If you’re a cruise lover looking to save money on your travel by using points and miles, or if you’re an avid points collector planning your first cruise vacation, you’re probably wondering how to maximize the rewards from your cruise booking. While booking a cruise using points and miles may seem like the best option, it doesn’t always provide the most value. Instead, there are several strategies you can employ to get the most out of your cruise booking.
One effective strategy is to pay for your cruise with a travel credit card that offers extra points and miles for travel purchases. Most credit cards code cruise purchases as travel expenses, so using a credit card that earns more than 1% or 1 mile per dollar spent on travel can help you earn more rewards. By paying for your cruise with a travel credit card, you can earn points and miles that can be used towards future trips.
While your basic expenses on board the cruise ship will be covered as part of your booking, there will still be opportunities to spend money on things like drinks, meals at specialty restaurants, shore excursions, and spa treatments. By using a credit card that offers extra incentives for travel purchases, you can earn the most points on these expenses. It’s worth checking out the best credit cards for cruises to find one that suits your needs.
Another way to maximize rewards from your cruise booking is to use a cobranded airline or hotel credit card to earn elite status. Many cobranded credit cards contribute to your stash of elite-qualifying points, which can help you achieve airline or hotel elite status. For example, American Airlines bases its elite status on AAdvantage Loyalty Points, which can be earned through purchases made with their cobranded credit card. By paying for a cruise on the card, you can earn loyalty points that contribute towards elite status. Similarly, United MileagePlus and Delta credit cards offer ways to earn redeemable miles and qualifying points towards elite status.
If you have a big cruise expense coming up, you can also take advantage of sign-up bonuses offered by credit cards. Even if you only earn 1% or 1 mile per dollar spent on travel purchases, applying for a new credit card can help you meet the minimum spend requirement to earn a large welcome bonus. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express offers a welcome bonus of 80,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months of card membership. By using this card to pay for a cruise, you can earn the welcome bonus and use the points for additional travel expenses.
Booking a cruise with the right credit card can also earn you extra perks. Credit card portals often offer additional benefits and discounts on cruises. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express offers perks through the Amex Cruise Privileges Program, such as cabin credits and additional benefits on select cruise lines. American Express also frequently provides Amex Offers on cruises, which can earn you bonus points for spending on specific cruise lines.
In conclusion, while booking a cruise using points and miles may not always be the most advantageous option, there are several strategies you can employ to maximize the rewards from your cruise booking. By paying with a travel credit card, earning elite status, taking advantage of sign-up bonuses, and using credit card offers, you can make the most of your cruise booking and enjoy additional rewards and perks.