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Deal alert: 40% off and free international airfare for last-minute Galapagos cruises

Aug. 10, 2022
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4 min read
Galapagos Cruise
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Every so often I share a deal that's so good, it's hard to pass up. As an adventure and expeditions fan, this is one of these deals.

Quasar Expeditions, which offers small yacht cruises around the Galapagos Islands, currently has a deal for 40% off the cost of a cruise for fast-approaching dates in August and September. Quasar will also cover the cost of international round-trip airfare for select departures.

I'm especially fond of this deal because I took advantage of a similar offer last summer to bring my family on Quasar's Evolution ship.

The trade-off for the great price on what is definitely a bucket list journey? The need to be super spontaneous for a trip that most people plan a year (or more) in advance.

I wish I had a little more time to prepare for my cruise. However, I was still thrilled to be able to bring my husband and son with me for an epic adventure that cost us nearly half of what it would have set us back had we planned farther in advance.

Related: 9 things I wish I had known before taking a Galapagos cruise

Quasar offers two small ships for safari-style adventures around the Galapagos. The larger, the Evolution, holds a maximum of 32 people. The Grace, which Grace Kelly sailed on for her honeymoon, accommodates just 16 people.

All meals and snacks are included in your cruise (alcoholic beverages cost extra), but more importantly, all activities and explorations are part of the price. This means kayaking with sea lions, snorkeling with sharks and exploring remote islands to see endemic bird life such as blue-footed boobies with some of the best guides in the Galapagos are all part of your up-front cost.

Related: How I saved thousands of dollars by DIY-ing an island-hopping trip in the Galapagos

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If visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador is something you've been dreaming about, it may be worth checking out these small expedition ships while they're heavily discounted. See below for details.

(Photo by Andrew Peacock/Getty Images)

Deal basics

Cruise line: Quasar Expeditions.
Location: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.
How to book: Book directly through the company's online call center.
Travel dates: 2022 Evolution cruise dates, including airfare: Aug. 20-27, Aug. 27-Sept. 3, Sept. 10-17 and Sept. 17-24, 2022, (additional 2022 Evolution cruise dates, not including airfare: Sept. 24-Oct. 3, 2022); Grace cruise dates, not including airfare: Aug. 16-23, 2022.

(Image courtesy of Quasar Expeditions)

Important deal notes

For this deal, you will need to speak with a Quasar specialist directly. We noticed that the 40% off offer is on the website, but the free airfare is not.

When we checked, Quasar said the international airfare offer was only sent as part of an email communication. We're including an image here for reference, but be sure to sign up for email communications prior to calling and booking.

(Photo by Melissa Klurman for The Points Guy)

Bottom line

If you're flexible, spontaneous and interested in exploring the marine wonderland of the Galapagos Islands, where you can dive with sharks, swim with sea turtles and explore remote islands filled with endemic avian life — including the iconic blue-footed booby — then this deal may be the answer to your Galapagos bucket list dreams.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

Featured image by MELISSA KLURMAN/FOR THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.