How to earn thousands of airline miles by booking a cruise this week
Cyber Monday is here. This year, it seems to be turning into Cyber Week, with cruise deals running through midweek and, in some cases, much longer. But what if I told you that you could stack the cruise lines’ current offers with a way to score up to 60,000 bonus miles from your favorite airline just by booking a sailing?
If a cruise is on your wish list this year — either for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone special — you won’t want to miss these chances to earn some extra miles that you can use to offset the cost of your flights, hotels and other trip-related expenses.
Here’s how to make the most of airline booking portal deals that will help you earn your way to a cheaper cruise.
Delta Cruises
With its Cyber Deals event, Delta Cruises is allowing Delta SkyMiles members to earn 4 miles per dollar spent (up from 2 miles per dollar spent) on cruises with all of the major cruise lines. This includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages, as well as smaller luxury and river cruise brands.
Just be sure to book by Dec. 4, 2024, for a voyage departing on or before Dec. 31, 2025.
Beyond this offer, you’ll receive the best available pricing, all current promotions the cruise lines are running and additional bonuses like free meals in specialty restaurants, onboard credit, cabin upgrades and other extras.
Southwest Cruises
Through Dec. 6, 2024, Southwest Rapid Rewards members can earn up to 10,000 bonus points on cruises booked through the Southwest Cruises portal. When they choose a Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America, MSC, Celebrity or Princess sailing of one to five days in length, they’ll earn 1,000 points per person for inside and ocean-view cabins, 2,500 points per person for balcony rooms and 5,000 points per person for suites.
You can earn double the number of points on voyages of six days or longer — 2,000 points for inside and ocean-view bookings, 5,000 points for balconies and 10,000 points for suite accommodations.
Normally, passengers earn 1 point per dollar spent through the Southwest Cruises portal.
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In addition to snagging the cruise lines’ best rates and current promotions, cruisers who reserve their cabins through the airline’s portal will receive bonus perks and freebies, such as cabin upgrades, waived deposits and more.
United Cruises
Through Dec. 4, 2024, United Cruises is offering two deals for cruisers looking to earn some extra miles. MileagePlus members can earn 6 miles per dollar spent (up from 4 miles per dollar spent) and up to 45,000 miles when they book a balcony or a suite with one of several qualifying cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line and several river and luxury lines like Azamara, Crystal, Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, AmaWaterways, American Cruise Lines, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and Viking.
If that’s not enough, United Airlines credit card holders can earn 10 miles per dollar spent (up from 7 miles per dollar spent) and up to 60,000 bonus miles when they book a balcony or suite through United Cruises using their United Airlines credit cards.
Inside and ocean-view cabins will earn 2 miles per dollar spent (if booked as a MileagePlus member without a United credit card) and 4 miles per dollar spent (if booked with a United credit card).
Additional perks of booking through the United Cruises portal include the lowest available rates and all current offers, plus special perks for being a MileagePlus member. These include spa credits, complimentary bottles of wine and onboard credit to spend on shore excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and other onboard purchases.
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