Book a cruise and get up to 60,000 bonus United miles with this limited-time offer
United fans, take note: You can get some serious bonus miles in the coming weeks by booking a cruise.
Starting Wednesday, United Cruises offers customers with MileagePlus credit cards up to 10 United MileagePlus miles for every dollar spent on a cruise. That's up from the normal offer of up to 7 miles for every dollar spent.
United Cruises also has raised the maximum number of miles that a customer can earn by booking a cruise with a MileagePlus credit card from 45,000 miles to 60,000 miles.
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So, if you spend $6,000 on a cruise during this promotion, you can earn 60,000 miles.
That's a decent number of United MileagePlus miles. TPG currently values United MileagePlus miles at 1.21 cents each, meaning that 60,000 miles would be worth $726 at our valuation.
Even if you don't have a MileagePlus credit card, you still can earn miles at an elevated rate.
As part of the promotion, United Cruises is also upping the miles-earning potential for customers without MileagePlus credit cards. Starting Wednesday, they can earn up to 6 miles for every dollar spent on a cruise. That's up from up to 4 miles for every dollar spent.
United Cruises also raised the maximum number of miles that a customer without a MileagePlus credit card can earn by booking a cruise from 25,000 miles to 45,000 miles.
In addition, United Cruises is waiving the deposit requirement for customers who book a cruise by Friday for cruises that require deposits of up to $500.
Note that you must act fast to get the bonus miles. The accelerated mileage offer is only available through March 31. It applies to new bookings for cruises scheduled to take place between March 16, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2024.
Details of the bonus mile offer
The bonus mile offer is aimed at customers who book a balcony cabin or suite (the two types of cabins that account for the majority of cabins on many ships). Specifically, customers with MileagePlus credit cards will get:
- 10 miles per dollar spent on balcony cabins or suites, up from 7 miles per dollar spent.
- 4 miles per dollar spent on all other cabins, the same as before.
Customers without MileagePlus credit cards will get:
- 6 miles per dollar spent on balcony cabins or suites, up from 4 miles per dollar spent.
- 2 miles per dollar spent on all other cabins, the same as before.
Among the caveats: Bonus miles are earned per cabin and are awarded to only one passenger per cruise booking. In addition, to qualify, customers must book through the United Cruises program.
Also, the number of miles that customers earn as part of the promotion is based on the total cruise purchase price, excluding port charges, port expenses and taxes.
Related: How to book a cruise through United Cruises
The offer is "subject to availability, capacity-controlled, and may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice," according to the fine print. Miles will post to MileagePlus accounts six to eight weeks after the cruise is completed, according to United Cruises.
Which credit card should I use to book?
You can maximize your purchase by using a United MileagePlus credit card, such as the United Club Infinite Card, which earns 2 miles per dollar spent on cruises. This card is currently offering 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
If you don't have a United card, it's best to use a card that earns bonus points on cruises. A good option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel, including cruises. Right now, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
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- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.
Rewards Rate
| 6X | 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program. |
| 4X | 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. |
| 2X | 2x points on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.Earn 125,000 points75,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$125Recommended 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
The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.Pros
- 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
- 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
- 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
- Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
- Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
- Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines
Cons
- Airline points transfer ratios are poor
- Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
- Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
- 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
- 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
- Terms apply.