Book a Cruise

Credit Card Points: These valuable points come from everyday spending on popular cards like Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or American Express® Gold Card. You can use them to book travel, including cruises.

Airline Miles: Those miles you’ve been hoarding from all those flights? Yep, they might work for cruises too. Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, and Southwest Airlines have options worth exploring.

Hotel Points: Ever stayed at a Marriott? You might have Marriott Bonvoy points sitting around, waiting to be spent on a cruise.

Cruise Line Loyalty Programs: If you’re a regular cruiser, you might have points from your favorite cruise line that can be cashed in for discounts or even a free trip.

Ah, credit cards—the best friend of any points and miles enthusiast. If you’ve been swiping away with a travel rewards card, you’re in luck.

Chase Ultimate Rewards

If you’ve got a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or even business cards such as Ink Business Cash® Credit Card, you can use your points to book a cruise through the Chase travel portal.

Points typically get you between 1.25 to 1.5 cents each, so 50,000 points could snag you a $750 cruise. And trust me, that’s a lot of buffet trips.

Amex Membership Rewards

American Express is another heavy hitter when it comes to booking cruises. Both popular cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or even business cards such as American Express® Business Gold Card or The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express card earn Membership Rewards points that can be used to book cruises through the Amex Travel portal.

The Amex Cruise Privileges Program is like finding buried treasure—think shipboard credits, upgrades, and special amenities. The value per point is generally around 1 cent, but with all those extras, it’s like getting the captain’s hat thrown in for free.

Citi ThankYou Points

Citi’s ThankYou Points can be used in a similar way through their travel portal. You’ll usually get about 1 cent per point, which isn’t too shabby for a cruise on the high seas.

Capital One Miles

Capital One Miles are a flexible and valuable currency for travelers, earned through popular credit cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, & Capital One Spark Miles Business.

These miles can be redeemed for a variety of travel expenses, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and even cruises.

One of the standout features is the ability to transfer miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs, including airlines and hotel chains, often at a 1:1 ratio. 

This versatility makes Capital One Miles an excellent choice for those looking to maximize their travel rewards and unlock hidden deals, especially for booking flights or other travel experiences.

Additionally, Capital One Miles can be used to “erase” travel purchases made with your card, giving you the freedom to book through any platform and still use your miles. 

With opportunities to earn 2x miles on all purchases and even more through travel booked via Capital One Travel, these miles offer significant value for frequent travelers.

Did you think those airline miles were only good for squished airplane seats and crying babies? Think again! Some airlines will let you use those miles for cruises.

Delta SkyMiles Cruises

Delta offers a specific platform where you can trade your Delta SkyMiles for a cruise. You can use miles to cover the entire cost or just a portion—whatever floats your boat (pun intended).

Plus, Delta sometimes sweetens the deal with bonus miles. So, if you don’t have one already – you must consider getting Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card which in addition to valuable miles also gets access to perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding and flight credits to enhance your flight experience.

United Cruises

United Airlines also has a cruise booking platform. Here, you can use MileagePlus miles to book anything from a budget-friendly trip to a luxurious getaway.

United often throws in some bonus miles or discounts for their United MileagePlus members, which is like finding extra fries at the bottom of your bag.

There are popular cards that can accelerate miles accumulation with everyday purchases on dining, gas etc. such as United℠ Explorer Card or United℠ Business Card for small business owners – not to mention a number of perks such as complimentary airline lounge passes, free checked bags and various credits.

Southwest Airlines Cruises

Southwest Airlines is known for its fun-loving attitude, and their cruise program is no exception.

While you can’t directly book a cruise with points, you can earn Southwest Rapid Rewards points on your cruise booking. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

Did you know you can use hotel points for cruises? Yes, it’s true. Hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy are ready to take you from the lobby to the lido deck.

Marriott Bonvoy Cruises

Marriott has a cruise booking platform that lets you use points for your sea voyage. While the value per point can vary, Marriott Bonvoy cruises often come with some nice perks, like onboard credits.

If you’ve got a stash of Marriott points, this might be the perfect way to spend them.

While having a hotel rewards credit card such as Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card can boost your points earned, popular no annual fee cards such as Chase Freedom Unlimited® can also earn 3X points on everyday purchases on dining, drugstores etc. that you can do points transfer to Marriott Bonvoy.

If you’re a frequent cruiser, you might already be racking up points with your favorite cruise line’s loyalty program. These points can be redeemed for discounts, upgrades, or even a free cruise.

Carnival VIFP Club

Carnival’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club rewards you with points every time you cruise. While you can’t directly book a cruise with these points, you can get some sweet perks, like discounts or upgrades.

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society

Royal Caribbean offers a similar program where you can earn points for every night you cruise. These points can get you onboard credits, discounts, or even free cruises if you’re a real high roller.

Sometimes, the best deals come from places you wouldn’t expect. Travel agencies like Costco Travel or AAA might have just what you need.

Costco Travel

If you’re a Costco member, you can book cruises through Costco Travel, often at a discount. While you can’t directly use points, some credit cards will allow you to redeem points for a statement credit after booking.

Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of getting cruise rewards and a giant tub of pretzels in one trip?

AAA Travel

AAA members can book cruises through AAA Travel. Some credit card programs let you redeem points here, which could lead to some serious savings on your cruise.

Here are some pro tips to help you get the most bang for your buck:

Compare Options

Always compare the value of your points or miles across different platforms. It’s like shopping for a deal—you wouldn’t buy the first pair of shoes you see, right?

Look for Promotions

Keep an eye out for promotions offering bonus points, miles, or onboard credits. They’re like finding a hidden sale at your favorite store.

Consider Cash Back

Sometimes, using a cash-back credit card and applying the cash back to your cruise can be more valuable than using points or miles. It’s like finding a $20 bill in your jeans pocket.

Use Points for Onboard Fun

If you’ve already booked your cruise but have extra points or miles, consider using them for onboard expenses. It’s like having an all-you-can-eat buffet on the house.