Credit Score: 769 Credit Limit: 12400 Age: 25-34

Posted 07/12 2019

Great card. Was approved for a generous limit. I use this card for everyday purchases to build points up to take off my next trip.

 

Credit Score: 783 Credit Limit: 12000 Age: 45-54

Posted 07/15 2017

I've read so much about how cruise credit cards sucks and how other travel credit cards are better. After using this card for a year together with a Capital One Venture, I would say that argument is totally bogus. With the Carnival Card, you can get 1.5% redemption rate if your charge is more than $1500. That means that you have to be a little smart about your bookings and try to avoid pre-booking stuff if you can. Charge everything on board to sign and sail account. And use your Carnival credit card. Since you can earn 2X on carnival purchases and 1X on other stuff, you will be effectively earning anywhere between 1X and 2X on your spending depending on what percentage is Carnival spending. And if you do get the 1.5% redemption rate, your total value from your card spending will range from 1X to 2.5X.

As an example, I had a $2000 S&S charge within the last 180 days. I used 60,000 points to redeem for that and my last statement bill was reduced by $900.

 

Credit Score: 809 Credit Limit: 15000 Age: 35-44

Posted 05/01 2017

We take a Carnival cruise once a year and we put charge everything on the card. The most important thing to know is that for cruise charges more than $1500, you get a 1.5% redemption rate. This is the best use of your points. Less than $1500, and the redemption rate is 1% (the normal rate).

What we try to do is to use the card to pay for the cruise. If the prices turns out to be slightly less than $1500, we might upgrade our rooms to bump it over the line. We also try not to pre-book excursions, special dining and spas because the bill are all in small chunks. Instead, it is better to book them on board with your S&S account. The sacrifice there is that you may miss out on "deals".

 

Credit Score: 806 Credit Limit: 13000 Age: 45-54

Posted 03/23 2017

I have had this card for years and I charge everything to it. One thing I make sure to do is to always check "Rewards Boost" whenever I want to use my card for online shopping. Very often you can earn 5X or even 10X with different retailers and special deals. You can earn so much more points if you use rewards boost.

I have already used points for 2 free cruises. What others have said here is correct. Redeeming points for $1500 charges is the best value and bang for the buck.

 

Credit Score: 812 Credit Limit: 15000 Age: 45-54

Posted 10/16 2016

I love my carnival cruise card. I use points to get statement credits. Since most of my cruise cost more than $1500, I get 1.5% redemption rate. So the trick is to use your card to pay for your cruise. After the final payment, simply go online and redeem your points. On my last cruise, I used 95000 points and got $1425 in statement credits.

I look at it this way. Pay for cruise and earn 2X. Redeem points for 1.5% statement credit. That is a 3.5% return. This is definitely better than most other "travel cards".

 

Credit Score: 805 Credit Limit: 15000 Age: 35-44

Posted 03/05 2016

For me, I simply use the points for gift cards. There are some items like Bar cash which has better redemption rate. But gift cards are the most flexible and you do not even have to use it on the cruise if you do not want to.

 

Credit Score: 745 Credit Limit: 7000 Age: 45-54

Posted 01/21 2016

The best bang for the buck redemption is when you redeem for $1,500 in purchase price. That is when you get 1.5% redemption rate rather than the 1% rate. But good luck trying to earn so many points.

That aside, I just pay everything with the card, OBC included to earn 2X and then just redeem for statement credits.

 

Credit Score: 635 Credit Limit: 1000 Age: 35-44

Posted 09/09 2015

I never thought I would get approved for this card. But my score was between 635 and 650 (depending which bureau). I was given a $1000 limit (which ain't much) and hopefuly that limit will be increased over time.

I'll check in again when I have earned enough points to use them.

 

Credit Score: 783 Credit Limit: 10000 Age: 45-54

Posted 02/26 2015

I absolutely love this card. I have always been sailing with Carnival and I took a break last year. But I have to earning lots of points and I am probably about 15000 more points from a free cruise.