Best Credit Cards for Cruises
Few credit cards actually list cruises as a specific bonus category, however there are a handful that bonus for general travel, including cruises.
You can see our top picks for credit cards to buy cruises with below.
Advertiser Disclosure: Your Best Credit Cards has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Your Best Credit Cards and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Commissions do not affect or prioritize placement within our results and not all cards displayed earn us a commission. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone.
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7 Cards Available:
Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$395
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$2,400
Annual Fee:
$395
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$2,400
How the Venture X Business Earns Miles
Like the personal version of the card (the Venture X), you'll get:
- 10X Capital One Miles on hotels and rental cars when booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X Capital One Miles on airfare booked via Capital One Travel - which utilizes Hopper.
- 2X Capital One Miles on everything else
Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card Benefits
One big difference between this card and the Venture X is that this is a Pay in Full card (balance due in full each month) with no preset spending limit. So you can expect to be able to put a ton of spend on the card.
Besides that, you'll notice it basically looks like Venture X, but it is missing a few perks. There's no Hertz President's Club status. I'm also not yet sure what the car rental CDW and travel protections look like. The personal card is a Visa Infinite but this is a Business card and benefits can vary. So I'm going to omit those details until I can confirm.
Another difference is that Authorized Users can be added for no fee but they do NOT get their own Priority Pass membership.
You won't be eligible if you already have a Spark Cash Plus, but other than that, most people should be eligible.
This card will not report to your personal credit, just like the Spark Cash Plus doesn't.
What you will get:
- Up to a $300 credit annually (cardmember year, not calendar year) for bookings made on Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 towards travel)
- Unlimited access to including Capital One Lounges and their Partner Lounge Network including Plaza Premium and Priority Pass. Like the personal card, you won't have access to Priority Pass "Experiences" such as airport restaurants.
- When using airport lounges, members (and authorized users) can bring in two guests to Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges as well as unlimited guests for Priority Pass lounges.
- Up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Authorized Users can be added for no fee but they do NOT get their own Priority Pass.
- Book a stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection and get a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,750
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,750
The Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3x Ultimate Rewards points on all travel, advertising, and shipping, as well on Internet, cable and phone services, up to $150,000 a year.
If your business spends a lot in any of these categories, you can earn a ton of points.
It also earns 5X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides.
You'll get complimentary cell phone insurance when you pay your cell phone bill with this card. (See Chase website for details). No foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
The Capital One Venture card is one of the most flexible in the industry, particularly if you are a frequent traveler. It earns double miles on every purchase with no bonus categories to remember. You can redeem these points for previous travel purchases (worth a penny a point) or transfer them to travel partners.
You can use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase on your card or redeem your miles by booking a trip through Capital One Travel at a value of one cent per point for an effective 2% cash back on all purchases - or you can transfer them to a range of airlines and hotel partners.
1) The bonus value for the early spend bonus on this card assumes you will transfer the points to miles. If you use it to rebate charges for travel, the early spend bonus value will be 1 cent per point, exactly.
You can transfer to several airline and hotel partners. See the full list of Capital One Miles transfer partners and transfer times.
Capital One Venture X Credit Card
Annual Fee:
$395
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
Annual Fee:
$395
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,200
Capital One Venture X Credit Card Earn Rate
- 10X Capital One Miles on hotels and car rentals when booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X Capital One Miles on airfare booked via Capital One Travel - which utilizes Hopper.
- 2X Capital One Miles on everything else
Capital One Venture X Credit Card Benefits
Capital One launched this card with a laundry list of benefits which are very impressive. You'll quickly see that the annual fee is wiped out and then some by the benefits.
- Up to a $300 credit annually for bookings made on Capital One Travel
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 towards travel)
- Unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and also to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges internationally + two guest passes (Effective January 1, 2023, Priority Pass non-lounge airport experiences (like dining, retail shopping and spa discounts) are not part of the Visa Infinite® benefit program for Venture X cardholders.)
- Up to $100 in statement credits for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status (top tier!) for primary cardholders, authorized users and account managers. The status is valid until Dec 31, 2024.
- Primary Car Rental Collision/Damage Coverage
- Authorized Users can be added for no fee and they also get their own Priority Pass membership.
- Cardholders can earn up to 100,000 miles per year for referring friends, who can then experience the unparalleled benefits Venture X has to offer (up to 4 referrals per year; 25,000 miles awarded per referral)
- No foreign transaction fees
You can transfer to several airline and hotel partners. See the full list of Capital One Miles transfer partners and transfer times.
If you used our Credit Cards Optimization Tool to find this card, please remember that the 10X and 5X bonus rates only apply to travel booked through the Capital One Travel Portal.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Review
Annual Fee:
$550
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Annual Fee:
$550
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
The card that re-revolutionized points-earning credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a high-end travel rewards card that unlocks transfers from this and any linked Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card to airline and hotel partners and offers rich benefits for a frequent traveler.
It offers 3X Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining. It provides a 50% boost in point value within the Chase portal or via Pay Yourself Back, and you get an annual $300 travel credit each card year which greatly offsets the card's annual fee.
If you don't mind booking your hotel stays via the Chase Travel portal, you will earn an incredible 10X points, although as a prepaid rate you won't receive hotel chain status benefits.
Earn Rate:
- 10X total points on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards
- 10X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides through March 2025
- 5X total points on air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards
- 3X Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining
- 10x total points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards (This is powered by Tock Dining and is only in select markets)
- 1X points on all other purchases
Important Note on the 5X multiplier for airfare and 10X multiplier for hotels and car rentals: You will only receive these bonus multipliers if you book your travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal (using cash). Hotels booked via the portal are prepaid will not earn hotel points or provide hotel loyalty program benefits. If you book travel directly with a provider, you will earn 3X instead of 5X or 10X.
Lyft Benefits:
- Earn 10X Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
- 2 years of complimentary Lyft Pink All Access
Instacart Benefits
- 12 free months of Instacart Express
- $15/month in statement credits
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card DoorDash Benefits
You'll get free access to DashPass which gives you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Also receive $5 monthly DoorDash Credits through December 31, 2024.
Global Entry or TSA Pre ® or NEXUS fee credit
You can also receive up to a $100 credit for enrollment in Global Entry or PreCheck once every 5 years.
Chase Will Let you “Pay Yourself Back”
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers can always use their points to book travel via the travel portal where they get 1.5 cents per point.
Now, you can redeem in the same manner for select purchase categories. Instead of using a “portal” to make the purchases, you just pay as you normally would and then go into the Chase website to “pay” for that purchase with points. You will get the same 1.5 cents per point in value as you get booking travel. The feature is branded “Pay Yourself BackSM“.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$1,050
Perhaps the best "starting out card" in miles and points.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a low annual fee, unlocks transfers from this and any linked Chase Ultimate Rewards-earning card to airline and hotel partners, comes with excellent built-in trip delay insurance, primary car rental CDW coverage and earns 2x points on travel and dining.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Earn Rate:
- 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
- 5X total points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3X points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out.
- 3X points on select streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2X Ultimate Rewards points on all travel purchases
- 1X points on all other purchases
Important Note on the 5X multiplier for travel: This card is listed as earning 5X on travel. You will only receive 5X if you book your travel via the Chase Ultimate Rewards Travel portal (using cash). Hotels booked via the portal are prepaid will not earn hotel points or provide hotel loyalty program benefits. If you book travel directly with a provider, you will earn 2X instead of 5X.
Instacart Benefits
- 6 free months of Instacart Express
- $15/quarter in statement credits
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card DoorDash Benefits
You'll get free access to DashPass which gives you $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Chase Will Let you “Pay Yourself Back”
Chase Sapphire Preferred cardmembers can always use their points to book travel via the travel portal where they get 1.25 cents per point.
Now, you can redeem in the same manner for selected rotating categories. Instead of using a “portal” to make the purchases, you just pay as you normally would and then go into the Chase website to “pay” for that purchase with points. You will get the same 1.25 cents per point in value as you get booking travel. The feature is branded “Pay Yourself BackSM“.
The only requirement is that the merchant category be in one of the specified categories and you must “Pay yourself back” within 90 days of purchase.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get the same opportunity, but at a higher 1.5 cents per point cash-out rate.
If you apply for a Chase credit card and don't get an instant approval, you may want to call the Chase reconsideration line.
Note: You will only be approved for a Chase credit card if you have applied for fewer than 5 personal credit cards within the last 24 months from any issuer. (Business cards do not count against the total, except for Capital One and Discover, but are subject to the policy). Learn more about the 5/24 rule here.
You also cannot be approved for a Sapphire Preferred if you currently have this card or a Sapphire Reserve card and/or if you have received a bonus on this card in the past 48 months.
US Bank Altitude® Connect Review
Annual Fee:
$0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $95
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This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$500
Annual Fee:
$95
Close X
This is the Estimated Value that you can expect to earn from the Bonus Offer this card. It represents an average value based on you knowing a bit about the rewards program and the best ways to use the points. The value is based on our miles and points values, explained in detail here. It is not the minimum possible value nor a guaranteed return. You can also click the calculator icon to see how the values for this card are calculated.$500
The Altitude Connect joins the Altitude Reserve and Altitude GO in the US Bank Altitude series. This card is ideal for someone that spends a lot at gas stations and travel, but does not want "complicated" transferable bank points, this card would offer excellent value due to the 4% cash back in these categories. The streaming credit isn't much, but it will get you back $30 of the $95 annual fee if you keep the card.
Card Features:
- 4X points (which equates to 4% cash back) on travel (including air, hotel, and cruises) and at gas stations
- 2X points at grocery stores and on grocery delivery
- 2X points for dining (at a restaurant or via delivery)
- 2X points on streaming services
- 1X point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a $30 annual streaming credit: When you put eligible streaming services on your card for 11 straight billing cycles, the 12th month will see a credit of up to $30.
- Cell Phone Protection: You can get reimbursed for up to $600 if your cell phone is stolen or damaged (but lost phones are not covered) as long as you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card. $100 deductible applies and you will be covered for a maximum of one claim per year. Protection is secondary to homeowners/renters insurance.
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit: You'll get up to $100 in statement credits to reimburse your application fee up to once every four years.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
US Bank Altitude Connect Credit Card Review
The Altitude Connect joins the Altitude Reserve and Altitude GO in the US Bank Altitude series. This card is ideal for someone that spends a lot at gas stations and travel, but does not want "complicated" transferable bank points, this card would offer excellent value due to the 4% cash back in these categories. The streaming credit isn't much, but it will get you back $30 of the $95 annual fee if you keep the card.
This card is for people with a strong credit profile. You should have a 720 or better FICO to apply for this card.
Chase Ink Preferred
Here’s how we calculated your Rewards Value:
Point Value X Multiplier = Rewards Value
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Here’s how we calculated your Bonus Value:
Point Value X Bonus = Bonus Value
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Meet Dave
Dave’s spent the last 15 years traveling the world in first class using his miles and points. After analyzing the unique credit card spending habits of thousands of MilesTalk readers over the years, he developed YourBestCreditCards.com.
