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CardCurator — Rewards Intelligence
Cruises

Best Credit Card for Cruises

Compare the top credit cards for cruise lines and cruise bookings and find which one earns the most rewards.

Cruise bookings typically code as travel, earning 2–5x on travel cards. Some cards also offer onboard credits or travel insurance that covers trip cancellation for cruise bookings.

Top Pick

Best Pick
Bilt Palladium Card card art
Bilt Rewards

Bilt Palladium Card

2x
points per dollar
4.0%
effective return
$495/yr
annual fee

2x base rate (no bonus for Cruises)

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More Good Options

  • Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express card art
    American Express Membership Rewards
    Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express
    2x
    pts/dollar
    4.0%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Cruises)

    Learn more →
  • Capital One Venture Rewards card art
    Capital One
    Capital One Venture Rewards
    2x
    pts/dollar
    3.7%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Cruises)

    Learn more →
  • Citi Double Cash card art
    Citi ThankYou Points
    Citi Double Cash
    2x
    pts/dollar
    3.6%
    return

    2x base rate (no bonus for Cruises)

    Learn more →
  • Chase Freedom Unlimited card art
    Chase Ultimate Rewards
    Chase Freedom Unlimited
    1.5x
    pts/dollar
    3.0%
    return

    1.5x base rate (no bonus for Cruises)

    Learn more →
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Common Questions

What is the best credit card for Cruises?

The Bilt Palladium Card is currently the top pick for cruise lines and cruise bookings, earning 2x points per dollar — an effective 4.0% return.

How many points do you earn on Cruises purchases?

The top-rated card for cruise lines and cruise bookings, the Bilt Palladium Card, earns 2x per dollar — an effective return of 4.0%.

Is there a no-annual-fee card that earns rewards on Cruises?

Yes — the Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express earns 2x on cruise lines and cruise bookings with no annual fee (4.0% effective return).

Is a premium card worth the annual fee for Cruises spending?

The Bilt Palladium Card ($495/yr) earns 2x on cruise lines and cruise bookings. If you spend $1,031/month or more on cruises, the rewards offset the annual fee — before counting travel credits and other perks.

Which card earns the most if I spend $500 per month on Cruises?

Bilt Palladium Card: $240/yr, Blue Business Plus Credit Card from American Express: $240/yr, Capital One Venture Rewards: $222/yr. The Bilt Palladium Card earns the most at $500/month.

Do rotating category cards earn on Cruises?

Some cards — like Chase Freedom Flex and Discover it — occasionally feature cruises as a 5% bonus category for one quarter per year. Year-round, a dedicated cruises card typically outperforms rotating category cards since you can't always count on the bonus.

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