Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises in 2024
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Cruise line-specific cards might seem like an obvious choice, but they aren't always the best. Flexible rewards credit cards have more redemption options, often provide heftier bonuses for new cardholders and usually earn more points in many categories. A cruise credit card will not earn you special status with your cruise line, give you a ton of travel perks or get you free cruises quickly. You'll likely get more bang for your buck with a more general travel card. Most travel credit cards allow you to earn rewards and points, which you can conveniently put toward your next cruise.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Quantitative features are those that boil down to dollars and cents, such as fees, interest rates, rewards (including earning rates and redemption values) and the cash value of benefits and perks. Qualitative factors are those that affect how easy or difficult it is for a typical cardholder to get good value from the card. Our star ratings serve as a general gauge of how each card compares with others in its class, but star ratings are intended to be just one consideration when a consumer is choosing a credit card. Cruise line credit cards tend to offer very similar earning structures and bonuses, so there’s not much difference between them. 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.
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card — Best for Earning Points & Travel Insurance

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Credit Card Travel Insurance Vs. Separate Policy – Forbes Advisor - Forbes
Credit Card Travel Insurance Vs. Separate Policy – Forbes Advisor.
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Best for Bonused Spend
Meanwhile, some cards offer a flat rate for earning points or cash-back. 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. If you’re a frequent cruise traveler seeking a premium travel credit card, check out the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The vast majority of cruise goers can simply get more value from regular travel rewards cards. Cobranded cruise cards tend to have much lower rewards rates, even on cruise purchases.
A good credit score is at least a 670 on the FICO scoring model, while an excellent score is at least an 800. Certain credit card benefits can help enhance your travels to and from cruise port cities. For example, airport lounge access could make for a more relaxing experience at any airport you have to travel through. And having a travel or hotel credit could help reduce your overall expenses for your cruise trip. The best card for you should earn the most rewards in the categories where you spend the most.
Best for booking cruises with Costco
It's easy to travel with one credit card, rather than having to make sure you always have cash or access to an ATM at all times. I recommend keeping one main credit card on hand and planning to use that throughout your trip, then pack one backup credit card in another purse or bag in case of emergencies. In the chance that you misplace your wallet or bag, you won't go without. Co-branded cards typically offer bonus cruise points that you can use for onboard credits to save once you hit the seas.
How to choose a credit card for cruises
Don't start your exciting vacation off on the wrong foot by triggering a fraud alert on your account. However, if you do get flagged for fraud, you want to immediately contact your bank to rectify the situation, and then it'll be smooth sailing. There are several benefits to using a credit card on your cruise vacation.
Learn About Credit Cards
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 Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers travel accident insurance and offers up to $100 in credit toward the application fee credit for TSA Precheck or Global Entry. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.
Best Credit Cards for Cruises in 2024 - Clark.com - Clark Howard
Best Credit Cards for Cruises in 2024.
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Capital One Venture Rewards (Visa)This is another travel card you probably are familiar with since Capital One runs so many commercials for it. It’s not specifically a credit card for cruise rewards, but you can redeem the Venture “miles” for any travel purchase (including cruises). 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 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.
Bank of America® has one of the broadest definitions of "travel" of any credit card issuer. Use your Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card to pay for the cruise, airfare, parking fees and some ship excursions, and you’ll earn at least 2X rewards on the purchases. Points can be redeemed for a credit on your statement, gift cards, a deposit into a Bank of America® or Merrill account (checking, savings or 529 plan) or travel booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center. Given the weaker sign-up bonuses, lack of travel protections and significant spending required to earn a free cruise, cruise line credit cards pale in comparison to travel rewards credit cards.
You can also earn 75,000 bonus miles — worth $750 in travel — when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. With annual fees for travel cards hitting $400 or more, it's important to make sure you get your money's worth. Consider the purchase rewards, sign-up bonus, and cardholder benefits to determine how much value you'll get from a card each year. When it comes to travel rewards cards, chances are good you'll be looking at an annual fee.
5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel℠. For rates and fees of the American Express Green Card please click here.For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express please click here. Impact on your credit may vary, as credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations. Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there.
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