When it comes to planning a cruise vacation, choosing the right credit card can enhance your experience both financially and practically. While many might consider a cruise line co-branded credit card, you’ll often find better value and flexibility with general travel credit cards. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the best credit card options for booking cruises, maximizing rewards, and ensuring your journey on the high seas is as rewarding as it is relaxing.
Why Book Your Cruise with a Credit Card?
Using a credit card to book your cruise is a no-brainer for several reasons:
- Maximize Rewards: Cruises are significant expenses that can help you quickly meet spending thresholds for sign-up bonuses. Additionally, the right cards will earn you more points or miles on the booking itself.
- Financial Protection: Credit cards offer security against billing discrepancies, allowing you to contest charges without immediate financial impact.
- Travel Protections: Many credit cards offer travel insurance that includes trip cancellation, interruption, and delay insurance, which can be invaluable for issues that might arise before or during your trip.
Top Credit Cards for Booking Cruises
Choosing the right credit card for your cruise booking can depend on several factors including the rewards structure, additional benefits, and associated fees. Here are some top contenders that offer great returns and useful perks for cruise travelers:
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Annual Fee: $550
- Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar on travel (after using $300 travel credit) and dining.
- Perks: $300 annual travel credit, comprehensive travel insurance, airport lounge access through Priority Pass, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Why It’s Great: The high rewards rate on travel purchases and valuable travel credits make this card excellent for booking cruises. Plus, the travel protections can cover unforeseen travel issues, enhancing your peace of mind.
2. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards: Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase.
- Perks: Miles can be used to erase travel purchases, including cruises, from your statement. Also offers travel accident insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
- Why It’s Great: Its flat rewards rate on all purchases means you’re always earning double miles, whether you’re booking a cruise or buying souvenirs. The flexibility to apply miles towards any travel expense also allows for straightforward redemption.
3. American Express® Gold Card
- Annual Fee: $250 (see rates and fees)
- Rewards: Earn 4x points at restaurants, including those on board; 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Perks: $120 dining credit, no foreign transaction fees, and baggage insurance.
- Why It’s Great: Exceptional for earning rewards on dining and airfare, this card is ideal for the travel and dining expenses associated with cruising.
4. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases.
- Perks: Up to $200 in travel statement credits, travel insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
- Why It’s Great: For those with significant assets in Bank of America or Merrill accounts, this card offers even higher reward rates, making it an exceptional choice for booking cruises.
5. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual Fee: $695 (see rates and fees)
- Rewards: Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year).
- Perks: Extensive airport lounge access, up to $200 in Uber savings annually, elite status with certain hotel chains, and comprehensive travel insurance.
- Why It’s Great: While the focus is more on air travel, the luxury travel benefits and superior lounge access make it excellent for the upscale cruiser looking to travel in style.
Final Thoughts
Booking your cruise with the right credit card can turn a significant expense into a treasure trove of rewards and benefits. From earning miles that fund your next adventure to enjoying a meal at a sea-view restaurant, the right card can enhance every aspect of your cruise experience. Be sure to consider what’s most important for your travel style—whether it’s comprehensive insurance, earning potent rewards, or enjoying luxury travel perks. Choose wisely, and bon voyage!
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here. For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
