How to Use Travel Points & Miles to Book Expedition Cruises
Expedition cruises are some of the most expensive travel experiences, but if you know how to leverage travel points and miles, you can significantly cut down on costs—or even sail for free.
While most luxury expedition cruise lines don’t have direct loyalty programs, you can still use airline miles, hotel points, and travel rewards to offset airfare, pre-cruise stays, and even some cruise fares. This guide will break down exactly how to maximize your travel rewards for your dream expedition cruise.
Step 1: Use Airline Miles to Book Flights to Your Embarkation Point
Most expedition cruises depart from remote locations, which means flights are a major expense. Luckily, airline miles can make a huge difference here.
✈️ Best Airlines for Expedition Cruise Destinations
| Destination | Best Airlines to Use Miles |
|---|---|
| Antarctica (Ushuaia, Argentina) | American Airlines, United, Aerolineas Argentinas, LATAM |
| Arctic (Svalbard, Norway) | SAS, Lufthansa, British Airways, United |
| Galápagos (Quito/Guayaquil, Ecuador) | Avianca, United, American, Delta |
| Alaska | Alaska Airlines, American, Delta |
| Greenland | Icelandair, Air Canada, SAS, United |
🔹 Best Frequent Flyer Programs for Booking Flights
- United MileagePlus (best for Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, SAS, and Avianca).
- American AAdvantage (great for LATAM & British Airways).
- Alaska Mileage Plan (best for flights to Alaska and Iceland).
- Aeroplan (Air Canada) (good for flights to Greenland & Norway).
- Chase Ultimate Rewards / Amex Membership Rewards (transferable to multiple airlines).
✈️ Tip: Booking business or first class with miles is a great way to make long-haul flights to your expedition more comfortable!
Step 2: Use Hotel Points for Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays
Most expedition cruises depart from gateway cities, where you’ll likely need a hotel stay before or after your cruise. Here’s where hotel points can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.
🏨 Best Hotel Chains for Expedition Cruise Departures
| Destination | Best Hotel Chains to Use Points |
|---|---|
| Ushuaia (Antarctica Cruises) | Wyndham, IHG |
| Svalbard (Arctic Cruises) | Radisson, Marriott |
| Quito/Guayaquil (Galápagos Cruises) | Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham |
| Anchorage (Alaska Cruises) | Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott |
| Reykjavik (Greenland/Iceland Cruises) | Hilton, Marriott, Radisson |
🔹 Best Hotel Loyalty Programs for Booking Free Stays
- Hilton Honors (easy to earn points, great in Ecuador and Iceland).
- Marriott Bonvoy (large global footprint).
- World of Hyatt (high-value redemptions in Alaska & South America).
- IHG Rewards (solid budget and mid-range options).
- Radisson Rewards (best for Svalbard and Arctic destinations).
🏨 Tip: Some hotel credit cards (like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card) give free annual night certificates, which you can use for a pre-cruise stay.
Step 3: Use Cruise-Specific Rewards & Travel Credits
While expedition cruise lines don’t have their own loyalty programs, you can still use credit card rewards and travel portal credits to offset cruise costs.
🛳 Best Ways to Use Points for Cruises
- American Express Travel Portal – Pay for your cruise with Amex Membership Rewards points.
- Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal – Use points at 1.25-1.5x value with Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve.
- Capital One Travel – Redeem Venture Miles for a cruise charge on your statement.
- Citi ThankYou Points – Some cards allow redemptions for travel bookings, including cruises.
- Bank of America Travel Rewards – Redeem points for a statement credit on travel purchases.
🏆 Best Travel Credit Cards for Booking Expedition Cruises
| Credit Card | Best For |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 1.5x point redemption on cruises & flights |
| Amex Platinum | Travel perks & airline fee credits |
| Capital One Venture X | Easy redemption for travel purchases |
| Citi Premier | Transfer points to airlines for flights |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | Travel credits & flexible redemptions |
🚢 Tip: If booking through a travel agent, ask if you can pay with points or use travel credits from premium cards.
Step 4: Use Credit Card Travel Credits & Perks
Many premium travel credit cards offer annual travel credits, airport lounge access, and bonus points, which can all enhance your expedition cruise experience.
💳 Best Travel Perks to Use for Expedition Cruises
✅ Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit – Skip long security lines for international flights.
✅ Airport Lounge Access – Relax in premium lounges before long-haul flights.
✅ Travel Insurance Coverage – Many premium cards cover trip delays & lost luggage.
✅ Annual Travel Credits – Some cards reimburse $200-$300 in travel costs per year.
Step 5: Stack Points, Miles & Discounts for Maximum Savings
💡 Here’s a step-by-step example of stacking points for a Galápagos Expedition:
- Book flights using United MileagePlus miles (transfer from Chase Ultimate Rewards).
- Use Hilton Honors points for a pre-cruise stay in Quito.
- Pay for the cruise with Chase Sapphire Reserve & redeem points for a discount.
- Use Priority Pass (from Amex Platinum) for lounge access before the flight.
- Charge all incidentals to a travel rewards card to earn more points for your next trip.
Final Verdict: Can You Use Points & Miles for an Expedition Cruise?
Yes! While you can’t always book expedition cruises directly with points, you can offset huge costs by using miles for flights, hotel points for stays, and credit card rewards for travel redemptions.
Best Ways to Use Points & Miles for Expedition Cruises:
✔️ Use airline miles for flights to remote embarkation points.
✔️ Book pre/post-cruise hotels with hotel points.
✔️ Redeem travel rewards for cruise payments & onboard expenses.
✔️ Take advantage of premium travel perks & credits.
🔹 Want expert help booking your expedition cruise with points & miles? Contact me today for insider tips & exclusive offers! 🚀🌍
