With so many travel credit cards to choose from, how does one decide? Although collecting points for future rewards is the main attraction, not all reward cards offer the same benefits. What is the difference between a cruise line credit card and a travel reward credit card? Here are some answers.
Types of Travel Reward Credit Cards
Everyone wants to save money when they travel and most everyone uses a credit card to book air travel and cruises. But, which are the best travel credit cards for those who like to cruise? Some frequent flyer credit cards offer benefits such as travel insurance in addition to the air miles. Unfortunately, redeeming points is limited to dollars off a cruise booking.
For example, the Seamiles Visa Rewards card by Chase awards four Sea Miles for every dollar spent on any cruise line booking and two Sea Miles for every dollar spent onboard cruises, on flights and hotel stays. To redeem points, 50 Sea Miles is equal to a $50 credit off a cruise booking with any cruise line. The best benefit with this travel credit card is that earning and redemption applies to any cruise line.
Most of the cruise line credit cards award one point for every dollar spent on purchases not related to the cruise and two points for every dollar spent with their specific cruise line from cruises to onboard purchases. For those travelers who have a particular cruise line loyalty, this is a great option. Here is what to expect from the rewards offered by the following cruise lines.
Cruise Line Credit Card Rewards Comparison
Carnival Cruise Line Credit Card – On December 17, 2009, Carnival Cruise Lines replaced its Carnival Seamiles Mastercard with their Carnival Mastercard with FunPoints. Rewards start at 5,000 Fun Points. To receive a $100 onboard credit, 12,000 points are needed. Fun Points can also be redeemed for cruise purchases on Princess Cruises, Holland America and a few others. Fun Points expire after five years.
Norwegian Cruise Line Credit Card – For 5,000 World Points, the card holder can receive a $50 onboard credit. NCL requires 30,000 World Points to upgrade from inside to oceanview or from oceanview to balcony. Cash in 60,000 points for a free 4-day Bahamas cruise for two. Alternatively, 137,900 points equal a free 7-day Caribbean cruise for two.
Princess Cruise Line Credit Card – For 5,000 Princess Points, cash in to get a Champagne Balcony Breakfast for two. For 10,000 points, cash in for a $100 onboard credit, good for the spa, shore excursions or other onboard spending. With 40,000 points, the card holder can get $500 off any cruise. Princess Points expire within five years from the date the point is earned.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Credit Card – For 5,000 Royal Points, choose from a $50 onboard credit or a cabin upgrade from an interior stateroom to an ocean view stateroom. Cash in 50,000 points on a free 4-night cruise for two. Or, for 50,000 points, one can upgrade from an ocean view room to a balcony stateroom on a 7-night cruise. Cash in 125,000 points for a 7-night Caribbean cruise for two.
Disney Cruise Line Credit Card – The Disney Rewards Visa card from Chase works a little differently than other cruise line credit cards. A $50 onboard credit is awarded to the card holder when using the Rewards Visa card to book a Disney Cruise Line vacation. When using the card in a Disney Store, a 10% discount is given ($50 minimum purchase).
When choosing a travel credit card, make sure to read the fine print to understand annual fees and when points expire. Card holders should also compare the annual percentage rate (APR) on purchases, advances and balance transfers. Understand that credit card debt on high interest rate credit cards should be paid off as soon as possible.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
