Celebrity Cruises has a new way to earn loyalty points: Is it worth it?
Celebrity Cruises recently launched a new program, Power Up Points, to help cruisers stay engaged with the line and earn Captain's Club loyalty points -- even when we're not sailing. It's a smart marketing strategy but will cruisers earn a meaningful number of points and potentially jump to a new tier in the line's Captain's Club frequent cruiser loyalty program? Let's dig into the details to find out.
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A quick Captain's Club primer
Before we talk about Power Up Points, let's do a quick review of Celebrity's Captain's Club cruise loyalty program. If you've cruised with Celebrity before, you're already a CC member. You can also join the Preview level -- even if you've never sailed with the line. The more you sail, the more Captain's Club points you'll earn. You can leapfrog through the program's tiers, which include Preview, Classic, Select, Elite, Elite Plus and Zenith.
- Preview -- 0 points
- Classic -- 2–149 points
- Select -- 150–299 points
- Elite -- 300–749 points
- Elite Plus -- 750–2,999
- Zenith -- 3,000+ points
Each level offers different perks, ranging from discounts on or free onboard services like internet or laundry. Stateroom upgrades, invitations to cocktail parties and priority embarkation are other benefits. When you reach the Zenith tier, you get a free seven-night Caribbean or Bermuda cruise in a veranda stateroom.
Related: How to book a cruise using points and miles
You earn points based on the stateroom category you book, the length of the cruise and any Cruisetours or Celebrity Explorations you purchase. For example, earn 2 points per night for inside and ocean-view rooms, 3 points for verandas and infinite verandas, 5 points for Concierge and AquaClass, 8 points for Sky Suites and 12–18 points based on name suites.
Related: Enjoy shipboard credit, cruise perks with Amex Platinum and Amex's Cruise Privileges Program
Power Up Points and how to earn them
The new Power Up Points program works in tandem with the CC points you earn by cruising with Celebrity. You can earn Power Up Points that translate into Captain's Club points by taking certain actions, such as filling out an online survey, posting on social media about Celebrity Cruises or making a new booking.
You must be signed up to receive emails from Celebrity, and whenever there is an "earning" opportunity, you'll get an email about it. Act fast since -- so far -- all of the Power Up Points-earning options have been very limited-time offers.
Posting to social media sites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is probably the easiest activity that generates points. However, be aware that the time horizon to earn points is very short. Watch your email for instructions and then act on them immediately. The opportunity to earn points with the hashtag #SailingwithCelebrity was short-lived.
Here's what the earning opportunities looked like during the program's first month in action:
- Week 1: 20 Power Up Points (2 CC points) for responding to a survey
- Week 2: 20 Power Up Points (2 CC points) for posting on social media with a #SailingwithCelebrity hashtag
- Week 3: 10 Power Up Points (1 CC points) for telling the cruise line if you prefer a la carte pricing or packages
- Week 4: 100 Power Up Points (10 CC points) if you make a new cruise booking in The Retreat (suite area) by July 12
How much are points worth?
Every 10 Power Up Points you earn translates into 1 Captain's Club point.
How to sign up
If you'd like to join Celebrity's Power Up Points program, visit Celebrity.com/powerup. If you're already a Captain's Club member, click on the "Subscribe for Emails" button. If you're not yet a member of Celebrity's loyalty program, click the "Enroll Now" button.
Related: The best credit cards for booking a cruise
Bottom line
As you can see, you're not going to earn a million points via Celebrity's Power Up Points promotion. But, it may be worth it to monitor the program and see what other tasks Celebrity adds to the list of those that generate points that can convert to Captain's Club tier points. If you're just a few points shy of graduating to Celebrity's next elite status tier, the Power Up Points program may help push you over the edge.
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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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- 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.
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- $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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
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.