Latest news with #WorldMastercard
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Norwegian Cruise Line Credit Card Review 2025: Cruise Rewards That Leave Loyalty Adrift
The Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard* is designed for frequent sailors, but no matter how much you love the onboard experience, you'll likely be disappointed by the credit card. This no annual fee card offers elevated earnings on cruise expenses but stops short of offering any VIP perks like stateroom upgrades, free drinks or discounted excursions. You won't pay annual fees with the Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard*. And even better, there are no foreign transaction fees. That makes this a good option for your tours, meals and souvenirs ashore, regardless of where your cruises take you. Although the standard earning rates on this credit card lean more toward basic than exciting, Bank of America Preferred Rewards members get a pretty sweet boost. You can earn 25% to 75% more on every purchase, depending on your average account balances with Bank of America and Merrill. Why you can trust Forbes Advisor Our credit card editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the credit card methodology for the ratings below. The WorldPoints you earn from this credit card are most interesting when used toward Norwegian Cruise Line redemptions—which you might consider exactly the point. But some redemption options, like cruise discounts or onboard credit, are no better than what you'd get from a cash-back card but without the flexibility. Even if you limit your search to no annual fee credit cards, you'll find numerous options for credit cards that earn rewards at higher rates or with more bonus categories (or both). The Norwegian card is best, unsurprisingly, for Norwegian Cruise Line charges but not much else. The NCL credit card is best for transactions made directly with Norwegian Cruise Line but earns WorldPoints® Rewards on all purchases: Earn 3 points for every dollar spent on Norwegian purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on eligible air and hotel purchases and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Bank of America Preferred Rewards members may earn 25% to 75% more points on eligible charges. These are great earning rates for transactions with Norwegian Cruise Line, such as your actual cruise fare and any onboard charges. However, the other purchase categories aren't particularly competitive. New cardholders can also earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. The Norwegian Cruise Line Mastercard earns WorldPoints rewards, which are best used toward awards with NCL. Options include: When redeeming for upgrades or free cruises, the value of your redemption will vary based on the precise costs of that sailing. Full category upgrades, like going from an oceanview to a balcony, cost 30,000 points for cruises longer than five nights. Therefore, when the cost to upgrade with cash is $300 or less, you'd be better off redeeming your WorldPoints for a discount on the cruise fare and booking your preferred room directly. When the cost is higher, though, there's some room for strategic arbitrage and getting an impressive return on your points. The ability to redeem points for a free cruise is where you could potentially get an oversized return for your points—assuming you want to travel to the Bahamas, the Caribbean or Mexico. Redemptions could be worth more than 1 cent per point, especially if you're traveling on peak dates or new ships where cruise fares are typically higher. Some sailings or dates may be excluded. Forbes Advisor uses estimated spending amounts to simulate the number of points you might earn from this card in one year. Based on data from multiple government agencies, our research shows that a household earning in the 70th percentile brings in $127,200 of income and can reasonably charge $40,398 to a card annually across the following categories: Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard* Rewards Potential The more multipurpose Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) is another no-annual-fee travel rewards card with no foreign transaction fees, making it a viable alternative for some cruisers. Its rewards are far more flexible than the Norwegian Cruise card's: You can redeem Capital One miles to reimburse yourself for any travel expenses charged on the card (including cruise expenses) or transfer them to airline or hotel partners to cover other elements of your vacation. The earnings structure on the VentureOne is quite different from the Norwegian card. Sadly, you won't earn any bonus miles on cruise charges but you might be able to make up for that with its base earnings rate of 1.25 miles per $1 spent. That extra 25% on general spending could go a long way toward your next trip. Another major advantage of the VentureOne is its low intro APR offer of 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, 19.24% to 29.24% variable APR after that; 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months, 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you. Ironically, you can earn a stronger rate on your cruise fare with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card than with a co-branded cruise credit card. This fan-favorite travel card earns 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. There is one major caveat, though—to earn 5 points per dollar on your cruise fare, you'll need to book through Chase Travel (otherwise, you'll only earn 2 points per dollar spent, which is also what you'll earn for onboard charges). When redeeming points to pay for a cruise or other travel, your Chase Ultimate Rewards® points are worth 1.25 cents each when booked with Chase Travel, which is better than most Norwegian Cruise Line WorldPoints redemptions. You can also transfer your points to over a dozen airline or hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio. The Sapphire Preferred also shines for its generous included travel protections, like complimentary trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and primary auto rental coverage. Simplicity is the name of the game with the Citi Double Cash® Card. It earns cash back at a flat rate of 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they're paid off, and earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. If your spending habits are varied and not disproportionately focused on Norwegian cruise expenses, rewards could add up faster. This is primarily a cash-back credit card, so redemptions are easy and flexible. There's a major downside to this card to consider. Namely, the card charges a foreign transaction fee. Norwegian uses the U.S. dollar for its cruise fare and all onboard charges, so you won't need to worry about foreign transaction fees for anything you buy on the ship. However, the Double Cash would be a poor choice to use for charges you make on shore while docked at international ports of call. The Norwegian Cruise Line card offers modest value, but its lack of cruise perks means you might want to look twice before applying. If you're willing to save up your points for free cruises or if you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, there could be an interesting case to get this card. Otherwise, more general travel credit cards could be more rewarding, even if you limit your search to cards with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. Forbes Advisor considers a variety of criteria when assigning credit cards a rating. Cards are graded based on numerous factors, including: We give greater weight to the card features we believe cardholders will use most frequently. These factors combine to generate a star rating for each card. To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards. *The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: Norwegian Cruise Line World Mastercard. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Time Out Dubai
6 days ago
- Business
- Time Out Dubai
5 incredible ways to enjoy stress-free travel with Mastercard
Everyone loves a holiday, and according to Mastercard's latest travel report, travellers are now seeking more than ever before on their trip. From special experiences to extra adventure, it's all in the details. To make sure customers get the most out of every trip, Mastercard has created a range of amazing benefits that you can receive simply by being a cardholder. If you want to make the most out of your travel (and pick up some great deals along the way) here are the Mastercard perks to know about. Discounted flight and hotel bookings Whether you're planning a fulfilling solo trip or organising a vaycay for the whole family, with Mastercard you can save before you've even taken off. Cardholders can make the most of 20 percent off hotel and flight bookings via so be sure to browse before you book. To redeem the offer, use the codes below depending on your card type: World Elite Mastercard: 20 percent off flights and hotels up to 80 USD Promo Code: MCTRIP20 Promo Code: MCTRIP20 World Mastercard: 15 percent off flights and hotels up to 55 USD Promo Code: MCTRIP15 Promo Code: MCTRIP15 Platinum Mastercard: 10 percent off flights and hotels up to 30 USD Promo Code: MCTRIP10 Explore some impressive perks at the airport Once you arrive and check in your bags, Mastercard holders can kick back and relax, with access to over 1,300 airport lounges in over 135 different countries. How to redeem: Download the Mastercard Travel Pass app from the App Store or Google Play. Grab a complimentary Costa treat If you'd rather grab Costa on the go, your Mastercard's got you covered. Some cardholders choose complimentary treats instead of the lounge – and for good reason. First off, you can have it exactly the way you like it: almond or oat milk, a strong double espresso… whatever keeps you awake for all that exciting in-flight entertainment. Plus, you can take your coffee and snacks with you on board, which is super convenient. With more than 10 Costa spots scattered around Dubai International Airport, grabbing your free coffee right before you fly is a no-brainer. Redeem your complimentary Costa items through the Mastercard Travel Pass app: Consumer World Elite Mastercard®: Up to 4 items from a pre-determined food and drink list Consumer World Mastercard®: Up to 2 items from a pre-determined food and drink list Consumer Platinum and Titanium Mastercard®: Up to 1 item from a pre-determined food and drink list Each cardholder, both primary and supplementary, should showcase their individual QR code to claim the offer. Download the Mastercard Travel Pass app from the App Store or Google Play and register your Mastercard card. Enjoy a range of dining privileges With a Mastercard, you'll get VIP treatment when it comes to table reservations, access to special menus or unmissable offers in trending awarded restaurants – the ones that get booked well in advance. It's all thanks to a partnership with The Fork in Europe and Michelin in Dubai. Enjoy Priceless experiences at your destination No matter where your travels take you, Mastercard is there to make every moment count. Cardholders get access to experiences on a curated platform of unforgettable experiences designed to make your holiday unforgettable. Think exclusive tasting menus at the trendiest restaurants, once-in-a-lifetime access to the biggest concerts, or even sunrise breakfasts atop iconic landmarks. In every city, you'll find meaningful moments waiting to be made, perfect for creating lasting memories with the people who matter most. Mastercard lets you enjoy the world on your own terms, and that's why you should have it in your wallet on your next flight. Download the Mastercard Travel Pass app from the App Store or Google Play Learn more about Mastercard benefits on:
