While on a recent cruise, our fourth with Carnival, they were having this promotion to sign up for their Seamiles credit card where you could earn all these double miles on that cruise purchase, low interest, and actually 0% interest on all balance transfers made within the first 30 days. Sounded great..until we actually applied. They convinced us to apply for separate cards as we'd each get 5,000 bonus miles with our first purchase. So we did..well we were told we were approved for 7500 credit line and what we ended up with when we got home was...1,000 for my husband (this cracks me up..we have never had that low of a credit line) and not to brag but we own a multimillon commercial property and he got 1,000.  Even at that, he would NEVER be able to earn enough miles for anything as the minimum to even get a discount on a short 3-day cruise is 10,000 seamiles.  I actually had $4,500 on my credit line, which was not worth it in the end because the minute we got home the phone calls started.  Obviously, a foreign call center wanting us to buy credit protection for our cards and they called nonstop.  I'm sorry but if we lose our jobs (which we do not have, we have property investments) or get sick..I think we can handle making the payments on that whopping 1,000 limit card.  I was so sick of the calls that I finally called them and told them to stop and informed Carnival of the situation to which they never responded. I was told by someone that when you complain to Carnival about the credit card they only tell you that they have nothing to do with the bank. I'M SORRY..then STOP promoting this crappy bank card on your cruises then.  Oh, the final straw..when we got home we paid off the card as we had put our cruise on it for our first purchase to get miles.  We made the payment but then they held that, holding up our credit line for 10 days.  I dont know about you, but in this day and age with electronic banking, I know it doesnt take 10 days to clear my bank. Anyway, once our card was clear, we did a balance transfer to take advantage of 0% for six months.  Well, big shock..first month we were charged interest AND that low interest rate we were told we'd get for applying..15.24%.  The highest on any card we have or have ever had.  I immediately called and told them we signed up for the promotion of 0% and it was within the 30 days.  Guess what I was told..Prove it.. Basically, they want me to prove I had gotten this promotion on the friggin cruise ship!!! Not happy and I do not know what to do other than we are paying it off and closing the accounts. I am very disappointed in that Carnival promotes this credit card as it is the worst bank EVER.  I will never buy into anything again on Carnival and may cancel our cruise we have booked next.  They "sell" it but wont back what they are selling AT ALL..Thanks for letting me vent. When I did an internet search, I found a lot of others who has undergone the same treatment, which is a shame because we love Carnival cruises but it makes you re-think their associations and how they handle how their customers are treated by something they pump people up to sign up for.

1. You complained to Canival, not Barkley Bank.  Carnival does not own the bank. 

2. When you make a payment by check, they will hold it until the check clears.  Not too unusual, especially on the first invoice.

3. Every card tries to sell you insurance. 

4. I have a Carnival Card, and yes, I even redeemed points and had a discount.

We have had a Seamiles card for over 4 years & did not use it much because we got cash back on our Discover, just used it when somone did not take Discover.  We now have enough miles to pay for one of our fares on the next cruise.  We do not carry any credit card balance, so do I do not know about the intrest rate.  Our thought is we are going to charge anyway, why not get miles or cash back.  Sooner or later it does mount up.

I mad a transfer of cash from one credit card to the Seamiles Card and Yes, when you make your monthly payment which pays your credit bill they apply it to the cash transfer and then charge you interest on the monthly charges.  They refuse to do anything about it and also refuse to let you talk to anyone who can make a decision.  It would seem to me that Carnival would have some interest in making their customers happy on items that they advertise and put their name on.  Not only has Barclay's lost a customer who charges over $1000 per month, but Carnival has lost their percentage on the purchases plus a cruise evey year or so as I am seriously thinking of not booking further cruises. 

I agree that Carnival does not own Barclays but they sure are a partner in business and negotiate a contract with them, there are a lot of other banks out there that would sure treat you a lot better.  I am so happy that you have had good results with them but maybe, just maybe some other people in different circumstances got screwed.  And by the way, why are you standing up for these folks.  Do you work for them?

Anonymous:

I agree that Carnival does not own Barclays but they sure are a partner in business and negotiate a contract with them, there are a lot of other banks out there that would sure treat you a lot better.  I am so happy that you have had good results with them but maybe, just maybe some other people in different circumstances got screwed.  And by the way, why are you standing up for these folks.  Do you work for them?

I don't like credit cards.  My point is, do not blame Carnival because of the bank. Look, everyplace you go today, you get worthless points for something.  To say that you are not going on a Carnival Cruise, because another company, especially a bank screwed you, is not a reason.  Look, if you go to get a crappy hamburger at a fast food joint, and they messed up your hamburger, but the coke was good, do you never drink coke again, because they have a partnership with a crappy hamburger joint?  No, you complain to hamburger joint, and continue to drink your soda.

You don't redeem you points with Carnival.  Your redeem it with the credit card travel agency, who gives you the discount.  You do not deal directly with Carnival for any booking with points. 

So complain to Carnival, and maybe if they get enough complaints, than they will do something, but remember this, do not ask Carnival to fix it. It just is not going to happen, and enjoy your next Cruise and learn to separate the problems and place each blame where it belongs.

As far as the other banks, I would love to know which one will treat you better.  I haven't found one yet.

I got the card about 4yrs ago, but it was Juniper bank. Long story short, we made a mail order purchase, the item came open and damaged so the mailman suggested refusing the delivery, which I did. I immmediately called the company, they told me there was nothing they would do, i should have taken it, called them and then returnedit (yeah, so I can pay return shipping? no!). So I called the credit card, an dthey basically took the side of the company. She said, well you should have called them first. I was furious! I merely refused shipment on an item that came smashed up and opened. It looked like a semi had run over it! And the credit card said I didnt follow the ordering company policy. Well, shouldn't policy also be when you pay for a new undamaged item that you receive a new undamaged item? Anyway, I was so upset that I paid off theat months balance and I cancelled it. This was 4 yrs ago. They still to this day send me emails about redeeming points for my next cruise. HAHAHA! No thnks!

I agree with others that say it is disappointing that Carnival would affiliate their name with a bank company that deals business like this. Even though it's not their fault, but they should listen to what customers are saying, especially when negative things are happening.

The only problem I have had was on my Elation trip I just returned from. In port, I proffered the card to a shopkeeper for a charge that was a little over 800 dollars. The charge was refused. Now, I make it a point to use this card a lot, and always when paying for a cruise and while on board. The shopkeeper asked me if I notified the card I was coming to Mexico ( I had not because to me, it was obvious if I paid for a cruise and charged drinks, etc on the ship that day I was there!). Well, I just pulled out a Bank of America card instead (They noted on my accounts a long time ago I travel frequently). When I got back to the ship, I talked to the purser, he dialed Barclays for me and I got a very nice man (Ron) who told me for security purposes they like to know if you will be charging out of the US. Thinking about this, it's really for my own safety and he was very nice about notating my itinerary. I could have done this from the shop as well and the charge would have been accepted.

I have, however, had a similar experience with my La Quinta card from Chase Bank. After I had guests to lunch in Mazatlan, the charge was refused and when I called Chase, their only excuse was "Well, a lot of Mexican charges are fraudulent". They never offered me the opportunity to prove my identity and it was quite embarassing., Needless to say, I canceled that account but I still stay at La Quinta when I travel with my cat because they are clean, cheap and don't charge extra for her. I had to set the bank and the hotel chain apart in my mind because only one was responsible for my problem. I know it's not the same situation but sometimes you get a customer service rep or an anonymous person in accounting who decides "what's best for you".  In your case, I would have been very upset!!!

I know there are consumer protection agencies who will assist you in having the charges reversed without blemish to your credit standing. FYI, I and the DH also got two accounts and the gentleman selling the cards on the Pride also told us of the zero interest transfer rate. If you need me to, I will be happy to provide you an Affidavit stating that very thing. Just e-mail me privately. I remember our conversation vividly because it seemed *** that we would need two separate accounts. (Obviously, he received an additional commission.) Just keep fighting this and you WILL come out on top.

But don't blame Carnival. They deal with vendors, just as we all do, and when I was having a problem that purser was more than ready to assist me. And many banks are tightening up their rules without informing their customers. A man I trade with here in Las Vegas told me his account in good standing with Bank of America was canceled by the bank because as a small business owner, he had become a credit risk.  Can you believe it? Well, as the economy strengthens, I hope these rules will ease up.

Take it in stride, keep after the bank, and I hope to meet you on a Carnival ship one day.

Suzie

We have had our Seamiles card for 3 years and have never had a problem.  We have even got a free cruise (although the customer pays for taxes and port fees).  But a 5 day cruise for 2 for $76 and some change--show me a better deal!!  But then again, I see that the person who originally posted this thread has been on every thread putting down Carnival.  Get a life!!

It took me quite  awhile but with persistence, I was able to locate a BODY to talk to and was able to redeem my seamiles for a cruise.

Here;s the name of a contact and here phone #  INDU KHULLAR 1-877=732-6453 ext 4522.   GOOD LUCK!

b.t. battle

 nice same sig man your cool

I rarely use my SeaMiles card any more.  We booked a cruise with them and redeemed points last year.  Their rates were not any better than going to CCL direct, but we got money off for the points.  My husband was hospitalized just before our cruise and we could not go.  SeaMiles would not reinstate the points which I thought was wrong due to the circumstances - and they do not insure the value of the points when buying insurance.  So...  now I use my Am Ex or Discover and get cash back - much better than the SeaMiles points cause I won't "lose" my cash back due to illness, etc.

However, SeaMiles does operate as a credit card company and several years ago I got a full refund for a cruise from SeaMiles even though Carnival refused to give us a refund.  Long story!

I am having a problem with them too.  Got offer for 0% interest on balance transfers for 9 months.  I applied online & no where did it ask for the promotional # & the web address on the offer didnt work.  When I got card they sent an insert that it was only for 6 months.  Called & was told had to fax letter to their customer correspondence dept with a copy of the 2 offers I was sent for 9 months, 0 interest & once they confirmed the validity of the offer they would honor it.  I faxed the letter & my offers and got a letter that they could not honor my request for a lower interest rate at this time.  I didnt ask for a lower interest rate.  I asked for the 0% offer to be extended to the 9 months they offered!  I called again and was told nothing they can do and would need to fax another letter to their executive office which I am betting probably doesnt even exist.  So last week I faxed another letter with all my supporting documentation and am waiting on their response.  They havent heard the end of this from me.  I will write the better business bureau, carnival & whoever else I can think of to make others aware of their crappy card.  Funny cause I got a $4500 limit, make about 30k a year and had a prior chapter 7 bankruptcy 9 years ago so obviously there is no rhyme or reason to how they determine credit limits.  I have since re-established my credit & is outstanding now with this being the only card I have a balance on. I would be pissed if I was your husband!  I will probably end of transferring this balance to another card but they will get to keep the 3% transfer fee which infuriates me!       

Yes.. Recently Barclay started charing 24% on a card I was paying 14% on.  I opted out of the 24% charge and did not accept it.  They therefore closed the account and all my sea miles (up to 45000) miles which I have been accumulating for 4 years were taken away f rom me.  Barclays chose to cancel the account.  I did not.  I am not allowed to even reopen it!  I paid it off almost every month and charged 1000's of dollars on it.  I contacted by fax their main office regards all the threads in my email to customer service for the sea miles and they have yet to answer.  If I get no response, I believe a class action suit is in order by an Attorney or just get an attorney to handle these various complaints on the message boards.

Bever;y Covington

When you opted out, YOU canceled your account. Can't blame Barclay for that.

Suzie