Cruises offer a unique and relaxing vacation experience, but they can also be a significant expense. Optimizing your spending with the right credit card can unlock substantial rewards, travel perks, and even statement credits that can help offset the cost. This article explores the best credit cards for cruises in 2024, helping you maximize your rewards and enjoy your next voyage even more.
| Credit Card | Key Benefits | Why It's Great for Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | Earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, 2x points on all other travel, $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, no foreign transaction fees. | Flexible point redemption options including direct travel booking, point transfers to airline and hotel partners, and statement credits. Travel insurance provides peace of mind. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining and travel, $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass airport lounge access, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, no foreign transaction fees. | Higher point earning rates on travel booked through Chase, a generous travel credit to offset the annual fee, and airport lounge access for a more comfortable travel experience. |
| Capital One Venture X | Earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, 2x miles on all other purchases, $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass airport lounge access, Hertz President’s Circle status, no foreign transaction fees. | Straightforward rewards structure with high earning potential on travel booked through Capital One Travel. Travel credit and lounge access enhance the overall travel experience. |
| American Express Platinum | Earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel, access to Centurion Lounges and other airport lounges, numerous statement credits for various purchases, no foreign transaction fees. | Premium travel benefits including extensive lounge access, hotel elite status, and a wide range of statement credits that can help offset the high annual fee. Point transfers to airline and hotel partners offer flexibility. |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | Earn 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn up to 75% more rewards on every purchase. | Simple earning structure, especially beneficial for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, travel, or cash. |
| Citi Premier Card | Earn 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and hotels, 1x point on all other purchases, $100 annual hotel savings benefit, no foreign transaction fees. | Solid earning rates on common spending categories, including dining and travel. Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for potentially high-value redemptions. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x mile on all other eligible purchases. Access to Delta Sky Club® and American Express Centurion Lounges. First checked bag free on Delta flights. | Provides Delta loyalists with valuable perks such as lounge access, priority boarding, and free checked bags. Companion certificate can help offset the annual fee. |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Earn 4x points at Hyatt hotels, 2x points on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships, 1x point on all other purchases. | Ideal for Hyatt enthusiasts, offering valuable points earning and benefits at Hyatt properties. Free night awards can be redeemed at participating Hyatt hotels. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card | Earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 2x points on all other purchases. Free night award each year after account anniversary. | Perfect for Marriott loyalists, offering high points earning at Marriott properties and an annual free night award. |
| United Gateway℠ Card | Earn 2x miles at gas stations, grocery stores and on United purchases. 1x miles on all other purchases. 25% back on United inflight purchases. | No annual fee and bonus miles on United purchases, making it a good option for casual United flyers. |
Detailed Explanations
Chase Sapphire Preferred: This card is a solid all-around choice for travelers. You earn a generous 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3x points on dining, and 2x points on all other travel. The $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit further sweetens the deal. Crucially, the card offers valuable travel insurance benefits like trip delay and baggage delay coverage, providing financial protection against unexpected travel disruptions. The absence of foreign transaction fees makes it ideal for international cruises.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: The Sapphire Reserve is the premium version of the Sapphire Preferred, offering even richer rewards and benefits. You'll earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, and 3x points on dining and travel. The $300 annual travel credit effectively lowers the annual fee. The Priority Pass airport lounge access provides a more comfortable pre-flight experience. Similar to the Preferred, it has trip delay and baggage delay insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture X: The Venture X offers a simple yet powerful rewards structure. You earn 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. The $300 annual travel credit is easy to use, and the Priority Pass airport lounge access is a valuable perk. Additionally, cardholders receive Hertz President’s Circle status, offering enhanced rental car benefits. No foreign transaction fees are charged.
American Express Platinum: The Amex Platinum is a premium card with a focus on luxury travel experiences. You earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel. The card grants access to Centurion Lounges and other airport lounges, enhancing the travel experience. It also offers numerous statement credits for various purchases, such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Equinox. The high annual fee can be offset by maximizing these credits. No foreign transaction fees apply.
Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card: This card offers a straightforward earning structure: 2 points per dollar on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per dollar on all other purchases. However, the real value comes from the Bank of America Preferred Rewards® program. Depending on your banking relationship with Bank of America, you can earn up to 75% more rewards on every purchase. Points can be redeemed for statement credits, travel, or cash.
Citi Premier Card: The Citi Premier Card boasts solid earning rates on popular spending categories. You earn 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels. The $100 annual hotel savings benefit (for single hotel stays of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when booked through thankyou.com) adds value. Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners, potentially offering high-value redemptions. No foreign transaction fees are charged.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is designed for Delta loyalists. You earn 3x miles on Delta purchases and 1x mile on all other eligible purchases. Access to Delta Sky Club® and American Express Centurion Lounges is a significant benefit. You also get your first checked bag free on Delta flights. The companion certificate (allowing you to bring a companion on a round-trip flight for the cost of taxes and fees) can help offset the annual fee.
World of Hyatt Credit Card: This card caters to Hyatt enthusiasts. You earn 4x points at Hyatt hotels, 2x points on dining, airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships. Free night awards can be redeemed at participating Hyatt hotels, providing significant value.
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card is geared towards Marriott loyalists. You earn 6x points at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2x points on all other purchases. The annual free night award (redeemable at hotels costing up to 35,000 points) is a valuable perk.
United Gateway℠ Card: This card is a great option for casual United flyers looking for a no-annual-fee card. You earn 2x miles at gas stations, grocery stores, and on United purchases, and 1x mile on all other purchases. You also receive 25% back on United inflight purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which credit card is best for earning points on cruises? The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X offer high earning rates on travel booked through their respective portals. Consider the one that best aligns with your preferred travel booking platform.
How can I use credit card rewards to pay for a cruise? You can redeem points for statement credits, direct travel bookings, or transfer them to airline and hotel partners to book flights and hotels associated with your cruise.
Do credit cards offer travel insurance for cruises? Yes, many travel credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer trip delay, baggage delay, and even trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
Are there credit cards that provide airport lounge access? Yes, cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and American Express Platinum offer access to airport lounges, including Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges.
What are foreign transaction fees and why should I avoid them? Foreign transaction fees are charges applied to purchases made in a foreign currency. Choose a card with no foreign transaction fees to save money on international cruises.
Should I get a co-branded airline or hotel credit card for cruises? If you are loyal to a specific airline or hotel chain, a co-branded card can offer valuable perks like lounge access, free checked bags, or free night awards.
How do I decide which credit card is right for me? Consider your spending habits, travel preferences, and willingness to pay an annual fee. Compare the rewards, benefits, and fees of different cards to find the best fit.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for cruises depends on your individual spending habits, travel preferences, and loyalty to specific brands. By carefully evaluating the rewards, benefits, and fees associated with each card, you can maximize your savings and enhance your overall cruise experience.