Airlines and cruise lines love a partnership. Is that good for your wallet?

USA Today

4 hours ago

Travelers can book much more than just flights through an airline – including vacations at sea.
Flyers may find a range of add-ons for other parts of their trip available through their carrier, from rental cars to hotels and even cruises.
'The open secret in the flight industry is that most of the money is made outside of flights,' Scott Keyes, founder of Going, told USA TODAY in an email. Co-branded credit cards, commissions on cruises, insurance and other extras often represent more revenue than the slim earnings on airfare, so the companies try to entice customers to book more than just their standard services.
'After all, they know you're traveling so there's a good chance you'll book, and they can take the first crack at getting your business before another travel company does,' he added.
Here's what to know about booking a cruise through an airline.
Which airlines sell cruises?
'Virtually all the major U.S. airlines have cruise line partnerships, from full-service carriers like Delta and United to budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier,' Keyes said. Those include:
The programs feature the airline's branding but are typically powered by third-party cruise sellers, according to Sally French, Travel Expert at NerdWallet. 'Travelers can browse itineraries, compare cruise lines and book sailings,' she said in an email.
Keyes noted that the carriers are not operating the cruises, nor are they chartering ships specifically for their customers.
What are the pros of booking a cruise through an airline?
Keyes said the main benefit is earning frequent flyer miles on the purchase. 'That is in addition to any miles you'd earn from your credit card, and sometimes airlines will offer credit towards elite status as well,' he said.
Airlines could offer promotions that increase the return on investment, as well. 'For example, you might earn thousands of Southwest Rapid Rewards points or Delta SkyMiles simply by booking your next cruise through the airline's site, without paying anything extra over what the cruise would cost if you booked directly,' French said.
Travelers may also be able to redeem miles while booking, she added, and find special offers for frequent flyers.
What are the cons of booking a cruise through an airline?
There can be drawbacks to the arrangement.
'Don't be seduced by the prospect of bonus points/miles, because often the prices aren't necessarily better and the points earned can be minimal,' French said. 'If you're looking to actually spend your airline's frequent flyer miles on a cruise, these tend to be a worse redemption than spending those points on flights.'
In fact, Keyes said travelers will typically find the best overall cruise price by booking directly with the cruise line since they can pass along savings that would have gone to the airline as commission.
Travelers may also lose out on exclusive offers or loyalty benefits available through the cruise operator, French added, and would have to deal with the third-party provider if something goes sideways. 'That extra layer can slow down problem resolution,' she said.
Can I book flights through a cruise line?
Many cruise lines separately allow passengers to bundle flights with their sailing. Passengers may find slightly different airfares than they would elsewhere, but that's not the primary benefit.
'The main perk of booking your flight through the cruise line is in case of a travel disruption, the cruise can help arrange an alternate flight to meet the ship at the next port,' Keyes said. 'If you (booked) the flight on your own, you're on your own.'
Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY