Best Credit Cards for Booking Cruises on Points
River cruises, ocean cruises, Alaska sailings — here's how to pay for them with the points you've been earning all along.
Why Cruises and Points Are a Perfect Match
If you're over 55 and you're thinking about your next trip, there's a reasonable chance that trip involves a cruise. River cruises through Europe, ocean voyages through the Caribbean, Alaska sailings past glaciers, or that bucket-list repositioning cruise across the Atlantic.
Cruises are the fastest-growing segment of travel for adults 55+, and for good reason. Unpack once. Visit multiple destinations. Eat extraordinarily well. And, depending on the cruise line, do it with a level of service that makes a five-star hotel look like it's trying too hard.
But cruises are also expensive. A 10-day European river cruise for two can easily run $8,000–$15,000. An Alaska sailing for a couple, with a balcony cabin, is $4,000–$8,000. Even a Caribbean week can be $3,000–$5,000 for two.
Here's what most people don't realize: you can pay for cruises with credit card points. Not by transferring them to some obscure loyalty program. Not through a complicated workaround. Just by using the right credit card and redeeming your rewards against the booking.
The strategy isn't as glamorous as booking a first-class flight to Tokyo with airline miles. You won't get a 5-cent-per-point redemption that makes for a viral social media post. But it's practical, straightforward, and — for the way most people our age actually travel — enormously valuable.
Let me show you how it works, which cards do it best, and how to maximize the value of every point you put toward your next sailing.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you apply through one, WanderWise earns a referral commission at no extra cost to you. We recommend what's best for you, always. Read our full editorial policy →
How Points Work for Cruises (Three Methods)
Before we get to the cards, let me explain the three ways you can use credit card points for cruises. Each method has different value, and which one is best depends on your card and your booking.
Method 1: Book Through a Travel Portal
Several major credit card companies have their own travel booking portals — essentially, online travel agencies where you pay with points instead of cash. Chase Travel, Capital One Travel, and the American Express Travel portal all list cruise itineraries from major lines.
How it works: Search for a cruise in the portal, find the itinerary you want, and pay with points. The value per point is fixed by your card type (1.25 cents per point for Chase Sapphire Preferred, 1.5 cents for Chase Sapphire Reserve, 1 cent for Capital One, etc.).
Pros: Straightforward. The experience feels like booking on Expedia. Points have a predictable, known value.
Cons: Portal inventory for cruises can be limited compared to booking directly with the cruise line. You may miss out on cruise-line-specific promotions, cabin upgrades, or onboard credits that are offered on the cruise line's website.
Method 2: Purchase Eraser / Statement Credit
Some cards let you book your cruise anywhere — directly on the cruise line's website, through a travel agent, wherever — and then "erase" the charge using your points as a statement credit.
How it works: Book your cruise however you normally would. The charge appears on your credit card statement. You then use your points to offset that charge at a fixed rate (typically 1 cent per point).
Pros: Maximum flexibility. You can book directly with the cruise line, use a travel agent, take advantage of direct-booking promotions, and still pay with points. No portal restrictions.
Cons: The redemption rate is usually a flat 1 cent per point — lower than what you'd get through a portal or by transferring to airline partners.
Method 3: Transfer Points to a Cruise-Adjacent Loyalty Program
This is the most advanced method and applies in specific scenarios. Some credit card points programs allow transfers to airline and hotel loyalty programs that have partnerships with cruise lines.
How it works: Transfer your credit card points to an airline program (like Delta SkyMiles or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club), then use those miles to book a cruise through the airline's cruise portal.
Pros: In specific cases, you can get above-average value. Delta SkyMiles Cruises, for example, periodically offers bonus miles or favorable redemption rates.
Cons: The value is inconsistent, inventory varies, and the process adds complexity. For most people, this isn't worth the effort compared to Methods 1 and 2.
Our recommendation: For most cruise bookings, Method 2 (statement credit / purchase eraser) offers the best combination of flexibility and simplicity. You keep full control of your booking, can take advantage of cruise-line promotions, and still pay with points. Method 1 (portal booking) is a good second choice, especially with Chase's higher per-point value.
How We Scored These Cards for Cruises
| Category | Weight | What We're Measuring |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise redemption flexibility | 25% | Can you use points for any cruise line, any cabin, booked anywhere? |
| Earning rate on general spending | 20% | How fast do you accumulate points toward your next cruise? |
| Points-per-dollar value for cruises | 20% | How much is each point worth when redeemed for a cruise? |
| Earning rate on travel/cruise bookings | 10% | Do you earn bonus points when booking the cruise itself? |
| Travel protections | 15% | Trip cancellation, trip delay, lost luggage — critical for expensive cruise bookings |
| Annual fee justification | 10% | Does the math work for cruise-focused travelers? |
The 5 Best Cards for Booking Cruises on Points
Card #1: Chase Sapphire Reserve — "The Best Dollar-for-Dollar Cruise Card"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best for Cruise Redemptions)
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $550 ($250 effective after $300 travel credit) |
| Cruise earning | 3x on travel (including cruises booked through Chase portal); 10x on hotels, 5x on air via portal |
| General earning | 3x dining · 1x everything else |
| Cruise redemption value | 1.5 cents per point through Chase Travel portal |
| Statement credit option | 1 cent per point against travel purchases |
| Transfer partners | 14 airlines + 3 hotels |
| Travel protections | Trip cancellation ($10,000/person) · Trip delay ($500/ticket) · Lost luggage ($3,000) · Primary rental car |
Why it's the top cruise card:
The Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on travel purchases and redeems at 1.5 cents per point through Chase's travel portal. That combination creates the highest effective return for cruise bookings in the credit card industry.
Here's the practical math: suppose you've accumulated 200,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points across a year or two of spending. Through the Chase Travel portal, those points are worth $3,000 toward a cruise (200,000 × 1.5 cents). That could cover a week-long Alaska cruise for two, or make a significant dent in a European river cruise.
If you prefer to book directly with the cruise line (and there are good reasons to — direct-booking perks, onboard credits, specific cabin selection), you can use points as a statement credit at 1 cent per point. Your 200,000 points would cover $2,000 of the charge. Less per point, but more booking flexibility.
The Reserve's $300 annual travel credit applies automatically to travel purchases — including cruise bookings. If you book a cruise and charge it to the Reserve, $300 of that charge is automatically reimbursed. This brings the effective annual fee down to $250 and directly offsets part of your cruise cost.
The travel protections are essential for expensive cruise bookings. Trip cancellation insurance covers up to $10,000 per person if you need to cancel for a covered reason. When you've put $6,000 on a river cruise that doesn't depart for six months, that protection is worth its weight in gold.
Who should get this card for cruises:
- People who cruise once or more per year and want maximum point value
- Travelers comfortable with the $550 annual fee (offset by the $300 credit) because they travel frequently enough to use the perks
- Anyone booking cruises through a travel portal rather than directly with cruise lines
- People who want trip cancellation insurance baked into their credit card
How many points for common cruises (at 1.5 cents/point via portal):
| Cruise | Approximate cost (2 passengers) | Points needed |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day Caribbean (balcony) | $3,500 | 233,000 |
| 7-day Alaska (balcony) | $5,000 | 333,000 |
| 10-day Mediterranean (balcony) | $7,500 | 500,000 |
| 7-day European river cruise | $6,000 | 400,000 |
| 14-day transatlantic | $4,000 | 267,000 |
See the current Chase Sapphire Reserve offer →
Card #2: Chase Sapphire Preferred — "The Smart Cruise Card at One-Fifth the Fee"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Cruise earning | 2x on travel (including cruise bookings) |
| General earning | 3x dining and online groceries · 1x everything else |
| Cruise redemption value | 1.25 cents per point through Chase Travel portal |
| Statement credit option | 1 cent per point against travel purchases |
| Transfer partners | Same 14 airlines + 3 hotels as the Reserve |
| Travel protections | Trip cancellation ($10,000/person) · Trip delay ($500/ticket) · Lost luggage ($3,000) · Primary rental car |
Why it's outstanding for most cruise travelers:
The Sapphire Preferred gives you the same Chase ecosystem as the Reserve — same transfer partners, same trip cancellation insurance, same travel portal — at a fraction of the annual fee. The trade-off is a lower portal redemption rate (1.25 cents vs. 1.5 cents) and no airport lounge access.
For cruise-focused travelers, here's what the math looks like with 200,000 points:
| Redemption method | Value |
|---|---|
| Chase Travel portal (1.25¢/point) | $2,500 |
| Statement credit (1¢/point) | $2,000 |
| Transfer to partners (variable) | $3,000–$6,000+ |
The difference between the Preferred and the Reserve on a 200,000-point cruise redemption through the portal is $500 ($2,500 vs. $3,000). The difference in annual fees is $455. Those numbers are remarkably close — which means the Reserve only clearly wins if you're also using the lounge access and other perks.
For someone who cruises once a year and doesn't fly frequently enough to use airport lounges, the Sapphire Preferred is the more cost-effective choice. You get the same excellent travel protections, the same transfer partners, and 83% of the portal redemption value at 17% of the cost.
Who should get this card for cruises:
- Cruise travelers who take one major trip per year
- People who want strong trip cancellation insurance without a premium annual fee
- Anyone who might eventually upgrade to the Reserve but wants to start with a lower commitment
- Travelers who value the option to transfer points to airline partners for the flight portions of their cruise vacation
See the current Chase Sapphire Preferred offer →
Card #3: Capital One Venture — "Book Any Cruise, Anywhere, Erase the Cost"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Cruise earning | 2x miles on everything (including cruise bookings) |
| General earning | 2x miles on every purchase — no categories, no tracking |
| Cruise redemption value | 1 cent per mile as statement credit against any travel purchase |
| Transfer partners | 15+ airline and hotel partners |
| Travel protections | Minimal (no trip cancellation or delay coverage) |
Why it's ideal for the "book it my way" cruiser:
Capital One's Purchase Eraser is the single most flexible cruise redemption tool in the credit card world. Here's why it matters:
When you book through a credit card portal (Chase, Amex, or otherwise), you're limited to whatever inventory the portal lists. For flights and hotels, portal inventory is usually comprehensive. For cruises, it can be spotty. You might not find your preferred cruise line, your preferred cabin category, or the specific sailing date you want.
With the Capital One Venture, you book your cruise however you want. Directly on Viking's website. Through your travel agent. On the phone with Holland America. The booking process is entirely in your hands. You get the cruise line's best price, any direct-booking promotions (onboard credits, cabin upgrades, drink packages), and the experience of working with whoever you trust.
Then the charge shows up on your Capital One statement. You log in, select the charge, and apply your miles to erase it. One cent per mile, dollar for dollar. A $5,000 cruise charge erased by 500,000 miles.
The earning rate is straightforward: 2x miles on everything. No categories. Every grocery run, every dinner, every utility bill earns miles toward your next cruise at the same rate. On $4,000/month in spending, you earn 96,000 miles per year — enough to erase $960 in cruise costs annually.
The trade-off: Capital One offers virtually no travel protections. No trip cancellation insurance, no trip delay coverage, no lost luggage coverage. For expensive cruise bookings made months in advance, this is a meaningful gap. You'd want to buy travel insurance separately, especially for high-value bookings.
Who should get this card for cruises:
- People who want to book directly with cruise lines and take advantage of direct-booking perks
- Travelers who work with a preferred travel agent for cruise planning
- Anyone who values booking flexibility above all else
- People who are comfortable purchasing separate travel insurance for expensive trips
See the current Capital One Venture offer →
Card #4: American Express Gold — "Turn Everyday Eating into Cruise Credits"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $250 (effectively -$74 after credits) |
| Cruise earning | 3x on flights · 1x on cruise bookings |
| General earning | 4x on restaurants · 4x on U.S. supermarkets · 1x everything else |
| Cruise redemption value | 1 cent per point (Amex Travel portal) · 1.5–2.5+ cents per point via transfer partners |
| Annual credits | $120 dining + $120 Uber Cash + $84 Dunkin' = $324/year |
| Transfer partners | Delta, Air France, British Airways, ANA, Singapore Airlines, and more |
Why it's a powerful cruise-earning machine:
The Amex Gold isn't the best card for redeeming points toward a cruise. The portal value is a flat 1 cent per point, and cruise inventory through Amex Travel can be limited. But it might be the best card for earning the points you'll eventually put toward a cruise.
Here's the logic: your biggest consistent spending categories are probably groceries and dining. The Amex Gold earns 4x on both. If you and your partner spend $1,400 per month on food — $850 on groceries, $550 on dining — you're earning 67,200 Membership Rewards points per year from food alone. At even 1 cent per point, that's $672 in annual cruise credit from groceries and restaurants.
The real power play: combine the Amex Gold for earning with a different card for cruise redemption. Earn 4x on food with the Amex Gold, then transfer your Membership Rewards points to an airline partner and use those miles through an airline cruise portal (like Delta SkyMiles Cruises) for potentially higher value. Or simply use them through the Amex portal at 1 cent per point.
The $324 in annual credits reduces your effective fee to negative $74 — the card literally pays you to carry it, before counting a single point earned. Every point is pure upside.
Who should get this card for cruises:
- People who want to maximize point earning on everyday food spending and apply those points toward cruises
- Travelers who already have a Chase card for cruise redemption and want an Amex for earning
- Anyone planning international flights to/from their cruise embarkation port (3x on flights + strong airline transfer partners)
- People who'll use the dining, Uber, and Dunkin' credits
See the current Amex Gold offer →
Card #5: Bank of America Premium Rewards — "The Hidden Cruise Gem for BofA Customers"
WanderWise Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 |
| Cruise earning | 2x on travel (including cruise bookings) · Up to 3.5x with Preferred Rewards |
| General earning | 2x on dining · 1.5x everything else · All rates boosted up to 75% with Preferred Rewards |
| Cruise redemption value | 1 cent per point as statement credit against travel |
| Preferred Rewards boost | 25% at $20K, 50% at $50K, 75% at $100K in BofA/Merrill balances |
| Travel protections | $100 airline incidental credit · TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit |
Why BofA customers should pay attention:
If you have $100,000 or more in combined Bank of America and Merrill Lynch accounts — which many people our age do, between checking accounts, savings, and retirement investments — the BofA Premium Rewards card earns 3.5x on travel and dining and 2.625x on everything else.
On a $6,000 cruise booking: 3.5 × $6,000 = 21,000 points, worth $210 as a statement credit. Add in the earning from your everyday spending (approximately 110,000 points per year on $42,000 in annual spending at the Platinum Honors tier), and you're accumulating over $1,100 in annual travel value.
The $100 airline incidental credit covers baggage fees, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases — useful if you're flying to your embarkation port. The Global Entry credit ($100 every four years) saves you time and money at customs when returning from international sailings.
The redemption is statement credit only — no transfer partners, no travel portal with boosted value. What you see is what you get: 1 cent per point, applied against travel charges. Simple, predictable, and perfectly adequate for cruise bookings where you want to book directly with the line.
Who should get this card for cruises:
- Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers with $50,000+ in combined accounts
- People who already bank with BofA and want to maximize their existing relationship
- Travelers who prefer statement credits over portal bookings
- Anyone who values simplicity and predictability in their rewards
See the current BofA Premium Rewards offer →
The Cruise Card Comparison
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Capital One Venture | Amex Gold | BofA Premium Rewards | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $550 ($250 eff.) | $95 | $95 | $250 (-$74 eff.) | $95 |
| Cruise portal value | 1.5¢/point | 1.25¢/point | N/A (statement credit) | 1¢/point | N/A (statement credit) |
| Statement credit value | 1¢/point | 1¢/point | 1¢/mile | 1¢/point | 1¢/point |
| Best for earning | Travel spenders | Diners | All spending | Food spenders | BofA customers |
| Trip cancellation | ✅ $10,000 | ✅ $10,000 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Booking flexibility | Portal or statement | Portal or statement | Book anywhere, erase | Portal or transfer | Book anywhere, erase |
| Simplicity | Medium | Medium | Very high | Medium | High |
| WanderWise rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
How to Maximize Points for Your Next Cruise: A Step-by-Step Approach
Step 1: Start earning now (12–18 months before your cruise)
The typical cruise costs $3,000–$8,000 for two passengers. At 1–1.5 cents per point, you'd need 200,000–800,000 points to cover the full cost. That's a lot of points — but a sign-up bonus gets you 25–40% of the way there in the first three months.
Pick a card from this list. Earn the sign-up bonus. Then let everyday spending accumulate points over the following months. Groceries, dining, gas, bills — everything you're already buying.
Step 2: Consider the two-card approach
You don't have to cover your entire cruise with one card's points. Many WanderWise members use a strategy like this:
- Amex Gold for everyday earning (4x on food)
- Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve for cruise booking and travel protections
The Amex Gold earns points faster on daily spending. The Chase card gives you better redemption value on the cruise booking plus trip cancellation insurance. Together, they cover the earning and the redeeming.
Step 3: Book strategically
If using the Chase portal: Search for your cruise through Chase Travel. Compare the portal price to the direct booking price — they're usually identical, but occasionally the portal adds a small markup or misses a promotion. If the prices match, book through the portal at 1.25–1.5 cents per point.
If using the Purchase Eraser (Capital One or BofA): Book directly with the cruise line. Call their reservations line and ask about current promotions — onboard credits, beverage packages, and cabin upgrades are commonly offered for direct bookings. Once the charge posts to your statement, apply your miles or points.
If transferring points: This is most useful for the flight to your embarkation port, not for the cruise itself. Transfer Chase or Amex points to an airline partner, book your flights on miles, and then use statement credits or portal booking for the cruise.
Step 4: Don't forget the extras
Your cruise charge isn't the only expense. Port excursions, specialty dining, beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and gratuities can add 20–40% to the total cost. Use your earning card for these onboard purchases too — many cruise lines accept credit cards onboard.
Step 5: Buy travel insurance for high-value bookings
If your card doesn't include trip cancellation insurance (Capital One Venture, Amex Gold, BofA Premium Rewards), purchase a separate travel insurance policy for any cruise costing $3,000 or more per person. A good policy costs 5–8% of the trip cost and covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and evacuation. For a $6,000 cruise, that's $300–480 for significant peace of mind.
If your card does include trip cancellation insurance (Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve), read the coverage terms carefully. The $10,000 per person limit covers most cruise costs, but verify that your reason for canceling would be covered under the policy.
A Real Example: The $7,200 River Cruise for $127
One of our WanderWise members — let's call her Diane — booked a 10-day Danube River cruise with her husband last year. Total cost: $7,200 for two passengers, balcony cabin, all meals included.
Here's how she paid for it:
| Source | Points/value |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred sign-up bonus (earned 14 months prior) | 80,000 points |
| 14 months of everyday spending (groceries, dining, gas, bills) | 92,000 points |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited companion card (same period) | 65,000 points |
| Total Chase points | 237,000 points |
| Redeemed through Chase Travel at 1.25¢/point | $2,962 |
| Plus: Amex Gold points transferred to Air France, booked flights to Munich | $3,400 value (used 68,000 Amex points) |
| Remaining out-of-pocket for flights and cruise | $127 in taxes and port fees |
Diane and her husband sailed the Danube from Passau to Budapest, flew business class from Philadelphia to Munich, and paid $127 out of pocket. Total time from signing up for her first travel card to boarding the ship: 14 months.
She told me afterward: "I kept waiting for the catch. There was no catch."
Your Next Step
If a cruise is on your horizon — whether that's six months from now or two years away — the best time to start earning points is today. Every month you wait is a month of grocery runs and restaurant dinners that could have been earning you miles toward that sailing.
Pick the card that matches your spending and booking style. Apply. Start earning. And when you're ready to book, you'll have a meaningful portion of your cruise already paid for — by the spending you were going to do anyway.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve →
- Chase Sapphire Preferred →
- Capital One Venture →
- American Express Gold →
- Bank of America Premium Rewards →
And if you want to see exactly how many points you'd need for specific cruise itineraries, read our complete guide to river cruises on points →.
Related Reading
- How to Plan a European River Cruise on Points: Step by Step →
- How to Plan a Transatlantic Cruise on Points →
- Best Cruise Cabin to Book With Points →
- Mediterranean on Points: Destination Guide →
Last updated: February 2026. Card terms and bonuses are accurate as of publication. We update this guide monthly. Affiliate disclosure: WanderWise earns a commission when you apply through our links. This doesn't affect our rankings or recommendations. Read our full editorial policy →