Can I use airline points for cruises?

30% Boarding Area

20% Eye of the Flyer

20% Your Mileage May Vary

30% Other

You can indeed apply airline‑related points and miles toward cruise bookings, though the options depend on the loyalty programs and cruise lines involved.

How airline points can be used for cruises

Linking airline and cruise rewards – Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club (an airline frequent‑flyer program) uses Virgin Points, which can now be linked with the Virgin Red lifestyle rewards platform. Once linked, the pooled Virgin Points can be redeemed for Virgin Voyages cruises  Your Mileage May Vary .
Credit‑card and airline miles for cruise costs – Travelers often tap credit‑card bonus points or airline miles to offset cruise expenses. For example, Citi ThankYou points have been used to book a cruise, and airline miles can cover flights to the embarkation port  Miles for Family .
Transfers from major airline programs – Virgin Red accepts transfers from a range of major airline loyalty programs, and a limited‑time 30 % transfer bonus from Citi to Virgin Atlantic further boosts the value of airline points when booking a Virgin Voyages cruise  Miles to Memories .
Airline partners that earn points on cruise bookings – While not a direct payment method, some airlines let you earn miles when you purchase a cruise (e.g., Avios earned on Royal Caribbean bookings). This illustrates growing integration between airline loyalty schemes and cruise reservations  Wingtips .
Cruise lines that work with airline/hotel programs – Virgin Voyages is highlighted as a cruise line that collaborates with airline and hotel loyalty programs, making it one of the few options where airline points can be applied toward a cruise  Your Mileage May Vary .

Your Mileage May Vary

You Can Now Book Virgin Voyages Cruises with Virgin Points

The Virgin brand has expanded far beyond airlines. In addition to Virgin Atlantic, there’s now Virgin Hotels, Virgin Voyages, and even a catch-all rewards platform called Virgin Red. And while it might seem like all these brands would fall under one loyalty umbrella, the reality has been a little more complicated. Virgin Atlantic runs a frequent flyer program called Flying Club, which uses Virgin Points as its currency. Virgin Red also uses Virgin Points, but it acts more like a lifestyle rewards program, covering everything from hotel stays to wine deliveries to experiences with other Virgin brands. For

Miles for Family

Is Now a Good Time to Book a Spring Break 2021 Cruise?

Nope, that’s not a typo. I’m talking about 2021, two years away. Last month, Royal Caribbean released its deployment schedule for Caribbean cruises through April 2021. Norwegian Cruise Line also has cruises available to book through that time frame. Before you call me cray cray for talking about booking a vacation for 2021, hear me out. I’ve been on 8 cruises as an adult, and 7 of those were with my kids. I don’t see us getting off the cruise bandwagon any time soon. Cruises offer something for everyone. There are spaces and activities for every

Eye of the Flyer

Final Thoughts Booking an Entire Vacation on Points Air-Hotel-Cruise! What I Learned This Year.

I love the sea. I love the calmness and the tranquility it brings to my heart. Needless to say, I love the simply amazing food on NCL ships and the service you receive when you are in a suite or in the Haven. I also love the chase if you will. I love constantly learning how to squeeze absolute maximum value out of each and every point any company is willing to give me for some kind of action on my part. This booking I made a few mistakes that I have learned from and will adjust my strategy

How To Enjoy A Passport-Free Cruise

I’ve found that not everyone who loves to travel wants to juggle the complexities of passport renewals or last-minute visa issues. Because of that, one of the most interesting loopholes in travel involves closed-loop U.S. cruises, where a passport might not be required at all—an especially intriguing option if you’re a frequent flyer used to tight deadlines and swift airport connections. Even so, I’ve come to learn that a little knowledge can save you a world of hassle, particularly if your trip involves combining land and sea adventures. So let’s dive into how closed-loop cruises work, why they can be

Your Mileage May Vary

The Cruise Lines That Work With Hotel/Airline Loyalty Programs

Cruising has become a hot commodity in the past couple of years. Cruise lines that were well established before the pandemic, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, etc., are introducing newer and bigger ships left and right. At the same time, newer cruise companies are making a dent in the industry, as well. Our favorite is Virgin Voyages, but as the good blog says, Your Mileage May Vary. There was a time when cruises had their own loyalty programs and, save for perhaps status matching, they really didn’t “talk” to other programs, least of all those for airlines and

A Frequent Flyer’s Guide to (Almost) All-Inclusive Cruise Vacations

I’ve come across countless conversations where travelers expect a single up-front fare to cover every onboard experience. Yet, reading extensive traveler feedback reveals that certain cruise lines leave it at the basics: stateroom accommodations, main dining menus, limited (often non-alcoholic) beverages, and evening shows. According to a 2024 survey from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), approximately 41% of passengers say they were unaware of some onboard costs before their trip. This gap in understanding can lead to surprise bills for specialty dining, Wi-Fi, or other premium amenities. In my pursuit of clarity, I’ve noticed that nearly every cruise

Earn Avios When Booking A Royal Caribbean Cruise.

Yes, I love flying, but I also love a cruise, given my geographical location; yes, you guessed it, in London. I’ve been on two cruises from Miami so far; honestly, they’ve been one of the best holidays ever. And now it just got much better because you can earn some Avios, too when booking a cruise. Let’s go over it in detail. IAG loyalty has now added Royal Caribbean International as its latest Avios partner. British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Iberia Plus and Vueling Club programmes members can now earn three Avios per £1/€1 when booking

Frequent Flyers’ Guide to Europe’s Best Cruise Lines

I’ve always been fascinated by travel in all its forms—especially when it comes to uncovering unique ways to explore Europe’s diverse cultures and coastlines. While I usually hear stories about chalking up airline miles, there’s a special appeal to trading flight paths for sea lanes. In my research, I’ve found that cruising allows travelers to step aboard a floating resort, complete with sumptuous dining, engaging entertainment, and plenty of time to absorb Europe’s art, history, and natural wonders. According to industry data published in late 2024, nearly 30% of travelers visiting Europe have started combining cruises with their typical

Eye of the Flyer

Rookie Wednesday: Yes, they all add up! Diversify points for lowest travel costs.

Welcome to a weekly feature on the Renés Points blog. Each week this series covers in a “rookie” way either a Delta or travel related theme and attempts to break down to a basic level each topic. You can read up on all the previous posts HERE. Now on to this week’s feature. This may seem like a simple and basic idea, but then again this is rookie Wednesday right? I talk to so many travelers who “put all their points into one basket” that is they are all one program focused. This can be OK if you are

Miles to Memories

Virgin Voyages Promotion with 8-Night Cruise from 100,000 Points

Virgin Voyages currently has two great offers for Virgin Red members, for cruises out of Miami or Barcelona. You can book a five-night sailing for 80,000 points, or even better, an eight-night sailing for 100,000 points. With taxes and fees included, these deals get even better. Let’s see the details. How it works: If you don’t have a Virgin Red account, you can sign up now. And if you need more points, you can transfer from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Bilt Rewards points. Virgin Red is a

Leave a Reply Cancel reply