Cruise giant Carnival brings back a much-loved loyalty perk for top-tier elites
Access to priority check-in finally is back for top-tier elites in the Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program. So is access to priority boarding.
In an email this week to customers, Carnival president Christine Duffy said the priority perks would return for top-tier Platinum and Diamond members of Carnival's VIFP Club loyalty program starting with sailings departing on Thursday.
The perks will be available for all voyages departing from North America and Europe, Duffy said. That encompasses nearly all Carnival sailings, as the brand mostly operates in North America with occasional sailings in Europe. Carnival's only other major operations are in Australia, where the line offers cruises that are mostly aimed at the local market.
Priority access to check-in and boarding has long been a core perk for top-tier members of the VIFP Club loyalty program and is considered quite valuable. It lets elite members get on board ships earlier and faster than other passengers on embarkation day, giving them more time to enjoy the onboard experiences.
However, Carnival eliminated the perks on a temporary basis during the COVID-19 pandemic as the company cut back its operations and also added lots of new COVID-19-related health procedures that changed the boarding process.
Related: The ultimate guide to Carnival Cruise Line
“Our Diamond and Platinum VIFP guests have been very supportive as we returned to full guest operations across our fleet, and very patient as we implemented protocols and procedures that impacted many aspects of our operations,” Duffy said in the email to customers.
As in the past, the reinstated priority check-in and boarding perks will give top-tier elites in the VIFP Club access to a separate priority line at check-in that will let them get on board their ship faster than most passengers.
The elites still must choose an arrival appointment window in advance during the online check-in process and arrive during that window. Once on board, top-tier elites are able to drop their bags off in their rooms, even if the room areas of their ship aren't yet ready, before accessing public areas of the vessel.
Carnival also is reinstating priority delivery of checked bags to rooms for top-tier elites.
Note that, as in the past, such priority services will not be available on Carnival's long Carnival Journeys sailings.
Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Carnival cruise
The Platinum and Diamond levels of the VIFP Club are the top tiers of the five-tier loyalty program. Carnival customers must accumulate 75 VIFP Club points to reach the Platinum level and 200 VIFP Club points to reach the Diamond level.
Points in the program are earned at a rate of one per day of cruising, which means that you would need to cruise for 75 days to reach the Platinum level and become eligible for the priority check-in and boarding perks.
In other words, you'd need to sail 11 seven-night cruises to get such perks.
Related: The 8 types of Carnival ships, explained
In case you’re wondering, VIFP stands for “very important fun person” — a playful nod to Carnival’s nickname as the “fun ship” line.
Other perks that kick in at the Platinum level include:
- Priority spa reservations.
- Priority water shuttle boarding (ship-to-shore only).
- Priority line at onboard Guest Services desk and priority assistance by phone.
- Priority debarkation.
- Priority reservations at the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants.
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- 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.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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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
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.