Booking a cruise with points can turn your vacation into a high-value getaway—and in some cases, a nearly free one. Travel credit cards often let you redeem points for cruise bookings directly or offer additional perks when booking through their travel portals. The key is understanding how each issuer handles cruise redemptions, when to redeem, and how to stack those points with loyalty programs and other discounts for maximum return.
Which Credit Card Points Can Be Used Toward Cruises?
Not all rewards points are created equal. Here’s how the major issuers work when it comes to cruise redemptions:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card, you can use your points through the Chase Travel portal. Points are worth 1.25x (Preferred) or 1.5x (Reserve) when redeemed here. Cruises from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and others are available.
You can also transfer points to partners like Hyatt or United for flights and hotels around your cruise.
- American Express Membership Rewards
You can book cruises directly through Amex Travel, but point value is often around 1 cent per point. However, Amex Platinum cardholders may access additional perks like onboard credit, room upgrades, or exclusive amenities through the Cruise Privileges Program. Participating cruise lines include Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and Holland America.
- Capital One Venture Miles
Venture cardholders can book any cruise on any platform using their card, then erase the charge using miles. This flexibility makes it easy to book flash sales or use gift cards. Each mile is worth 1 cent, and there’s no requirement to book through a specific portal.
Check out Capital One’s purchase eraser feature for more info.
- Citi ThankYou Points
Citi cards like the Premier or Prestige allow redemptions through the ThankYou Travel Center or point transfers to airline partners. Cruises are available, but redemption rates vary. Look for occasional cruise promotions or point boosts.
Booking Through Travel Portals vs Cruise Lines Directly
Most travel portals list cruises from major lines, but booking directly with the cruise line can offer better control over your itinerary and perks like price protection or loyalty benefits. If booking through a portal, confirm:
- Whether you’ll earn loyalty points (some portals don’t qualify)
- If your booking includes extras like onboard credit or drink packages
- What the cancellation and rebooking policies are
Can You Still Use Gift Cards or Cashback with Points?
Absolutely. Some travelers buy discounted gift cards on platforms like Fluz to pay part of the cruise fare, then use credit card points to cover the rest. For example, you might earn cashback with a Carnival gift card and apply that toward your balance. This lets you stretch your rewards even further—especially if your credit card gives bonus points for the initial gift card purchase.
Tips for Maximizing Credit Card Cruise Redemptions
- Check for transfer bonuses to partners if your issuer allows point transfers.
- Use portal-exclusive offers for added value (e.g., Amex Platinum’s Cruise Privileges perks).
- Stack rewards: use cashback portals for pre-cruise purchases, redeem points for cruise fare, and apply loyalty program perks onboard.
The Bottom Line
Credit card points can turn cruise planning into a savings game if you know how to redeem them wisely. Whether you’re booking through Chase Travel, erasing a charge with Venture miles, or combining Amex perks with loyalty benefits, strategic redemptions can cut costs while boosting your onboard experience.
