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How to Book Cruises with Points

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by

Mark Reynolds
in

Explore Loyalty Rewards Programs

Airline Cruise Booking Portals

American Airlines AAdvantage members earn 1 mile per dollar spent on cruises through their specialized portal, up to 10,000 miles. United Premier elite members get access to extra perks like wine and onboard credits and can book a cruise for as little as 22,000 miles. These portals might not always have the lowest prices, but the miles can add up nicely.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruise with Points

Marriott Bonvoy's cruise portal lets you earn 3 points per dollar spent on cruises, with Bonvoy credit card holders getting an extra 2 points per dollar. You can redeem points to reduce your cruise costs. For example, 125,000 points can cover a $500 slice of your fare. This is a solid option if you have a surplus of Marriott points.

Wyndham and Norwegian Cruise Line

Club Wyndham members can redeem points for Norwegian cruise sailings. A three-night Bahamas cruise starts as low as 248,000 points. Other destinations like Hawaii, Alaska, and the Mediterranean are available too.

Credit Card Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles can be used to offset cruise costs. Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve cardholders get good value—1.25 to 1.5 cents per point. The Sapphire Reserve also offers a $300 travel credit, which can help reduce the cruise fare.

Cruise Credit Cards

Co-branded cruise credit cards, like the Carnival World Mastercard, reward you with points for everyday spending. While enticing, they might not be as versatile as other travel rewards cards. These are best for frequent cruisers loyal to a specific cruise line.

Booking Strategies

Different approaches suit different needs when booking a cruise. American Airlines Cruises, Delta SkyMiles Cruises, and United Airlines Cruises all have unique benefits, from waived deposits to substantial mile earnings. Marriott Bonvoy Cruises also offers hefty earning potential, with up to 250,000 points on luxury sailings.

Travel Insurance

Many credit cards offer travel insurance perks if you charge your travel expenses, including cruises, to your card. For instance, the Platinum Card® from American Express provides comprehensive coverage, protecting both your investment and peace of mind.

Maximize Your Earnings

Using loyalty programs and the right credit cards can help you earn elite status with airlines and hotels. For example, using an American Airlines co-branded card like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® can earn AAdvantage Loyalty Points—bringing you closer to elite status. Similarly, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card earns Medallion Qualification Dollars.

Airline and Hotel Partnerships

Using your airline miles and hotel points for cruises can be an attractive option, but it's crucial to understand the real value and potential savings. Let's dive into these partnerships and see how to use them wisely.

American Airlines and United Cruises offer booking through their dedicated portals. American Airlines' platform allows you to earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent, up to 10,000 miles per booking. United Cruises offers up to 45,000 miles when you book using their platform, especially if you have a United credit card. However, the actual value can vary. A seven-night cruise could cost over 200,000 United miles, which is quite a lot compared to booking a flight.

Marriott Bonvoy's Cruise with Points program lets you earn up to 6x points on cruise purchases or redeem your points for credits toward the fare. Redeeming 125,000 Bonvoy points for $500 off your cruise can provide decent savings. Plus, Marriott cardholders earn an extra 2 points per dollar spent. Keep in mind, though, that the redemption rate often falls short of the 0.85 cents per point valuation, sitting around 0.4 cents.

Despite the sometimes less-than-stellar redemption values, these partnerships can still be a good way to reduce your cruise expenses, especially if you have excess points or miles. If you're strategic about timing and promotions, you could really maximize your savings.

Consider using these booking portals during promotions or when you're looking to diversify how you spend your points and miles. While the savings might not always be jaw-dropping, they can still get you closer to that dream vacation without emptying your wallet.

Using Credit Card Points

Credit card points can be a fantastic way to cut down on cruise costs. Let's explore how to make the most of Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Ultimate Rewards are valued for their flexibility. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card, your points are worth 1.25 and 1.5 cents each, respectively, when redeemed through the Chase travel portal. While you can't book cruises directly online, you can call their cruise reservations department at 855-234-2542. Do your research on the cruise line's website first, then let the Chase specialist guide you through using your points to reduce your fare.

American Express Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards offer versatile redemption options. You can book your cruise directly through their portal using the Pay with Points feature, typically getting 0.5 to 0.7 cents per point. For potentially better value, consider transferring your points to airline partners that offer cruise deals.

Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles shine with their straightforward redemption process. Book your cruise directly with the cruise line or through a travel agent, then use your miles to cover the travel purchase. Capital One's Venture and Venture X cards value each point at 1 cent towards travel purchases. Simply pay for your cruise using the card, then use the "Cover your travel purchases" feature in your account.

Is booking through these portals always worth it?

It depends on your priorities. While redemption values from portals might be lower than transferring to partner airlines or hotels, they offer simplicity and accessibility. Keep an eye out for special offers and limited-time deals to boost your savings.

Maximizing Benefits

For maximum benefit, combine card perks smartly. Use travel credits from premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve's $300 travel credit or the Amex Platinum's $200 annual travel credit to offset additional expenses like flights to your departure city or onboard costs.

Stay aware of promotional periods, be flexible, and always do a quick cost comparison. By doing this, you can ensure that your next cruise is both memorable and budget-friendly. Ready to set sail on a wave of savings?

Cruise-Specific Credit Cards

Cruise-specific credit cards can be enticing, but are they right for you? Let's weigh the pros and cons of cards like the Carnival World Mastercard.

Pros:

  • Earn points on cruise purchases (like 2 points per dollar on Carnival purchases)
  • Welcome bonuses
  • Exclusive access to promotions and discounts
  • Significant savings on future cruises for frequent cruisers
  • Onboard credits or freebies like drinks or spa treatments

Cons:

  • Lack of versatility – points are usually locked into a specific cruise line
  • Limited redemption options
  • Annual fees (some cards start charging after the first year)
  • Minimal perks for non-cruise spending

If you're not entirely sold on a cruise-specific card, consider a versatile travel credit card that offers broader rewards. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Capital One Venture often provide higher points on travel and dining, with no limitations on how you can use your points.

Who Should Consider a Cruise-Specific Card?

Cruise-specific credit cards can be great for die-hard cruisers but might not be the best choice for occasional sailors. Weigh your cruising frequency and spending habits carefully. If you're booking more cruises than hotels, a cruise-specific card could be perfect. But if your travel plans are more varied, stick to a versatile travel rewards card and let your points take you wherever you want to go.

Ready to set sail on your next adventure? Choose the card that best fits your travel style and start earning towards your dream cruise today!

Maximizing Points and Miles Value

When it comes to managing reward points and miles, getting the most bang for your buck is key. While booking a cruise with points might seem tempting, it's not always the smartest move. Let's dive into how you can squeeze every drop of value from your rewards.

Think about this: you've got a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Sure, you could use them for a cruise through Chase's travel portal. But what if you transferred those points to an airline partner for a swanky business-class flight instead? A $3,000 flight from New York to London could potentially cost you fewer points, giving you more value per point.

Savvy Strategies for Pre-Cruise Stays

  • Use points for pre-cruise hotels in pricey departure cities like Miami or Barcelona
  • Consider using Hyatt points for high-end hotels (e.g., 20,000 points for a $400/night stay)
  • Leverage Marriott Bonvoy points for beachside stays before your cruise
  • Take advantage of elite status perks like room upgrades or free breakfast

Pro tip: Use points for hotels and save cash for onboard splurges!

Flying in Luxury

If your cruise leaves from Europe, transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to airline partners like Air France-KLM or British Airways could land you a business-class seat. Trust me, arriving at your cruise feeling refreshed and pampered is worth its weight in gold (or points, in this case).

Flexibility is Key

Cruise prices are often set in stone, but flights and hotels? They can be more forgiving. If prices drop, you might be able to rebook for fewer points or get a refund. It's like having a safety net for your travel plans.

Don't Overlook Credit Card Perks

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve's $300 annual travel credit can cover pre-cruise expenses
  • Amex Platinum's hotel credits can snag you a luxurious pre-cruise night

In a nutshell, while using points for cruises is tempting, it's often smarter to use them for flights or hotels. By thinking strategically, you can turn your points into a first-class journey from start to finish. So, are you ready to set sail on your dream vacation and make those points work overtime?

Booking a cruise with points and miles, or by leveraging your travel credit cards, is about maximizing the value of your travel rewards.