Reader Redemption: Save Over $1000 with the Best Credit Card for Royal Caribbean Cruises
Reader Redemption: Save Over $1000 with the Best Credit Card for Royal Caribbean Cruises
Allure of the Seas at port in St. Maarten
Chris and I started Points Passport to help our followers, friends, and family apply our guidance and strategy to travel the world using points. Booking ourselves free hotel stays and flights is one thing, but watching our followers and clients do it is exponentially more rewarding! Several months ago an avid cruiser reached out to us to inquire about the best credit card for earning cruise rewards, specifically on Royal Caribbean Cruises. To our absolute joy and excitement this follower sent us an amazing write up of exactly how he saved over $1,000+ on his upcoming birthday cruise around the Caribbean. His trip was funded partially by points he earned on the credit card we recommended! If you want to learn more about how you too can use points to pay for your upcoming cruise, keep reading!
As a home remodel lingered and with my sights set on cruising the Caribbean, I knew it was time for a credit card that would reward my redesign with a vacation at sea. At the recommendation of Alex, I found myself with a shiny new Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card in-hand. After splurging on some expensive new furniture for the old bachelor pad, it wasn’t long before I was rewarded handsomely with my 50,000 bonus points. With some extra spending, that 50,000 point bank grew to 67,561 in just 3 months. Carl Lewis (a track and field 9-time Olympic gold medalist) said, “Life is about timing” and wouldn’t you know, it was about time to plan my big birthday bash on the largest cruise ship in the world, Symphony of the Seas by Royal Caribbean International.
As I searched high and low for the best deals on Royal Caribbean’s website, a Junior Suite promotion was one that I could not pass up. At about $3,000 for a 7-day journey, I was ready to pull the trigger! I figured after the government took their hand out of my pocket, and gratuities were prepaid, that number would grow to $3,539.94. I was quickly reminded that some more overtime at work was in my future.
To my disappointment, Royal Caribbean’s website did not have an option to pay for travel with points. Unfortunately, Chase Ultimate Rewards did not have an option to book a cruise through their online portal either, so I resorted to a millennial’s worst nightmare and called them… yes, on the phone. As I scavenged pennies from between my couch cushions, I was on hold with Chase Ultimate Rewards to convert those 67,561 Ultimate Rewards points into some cash! I reached a lovely lady named Beverly who kindly explained to me that I could either book my cruise over the phone through them, or I could transfer a reservation that I booked through Royal Caribbean, and pay off the balance with points. Being the last minute planner that I am, I was within 90 days of the “set sail” date, so transferring a reservation that I would book via Royal Caribbean’s website was not an option.
Beverly, who I later found out is part of “cxLoyalty”, an entity that I assume handles the rewards program for Chase Ultimate Rewards, talked me through the entire process of booking a cruise. They were essentially my travel agent and acted as an intermediary between Royal Caribbean and me. The process was rather simple, I shared with Beverly the cruise date, ship name, cabin location, and other trip details. Beverly e-mailed me a reservation itinerary, which I confirmed with her over the phone. Something to keep in mind: you cannot use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to pay for your Royal Caribbean cruise if the balance has already been paid. You must either book the cruise with Chase Ultimate Rewards (over the phone), or transfer an existing reservation (with an outstanding balance) to them, and then have your points applied to the trip.
Beverly then asked how many points I wanted to spend. Spoiler alert: I used them all! Knowing I get 3x Ultimate Rewards points back on travel and a $300 statement credit for any travel expenses, I happily paid the remaining balance with my Chase Sapphire Reserve. Chase Ultimate Rewards then matched the total cost of the trip from Royal Caribbean’s website which equated to $3,539.94. As you’re probably wondering, my 67,561 Ultimate Rewards points converted nicely at $0.015 per point into $1,013.41. The $0.015 per point is the same “50% more in travel redemption” that’s offered as a benefit with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. As a result, my final balance for the cruise came to $2,526.53.
Needless to say, reducing my vacation bill by over $1,000 was extremely satisfying. Royal Caribbean is set to launch a new ship in 2021 that will take the title of largest in the world: I should have some more points by then! Happy sailing!
This is a perfect example of why we recommend the Chase Sapphire Reserve time and time again. Chase's Ultimate Reward points are flexible: you can use them to book hotels, flights or even the birthday cruise of your dreams. Despite not traveling by air or staying in hotels, this travel rewards card can still bring you exceptional value on your preferred redemption options. In fact, on this single cruise purchase, our follower earned another 7,579 Ultimate Rewards points valued at $113 if redeemed on the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for his 2021 cruise!
Do you have specific questions about which credit card is right for you? Do you have any specific travel goals or destinations in mind? Do you have a redemption that you are excited about sharing? Feel free to comment below or email us your questions and/or experiences to hello@thepointspassport.com. If you like what we are doing, an easy way to support us is to follow us on Instagram @pointspassport , Facebook, and Twitter to keep up with our travel hacking strategies!
