 Carnival gift card for $90 or a $100 Carnival gift card for $500 for only $450. You can also purchase multiple gift cards to build up the savings. By purchasing five $500 Carnival gift cards, you could get $250 off $2,500 to use on your cruise fare and onboard purchases.
But five Carnival gift cards no longer mean that much savings as 2024 comes to a close. This fall, the AARP Rewards program's Carnival gift card discount amount changed to an 8% discount, and now, at the end of December, Carnival gift cards were reduced to just a 5% discount.
While you can still purchase up to five gift cards per month to increase your savings, you'll have to pay more for each gift card. A $100 Carnival gift card is now $95 and a $500 Carnival gift card is now $475.
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If you're not a Carnival loyalist and want to sail with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Holland America Line, you can still get more substantial savings.
The AARP Rewards catalog still offers Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises gift cards at 10% off, and members can purchase up to 25 of these gift cards per month. Holland America Line gift cards are available at an 8% discount with a purchase limit of five gift cards per month.
Princess Cruises gift cards were previously offered, but are currently not available on the AARP Rewards website. The website says discounted gift cards are available while supplies last.
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