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The best credit cards for booking cruises: how to save big on your next sailing, the best credit cards for cruising aren't what you may think..

If the idea of dipping your toes into warm waters and eating your heart out at a buffet while en route to the next port of call has you itching to book a sailing, you may be wondering what credit card you should pay with.

With the right credit card for cruising, you can earn bonus rewards for your spending and then use those rewards to cover future sailings and even the travel to and from your cruise. A single card's welcome bonus could potentially cover the cost of a cruise and grant additional perks, such as travel insurance or onboard credits.

Although several major cruise lines offer cobranded credit cards, using a more general travel rewards card will usually offer greater value. Below, CNBC Select breaks down the best credit cards for cruises and why it may not be what you initially thought.

Best credit cards for cruising

• Best overall : Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• Best for booking cruises with points : Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for ease of booking : Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )
• Best no-annual-fee card for cruises : Citi Double Cash® Card
• Best for premium cruise benefits : The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for booking cruises with Costco : Costco Anywhere Visa® Card

Best overall

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the most well-rounded cards for booking cruises. It offers a generous welcome bonus, an easy-to-use rewards program, valuable travel protections and reasonable annual fee .

Cruise benefits: Cardholders earn 5X points on all travel purchased through Chase Travel SM , including cruises, making this one of the most rewarding cards for cruise purchases. Meanwhile, all other travel, such as trips booked directly through cruise lines or other online travel agencies, earn 2X points.

When you book cruises through Chase's travel portal you can pay with points, cash or some combination of the two. Your points are worth 1.25 cents each when redeemed this way. Just note that you'll need to call Chase's Cruises and Tours department at 855-234-2542 to book. Of course, you also have the option of transferring your points to Chase's various airline and hotel partners, allowing you to book not only your cruise with points but also award flights to and from your cruise, as well as pre-cruise accommodations.

Other perks: The card offers many built-in travel protections including trip cancellation/interruption insurance , travel and emergency assistance services, baggage delay insurance, trip delay reimbursement and rental car insurance . Other benefits include an up to $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, a 10% anniversary points boost, no foreign transaction fees and more.

Learn more:  How to use the Chase travel portal to directly book travel

Best for booking cruises with points

Chase sapphire reserve®.

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

5%, minimum $5

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

Who's this for? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is the higher-end version of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, geared toward more frequent and premium travelers.

Cruise benefits: Cardholders earn 3X points on general travel purchases, including cruise bookings (after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually). Unlike the Sapphire Preferred, cardholders don't get a bonus for booking cruises through Chase Travel℠. However, with the Sapphire Reserve, the value of your Chase points is bumped to 1.5 cents apiece toward travel booked through Chase Travel℠.

Other perks: Every year, you'll get an up to $300 annual travel credit that can be used toward cruises and other travel purchases. If you pay for your cruises with the Sapphire Reserve, you'll also be covered by a wide range of travel protections, including for trip delays, lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellation/interruption, travel accidents and emergency evacuation or medical care. Additional perks include airport lounge access ; elite-like benefits when booking hotels through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection; and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS application fee credit .

Best for ease of booking

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Who's this for? The Capital One Venture Rewards Card (see rates and fees ) is an appealing choice for cruisers that like simplicity. The card has a low annual fee, doesn't have many spending categories to keep track of and the rewards are easy to redeem.

Cruise benefits: Everyday purchases, including cruise bookings earn 2X miles. Venture miles are great for booking cruises because you aren't limited to booking through Capital One Travel — you can book directly through the cruise line or your preferred travel agency and then get reimbursed for the purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile after the fact. For additional flexibility, you can transfer Venture miles to 18 airline and hotel travel partners.

Other perks: Cardholders receive a statement credit of up to $100 to cover  Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership , Hertz Five Star status and two complimentary visits each year to  Capital One Lounges  or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network.

Best no-annual-fee card for booking cruises

Citi double cash® card.

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

0% for the first 18 months on balance transfers; N/A for purchases

19.24% - 29.24% variable

For balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening, an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies; after that, a balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies

Fair/Good/Excellent

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Citi Double Cash® Card review.

Who's this for? The Citi Double Cash card has no annual fee, no restrictive bonus spending categories and no headaches when it comes to redeeming your rewards.

Cruise benefits: Cardholders earn a flat 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% back when you pay. Once you've earned at least $25 in rewards, you can redeem them for a statement credit. These statement credits can be applied to any purchase, which could be a cruise or it could be any of the other costs associated with cruising.

Other perks: Cardholders have access to  Citi Entertainment , which provides early access and special perks at music, theater, dining and sports events. You can also pair this card with other Citi credit cards , like the Citi Premier® Card , to unlock the ability to transfer your rewards to Citi's travel partners. (See rates and fees ).

Best for premium cruise benefits

The platinum card® from american express.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Needed

Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review .

Who's this for? The Platinum Card® from American Express is a luxury card designed for frequent travelers looking for excellent benefits.

Cruise benefits: Cardholders have access to Amex's Cruise Privileges Program . When you book an eligible cruise and cabin (minimum of five nights with double occupancy) through the program you'll earn one additional Amex point per dollar spent (2X points total). You may also receive $100 to $300 in shipboard credit per stateroom and exclusive amenities depending on the cruise line.

You may also be able to save on cruises by taking advantage of Amex Offers — targeted promotions at participating merchants. In the past, we've seen offers to save hundreds of dollars with various cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises.

Other perks: The Amex Platinum comes with a long list of travel and lifestyle benefits, ranging from annual hotel and airline fee statement credits to Saks Fifth Avenue, digital entertainment, Equinox, Walmart+ and Uber Cash credits. Cardholders also enjoy  extensive airport lounge access , automatic hotel elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, cell phone protection* , comprehensive travel insurance and much more. Terms apply.

Learn more:  How to use the Amex Travel Portal to book flights, hotels and more

Best for booking cruises with Costco

Costco anywhere visa® card by citi.

4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year (then 1%); 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; 1% cash back on all other purchases

No current offer

$0, Costco membership required

20.49% variable

5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum

Who's this for? If Costco is your go-to for booking cruises and other vacation packages, look no further than the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card .

Cruise benefits: Costco Travel offers members significant savings on cruises and incentives like bonus Costco shop cards, shipboard credit, free beverage packages and other extras. Members with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases.

Other perks: When things go wrong, cardholders can take advantage of travel and emergency assistance, worldwide travel accident insurance, worldwide car rental insurance and damage and theft purchase protection. International travelers can also spend freely with no foreign transaction fees.

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our  credit card marketplace  or get personalized offers via  CardMatch™ .

• How to choose the right credit card for cruising for your situation?

Should I get a cobranded cruise line credit card?

• What credit score do you need for the best cruise credit cards?

How to choose the right cruising credit card for you?

The best cruising credit card for you depends on your goals and spending habits.

If you're dreaming of a Mediterranean cruise, travel to Europe will add to the cost of the trip. You may want to earn flexible rewards that can be used for airfare and hotels as well as cruises. However, if you want the ability to book any cruise with no restrictions, then earning cashback may be the way to go.

The best card for you should earn the most rewards in the categories where you spend the most. You may want to use your points and miles for a cruise, but the actual cruise fare is likely to be just a small portion of what you spend in a year. If your card earns bonus points on dining or groceries , you may be able to earn rewards more quickly and book your next sailing sooner.

A number of major cruise lines offer cobranded credit cards. However, the rewards aren't anywhere nearly as lucrative as what you'll get with a travel credit card that earns flexible rewards. 

The welcome bonuses for cruise line cards offer a fraction of the value you can get from the credit cards with the best bonuses . Not only that but the rewards you earn are typically tied to a single cruise line and can be cumbersome to use. Unless you're a diehard loyalist of a specific cruise line and you're looking for a card to complement your primary travel card, you'll find more value with a more general rewards card.

What credit score do you need for the best credit cards for cruising?

As a rule of thumb, the more valuable the credit card, the higher the credit score you'll need to qualify.

For the top cruise cards on this list, expect to need a good or excellent credit score (scores of 670 and above) to qualify. On top of that, other factors are taken into consideration, such as income and whether you've recently applied for any other cards.

Bottom line

Paying for your next cruise with the right credit card can help keep you from breaking the bank.

The best credit cards for cruises aren't tied to specific cruise lines. If you want to use credit card rewards to cut the cost of your next cruise, a travel credit card that earns flexible rewards or cashback is your best bet. That way you won't be tied to using your points with a single cruise line and you'll even have the option of using rewards to cover other expenses associated with cruising, such as airfare and hotels.

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card   review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card   products .  While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best credit cards.

Our methodology

To determine which cards offer the best value for cruising,  CNBC Select  analyzed over 230 of the most popular credit cards available in the U.S. We compared each card on a range of features, including: rewards, welcome bonus, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fee and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit and customer reviews when available. We also considered additional perks, the application process and how easy it is for the consumer to redeem points.

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For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here .

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/ benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

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Card Summary

Chase sapphire reserve card — best for earning points & travel insurance, amex green card — best mid-tier card for travel, amex blue cash preferred card — best for cash-back, amex gold card — best for earning points on gift card purchases at u.s. supermarkets, additional personal credit cards for booking cruises, ink business preferred card — best for earning points – sub-$100 annual fee card, amex blue business plus card — best for no annual fee & cash-back, capital one spark miles card — best for earning miles, additional business cards for booking cruises, cruise line credit cards, final thoughts.

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Cruises can be a wonderful way to travel. They are a convenient way to see many places on a single trip and can provide good value since most of your food and entertainment are included.

We’ve previously discussed the best ways to book your cruise with points and miles , but what’s the most rewarding option when paying for your cruise with a credit card?

When you book a cruise, there are a few things you should think about: do you want to earn transferable points or cash-back, or would you prefer to earn cruise line perks like onboard credit or discounts?

In this article, you can discover the best credit cards for booking cruises, whether you want to earn points, cash-back, or get the best onboard perks. And once you’re ready to set sail, book your cruise through a website that offers great prices, bonuses, and perks.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® — Best for Earning Points & Travel Insurance
• American Express ® Green Card — Best Mid-Tier Card for Travel
• Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express — Best for Cash-Back
• American Express ® Gold Card — Best for Earning Points on Gift Card Purchases at U.S. Supermarkets
• Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card — Best Business Card for Earning Points – Sub-$100 Annual Fee Card 
• The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express — Best Business Card for No Annual Fee & Cash-Back
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business — Best Business Card for  Earning Miles

The 4+ Best Personal Credit Cards for Booking Cruises

Some credit cards earn bonus points on the general “travel” category, which includes cruises, while other cards earn bonus points at stores that sell cruise line gift cards. Meanwhile, some cards offer a flat rate for earning points or cash-back. All of these types of cards can be good for booking cruises.

Here’s a quick look at the best options for earning rewards on your next cruise purchase.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve 100k Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Airport Lounge Access
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a powerhouse among travel rewards credit cards. The list of benefits it offers is long and includes perks that come in handy when traveling on a cruise, including a $300 yearly travel credit, a Priority Pass membership, primary car rental insurance , excellent travel insurance coverage , and a fee credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS .

Plus, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points . When you pay for your cruise with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll earn  3x points. According to our points and miles valuations , Ultimate Rewards points are worth ~2 cents each, which means you’d be getting a ~6% return.

Another benefit to using a Chase credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is access to Chase Offers. You’ll often find discounts or rebates for cruises that can help you save money on your vacation.

American Express ® Green Card

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

The American Express ® Green Card is an excellent all-around travel rewards card thanks to earning 3x Membership Rewards ® points on eligible travel and transit purchases and at restaurants, access to American Express transfer partners, and a reasonable annual fee.

• 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and transit purchases
• Up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR ® Plus membership with the Card.
• Up to $100 in statement credits annually when you purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy with the Card.
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees
• $150 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express ® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express ® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express ® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It ® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express ® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR

American Express Membership Rewards

• Benefits of the Amex Green Card
• Travel Insurance Benefits of the Amex Green
• Amex Green CLEAR Plus Credit
• The Amex Green $100 LoungeBuddy Credit
• Is the Amex Green a Good Card for Frequent Travelers?
• Amex Gold vs Amex Green
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex Green
• Amex Transfer Partners
• Best American Express Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for CLEAR

While the Amex Green card might not be the most exciting travel rewards credit card, it’s got some great bonus categories — including travel. With this card, you’ll earn 3x points  on all types of travel, including cruises.

In addition, this card earns 3x points on transit purchases, including trains and subways, and at restaurants, so it’s a great one to keep in your wallet if you want to earn lots of American Express Membership Rewards points .

Keep an eye out for Amex Offers on cruises — you can stack these rewards with other points and perks offered by your American Express card.

Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express

This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.

The Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express is a stellar cash-back credit card for those looking to maximize every purchase they make.

With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases , this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases , this could be the card for you!

• 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
• 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
• 3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It ® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
• Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
• 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
• 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
• 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations.
• 3% Cash Back on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
• 1% Cash Back on other purchases.
• Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
• Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an auto-renewing subscription to Equinox+ at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred ® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
• Thinking about getting the Disney Bundle which can include Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Preferred ® Card. Enrollment required.
• APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
• Cash Back Credit Cards

Redeem cash-back through your American Express account

• Find the Amex Blue Cash Preferred $300 Welcome Bonus Offer
• Find The No Annual Fee Welcome Bonus Offer for the Amex Blue Cash Preferred
• Benefits of the Amex Blue Cash Preferred
• Streaming List for the Blue Cash Preferred
• Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs. Amex Blue Cash Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred
• Amex Gold vs Blue Cash Preferred
• Best Credit Cards for Groceries and Supermarkets
• Best Credit Cards for Bills and Utilities
• Best Credit Cards for Couples
• Best Everyday Credit Cards

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card offers an impressive earning rate at U.S. supermarkets, where you can purchase cruise line gift cards . With this card, you’ll earn 6% cash-back on the first $6,000 you spend at U.S. supermarkets annually. Your cash-back can be redeemed as a statement credit, which could be an excellent option to help offset the price of your cruise.

The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card also earns 6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash-back on transit and at U.S. gas stations, and 1% cash-back on all other purchases. And the card offers unique benefits like a monthly Disney Bundle credit, a monthly Equinox credit , and return protection.

American Express ® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Gold
• Upgrade Amex Gold to Amex Platinum
• Amex Gold Benefits for Military
• Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold
• Amex Gold vs Delta Gold

The Amex Gold card offers excellent earning potential — 4x points — at U.S. supermarkets, which means you can use it to purchase cruise line gift cards.

This is excellent news, mainly because the cap on how much you can spend at that earning level is $25,000 per calendar year, much higher than other cards.

Aside from U.S. supermarket earnings, the Amex Gold card earns 4x points at restaurants, making this an excellent option for collecting many Membership Rewards points. There’s also a $10 monthly dining credit and a $10 monthly Uber cash credit to help offset the annual fee cost.

Be careful when using an American Express card to purchase gift cards. Each card’s terms can vary, and many state that gift card purchases don’t count toward welcome bonus minimum spending or bonus points. That said, we’ve used this card to purchase gift cards at U.S. supermarkets and still earned points, so your experience may vary. Just be aware your points might not post or could be clawed back.

• Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card — This card earns 2x points  spent on travel, including cruises. That gives you about 4% return on your spending, which is a solid value. However, if you book your cruise through the Chase Travel portal , you can earn 5x points spent, which nets out to a 10% return.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — This card earns 2x miles on every purchase, including cruises . Plus, it comes with a nice list of additional benefits , including airport lounge access , a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and $300 in annual credits for travel booked through Capital One Travel .
• The Platinum Card ® from American Express — With this card, you’ll earn 2x points on cruises booked through AmexTravel.com . Additionally, you’ll be eligible for the Cruise Privileges Program . This program includes a shipboard credit of $100 to $300 per stateroom (based on cabin type and cruise line) on eligible cruises of 5 nights or more, plus an exclusive amenity based on your cruise line. The Amex Platinum card comes with many premium benefits that make it one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards available.
• Citi Double Cash ® Card — With this card, you’ll earn 2% cash-back — 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay your bill on time. There are no categories to consider or maximum to the amount of cash-back you can earn. If you also have a premium Citi card like the Citi Premier ® Card , you’ll unlock access to all of Citi’s hotel and airline transfer partners , making your points even more valuable.

You can easily earn 2x to 3x points or miles when you pay for your cruise with the right card. Don’t forget to stack these rewards with those offered by the cruise line or an online travel agency. You can use many great websites to book your cruise that offer perks and bonuses like onboard credit or free specialty dining.

The 3+ Best Business Credit Cards for Booking Cruises

Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.

The Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases , especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.

Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.

Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance , rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.

• 3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Cell phone protection
• Purchase protection
• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Extended warranty coverage
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
• Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
• Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
• Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
• With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
• Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
• Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
• Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
• APR: 21.24%-26.24% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards
• The Chase Ink Business Preferred 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Ink Business Preferred
• Chase Ink Business Preferred Cell Phone Protection
• Chase Ink Business Preferred vs Amex Business Gold
• Ink Business Cash vs Ink Business Preferred
• Amex Business Platinum vs. Chase Ink Business Preferred
• Ink Business Preferred vs Ink Business Unlimited
• Best Chase Business Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Card for Advertising
• High Limit Business Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards with Travel Insurance
• Best Credit Cards for Car Rental Insurance

The Ink Business Preferred card is one of the best business credit cards to book a cruise .

In addition to great benefits like travel insurance and cell phone protection , the Ink Business Preferred card earns 3x points on travel, including cruises (up to $150,000 per year). Don’t forget you’ll also earn 3x points on flights to get you to your departure port, a hotel room for the night before your cruise, and even your taxi ride to the cruise port. Based on our valuations, that gives you a return of about 6% on your spending.

Like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, these points can be used for travel in the Chase travel portal, or you can transfer them to one of the Chase airline and hotel partners .

The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express .

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees ).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

• 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
• Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
• No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
• No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
• No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
• Charges foreign transaction fees
• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards ® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply
• APR: 18.49% - 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
• No Annual Fee Cards
• Benefits of the Blue Business Plus
• Best American Express Business Credit Cards
• Best 0% APR Business Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Cards with No Annual Fee
• Best Business Credit Cards for Nonprofits
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The Amex Blue Business Plus card is an excellent option for business owners who want to earn lots of Membership Rewards points and value simplicity because it earns 2x points on all purchases (up to $50,000 per year).

While this card doesn’t offer many premium benefits, it does come with some perks that will appeal to business owners , such as employee cards, the ability to connect to Quickbooks, and Vendor Pay by Bill.com. Plus, you won’t be on the hook for paying an annual fee.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.

• Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
• 5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
• Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Access to Capital One transfer partners
• Free employee cards
• Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
• Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
• Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry
• $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
• Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
• APR: 26.24% (Variable)
• Business Credit Cards

Capital One Miles

• Best Capital One Business Credit Cards
• Best Ways To Redeem Capital One Miles
• Capital One Miles Program Review
• Capital One Transfer Partners
• How Much Are Capital One Miles Worth?
• Best High Limit Business Credit Cards

The Capital One Spark Miles card is a no-nonsense business card with an earn rate of 2x miles spent. What’s great is that the 2x earnings aren’t capped, so the points can add up quickly.

This card also has benefits including a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, $0 fraud liability on unauthorized charges, and a virtual credit card number.

• American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card — This card is a great option for business owners looking for cash-back instead of points. It earns 2% cash-back on all purchases up to $50,000 annually. Other benefits of the Amex Blue Business Cash card are car rental insurance, the ability to connect to Quickbooks, purchase protection, Vendor Pay by Bill.com, and extended warranty protection.
• Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card — This card earns a flat 2% cash-back on all purchases with no limit. Additionally, this card earns 5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

There are both personal and business cards that offer 2% cash-back on purchases, so aim for at least that much cash-back on your next cruise purchase.

We couldn’t write a post about the best credit cards to book a cruise without mentioning cruise line-specific credit cards. Unfortunately, these cards don’t offer as much value as other travel rewards credit cards unless you’re a cruise-only traveler with zero interest in earning flexible points or cash-back. Usually, a cruise line-branded credit card won’t be your best option.

So while we generally don’t recommend these cards , we wanted to mention them for those rare times when they may make sense.

• Royal Caribbean Visa Signature ® Card — This card earns 2x MyCruise points on qualifying purchases with Royal Caribbean and its sister brands Azamara Club Cruises and Celebrity Cruises. MyCruise points can be redeemed at 1 cent each for onboard credit, stateroom upgrades, and cruise discounts.
• Princess Cruises ® Rewards Visa ® Card — This card earns 2x points  on all Princess Cruises purchases. Each point is worth 1 cent and can be redeemed for onboard credits, amenities, cruise rewards, and discounted airfare.
• Norwegian Cruise Line ® World Mastercard ® — This card earns 3x WorldPoints on Norwegian Cruise Line purchases, 2x WorldPoints on air and hotel purchases, and 1x WorldPoints on all other purchases. WorldPoints are worth 1 cent each and can be redeemed in several ways, including onboard credits, upgrades, and cruise discounts.
• Carnival ® World Mastercard ® — This card earns 2x FunPoints on purchases with Carnival Cruise Lines plus any other “World’s Leading Cruise Lines” brands, including Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, and more. FunPoints can be redeemed as a statement credit towards any Carnival purchase, including onboard charges.
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature ® Card — This card earns 2x MyCruise points  on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean and 1x MyCruise points on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for stateroom upgrades, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

Cruise line credit cards don’t offer the most bang for your buck when it comes to travel rewards. For maximum travel rewards and benefits, stick to cards that earn transferrable points or cash-back.

There are so many great credit cards out there that it can sometimes be confusing to know which one is right for you. When choosing a credit card to book a cruise, consider what benefits you would like to earn — bonus points, cash-back, or cruise line perks.

Once you know what you’re after, you can narrow down your options to choose the right credit card for your vacation. Now all that’s left to do is pack your bags and set sail.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa ® or Mastercard ® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

The information regarding the Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the American Express ® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.   For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The Blue Business ® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best credit card for a cruise.

The best credit card for a cruise depends on what type of rewards you are looking for. Some cards earn cash-back or cruise points, but we recommend cards that earn travel rewards. The Ink Business Preferred card and Chase Sapphire Reserve card earn 3x points on cruises, so they’re great options for any cruise line.

What is the best cruise line credit card?

Cruise line credit cards tend to offer very similar earning structures and bonuses, so there’s not much difference between them. However, there are a few that stand out. The Carnival World card earns 2x points on cruises on multiple cruise lines, giving you more flexibility. The Norwegian Cruise Line card earns 3x points on Norwegian cruises, 2x points on airline and hotel purchases, and offers more flexibility when it comes to redeeming your points.

Can the Carnival World card be used anywhere?

Yes the Carnival World card can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. However, the points you earn on the card can only be redeemed toward Carnival cruises.

Do Carnival credit card points expire?

No the FunPoints you earn through the Carnival World card don’t expire.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Best credit cards for cruises

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While the cruise industry came to a screeching halt at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the major cruise lines are back in full operation now. In fact, guests looking for a cruise in North America and elsewhere will find a full roster of ships and itineraries to choose from. This includes options from budget-friendly operators like Carnival and MSC Cruises, as well as luxury or adults-only cruises with companies like Virgin Voyages and Silversea.

All of this means that it’s a great time to start earning rewards for your next cruise. But, which credit card for cruises should you choose? That depends on what you hope to get in return.

Best credit cards for cruises in 2023

Many travel credit cards can help you to cover the cost of your cruise with rewards, and some can also help with flights and hotels. Note that all of the cards that made our ranking can be used to book cruises with any cruise line, not just with a specific carrier.

Here are the best credit cards for cruises in 2023:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Best for its bonus offer

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers a welcome bonus of 60,000 points — worth $750 in travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards — after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening. With the card’s relatively low spending requirement, anyone can earn $750 toward their next cruise within a short amount of time.

The Sapphire Preferred also makes it easy to quickly earn points, allowing cardholders to earn 5X points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; 5X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 3X points on dining (including eligible delivery services), select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs); 2X points on other travel; and 1X points on all other spending. A $95 annual fee applies.

Discover it® Miles: Best for no annual fee

The Discover it® Miles is a solid rewards credit card for cruises if you don’t want to pay an annual fee. This card gives you 1.5X miles for each dollar you spend, and Discover will match all of the miles you earn during your first year of card membership (after the first year is up). You can redeem your miles in the form of statement credits to cover eligible travel purchases (including cruises) at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

With this 1.5X earning rate, spending $10,000 on your card within a year will net you 15,000 miles. With Discover’s offer to match your rewards , Discover will turn your 15,000 miles into 30,000 miles at the end of your first year, which you could redeem to cover $300 in cruise fare. Better yet, the Discover it® Miles card offers a 0 percent intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, followed by a variable APR of 17.24% – 28.24%. This means you could charge your cruise to your card and pay it down interest-free for more than a year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Best for flexibility

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card keeps everything simple by offering 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases. You can also earn 75,000 bonus miles — worth $750 in travel — when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening.

When you go to redeem, you can use your Capital One miles to cover cruise fare at a rate of 1 cent per mile. You can also cash in your rewards for purchases through Amazon.com or PayPal, or transfer your rewards to Capital One airline and hotel partners . A $95 annual fee applies, but you can recoup this fee by utilizing the card’s up to $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck .

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for a premium travel card

If you’re a frequent cruise traveler seeking a premium travel credit card, check out the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . This card includes an annual fee of $550, but you’ll get perks like a $300 annual travel credit (good toward cruises and other travel); airport lounge access; up to a $100 credit toward Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS; and 50 percent more points value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Additionally, the Chase Sapphire Reserve provides 60,000 points — worth $900 through Chase Ultimate Rewards — after spending $4,000 within three months of account opening. You’ll also earn 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 10X points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards, 10X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025), 5X points on air travel booked through Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on general travel and restaurants and 1X points on other purchases.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for VIP perks

If you’re in search of a credit card for cruises that comes with VIP benefits, you should consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card . It has a $395 annual fee, but cardholders can enjoy up to $300 in annual travel credits for Capital One Travel purchases, up to a $100 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership and access Capital One airport lounges , among other benefits.

New cardholders are also eligible to earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. That’s on top of earning 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on all other purchases.

When it comes to redeeming rewards for a cruise, Capital One Venture X cardholders can cover all or part of a cruise that’s charged to their card with a redemption rate of 1 cent per mile. Other redemption options include transfers to Capital One travel partners, purchases through Amazon.com or PayPal and more.

What about travel insurance for cruises?

Considering all of the costs that go into taking a cruise (cruise fare, airfare, hotels and so on), you’re also probably wondering about travel insurance . Many of the best travel cards offer travel insurance — such as trip cancellation and interruption insurance , baggage insurance and emergency travel services.

But if you want to purchase travel insurance, your best bet is to purchase a plan that comes with “cancel for any reason” coverage. Many cruise lines offer specific travel insurance plans you can add to your cruise booking, too. For example, with Carnival Vacation Protection , you’ll get trip cancellation and interruption coverage that lets you cancel for any reason. You’ll also get baggage insurance (up to $1,500), medical coverage (up to $10,000) and emergency evacuation coverage (up to $30,000) — all starting at $49 per person.

Is a card that offers rewards for cruises right for you?

The best credit cards for cruises can help you save money or access special perks if you know how to use them. A credit card for cruises may be right for you if:

• You’re debt-free and plan to stay that way
• You’re disciplined enough to use a 0 percent intro APR offer for purchases without racking up long-term debt
• You find travel card benefits like airport lounge access or TSA PreCheck credits appealing
• You’re not in a hurry to earn a free cruise with rewards
• Your credit score is very good or excellent

If you’re struggling with debt, you may want to steer clear of credit and save up for the cruise you want. While everyone needs a vacation — and taking a cruise is one of the best options out there — coming home to a mountain of bills (including interest payments) can ruin the fun in a hurry.

How to choose a credit card for cruises

The right credit card for your next cruise depends on the type of spender you are, your credit score and what you hope to accomplish. These tips can help you pick the best credit card for your goals:

• Decide if you want a 0 percent intro APR . Many rewards credit cards offer a 0 percent intro APR on purchases for a limited time, which can help you make payments on a cruise without any interest. These offers should be used sparingly and only if you have a plan for repayment, but they can still be a good deal.
• Compare bonus offers. If you’re able to meet the spending and timeframe requirements to earn a welcome bonus for a new credit card, you could earn a bonus worth hundreds of dollars or more toward your next cruise.
• Understand which travel benefits you want the most . Note that many of the best travel credit cards have benefits like airport lounge access and annual travel credits. You’ll pay more for a card with a broader selection of perks, but the investment can be worth it if you travel often.
• Check for earning rates that make sense with your spending . Be sure any credit card you pick offers rewards that align with your spending habits.
• Consider annual fees . There’s nothing wrong with paying an annual fee for a credit card, but you should be sure any perks or benefits you receive make the annual fee worth paying .
• Look for no foreign transaction fees . If you plan to visit cruise ports outside of the U.S., you’ll want to be sure your credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees .

The bottom line

If you’re thinking of picking up a credit card for your next cruise, you should select one that gives you the most bang for your buck. This means picking a card with a generous welcome offer and plenty of rewards for your spending. If you get some extra travel perks along the way, that’s even better. With the right credit card, you’ll be cruising before you know it — and with fewer out-of-pocket expenses, too.

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By Ramsey Qubein

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. We don't review or include all companies, or all available products. Moreover, the editorial content on this page was not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are entirely those of Condé Nast Traveler's editorial team.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Cruises are back and better than ever following a pandemic-fueled rough patch that dropped an anchor on the industry for more than a year. The pause has led to pent-up demand, as travelers are ready to explore the epic new ships , glamorous itineraries, and never-before-seen dining experiences that are waiting for them at sea.

But, how you pay for a cruise can make a big difference, thanks to bonus points and added perks along the way. While some cruise lines have their own co-branded cruise credit cards, those may only interest travelers who stay loyal to one company. Instead, check out these five travel credit cards , which deliver solid value when booking some of the newest ships of the year, no matter what line you're cruising on.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

In addition to earning Membership Rewards points, American Express offers the Cruise Privileges program, which tacks on benefits for many sailings. When you book a cruise of at least five nights through Platinum Concierge, you’re eligible for $100 to $300 in shipboard credit and two Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on the cruise fare.

Travel protections for the card also include trip delay or cancellation coverage, and if your luggage goes missing, you’ll get help from American Express to cover missing necessities. Onboard, the perks await with amenities that vary by cruise line, including welcome bottles of Champagne or behind-the-scenes tours of the ship.

Try this out on… Celebrity Beyond , the newest ship from the Readers' Choice Award-winning cruise line, which is sailing around the Mediterranean this summer. It features the cruise line’s first Daniel Boulud restaurant at sea , where you can take advantage of your onboard credit.

United℠ Explorer Card

United has a dedicated booking site for cruises; if you have the United Explorer Card, you can earn some major bonus miles when you book a sailing, too. Depending on the type of cruise and cabin category you choose, you can earn as many as six miles per dollar spent when paying with this card.

If you have United MileagePlus Premier status, then you’re eligible for bonus offers like food, beverage, or spa credits on your sailing, too. While American and Delta have similar cruise bonus offers with bonuses for using their credit card, United’s offer is the most generous.

Try this out on… Azamara Onward, the fourth ship for the newly independent cruise line. This summer, it is sailing to the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean later this year. If you like the small-ship sailing experience, Azamara offers great value. Its ships typically spend more time in ports—including overnight stays—giving travelers more time to explore the destination.

Learn more about applying for the United Explorer card here .

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card is a favorite for its low annual fee ($95) and the opportunity to earn two miles per dollar spent on all eligible purchases. The miles you earn can be redeemed like cash when paying for airfare, which means you might be able to cover the cost of your flights to the cruise. Alternatively, you can use miles to “erase” travel-related charges to your credit card. Cardholders can redeem miles in the form of statement credits, which is another incredibly useful perk if you want to temper that extra spending in port.

Capital One also offers the ability to redeem miles in exchange for cruise line gift cards with companies like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. The card has travel accident insurance protections, too, which adds value when using the card to pay for travel.

Try this out on… Emerald Azzurra , the new, 100-passenger super yacht for Emerald Cruises destined for Red and Mediterranean Sea ports. Active cruisers in particular will enjoy the ship, which offers water sport equipment and electronic bikes to use in port.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

This card earns three Chase Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on travel, including cruises. Chase Ultimate Rewards can be redeemed like cash for a variety of travel options (at a value of 1.5 cents per point), making it one of the most flexible and valuable loyalty point offerings. You can also transfer points to airline or hotel partners to offset the cost of a pre- or post-cruise vacation. The substantial trip protections that come with the card have you covered in case your flight is delayed or cancelled or your luggage gets lost en route, too.

Try this out on… Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas , the line’s newest ship and the largest in the world. Sailing the Mediterranean this summer, some passengers may never want to leave the ship thanks to onboard activities like the FlowRider, a water park, zip lines, and a dedicated neighborhood just for suite passengers. (Of note, Royal Caribbean investors with at least 100 shares also receive complimentary onboard credit —the amount varies based on the sailing length, but can be as much as $250 for stock investors.)

Learn more about applying for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card here .

Citi/aadvantage platinum select® world elite mastercard®.

If earning American Airlines elite status is a priority, this card can help get you there. The airline’s new loyalty points system allows you to spend your way to status without ever setting foot on a plane—including when paying for a cruise with the card.

Other benefits include comped checked bags on American flights, plus discounts on in-flight food and drink purchases. When using the card for trips booked with American Airlines Cruises , you’ll earn two miles per dollar spent. You’ll also double dip your way to AAdvantage elite status both by using the card to pay for the sailing and for using the airline’s dedicated cruise site.

Try this out on… Seabourn Encore , the 300-suite ship sailing the Mediterranean this summer. With a focus on the ultra-luxury segment, Seabourn is known for exceptional dining and swoon-worthy experiences like tuxedo-attired staff who wade through the shallow sea to pamper guests with Champagne and caviar.

Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

See rates and fees for The Platinum Card .

For AmEx Platinum's trip delay and trip cancelation coverage, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For AmEx Platinum's baggage insurance plan, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions, and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

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Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Credit Card

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Online Offer: 25,000 MyCruise ® bonus points, worth $250 in onboard credit

after making a qualifying transaction within 90 days of opening your account

Card Details

Earn mycruise ® points.

2 MyCruise points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises ® and our sister brand, Royal Caribbean ® .

1 MyCruise point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

Online Offer: 25,000 MyCruise ® bonus points

25,000 bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening. Valued at $250 onboard credit.

A sea of rewards

Redeem your points toward cruise upgrades & discounts, cruise vacations, onboard credits to use anyway you'd like — specialty restaurants, shore excursions, in the shops or at the spa

No annual fee † and no foreign transaction fees †

Enjoy no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees while earning MyCruise® rewards toward onboard credit, cruise discounts, upgrades and cruise vacations.

Interest Rates & Fees Summary †

Introductory apr, standard apr.

18.24% - 28.24%

Balance Transfer Fee

of each transaction †

† Please see Terms and Conditions for rate, fee and other cost information, as well as an explanation of payment allocation. All terms may be subject to change.

Note: minimum payments are applied to lower-interest balances first. Additional payments are applied to higher-interest balances first.

2 MyCruise ® points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises ® and our sister brand, Royal Caribbean ® .

1 MyCruise ® point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

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Stay protected, contactless chip technology, balance connect ® for overdraft protection, paperless statement option, digital wallet technology, online & mobile banking, account alerts, fico ® score.

Now, when you opt-in you can access your FICO ® Score updated monthly for free, within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking. FICO ® Score Program . The FICO ® Score Program is for educational purposes and for your non-commercial, personal use. This benefit is available only for primary cardholders with an open and active consumer credit card account who have a FICO ® Score available. The feature is accessible through Online Banking, the Mobile website, and the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Data connection required. Wireless carrier fees may apply." data-footnote="ADDITIONAL_BENEFITS_FOOTNOTE_07" aria-label="Footnote 5"> Footnote [5] Learn More   about Free FICO Credit Score opens in a new window

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The Vacationer • Travel Credit Cards • Credit Card Guides & Strategies

Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises in 2024

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired.

Booking cruises with the best credit card can help you earn the most bonus points and enjoy complimentary travel benefits. You may also have a travel redemption bonus requiring you to use fewer points to go on a cruise. Here are several credit cards to consider first as you compare cruise packages.

Table of Contents

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of your best options for flexibility and complimentary travel purchase protection benefits.

Travel purchases, including cruises, made through Chase Ultimate Rewards earn 5 points per $1 (excluding the first $50 in hotel statement credits per year). All remaining travel purchases net 2 points per $1 when booked directly through the carrier or another third-party booking site.

You will also receive up to 3x points per dollar spent for the following categories.

• Online grocery orders
• Select streaming services.

In addition to earning points, booking award travel through the Chase travel portal lets you enjoy a 25% redemption bonus. As a result, each point is worth 1.25 cents versus the standard valuation of 1 cent.

The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t offer onboard cruise perks, but other notable benefits surrounding your travel purchases include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance of up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip
• Anniversary bonus equivalent to 10% of points earned during the card membership year
• An annual $50 hotel statement credit for rooms booked on Chase Ultimate Rewards (you might use this credit for a hotel room before or after cruising)
• Travel and emergency assistance services (third-party fees apply)

The annual fee is $95 and there is no foreign transaction fee.

Learn More: Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred review to learn about its other benefits and perks.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card 

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a superior option for a flat-rate rewards credit card which can help you earn more overall than a tiered rewards program. If you’re consistently seeking one of the highest rewards rates on any type of travel purchase, this is probably your best option, although the extra features cater towards air travel as opposed to cruises.

This card’s straightforward rewards program lets you earn 2 Capital One Miles per $1 spent on all purchases, including cruises. Additionally, car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel earn 5x miles per $1 spent.

Redeeming rewards is also easy as you can exchange your miles balance as a travel statement credit for recent bookings, upcoming travel through Capital One Travel, or convert them into airline and hotel point transfers. The redemption value is 1 cent for travel statement credits and upcoming trips.

The best way to maximize the Venture Rewards Card for cruises is to book your itinerary with money and earn double miles. Next, redeem them as a travel statement credit after the miles are deposited into your account, as there isn’t a minimum redemption.

You can also enjoy free Global Entry or TSA PreCheck with up to $100 in application fee statement credits to get shorter airport security lines and a more efficient screening process.   

There are also a few travel protection benefits but buying travel insurance is usually a better course of action for additional financial security.

The annual fee is $95 and there is no foreign transaction fee. 

Learn More: Read our Capital One Venture review to learn more about this card’s flexible rewards program.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a compelling option when you want flexible rewards and premium benefits. It’s also an excellent option if you like to book travel through your credit card travel portal as you can earn up to 10 miles per $1 spent.

The rewards categories include:

• 10x on hotels and car rentals booked on Capital One Travel
• 5x on flights booked on Capital One Travel
• 2x for all remaining travel purchases (including cruises)

Your redemption options include travel statement credits, booking upcoming trips through Capital One Travel, and airline or hotel point transfers. The redemption value is 1 cent per point for statement credits and future travel bookings. 

This card offers several valuable features that can benefit frequent travelers:

• Annual $300 Capital One Travel credit (bookings through Capital One)
• 10,000 bonus miles on each account anniversary ($100 value)
• Unlimited visits to Capital One Lounge, Priority Pass Select, and Plaza Premium
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit (up to $100)
• $100 experience credit at eligible Premium Collection hotels and resorts

While you may not be able to use the annual Capital One Travel credit to offset your cruise purchase, this travel portal offers price prediction and fare difference refunds on qualifying flights when another online travel agency offers a better rate. These benefits can make it easier and more affordable to position before sailing.

Cardholders can also gain peace of mind with up to $2,000 per person in trip cancellation and interruption coverage and up to $500 in trip delay benefits.

You can see more of the best Capital One Venture X perks here, including complimentary cell phone protection and other Visa Infinite benefits.

Consider the Venture X if you’re seeking a budget-friendly premium credit card. The annual fee is $395 for the primary card. Further, there is no foreign transaction fee.

Related: Can’t decide which Capital One travel credit card to get? Our Capital One Venture X vs. Venture comparison highlights the similarities and differences to help you choose. 

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the best option for luxury travelers as it has many flight, hotel, and car rental perks. 

Amex Platinum cardholders also have exclusive access to the American Express Cruise Privileges Program (CPP). The CPP benefits can include:

• $100 to $300 per stateroom in shipboard credits
• Additional onboard amenities (vary by the cruise line)
• Earn an extra Membership Rewards point per $1 spent when booking through American Express Travel

Contacting Platinum Travel Service can help you find the most rewarding cruise fares. You can also browse cruise promotions online at your leisure. 

As cruise travel can be costly, qualifying travel purchases are eligible for up to $10,000 per trip and $20,000 per 12-month period in trip cancellation and interruption insurance.

Many of Amex Platinum’s additional travel benefits revolve around air travel. The card reimburses up to $200 per calendar year in incidental airline fees (at one selected airline) and complimentary airport lounge access to several independent and airline-operated networks, including Centurion Lounges .

Cardholders can also enjoy up to $200 Uber Cash for rides and eats (in the U.S.) orders with monthly credits (renews annually), and a variety of lifestyle statement credits for entertainment, fitness, and shopping. 

The annual fee is $695 for the basic card. Each additional card is $195. There are no foreign transaction fees.

Related : Read our American Express Platinum Card review to find out more about this card’s many benefits.

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® cruise benefits provide the flexibility of earning bonus points, flexible travel redemptions, and the chance to use your annual up to $300 travel statement credit, which can be redeemed for cruises.

After redeeming the annual $300 statement credit on the first travel purchases of the year, future travel purchases can earn up to 10x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent:

• 10x on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 5x on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• 3x on all other travel purchases, including cruises.

Dining purchases earn 3x points per $1 spent and 10x points per $1 spent through Chase Dining. All non-bonus purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent.

Regarding redemptions, your points are worth 50% more at 1.5 cents on travel bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Paying for cruise bookings with Chase points is eligible for this redemption bonus.

The Sapphire Reserve offers some of the most valuable credit card insurance benefits . One unique benefit is emergency evacuation and transportation benefits of up to $100,000. This is a valuable perk for international cruises to avoid out-of-pocket costs for health emergencies.

Other trip insurance benefits include:

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. 
• Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500 per ticket after qualifying delays.
• Auto rental collision damage waiver: Primary coverage of up to $75,000 for theft and collision on qualifying rentals
• Lost luggage reimbursement: Up to $3,000 per passenger on covered trips

The annual fee is $550 for the primary card and $75 per authorized user. There is no foreign transaction fee.

Related: Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve review for more.

American Express® Green Card

The American Express® Green Card is your best option for earning American Express Membership Rewards points on cruises. That’s because travel, transit, and dining purchases collect 3x points per $1 spent.

If you’re flying to your port of departure, up to $100 in LoungeBuddy statement credits per year and up to $189 in CLEAR® Plus membership statement credits (subject to auto-renewal) can streamline your airport experience.

It’s best to use this card to earn rewards on cruise-related spending but to redeem your purchase rewards for flights as they have a one-cent redemption value. In comparison, other travel or cash bookings are typically worth 0.8 cents per point or a tad lower.

You may also consider pairing the Amex Green with the American Express® Gold Card for restaurant and grocery rewards or Amex Platinum for luxury travel and frequent flyer perks. 

There are also a few complimentary travel protection benefits worth noting.

• Baggage insurance plan
• Trip delay insurance
• Secondary rental car coverage. 

The annual fee is $150 and there is no foreign transaction fee.

Learn More: Read our Amex Green Card benefits guide here.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Baggage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Trip Delay Insurance Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Secondary Rental Car Coverage Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Vacationer. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Co-Branded Cruise Credit Cards

If you’re loyal to a particular cruise line, it can be worth charging your itinerary with a co-branded credit card. These cards are more likely to offer onboard privileges and earn cruise points that can help you book free cruises and upgrades sooner. 

Some of the most popular cruise credit cards include:

• Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: An excellent option when booking cruises and car rentals through Costco Travel, earn up to 4% back on purchases. Earn 2% back on Costco-related purchases and enjoy exclusive cruise vacation benefits. Redeem your rewards as a Costco shopping credit. $0 annual fee as well as a 0% foreign transaction fee.
• Carnival® World Mastercard®: Earn up to 2x FunPoints on purchases, get 10% back on shore excursions, and enjoy no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. Points can be redeemed as statement credits for Carnival purchases, onboard experiences, and more.
• Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Credit Card: Earn up to 2x MyCruise® points with Celebrity Cruises® and Royal Caribbean®. Redeem your points for cruises, onboard credits, stateroom upgrades and discounts with either provider. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.
• Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card: Holland America purchases earn 2x points and 1x for all non-bonus spending. Redeem points for Holland America cruises, onboard amenities, and qualifying flights. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee.

The information for the Carnival® World Mastercard®, Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Credit Card, and the Holland America Line Rewards Visa® Card have been collected independently by The Vacationer. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Co-branded cards typically offer bonus cruise points that you can use for onboard credits to save once you hit the seas. The minimum spending requirements and 0% introductory APR can also be desirable for your personal situation.

However, a flexible credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve or another of the cards listed above. These cards provide the latitude of earning bonus points on all travel purchases, regardless of how you travel or which carrier you use.

The Vacationer’s Final Thoughts

The above rewards credit cards are an excellent way to pay for a cruise and other vacations. A flexible credit card helps you easily earn the most rewards when utilizing the best places for booking cheap cruises . 

In addition to earning bonus points, many credit card programs offer a travel booking site that may provide complimentary onboard amenities and credits. Discounted cruise packages can also be available. 

Along with the ongoing benefits, your best option for your next sailing can also depend on which signup bonus offer is the most valuable yet easiest to earn for your lifestyle.

Further Reading

• Best Websites for Booking Cheap Cruises
• Cruises Without a Passport

Editorial Disclosure:   Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities .

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

By Josh Patoka

Josh Patoka writes about maximizing travel rewards for The Vacationer. As well, he contributes to several personal finance sites specializing in making money, paying off debt, and investing.

American Express® Green Card Benefits & Review (Is it Worth it in 2024?)

The Platinum Card® from American Express Benefits & Review (Is it Worth it in 2024?)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Benefits & Review (Is it Worth it in 2024?)

The carnival® world mastercard® EARN 25,000 FUNPOINTS – WORTH $250 TOWARD YOUR NEXT CRUISE PURCHASE 1 --> Earn 25,000 FunPoints® after spending $500 in the first 90 days, redeem for $250 toward your next cruise purchase 2

No annual fee 1, the carnival® world mastercard® get 20,000 funpoints worth up to $200 after your first purchase or balance transfer, just like that..

Get 0% promotional APR for 6 months on Carnival cruise bookings. After that, a variable APR will apply, 20.24% to 29.99% , depending on your creditworthiness and other factors. 1

25,000 FUNPOINTS

Earn 25,000 FunPoints after spending $500 on purchases within the first 90 days. That's enough to redeem for $250 toward your next cruise. 2

Earn 2X FunPoints for every dollar spent on purchases with Carnival Cruise Line. 2

1X FunPoints

Count on earning a FunPoint for every dollar spent on all other purchases. 2

No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

Enjoy greater freedom with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees on international purchases. 1

2X FunPoints

Earn 2X FunPoints for every dollar spent on any purchases with Carnival Cruise Line AND with the brands of the World's Leading Cruise Lines. 2

Low intro APR on balance transfers

0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 20.24% to 29.99%, depending on your creditworthiness and other factors. There is a fee for balance transfers. 1

Redeem points on Carnival purchases

Redeem for statement credits toward any Carnival purchase, onboard experiences, and more. Redemptions start at 5,000 FunPoints for a $50 onboard credit or toward an eligible Carnival Cruise Line purchase in the last 180 days. 2

Best Credit Cards for Cruises in 2024

• Credit Cards

Are you thinking about taking a cruise in 2024?

Before you pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, you may want to consider how you’ll pay for this vacation.

Do you have a rewards credit card that will get the most out of your upcoming purchase? Will this card protect you if something goes wrong with your booking?

And, once you’re on the boat, will you have a card capable of making all the purchases you desire while on excursions?

Picking the best credit card for a cruise may require some critical thinking before heading off for fun in the sun.

But don’t fret. Team Clark is here to help.

In this article, we’ll answer some of your most pressing questions about using a credit card to pay for a cruise and we’ll offer some suggestions for best credit cards for a cruise based on our analysis of the market. You can read more about our methodology here .

Best Credit Cards for Cruises Right Now

5 things to consider before picking a credit card for your cruise.

Here are five things to consider before picking your credit card for a cruise:

• You’re probably going to want to avoid the cruise line’s credit card. Many of the top cruise lines flood customers with enticing offers for their own credit cards, but use caution. These can come with lackluster non-cruise rewards and high APR rates. In the long term, most customers are going to be better served by a generic travel or rewards credit card.
• A properly used welcome bonus could effectively be a huge discount. If you’re signing up for a new credit card solely for the purpose of purchasing cruise tickets, you may want to pay special attention to welcome bonus offers . Some cards offer $500 or more , and you may be able to hit the spending requirements with your cruise purchase.
• Remember: Annual fees matter in the long term, too. While the previous bullet point may have you excited to hunt down the best welcome bonus available, I wanted to remind you that some of those bonuses come from cards with large annual fees. That may help you in the short term, but paying that annual fee year after year on a card you don’t love may erode the value.
• Foreign transaction fees are something to consider. Once you’re on your trip, you’ll want to make sure you have a credit card that avoids these fees. While many cruise lines will allow you to run a tab on a card while sailing and then charge you upon return to avoid international charges, you still will need a card that avoids these fees for any purchases you make at a non-U.S. port.
• Some cards also offer travel protection benefits. Oftentimes travel credit cards will offer benefits that are specific to travel. That means costs for things like lost luggage and trip cancellation can be defrayed by making your travel purchase with that card. You’ll need to read the fine print on your card benefits to see how they treat cruises though.

Best for Cruise Benefits: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Why this card could work for a cruise.

This travel card has a high annual fee, but there are some cruise-specific perks included that you won’t find with other credit cards.

American Express offers exclusive perks for Platinum card holders through its Cruise Privilege Program (CPP) .

The highlight of those perks: Depending on the cruise line you book, you may be eligible for between $100 and $300 per stateroom for shipboard credit. To qualify, your cruise needs to be 5 nights or longer and you need to pay for the cruise with the Platinum card.

You can also get extra rewards points by booking your cruise through American Express travel.

This card also boasts high-end travel perks, like lounge access at many airports and annual spending credits for purchases at hotels, airlines and with Uber.

The card isn’t for everyone, though. You need to be an extremely frequent traveler to make the annual fee worth paying. I don’t recommend this card for a one-time cruise purchase for infrequent travelers.

Best for Travel Insurance and Protection: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

This is another high annual fee travel credit card, but it can offer some peace of mind when booking your travel.

Widely considered one of the best cards for travel insurance and protection, the Sapphire Reserve offers coverage that is specific to cruises.

I dug into the cardholder benefits for the Sapphire Reserve, and I found cruises specifically mentioned for coverage in the following policies:

• Lost baggage
• Baggage delay
• Trip cancellation
• Trip interruption

In addition to these benefits, you may also get coverage for various flights, hotels or car rentals that may be required for this trip.

You’ll also be getting one of the better travel rewards cards on the market, which includes airport lounge access, annual travel credits and more.

But much like the Platinum card detailed above, you’ll need to be a frequent traveler beyond booking your cruise to make this annual fee worth paying each year.

Best for Travel Benefits: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

This card is in Clark’s wallet , and it is his favorite travel credit card . As such, you may find this to be the right pick if you’re looking for a long-term travel card that will serve you beyond the booking of this cruise.

There’s a good welcome bonus that could be achieved by using the card to book the cruise, and then you’ll earn at least 2% back in miles on all purchases and as much as 10% back in miles on travel that is booked through Capital One’s portal.

It will also net you lounge access, help you avoid foreign transaction fees, and will cover the cost of your TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership.

You may be concerned by the $395 annual fee, but there is an easy-to-redeem annual $300 travel credit available that effectively makes it a $95 per year card.

Best for Low Annual Fee Welcome Bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

If you’re looking for a lower-cost travel credit card with a nice welcome bonus, you may prefer the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card for booking your cruise.

Not only can your spending earn you a bonus that could be worth up to $750 in redemption value, but you can also earn 2% back on the travel purchase.

There are no foreign transaction fees with this card, and you shouldn’t have issues with international acceptance of this Visa card. So, this card should be good for your wallet during port excursions as well.

This card’s annual fee can be effectively slashed in half each year by utilizing the annual $50 Chase Travel Hotel Credit.

Best for No Annual Fee and 0% Intro APR: Wells Fargo Autograph Card

If you’re looking for a card that will handle your cruise needs with no annual fee , I believe the Wells Fargo Autograph Card could be a smart choice.

It offers a welcome bonus, gives you a 0% introductory APR period for the purchase and will earn you 3x points on the cruise purchase.

In addition to 3x points on travel, you also can earn that rate of return on popular spending categories like restaurants, gas, streaming and phone plans. So, it could be a useful card beyond your trip.

Oh, and this is one of the somewhat rare no-annual-fee cards that has no foreign transaction fees, so you’ll be good to use this card as an international spender while your cruise ship is docked at port.

Methodology for Credit Card Analysis

For the purposes of determining which credit cards are “best,” we got input from Clark Howard and sought to find cards that fit his credit card strategy best.

Team Clark spent many hours reviewing the rewards credit cards on the market, assessing them for several factors including:

• Annual fees
• Rewards programs
• Welcome offers
• Length of introductory APR periods
• Balance transfer introductory periods
• Additional fees (transaction or otherwise)
• Perks offered to cardholders
• Reputation of the financial institution issuing the card

We did not factor in non-introductory APR as a part of the evaluation, because interest rates are going to vary based on your financial circumstances. Clark recommends never carrying a balance on credit cards, so the non-introductory interest rate shouldn’t matter for your card anyway.

We also did not include offerings from local or regional banks or credit unions because they’re not available to everyone. Often, local institutions will have desirable cards, so we recommend that you compare your local bank or credit union’s cash back credit cards to the ones that made this list.

Are you going to take a cruise soon? Have experience using a credit card for cruises? Which credit card is your top choice? We’d love to hear from you in the Clark.com community .

To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following link: The Platinum Card® from American Express:  See Rates and Fees .

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BEST OFFER EVER: EARN 20,000 BONUS POINTS

Earn 20,000 points,

that's $200 toward your next cruise

after qualifying purchases with the Princess ® Rewards Visa ® Card 2 Terms apply

No Annual Fee 1

Earn Rewards Toward Vacations You’ll Love

Earn 20,000 Bonus Points

after spending $500 in qualifying purchases within the first 90 days - that’s enough to redeem for a $200 statement credit toward your next cruise  purchase 2

Earn 2x Points

per $1 spent on all Princess purchases including onboard purchases 2

Earn 1x Points

per $1 spent on all other purchases 2

Redeem Points

for statement credits toward purchases on Princess and eligible airfare purchases, or redeem for onboard credit and amenities, gift cards and more 2

Plus Many Other Benefits

No foreign transaction fees

on purchases made while traveling abroad 1

$0 Fraud Liability protection

means you’re not responsible for charges you did not authorize

Low intro APR on balance transfers

0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After that, a variable APR will apply, 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. There is a fee for balance transfers 1

Travel Coverages

provide eligibility for Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption coverage, Baggage Delay Reimbursement, Travel Emergency Services, and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver 3

Concierge Service

is available 24 hours a day and provides personal assistance via telephone, including recommendations and reservations 3

Free online access to your FICO ® Credit Score

lets you keep an eye on your credit score and get alerts when we learn that your score has changed 4

• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Offer subject to credit approval. Not everyone will qualify for the Princess Visa Signature Card credit card. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive a Platinum card and benefits will vary. This offer is available through this advertisement and may not be accessible elsewhere. Other offers may be available. For complete pricing and other details, please see the  Terms and Conditions .

This offer is valid for approved applicants. Any bonus associated with this offer may only be earned once. You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this program. In addition, you may not be eligible for this offer if, at any time during our relationship with you, we have cause, as determined by us in our sole discretion, to suspect that the account is being obtained or will be used for abusive or gaming activity (such as, but not limited to, obtaining or using the account to maximize rewards earned in a manner that is not consistent with typical consumer activity and/or multiple credit card account applications/openings). Please see the About This Offer section of the  Terms and Conditions  for important information.

Annual Fee is $0. 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening is applicable for the first 15 billing cycles that immediately follow each balance transfer. This introductory APR offer does not apply to purchases and cash advances. For new and outstanding balance transfers after the introductory period and all purchases, the variable APR is 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, depending upon our review of your application and your credit history at account opening. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate and are subject to change. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. Balance transfer fee: 5% (min. $5). Cash advance fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 0%. See  Terms and Conditions  for updated and more information about the terms of this offer, including the “About the Variable APRs on Your Account” section for the current Prime Rate information.

Conditions and limitations apply. Please refer to the Reward Rules within the  Terms and Conditions  for additional information about the rewards program.

Restrictions, limitations and exclusions apply. Upon account approval, we will send you a Guide to Benefits which includes a full explanation of coverages and details regarding specific time limits, eligibility and documentation requirements.

FICO ® Score Access: FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Barclays offers FICO ®  Score access at its sole discretion. Not all accounts will have a FICO ® Score available. FICO ® Score access is not a permanent feature of your account and may be removed at any time. To view your FICO ® Score, your account with us must be open, active (having activity within the past 150 days) and in good standing.

The Princess ® Rewards Visa ® Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware pursuant to a license by Visa U.S.A. Inc. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks and used under license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.

© 2024 Barclays Bank Delaware, PO Box 8801, Wilmington, DE 19801, Member FDIC.

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card review: Easy-to-redeem rewards for no annual fee

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® Credit Card overview

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card entices loyal cruisers with its rewards offerings of cabin upgrades, companion fares, onboard credits and free cruises. The card has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and uncomplicated rewards redemptions. Plus, it offers the additional benefits that come with it being a Visa Signature card. The card does have some drawbacks, mainly the amount of spending needed for the most valuable rewards. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐

* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.

Issued by Bank of America , the no-annual-fee Royal Caribbean card typically requires a good credit score of at least 670 for approval.

Royal Caribbean may be known for its megaships and incredible onboard entertainment, but its credit card offering is much less flashy. If you're looking to get free cruises by signing up for the credit card, you might be disappointed to see how much you'd need to spend on the Royal Caribbean credit card to do so.

Let's take a closer look at the Royal Caribbean credit card to see if it might be a good fit for you.

The information for the Royal Caribbean credit card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card welcome offer

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card is currently offering a sign-up bonus of 25,000 MyCruise bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. The 25,000 points are worth $250 in onboard credit.

This welcome bonus aligns with what you can generally expect on a no-annual-fee card that requires $1,000 or less in spending. However, you can typically get a much better value from the welcome bonus on most general travel credit cards , especially if you're willing to pay an annual fee of around $100.

Related: Credit card sign-up bonuses you can earn with $1,000 or less in spending

Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card benefits

The card's two big highlights are that it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Having no foreign transaction fees is useful if you frequently make purchases outside of the U.S. Many cards with this perk have an annual fee, so to get this perk with no annual fee is a win.

Cardholders also receive a $50 airfare discount with Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program after making at least $3,500 in card purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. (Students are not eligible.)

The Royal Caribbean card includes some additional benefits under its Visa Signature label. You'll receive access to a 24/7 complimentary concierge (who can assist with travel plans, dining requests and entertainment tickets), plus access to the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection and its benefits, such as special rates and VIP status at select luxury hotels worldwide.

Also, as a Visa Signature card, the Royal Caribbean credit card includes a secondary auto rental collision damage waiver , extended warranty protection and lost luggage reimbursement .

Related: Earn rewards for free with these no-annual-fee credit card strategies

Earning points on the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card

The Royal Caribbean credit card earns MyCruise points, which are completely different from the Crown & Anchor Society points you can earn from Royal Caribbean's loyalty program.

The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card falls short when it comes to earning rates. Cardholders earn 2 MyCruise points for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases with Royal Caribbean and its sister brand, Celebrity Cruises, and just 1 MyCruise point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

And, even though Bank of America issues the Royal Caribbean credit card, it is excluded from the Bank of America Preferred Rewards ® program, so cardholders cannot earn extra points that way.

If you're looking to rack up points, many other credit cards earn more bonus points on specific category spending , such as travel , dining , gas and groceries . The Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card is probably not the card to use for all your everyday spending because it will take a long time to earn a substantial amount of MyCruise points.

Credit card points expire 60 months (approximately five years) after the transaction posting date, regardless of activity on your account. You are also limited to earning a maximum of 540,000 points each calendar year. If you were to accumulate points over the course of five years, the maximum number of points you could earn and redeem would be 2.7 million MyCruise points.

Related: Should you get a cruise line credit card? Here's a closer look

Redeeming points on the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card

You can redeem your MyCruise points for onboard credits and amenities, cabin upgrades, cruise discounts, companion fares, free cruises, merchandise and charitable donations.

Many of the available rewards (warning: PDF) are valued at 1 cent per point. You can redeem as few as 1,000 MyCruise points for a $10 donation to World Wildlife Fund's global ocean conservation mission. Cabin upgrades and onboard credit redemptions begin at 5,000 points for rewards valued at $50.

Currently, a free cruise redemption begins at 50,000 points for a three- or four-night Royal Caribbean cruise in an ocean-view cabin. The value of the cruise vacation fare must not exceed $1,000, so this is better than the 1-cent-per-point offerings.

There are date restrictions (no Christmas or New Year's sailings), and you can't combine the cruise rewards with other promotional offers or restricted pricing.

In order to redeem your points, you can sign in to your account at royalcaribbean.com/mycruiserewardsonline .

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Which cards compete with the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card?

Most cruise aficionados will get better value from a general travel rewards or cash-back credit card, such as one of the following:

• If you want to earn more points on your travel purchases: Check out the American Express® Green Card . It earns 3 Membership Rewards points per dollar on travel purchases , including cruises. This means you'll earn bonus points on the cruise booking as well as any airfare or hotel purchases you make to get to and from your cruise. The card has a $150 annual fee (see rates and fees ) but also includes several travel protections* and has annual statement credits for Clear Plus and LoungeBuddy. For more information, read our full review of the Amex Green .
• If you want to earn flexible rewards: Try the Chase Sapphire Preferred . For a $95 annual fee, you'll enjoy 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal; 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal; and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred .
• If you want a flat earning rate with no annual fee: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) earns 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill (for a total of 2% cash back on all your purchases). The card does have a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you'd want to use an alternate card for purchases outside of the U.S. For more information, read our full review of the Double Cash .

For additional options, see our full lists of the best cash-back and general travel rewards credit cards .

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

*Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. *Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Is the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Credit Card worth it?

You can only earn a maximum of 540,000 MyCruise points per year with the Royal Caribbean credit card, and it'd take $270,000 in spending each year with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises or over half a million dollars in spending on other purchases to hit that maximum.

If you have a quarter- or half-million dollars' worth of purchases to make each year, you can do a lot better than earning 1 or 2 points per dollar on the Royal Caribbean card. You'd get more value from a card with a big welcome bonus or one that offers more points per dollar on everyday spending.

Bottom line

The Royal Caribbean card offers a decent number of benefits as a no-annual-fee credit card, thanks to its Visa Signature label. However, it comes up short on earning rates for spending, plus the points expire after five years. Redemptions are simple to understand, but unless you're a heavy spender, it will take a long time to earn enough points for a free cruise for two.

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Princess ®  Rewards Visa ® Card

Earn 10,000 bonus points

after spending $500 within the first 90 days 2

Earn 2X points

 per $1 spent on all Princess purchases 2

Earn 1X points

per $1 spent on all other purchases 2

annual fee 1

Earn 10,000 bonus points

after you spend $500 within the first 90 days of account opening - that's enough to redeem for a $100 statement credit toward your next cruise purchase. 2

per $1 spent on all Princess purchases including onboard purchases. 2

per $1 spent on all other purchases. 2

Redeem points for statement credits

toward purchases on Princess and eligible airfare purchases, or redeem for onboard credit and amenities, gift cards and more. 2

No foreign transaction fees

on purchases made while traveling abroad. 1

$0 Fraud Liability protection

means you're not responsible for unauthorized charges.

Chip card technology

so paying for your purchases is more secure at chip-card terminals in the U.S and abroad.

Concierge service

is available 24 hours a day and provides personal assistance via telephone, including recommendations and reservations.

Free online access to your FICO ® Credit Score

lets you keep an eye on your credit score and get alerts when we learn that your score has changed. 3

Interest Rates and Charges Summary

Fee summary.

See Terms and Conditions for a complete listing of rates and fees

Important Information

Offer subject to credit approval. Not everyone will qualify for the Princess Visa Signature Card credit card. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to open an account for you or you may receive a Platinum card and benefits will vary. This offer is available through this advertisement and may not be accessible elsewhere. Other offers may be available. For complete pricing and other details, please see the  Terms and Conditions .

This offer is valid for approved applicants. Any bonus associated with this offer may only be earned once. You may not be eligible for this offer if you currently have or previously had an account with us in this program. In addition, you may not be eligible for this offer if, at any time during our relationship with you, we have cause, as determined by us in our sole discretion, to suspect that the account is being obtained or will be used for abusive or gaming activity (such as, but not limited to, obtaining or using the account to maximize rewards earned in a manner that is not consistent with typical consumer activity and/or multiple credit card account applications/openings). Please see the About This Offer section of the  Terms and Conditions  for important information.

Annual Fee is $0. 0% introductory APR on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening is applicable for the first 15 billing cycles that immediately follow each balance transfer. This introductory APR offer does not apply to purchases and cash advances. For new and outstanding balance transfers after the introductory period and all purchases, the variable APR is 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.99%, depending upon our review of your application and your credit history at account opening. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. The APRs on your account will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate and are subject to change. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $0.50. Balance transfer fee: 5% (min. $5). Cash advance and cash equivalent fees: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 0%. See Terms and Conditions for updated and more information about the terms of this offer, including the “About the Variable APRs on Your Account” section for the current Prime Rate information.

Conditions and limitations apply. Please refer to the Reward Rules within the Terms and Conditions for additional information about the rewards program.

FICO ® Score Access: FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries. Barclays offers FICO ® Score access at its sole discretion. Not all accounts will have a FICO ® Score available. FICO ® Score access is not a permanent feature of your account and may be removed at any time. To view your FICO ® Score, your account with us must be open, active (having activity within the past 150 days) and in good standing.

The Princess ® Rewards Visa ® Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware pursuant to a license by Visa U.S.A Inc. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks and used under license of Visa U.S.A Inc.

Earn and redeem toward more Disney

Earn disney rewards dollars on all card purchases..

on card purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com. 3

on card purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants and most Disney U.S. locations. 3

on all your other card purchases. 3

Redeem Rewards Dollars toward Disney vacations and more. 3

Disney Parks & Resorts

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Movies

Disney Shopping

Airline Travel

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Special Vacation Financing

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Get started by selecting your favorite card design 13

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Darth Vader

Retro Walt Disney World

The Mandalorian

Vintage Mickey

Eligibility

Accounts subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations apply. Disney Visa Credit Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Offer subject to change.

1.   $400 Statement Credit

This product is not available to either (i) current cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous cardmembers of this credit card who received a new cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months. Offers may vary and may not be available through all application methods when applying for the Disney Visa Credit Cards. In some instances, an application may require additional time to process. To qualify and receive your $400 statement credit, you must make Purchases totaling $1000 or more during the first 3 months from account opening. (“Purchases” do not include balance transfers, cash advances, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers or similar cash-like transactions, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, and fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable.) To be eligible for this bonus offer, account must be open and not in default at the time of fulfillment. After qualifying, please allow up to 8 weeks for your credit to appear in your statement.

2.   Special Vacation Financing

Get special vacation financing on select Disney Resort packages, all Adventures by Disney ® packages, National Geographic Expeditions, all Aulani , A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i vacation packages, and all Disney Cruise Line packages (collectively, Disney Vacation Packages). Disney Vacation Packages must be booked by you through the Walt Disney Travel Company , Disney Cruise Line or Adventures by Disney Travel Services, Inc., online at Disney sites or through other eligible travel agents or sites, and charged to your Disney Visa Credit Card prior to commencement of your vacation. Other restrictions and exclusions apply. Please refer to the Pricing & Terms Pricing & Terms for pricing details. You will receive complete terms and conditions for this offer once you become a cardmember.

3.   Earn Disney Rewards Dollars with the Disney Premier Visa Card

The terms and conditions that apply to Disney Rewards Dollars are available at DisneyRewards.com/Terms and will be provided to you with your Disney Premier Visa Card once you become a cardmember. Subject to credit approval: You will earn one percent (1%) in Disney Rewards Dollars for every dollar of Qualifying Purchases (as defined below) made. You will earn an additional one percent (1%) in Disney Rewards Dollars for every dollar of Qualifying Purchases made at (i) Disney branded point of sale locations (owned and operated by Disney Rewards, LLC or its affiliates) as well as a select number of other locations owned and operated by third parties where Disney Rewards Dollars may be redeemed and (ii) at any of the types of merchants in the following rewards categories: gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants (for a total of 2% on these Qualifying Purchases). You will earn an additional four percent (4%) in Disney Rewards Dollars for every dollar of Qualifying Purchases made directly at DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com , or ESPNPlus.com for (a) a Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+ monthly or annual subscription, or (b) The Disney Bundle subscription, or (c) additional Disney+, Hulu, or ESPN+ purchases, including Premier Access on Disney+, add-ons on Hulu, and pay-per-view events on ESPN+ (for a total of 5% on these Qualifying Purchases). Your purchase of any of these subscriptions or additional Disney+, Hulu or ESPN+ purchases will not earn an additional 4% in Disney Rewards Dollars if your purchase is made through a third-party device or digital platform (unless such device or platform redirects to DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com for purchase) or as a bundle with cable services or as another bundle. Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ gift card and subscription card purchases that are purchased directly from DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com will earn an additional 4% in Disney Rewards Dollars, but such gift card and subscription card purchases that are purchased from a point of sale location other than DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com will not earn an additional 4% in Disney Rewards Dollars. Merchants who accept Visa credit cards are assigned a merchant code, which is determined by the merchant or its processor in accordance with Visa procedures based on the primary types of products and services the merchant sells. Chase groups similar merchant codes into categories for purposes of making rewards offers to you. Please note: Chase makes every effort to include all relevant merchant codes in its listed rewards categories. However, even though a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant and the purchases of Disney goods or services at locations that are not solely owned and operated by Disney will not qualify for the additional one percent (1%) or four percent (4%) in Disney Rewards Dollars, as applicable. Purchases submitted by you, your authorized users, or the merchant through third-party payment accounts, mobile or wireless card readers, online or mobile digital wallets, or similar technology will not qualify in a rewards category if the technology is not set up to process the purchase in that rewards category. For more information, see the FAQs at DisneyRewards.com/PremierEarnFAQ . (“Qualifying Purchases” means the amount of your retail purchases of goods and services minus returns or refunds that qualify for Disney Rewards Dollars in a billing cycle and do not include balance transfers, cash advances and other cash-like transactions, travelers checks, foreign currency, money orders, wire transfers, lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, race track wagers or similar betting transactions, any checks that access your Card Account, interest, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, or fees of any kind, including an annual fee, if applicable.)

4.   Redeem Disney Rewards Dollars with Pay Yourself Back ® for the Disney Premier Visa Card

Disney Rewards Dollars may be redeemed for a statement credit using Pay Yourself Back toward purchases made with your Disney Premier Visa Card at select U.S. Disney locations in Disney Parks and Resorts (for a list of Disney locations, visit DisneyRewards.com/Where-To-Redeem ), Disney store and outlet locations in the U.S., shopDisney.com , and at DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com and ESPNPlus.com , and airline purchases, excluding purchases made with third-party providers and travel agencies, within 90 days from the purchase date. Disney Rewards Dollars cannot be redeemed for a statement credit using a Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Categories, eligible merchants, and purchase transaction eligibility may change from time to time without notice. Even though a merchant or some of the items that it sells may appear to fit within a rewards category, the merchant may not have a merchant code in that category. When this occurs, purchases with that merchant won’t qualify for rewards offers on purchases in that category. Each Disney Rewards Dollar you redeem for a statement credit toward qualifying purchases with Pay Yourself Back is worth $1.00 (one U.S. dollar), which means that 1.00 Disney Rewards Dollar equals $1.00 in redemption value. Redemptions require a minimum of .01 Rewards Dollar and a maximum of 12 purchases and/or transactions selected in a single order. Statement credits will post to the card account within 3 business days of a request to redeem and will appear on the monthly Chase credit card billing statement within 1-2 billing cycles. Statement credits will reduce your balance, but you are still required to make at least your minimum monthly payment. Disney and Chase reserve the right to determine which Disney Premier Visa Card purchases qualify for a statement credit. Rewards Dollars redeemed for statement credits cannot be returned or re-deposited. Pay Yourself Back may be discontinued at any time. Disney Rewards Dollars are subject to the Disney Rewards Dollars Terms and Conditions for Disney Visa Credit Cards available at DisneyRewards.com/Terms .

5.   Savings Onboard Disney Cruise Line

Offer and offer elements are subject to availability, capacity limitations, cruise cancellations, and additional restrictions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. In order to receive special Disney Cruise Line perks, valid Disney Visa Card must be designated for all onboard purchases at time of purchase for sailings through 12/31/24. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts including Cast Member, Castaway Club, and Disney Vacation Club ® offers or discounts, and is for personal use only. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of this offer.

6.   Castaway Cay Savings Onboard Disney Cruise Line

10% off a Castaway Cay Getaway Package . Offer and offer elements are subject to availability, capacity limitations, cruise cancellations, and additional restrictions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Not valid for any other Port Adventures (Excursions) or Castaway Cay activities and amenities. In order to receive special Disney Cruise Line perks, valid Disney Visa Card must be designated for all onboard purchases at time of purchase for sailings through 12/31/24. Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts including Cast Member, Castaway Club, and Disney Vacation Club ® offers or discounts, and is for personal use only. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of this offer.

7.   Disney Theme Park & Resort Perks

Offers and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase to receive special offers. Merchandise discount may not be available for certain items and at certain locations including Disneyland ® Resort and Walt Disney World ® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland ® Resort or Walt Disney World ® Resort. To receive a merchandise discount, you must mention the specific offer. For entry into the Disney or Star Wars Cardmember Photo Opportunities, you must present your valid Disney Visa Card. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts, promotions or with any previous purchase. Minimum purchase and/or separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Offers are for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of these Disney Theme Park and Resort perks.

8.   Merchandise Savings at Disney Theme Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible items, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase and mention this offer. Discount is not valid on previous purchases or on purchases of the following: ticket media, Disney Gift Cards, Theme Park admission, arcades, tobacco, alcohol, outdoor vending (e.g., in-Park balloon vendors, glow vendors), Add-a-Dollar (Disney Conservation Fund), postage stamps, rentals (e.g., strollers, ECVs), personalization, Disney Genie+ service, Disney PhotoPass ® purchases (e.g., purchases through any application, website or onsite sales location), Disney PhotoPass+, Disney PhotoPass+ One Day and Disney PhotoPass+ One Week, Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day, CSL Portrait Experience, Capture Your Moment and other photo sessions requiring reservations, select print packages, original or consignment art, select limited editions, select collectibles, select specialized toys, select specialty items (including, without limitation, one-of-a-kind art, Disney-branded original art, celebrity memorabilia, framed Disney Dollars, Artist Sketch Program, framed Disney Gift Cards, framed ticket media, Walt Disney Classics Collection, handmade products (physically touched by an artist/vendor) and artist-signed Vinylmation), purchase-with-purchase offers, select reusable shopping bags, newspapers/periodicals, books, sundries, pantry/prepared foods, kitchen products, digital/video/disposable cameras, consumer electronics (including, without limitation, DVDs, CDs, and software media), national branded fragrances, treatments and cosmetics, Lladró ® , Swarovski ® Crystal, Tiffany & Co. ® Jewelry, Bvlgari ® , handmade items, special orders, live auction artwork, select product launches, select premium branded items, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (at Walt Disney World ® Resort), Savi’s Workshop – Handbuilt Lightsabers, and Droid Depot packages, phone, internet, email or mail order purchases, shipping or taxes. Discount is not available at the following locations at the Disneyland ® Resort: Games of Pixar Pier, Silhouette Studio, Portrait Artists, face painting locations, letter brush art locations, any other locations that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Disneyland ® Resort except for Arribas Brothers Crystal Shops (Crystal Arts and Cristal d’Orleans), or at any Downtown Disney ® District location other than California Sole, Curl Surf, World of Disney ® Store, Disney Home, WonderGround Gallery, Marceline’s Confectionery, Disney’s Pin Traders, The Disney Dress Shop, and Star Wars ™ Trading Post. Discount is not available at the following locations at Walt Disney World ® Resort: games, Cast Connection, Disney’s Character Premiere, Disney’s Character Warehouse or Walt Disney World ® Resort Operating Participant locations and any other locations or kiosks that are not owned or operated by the owners of the Walt Disney World ® Resort, except for ALEX AND ANI ® , Arribas Brothers locations (Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers, Crystal Arts stores and kiosks), Balocoloc Venetian Masks at La Gemma Elegante, Basin ® , Basin White ® , Chapel Hats, Columbia Sportswear Company, Crown & Crest, Good Fortune Gifts and House of Good Fortune, Joffrey’s coffee/tea kiosks and Tea Traders Café by Joffrey’s, Just Fun Socks, Levi’s ® , Luxury of Time, Melissa Clube, Sanuk, Shop for Ireland at Raglan Road™, Sperry, Stance, Sugarboo & Co., and Volcom. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or used to purchase merchandise with the intent to resell the merchandise.

9.   Dining Savings at Disney Parks & Resorts

Offer and offer elements including, but not limited to, participating locations and eligible food and beverages, are subject to availability, capacity limitations, closures, and additional restrictions and exclusions, may change or be canceled without notice, and are not guaranteed. Offer excludes alcoholic beverages, select new food and beverage offerings, merchandise, tobacco, room service, holiday buffets, tax and gratuity. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card at time of purchase for full amount of purchase. Discount valid at the following Walt Disney World ® Resort restaurant locations: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas: Boma – Flavors of Africa, Jiko – The Cooking Place (see restrictions), and Sanaa; Disney’s Beach Club Resort: Beaches and Cream, and Cape May Cafe; Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas: Flying Fish (see restrictions); Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Sebastian’s Bistro; Disney’s Contemporary Resort: Steakhouse 71; Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: Three Bridges Bar & Grill and Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood; Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Citricos (see restrictions), Grand Floridian Cafe, and Narcoossee’s (see restrictions); Disney’s Old Key West Resort: Olivia’s Cafe; Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: Kona Cafe; Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Boatwrights Dining Hall; Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa: The Turf Club Bar and Grill; Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Whispering Canyon Cafe; Disney’s Yacht Club Resort: Ale & Compass Restaurant, and Yachtsman Steakhouse; Disney’s Animal Kingdom ® Theme Park: Tiffins; Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® : Mama Melrose, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, and The Hollywood Brown Derby (see restrictions); EPCOT ® : Biergarten Restaurant (see restrictions), Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, Rose & Crown Dining Room, and Spice Road Table; Magic Kingdom ® Park: Crystal Palace, Diamond Horseshoe, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen, Liberty Tree Tavern, The Plaza Restaurant, and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. For locations where it is noted to see restrictions, the discount does not apply to the following dates: 10/9/23, 10/31/23, 11/23/23, 12/24/23, 12/25/23, 12/31/23, 1/1/24, 2/14/24, 2/19/24, 3/31/24, 5/12/24, 5/27/24, 6/16/24, 7/4/24, and 9/2/24. Discount valid at the following Disneyland ® Resort restaurant locations, subject to location availability: Disneyland ® Park: Cafe Orleans, Carnation Café, The Golden Horseshoe, Harbour Galley, Plaza Inn, River Belle Terrace, Royal Street Veranda and Troubadour Tavern; Disney California Adventure ® Park: Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Paradise Garden Grill, Sonoma Terrace, Studio Catering Co., and Wine Country Trattoria; Disney ’s Grand Californian Hotel ® & Spa: GCH Craftsman Bar and Storytellers Café; Disneyland ® Hotel: Goofy’s Kitchen. Discount valid at the following Disney’s Vero Beach Resort restaurant location: Wind & Waves Grill. Subject to restaurant availability, operating hours and closures. Reservations may be required. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation may be required. Discount is for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold.

10.   Cardmember Photo Opportunities

The Disneyland ® Resort Cardmember Photo Opportunities are offered daily during set hours–the Disney Cardmember Photo Opportunity is at Disney California Adventure ® Park and the Star Wars Cardmember Photo Opportunity is at Disneyland ® Park. The Walt Disney World ® Resort Cardmember Photo Opportunities are offered daily during set hours–the Disney Cardmember Photo Opportunity is at EPCOT ® and the Star Wars Cardmember Photo Opportunity is at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® . Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation required for each Cardmember Photo Opportunity. Must present a valid Disney Visa Card for entry for up to 6 people per cardmember account (each cardmember account may be used for entry only one time per day). Operating times, days of the week, locations and appearance of Characters (digitally or physically, as applicable) may vary and are subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice. Offer includes complimentary downloads of your Disney PhotoPass ® photos taken at the Disney Visa Cardmember Photo Opportunity location that are associated to your Disney account. To access complimentary downloads of your Disney PhotoPass ® photos taken at the Disney Visa Cardmember Photo Opportunity location at the Disneyland ® Resort, go to the Disneyland app or Disneyland.com/PhotoPass or at the location at Walt Disney World ® Resort, go to the My Disney Experience app or DisneyWorld.com/PhotoPass , and then log-in using your existing account or create an account. MagicBands or other media scanned by the photographer at the time of capture must be linked to your My Disney Experience Profile at Walt Disney World ® Resort or linked to your Disneyland ® Resort account, or you may claim Disney PhotoPass ® cards provided to you by the photographer by entering the Disney PhotoPass ® ID number found on the back of your Disney PhotoPass ® card. One photo session per valid cardmember account per day. Offer not valid for photos taken at other Disney PhotoPass ® locations or attractions photos. Disney PhotoPass ® service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass ® Terms & Conditions and expiration policy at Disneyland.disney.go.com/PhotoPass-terms-conditions or DisneyWorld.disney.go.com/PhotoPass-terms-conditions , as applicable. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Not valid in combination with other offers, discounts or promotions. Offer is for personal use only and may not be transferred or resold. Please visit DisneyRewards.com/ParkPerks for additional information.

11.   Merchandise Savings at Disney Store

10% Off Restrictions: Valid on select, in-stock merchandise purchased at Disney store and outlet locations in the U.S., and at shopDisney.com (online or via phone orders). Not valid on purchases made at Disney Parks and Resorts locations or on Disney store merchandise purchased from other retailers or using third party websites. Must use your valid Disney Visa Card and/or Disney Rewards Redemption Card as the form(s) of payment at the time of purchase for full amount of purchase and mention this offer in store or use promo code DRVCMEMBER online. Offer excludes sales tax, shipping & handling charges, gift wrap & gift box charges, personalization charges, Disney Theme Park Tickets, Disney Gift Cards, The Walt Disney Company Collectible Shareholder Certificate, subscription products, art & collectibles, books, electronic toys, limited edition, special edition & limited release merchandise, talking action figures, items related to a charitable promotion, and items from the following brands and collections: Afridrille Shoes, ALEX AND ANI ® , Barefoot Dreams, BaubleBar, Bulova, Citizen, COACH, CRISLU, Cubcoats, Disney Designer Jewelry Collection, Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Rings, Disney Parks Designer Collection, Disney Vacation Club ® , Disney+ Special Access items, Enesco, Garmin, Harveys, Jim Shore, kate spade, LEGO, Lilly Pulitzer, Loungefly, MagicBand, Make-A-Wish Collection, Marvel Legends Series, Master of Arts, Mickey Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection, Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Collection, Milk Snob, select National Geographic merchandise, Native Shoes, Nike, Nixon, Olszewski, OtterBox Electronics, Pandora Jewelry, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Pura Vida, Rebecca Hook, RockLove, Royal Selangor, Sideshow Collectibles, select Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge merchandise,  Star Wars : The Black Series, select Star Wars : The Mandalorian merchandise, Steiff, Stoney Clover Lane, Terez, Thomas Kinkade, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Tron: Back to the Arcade Collection, Tron Thrill of the Race, Vans, Vera Bradley and Vinylmation. Additional exclusions may apply. Visit shopDisney.com/DRVCPerkDetails for the most current list of exclusions and any updates to these offer terms. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer or discount except available shipping offers. Offer will only be applied if a valid promotion code is entered at checkout. No adjustments to prior purchases. Valid packing slip or receipt required for returns or exchanges, which will be subject to discount taken at the time of purchase. Offer subject to restrictions and to change without notice. Promotion may not be redeemed for cash, sold, or altered. Internet distribution is strictly prohibited. Use of offer or Promotion Code DRVCMEMBER constitutes acceptance of these offer terms. Void where prohibited. Chase is not responsible or liable for fulfillment of this offer.

12.   Statement Credit for a Disney Bundle for Disney Premier Visa Card

Earn $14.99 per month for up to 3 consecutive months (up to $44.97 total) in statement credits on qualifying subscription payments of $14.99 or more per month when you make a qualifying purchase with your Disney Premier Visa Card at DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com , or ESPNPlus.com (each, a “Service” and collectively, “Services”) by September 30, 2024. Qualifying purchases include (i) Disney Bundle subscriptions, and (ii) any other Services subscriptions or Services add-ons totaling payments of $14.99 or more (collectively, “Qualifying Purchases”). To receive the statement credits, you must use your Disney Premier Visa Card as the payment method on file for your Qualifying Purchases. Your Disney Bundle subscription will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Disney+ and ESPN+ Subscriber Agreement ( disneyplus.com/legal/subscriber-agreement ). To receive the statement credits, the payments must be made directly on DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com . Purchases will not qualify for the statement credit if made through a third-party device or digital platform (unless such device or platform redirects to DisneyPlus.com , Hulu.com or ESPNPlus.com ), or as a bundle with cable services or as another bundle. If you purchase a monthly or annual subscription, unless you timely cancel, your subscription will automatically renew for another monthly or annual subscription period pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Disney+ and ESPN+ Subscriber Agreement ( disneyplus.com/legal/subscriber-agreement ). Statement credit(s) appear on your monthly credit card billing statement within 1–2 billing cycles. Not redeemable for cash or other goods or services. Offer is non-transferable and is subject to change.

13.   Card Designs

Card designs are subject to availability and may change without notice. The Contactless Symbol and Contactless Indicator are trademarks owned by and used with the permission of EMVCo, LLC. Deposit and credit card products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC © Disney and its related entities.

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5 Things to Know About the Celebrity Cruises Credit Card

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Bank of America® issues two versions of the Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature credit card, both of which have decent rewards for fans of Celebrity Cruises or its sister brand Royal Caribbean. However, neither card is a standout, even for those who frequently sail with those cruise lines.

For an annual fee, several general travel cards offer better rewards rates, higher point values for redemptions, travel protections and various travel-related credits.

Alternatively, there are general cash-back cards with no annual fees that earn rewards that can be redeemed for cash, which you can then put toward your next vacation.

Here’s what you need to know about the Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature credit card.

» SEE: NerdWallet's best credit cards for cruises

1. There are two versions of the card

There are two versions of the Celebrity Cruises credit card, one with a $0 annual fee and the other that costs $69 a year. The latter card comes with perks that are absent in the $0-annual-fee version, including a $50 annual airfare discount, a one-time $300 discount on a cruise (if you meet the spending requirement), and a 10% discount on premium beverage packages and shore excursions.

Despite the difference in annual fee, both cards have the same rewards structure, baseline sign-up bonus and $0 foreign transaction fee.

2. Rewards are capped and expire

The Celebrity Cruises credit card earns 2 MyCruise points for every $1 spent on qualifying purchases with Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. Everything else earns 1 MyCruise point.

Rewards earned with the Celebrity Cruises card expire five years from the month the points were earned, and rewards are capped at 540,000 MyCruise points per calendar year. Given that the cap is so high, it’ll likely be irrelevant to most cardholders. Nevertheless, if you want a $0 -annual-fee travel card with fewer restrictions on rewards, consider something like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card . It earns an unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, and those miles never expire. You can also use those miles toward a large variety of redemptions. Speaking of which ...

3. Rewards redemption is largely restricted to future cruises

Consumers who prefer to redeem credit card rewards for a direct deposit or statement credit should probably pass on the Celebrity Cruises card. With the exception of charitable donations, MyCruise points can be redeemed only for future travel on items such as cruises, stateroom upgrades and onboard credits.

A few other caveats to note regarding rewards redemption:

Cardholders must have at least 1,000 MyCruise points to redeem.

A cruise reservation and deposit are required to redeem points.

Points may be redeemed only toward travel on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Azamara cruise lines. 

One MyCruise point is generally worth 1 cent, but it’s possible to get even more value per point with room upgrade redemptions.

4. The sign-up bonus is good

New cardholders will get 25,000 MyCruise points, equal to $250 in onboard credits, after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. A $1,000 spend threshold is higher than some other cards that may require only $500 worth of purchases to get the welcome offer, but a $250 credit is one of the better sign-up bonuses among $0-annual-fee cards.

5. There’s no break from interest

If you need to finance your travel costs with a credit card, the Celebrity Cruises card isn’t the best option because it doesn’t offer a 0% intro APR on purchases . As of this writing, both versions of the credit card had APRs that could range higher than 28%. That could get expensive if you're carrying a balance from month to month.

By contrast, the Discover it® Cash Back card has this intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, and then the ongoing APR of 17.24%-28.24% Variable APR . It also earns direct cash back, meaning you can redeem your rewards toward whatever you like.

» SEE: Best 0% APR and low-interest credit cards

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

Credit Card Bonuses up to $1,600 for New Cardholders

With credit card bonuses, you can make banks pay for your business. Here are the best sign-up deals.

• Newsletter sign up Newsletter
• Amex Platinum: $1,600
• Marriott Bonvoy: $1,050
• Alaska Airlines: $770 + free ticket
• Blue Cash Preferred: $250
• Other bonus offers
• Rewards cards warning

This article reviews our picks of the best rewards credit cards. We may get compensation if you visit partner links on our site. We may not cover every available offer. Our relationship with advertisers may impact how an offer is presented on our website. However, our  selection of products  is made independently of our relationship with advertisers. 

Credit card bonuses really can get you a free airline ticket or line your pocket with some extra cash. But as is the case with many rewards credit cards , the devil is in the details. Since you want to keep your credit cards active and avoid having them closed by the issuer, you should only sign up for credit cards that you want for the long term.

Here are the personal cards that will land you the biggest sign-up bonuses as measured by cash back or the value of miles or points (as calculated by Bankrate ). Each card offers the top value in the categories of general travel credit cards , hotel cards, airline cards and cash back cards . 

Some cards have low annual fees, while others have high fees that we have deemed worth the cost. 

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Best General Travel Card Bonus: $1,600 for Amex Platinum

The Platinum Card® from American Express  

Annual fee : $695. 

Sign-up bonus : Worth $1,600. Up to 80,000 points if you spend $8,000 in the first six months.

Frequent travelers can offset the card’s hefty annual fee by taking advantage of its bountiful perks and valuable points structure. For example, you can get yearly credits of up to $200 for incidental fees with one airline you choose, $200 for select hotel bookings through Amex, $189 for membership with the CLEAR airport security screening program, $200 in Uber Cash (for Uber Eats orders and Uber rides) and $155 for a Walmart+ membership (which provides free shipping from Walmart, among other benefits). 

Travelers enjoy access to airport lounges, including Amex’s Centurion lounges, Airspace, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Plaza Premium, and Priority Pass Select networks. Plus, you get up to $100 in fee reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. 

Cardholders earn five Membership Rewards points per dollar for flights booked with airlines or through American Express (on up to $500,000 per year spent) and on prepaid hotel bookings through Amex; two points per dollar spent on other qualifying Amex Travel reservations (such as cruises); and one point per dollar on other spending.

Interest rates: Pay over time 21.24% to 29.24% APR, based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening. Terms Apply.  See rates and fees .

For more on this and other general travel cards, read Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards .

Best Hotel Card Bonus: $1,050 from Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Annual fee:  $95

Sign-up bonus: Worth $1,050. Earn Three Free Night Awards  (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from your account opening. You'll also enjoy a Free Night Award every year after your account anniversary.

Frequent guests of Marriott hotels can get good value from this card from Chase; redeem points for Marriott stays or transfer them to the frequent-flier programs of nearly 40 airlines. You can also transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned on other Chase cards to your Bonvoy account.

You can rack up points quickly on this card. Earn up to a total of 17x bonus points by layering reward categories. Earn six Marriott points per dollar spent at Marriott properties, ten points for being a Marriott Bonvoy member, three points per dollar on up to $6,000 spent yearly at grocery stores, gas stations and dining, and two points per dollar on all other spending. 

Interest rate: 21.49% to 28.49% variable.

Read the full review: Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Offer: Three Nights Free

Best Airline Card Bonus: $770 + free ticket from Alaska Air

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card

Annual fee : $95.

Sign-up bonus : For a limited time, new cardholders get a free companion pass and 70,000 Bonus Miles (worth about $770) after spending $3,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening the account. 

This card offers three points for every dollar spent on Alaska Airlines travel, two points on gas, cable, streaming and local transit, and one point on all other purchases. 

Interest rates: 20.24% to 28.24% variable APR for purchases and balance transfers.

Read  our article detailing the Alaska Airlines credit card  for more details.

Best Cash Back Card Bonus: $250 from Amex Blue Cash Preferred

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express  

Annual fee:  $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Intro bonus:  $250 back if you spend $3,000 in the first six months.

This intro bonus is high when compared to other cash back cards, most of which offer $0 to $200 as a welcome offer.

Many consumers could benefit from this card's exceptional 6% cash back on up to $6,000 of supermarket spending annually. (Big-box stores such as Walmart and Costco are excluded.)

The card also offers 6% back on select streaming subscriptions, 3% at gas stations and on transit (such as ride-sharing services and tolls), and 1% on other spending. Redeem cash back for statement credits.

The Card has a 2.7% foreign transaction fee, so select another  credit card for travel abroad . See  rates and fees . 

Interest rate: Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 months. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%. See rates and fees. Terms apply.

Other sign-up bonus offers

• Hilton Honors Bonus Offer Worth $780 (also get an annual $200 credit) 
• Wyndham Bonus Offer: 13 Nights Free  (worth up to $900)
• Jet Blue Credit Card Offer Worth over $780
• Capital One Venture Rewards Launches $750 Bonus Offer
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Launches $750 Bonus Offer
• Best Airline Credit Card Bonuses with a Free Ticket
• Southwest Credit Cards Launch $750 Bonus Deal
• Earn Delta SkyMiles Worth up to $720

Rewards Cards Dos and Don'ts

As with any  rewards credit card , be sure to weigh these benefits against fees — a $150 annual fee in this case — and make sure you understand how to use the card effectively. That said, $150 may be more than offset by those maxing out the benefits. 

In addition, while reward credit cards are great if you use them wisely,  always pay them off in full and on time each month  to avoid interest, which can dwarf any rewards you earn. Don't change your spending habits to earn extra points. That's a slippery slope that can lead to overspending.

If this is your first foray into credit cards, or you just want a refresher, make sure you know  how to choose a credit card . And ensure you are familiar with what counts as a  good credit score . 

All information about the Platinum Card from American Express and the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express has been collected independently by Kiplinger. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.    As an independent publication dedicated to helping you make the most of your money, the article above is our view of the best deals and is not the opinion of any entity mentioned such as a card issuer, hotel, airline etc. Similarly, the content has not been reviewed or endorsed by any of those entities.

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Ellen writes and edits personal finance stories, especially on credit cards and related products. She also covers the nexus between sustainability and personal finance. She was a manager and sustainability analyst at Calvert Investments for 15 years, focusing on climate change and consumer staples. She served on the sustainability councils of several Fortune 500 companies and led corporate engagements. Before joining Calvert, Ellen was a program officer for Winrock International, managing loans to alternative energy projects in Latin America. She earned a master’s from the U.C. Berkeley in international relations and Latin America. 

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Deal alert: Points and miles travel deals for April 2024

F rom lucrative deals for bonus points on hotel stays to generous sales of airline miles , we're finding plenty of travel deals to help you earn and redeem your points and miles so you can book the vacation of your dreams.

For April, we found promotions to save on various travel purchases through Daily Getaways and earn double points on every Hilton booking this summer. But that's not all.

We're helping our readers each week by rounding up ongoing monthly promotions so you don't have to scour the internet for the best reward redemptions and offers. From frequent flyer programs and hotel rewards programs to credit card offers to help maximize your spending , make the most of your points and miles redemptions with these lucrative offers.

Here's our list of some noteworthy new points and miles promotions for April.

Airline loyalty program promotions (April 2024)

Airline loyalty programs can offer trip discounts on certain dates, the chance to earn more miles for future travel and deals to rack up points toward elite status. Here are some of this month's active deals.

Singapore Airlines discount on award flights

This month, you can get 30% off the number of Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles you'd need to redeem for travel this May to selected destinations across the globe. The deal is a KrisFlyer's monthly Spontaneous Escapes promotion .

• Offer is valid on Saver award tickets to selected destinations in the Singapore Airlines network. A full list of destinations can be found here .
• Flights can only be redeemed on Singapore Airlines' website or its mobile app.
• Seat availability is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Blackout dates apply.
• Flights must be redeemed by April 30. Travel has to be completed in the month of May.

Related: Best airline credit cards

Hotel loyalty program promotions (April 2024)

Hotel loyalty programs occasionally offer discounted stays, ways to earn extra points and deals at various properties. We collected some of this month's active deals below.

Double Wyndham Rewards points on select La Quinta stays

Wyndham Rewards is offering members the chance to double up on their points earned when they stay at select La Quinta by Wyndham Del Sol hotels this spring and summer.

• Earn two times your base points when you book at the Wynham Rewards member rate directly and stay at a select La Quinta by Wyndham Del Sol hotel. The full list can be found on the promotion's landing page .
• Blackout dates may apply.
• Book by May 17. Stay by July 31.

Related: Best hotel credit cards

Credit card promotions (April 2024)

Credit card issuers sometimes offer deals and discounts for certain cardholders on everything from airfare to restaurant dining. We rounded up some credit card promotions that are active now. (Some offers may be targeted.)

Targeted Chase offer with various Marriott brands

If you hold a Chase credit card (like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ), check to see if you're targeted for discounts at select brands in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. TPG staffers found these across a variety of their cards, though the details of each one vary slightly. If you're targeted and enroll, you can earn 10% back when you spend at least $100 by May 29 at the following properties:

• Autograph Collection Hotels: Up to $62 back
• Fairfield Inn & Suites: Up to $38 back
• Renaissance Hotels: Up to $75 back
• SpringHill Suites: Up to $43 back

Note that these are in addition to offers with other Marriott brands we covered previously (those expire May 22 or 23). Again, be sure to check your own Chase Offers to see what's available to you.

Targeted Chase offer on Best Western stay

We also found a Chase Offer to earn cash back on a select Best Western stay.

• Earn 10% cash back on a stay with Best Western after spending at least $100.
• You must enroll for the deal.
• The offer is only valid at domestic Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, Vib, GLo, Aiden and Executive Residency properties. The offer is not valid at SureStay Hotels or WorldHotels.
• You can get up to $32 cash back.
• The offer expires May 31.

Targeted American Express offer with Expedia

If you hold an eligible American Express card (we found this on The Platinum Card® from American Express ) and are targeted for the offer, you could earn cash back as a statement credit by using your enrolled eligible card to purchase prepaid hotel bookings through Amex's direct Expedia link .

• Get 10% back as a statement credit when you make prepaid hotel purchases through the offer's direct link .
• You can get up to $125 back in statement credits with this promotion.

Targeted American Express offer at The Line Hotels

Other American Express cards (like the American Express® Gold Card ) may be targeted for an offer on stays at The Line Hotels.

• Get a one-time $60 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible card to spend a minimum of $300 in room rate and room charge purchases.
• Book online at The Line Hotels website .
• The offer expires June 18.

Targeted American Express offer at Hard Rock Hotel New York

We've also found an offer for a one-time statement credit after making a single purchase on room rate and room charges at Hard Rock Hotel New York.

• Get a one-time $100 statement credit by using your enrolled eligible card on at least $500 in room rate and room charges at Hard Rock Hotel New York.
• You must book through the Hard Rock Hotel New York website .

Targeted American Express offer at Hyatt for select Secrets Resorts & Spas and Impression by Secrets resorts

For fans of all-inclusive resorts , check your Amex Offers to see if you're targeted for a new one with select Hyatt brands. Eligible cardmembers could get a one-time statement credit on charges at participating Secrets Resorts & Spas and Impression by Secrets resorts.

• Get a one-time $200 statement credit when you spend at least $750 on room rate and room charges at participating properties.
• Book at the Hyatt Inclusive Collection website .
• The offer is valid on stays with participating Secrets Resorts & Spas and Impression by Secrets resorts in Jamaica, St. Martin, Spain, Costa Rica and Mexico.
• The offer expires July 14.

Targeted American Express offer with Terranea Resort

Finally, Amex cardholders may see a new offer for stays at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

• Get a one-time $200 statement credit after spending at least $1,000 on room rate and room charges at Terranea Resort.
• Book at Terranea's website .
• The offer expires Oct. 4.

Ongoing travel deals

In addition to these new offers, there are many others still available from previous weeks. These include:

• Enroll in a Sixt rental car status match with multiple airline and hotel program partners .
• Earn bonus Avianca LifeMiles via Marriott Bonvoy on stays in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America if you adjust your earning preference on your Marriott Bonvoy profile, book with the deal's promo code by April 30 and complete travel by May 31.
• Earn double Amtrak Guest Rewards points on qualifying Amtrak travel this spring. You must register for the promotion and be an Amtrak Guest Rewards member to earn bonus points. The offer ends May 21.
• Enroll in an Air France-KLM Flying Blue status match opportunity if you are a United Kingdom resident. Successful enrollment in the status match is contingent upon submitting an application , proving equivalent elite status in one of 13 eligible airline loyalty programs and paying a fee determined by your status match level. There is no publicly available end date for this promotion.
• Earn bonus World of Hyatt points for attending a virtual timeshare presentation. You must reside in an eligible U.S. state and meet an annual income requirement, among other requirements . You must request information here to learn more about this promotion. There is no publicly available end date for this offer.
• Earn bonus points and up to a 25% discount as a Wyndham Rewards member on stays in Southeast Asia when you book through the offer's link by April 25 and complete a stay by April 30.
• Earn bonus points for stays at Choice Privileges properties when you register for the promotion and stay at participating properties twice by April 30.
• Earn triple rewards points on Accor Live Limitless stays in North and Central America when you book and register by April 30.
• Earn bonus points as an IHG One Rewards member for stays at Iberostar Beachfront properties when you register for the offer and complete your stay by May 20.
• Earn a digital Costco Shop Card for eligible vacation packages (destinations listed here ) as a Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi (see rates and fees ) cardholder by entering your promo code at checkout, booking travel by April 30 and completing travel by Aug. 31.
• Earn cash back on spending with The Motley Fool or American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points from the American Airlines shopping portal when purchasing a Motley Fool subscription as an American Express cardmember. The offer expires May 5.
• Get an exclusive rate on tickets to the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte between May 8 and 12 with a Wells Fargo card . The offer is available to select Wells Fargo customers while supplies last.

Additionally, there are many stand-alone Amex Offers and Chase Offers still available across a variety of credit cards.

Targeted Amex Offers

• Earn cash back on a Sixt+ car rental subscription. The offer expires April 29.
• Earn cash back on stays at Hyatt properties in Canada. The offer expires April 30.
• Earn additional American Express Membership Rewards points when spending with ITA Airways. The offer expires May 3.
• Earn bonus Membership Rewards points when spending with Oceania Cruises . The offer expires May 7.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases at participating Viceroy Hotels and Resorts (U.S. city stays). The offer expires May 14.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on an eligible stay at select Hilton resorts and destinations. The offer expires May 15.
• Earn additional Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on qualifying purchases with Seabourn . The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Caesars Rewards Las Vegas destinations. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at participating Mandarin Oriental properties in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The offer expires May 31.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on purchases with Go Rentals, a rental car company. The offer expires June 1.
• Earn a one-time statement credit on purchases with IHG Hotels & Resorts' mainstream brands. The offer expires June 15.
• Earn cash back as a statement credit on a stay at The Saguaro Palm Springs. The offer expires June 18.
• Earn cash back as a one-time statement credit on purchases at Grand Hyatt properties in the U.S. and internationally. The offer expires June 30.
• Earn cash back on stays with Minor Hotels Group. The offer expires July 31.
• Earn cash back in the form of a statement credit on transactions with Carnival Cruise Line . The offer expires Aug. 1.
• Earn bonus Membership Rewards points on a stay at a Canyon Ranch resort. The offer expires Aug. 12.
• Earn cash back on online purchases with ResortPass. The offer expires Sept. 30.

Targeted Chase Offers

• Earn cash back when spending with Turo. The offer expires April 29.
• Earn cash back on a ResortPass purchase. The offer expires April 30.
• Earn cash back on a stay at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. The offer expires April 30.
• Earn cash back on purchasing a Zipcar membership. The offer expires May 1.
• Earn cash back on a stay at Element hotels. The offer expires May 22.
• Earn cash back when you stay at AC Hotels, Four Points by Sheraton, Le Meridien, Sheraton and/or TownePlace Suites. The offer expires May 23.
• Earn bonus IHG One Rewards points after activating the offer and meeting a spending threshold. You qualify for this offer if you hold an eligible IHG One Rewards cobranded card and are targeted for the offer. You must activate the offer by June 30.

Remember that these are targeted, and you must activate the offers before making eligible purchases to enjoy the cash back or bonus points.

Related reading:

• Best travel credit cards
• The best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare
• 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
• Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• What are points and miles worth? TPG's current monthly valuations

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.