Deal alert: 40% off and free international airfare for last-minute Galapagos cruises
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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and 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, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees