Skip to content
Sponsored Content fromVisit AA Cruises (WTH)'s site.

Get closer to AAdvantage status with this Black Friday cruise deal

Nov. 25, 2022
6 min read
Royal_1600x1067_20221125_1
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

It's Black Friday, so you know to expect some exciting travel deals through Cyber Monday.

If you're looking for cruise deals this holiday season, particularly with Royal Caribbean, then you're in luck. American Airlines Cruises has partnered with the big-ship cruise line to not only offer you incredible deals on your next cruise vacation, but also to reward you with double AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points to get you closer to AAdvantage status.

With the introduction of Loyalty Points earlier this year, American has made it easier than ever to earn AAdvantage status, and this Black Friday promotion from Royal Caribbean and American Airlines Cruises could get you that much closer to qualifying for 2023.

Keep reading to find out more about American Airlines Cruises and Royal Caribbean, and everything you need to know about this Black Friday cruise deal.

What is American Airlines Cruises?

A couple sits in a cabana on a Royal Caribbean Cruise in the ocean.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN

American Airlines Cruises is a cruise booking portal that rewards you with AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points when you book a cruise. You can book sailings on most major cruise lines through the portal for up to 75% off of the brochure price. Plus, the site offers a 110% best price guarantee. If you find your cruise at a lower price within 48 hours of booking, American Airlines Cruises will refund you 110% of the difference between the two prices. You'll also be eligible for all the current cruise line booking perks as well as onboard amenities based on your status in any applicable cruise loyalty program.

The site also has dedicated travel experts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to assist you with your booking. You can even add insurance to your cruise with LeisureCare, their travel protection plan.

Despite all of these fantastic reasons to book your next cruise with American Airlines Cruises, the best reason of all is that you'll earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points that will get you even closer to earning AAdvantage status — and this is even more lucrative right now.

Related: Last-minute strategies for earning American Airlines AAdvantage status

Earn miles (and Loyalty Points) with American Airlines Cruises

Typically when you book a cruise through American Airlines Cruises, you earn 1 base mile per dollar spent (up to 10,000 miles in total). But this Black Friday, you'll earn 1 additional bonus mile per dollar when booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

In addition, you can enjoy even more on select Alaska sailings — 15,000 bonus miles for balcony reservations and 25,000 bonus miles for booking a suite.

And since each base mile you earn also counts as 1 Loyalty Point, booking a cruise today could put you that much closer to status.

As a reminder, AAdvantage members have until February 2023 to earn the required number of Loyalty Points to earn (or retain) status with American Airlines. Loyalty Points can be earned in a number of ways — including by flying with American Airlines, spending on AAdvantage credit cards, shopping through the AAdvantage online shopping portal and booking cruises through American Airlines Cruises.

American Gold status requires just 30,000 Loyalty Points. This means that just a single cruise booking through this Black Friday promotion with American Airlines Cruises and Royal Caribbean could put you one-third of the way to Gold — or even higher levels of status if you've already accumulated some Loyalty Points.

The Royal Caribbean experience

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas
ROYAL CARIBBEAN

When I think of Royal Caribbean, I think about a supersized vacation experience. Its huge ships have an outrageous number of onboard attractions, from waterslides, zip lines and rock climbing walls to more bars, restaurants and shops than you could possibly visit on a weeklong trip. So it's only fitting that the cruise line would partner with American Airlines Cruises to offer you twice as many miles (and Loyalty Points) for your next cruise during this Black Friday promotion.

Royal Caribbean sails to 300 destinations around the world including the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean with some of the biggest cruise ships in the world — and the activities to match. You'll never be disappointed with the amenities, attractions and entertainment available when you cruise with Royal Caribbean. In fact, its newest ship — Icon of the Seas — will feature the largest water park at sea and have seven pools (and bookings are now open!).

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Families, friends, couples and multigenerational groups can look forward to a variety of room configurations, including connecting cabins, family-friendly accommodations, spacious suites and even a thrill-filled Ultimate Family Suite with a private game room and in-suite slide. Wow.

But the Black Friday promotion and onboard experience aren't the only reasons to book a cruise today.

Additional cruise perks

When you book your Royal Caribbean cruise with American Airlines Cruises, not only will you earn double the miles; you'll also get an array of additional perks. Here's the complete list of what you can expect when you book a Royal Caribbean cruise with American Airlines Cruises:

  • 30% off every guest, and kids sail free on select sailings (for all bookings through Nov. 30).
  • Up to $600 in instant savings (combinable with 30% off and free kids fares) on Black Friday.
  • Prepaid gratuities on select sailings ($18.50 per person per day for suites and $16 per person per day for all other categories).
  • Exclusive: Onboard spending credit of up to $150.

The prepaid gratuities alone are a savings of $259 for a couple sharing a suite on a weeklong cruise — and the other savings just sweeten the deal even more.

Bottom line

This Black Friday, American Airlines Cruises has partnered with Royal Caribbean to offer double miles when you book a cruise. AAdvantage members will earn 2 miles per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean cruises on top of the best deals all year — along with the chance to earn up to 25,000 bonus miles on select Alaska cruise bookings.

American Airlines Cruises offers up to 75% off the brochure price for cruises as well as a 110% best price guarantee if you find your cruise for less within 48 hours of booking. American Airlines Cruises also always honors cruise line loyalty perks.

When you book your Royal Caribbean cruise through American Airlines Cruises this Black Friday, you'll also receive additional perks such as 30% off every guest and free kids fares on select sailings (ends Nov. 30) plus up to $600 in savings.

Hurry before this deal is gone! Book your Royal Caribbean cruise on American Airlines Cruises now.

Featured image by ROYAL CARIBBEAN

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
5XNew! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
Annual fee
$325
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Valuable dining and food-related credits
  • Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
  • Multiple travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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.
  • New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
  • Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
  • Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
  • Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.