barclays Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® Review: Earn Free Cruises Without an Annual Fee
Discover how the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® helps loyal cruisers earn up to 6x points on Carnival purchases and a generous sign-up bonus, all with no annual fee. This review explores if it's your ideal companion for maximizing travel rewards.
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 20,000 points |
| Rewards Rate | 1x-6x points |
| Intro APR | 0% Promotional APR for 6 billing cycles from the transaction date on all “Qualifying Carnival Cruise Booking Purchases.” 0% Introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. |
| Regular APR | 18.74% to 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. After that (and for balance transfers that do not post to your account within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 18.74% to 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. 29.99%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. |
| Other Fees | Balance transfer fee: 5% (min. $5). Cash advance fee: 5% (min. $10). Foreign transaction fee: 0%. The minimum monthly interest charge will be $1.00. |
Overview
For loyal Carnival cruisers, the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® is a compelling travel companion that packs a punch without an annual fee. The card's standout feature is its high rewards rate, offering up to 6x points on Carnival purchases, which can significantly reduce the cost of future vacations. It also comes with a generous sign-up bonus of 20,000 points after meeting a reasonable spending requirement, giving new cardholders a substantial head start. Plus, with no foreign transaction fees, it’s a smart choice for use both onboard and in international ports.
Beyond just booking cruises, the card holds its own with 2x points on eligible restaurant and grocery store purchases, making it a decent option for everyday spending. New cardholders can also benefit from introductory 0% APR offers on both Carnival bookings and balance transfers, which can be useful for financing a trip or managing existing debt. However, be aware of the high regular APR that kicks in after the promotional period ends, as carrying a balance can quickly become expensive.
Ultimately, the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® is tailor-made for Carnival enthusiasts who want to maximize their loyalty and earn rewards toward their next sailing. If you cruise with Carnival at least semi-regularly and pay your balance in full each month, this card offers a straightforward and cost-effective way to make your travel dollars go further.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High rewards rate
- No foreign transaction fees
- Automatic elite status
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- High balance transfer fee
Benefits
A Generous Welcome Offer
For a card with no annual fee, the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® starts you off with a strong sign-up bonus. New cardholders can earn 20,000 points after spending a very achievable $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. This bonus is valuable enough to be redeemed for a significant statement credit towards a cruise booking, onboard activities, or shore excursions, giving you immediate savings on your next vacation.
High-Powered Rewards for Cruisers
The card's primary appeal is its supercharged rewards rate for brand loyalists. You’ll earn up to 6x points on Carnival purchases, a top-tier rate that helps you rack up rewards quickly when booking cruises or making purchases with the cruise line. The card also remains useful for everyday spending by offering 2x points at eligible restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), making it a well-rounded option for spending both at sea and on land.
Key Perks for Travelers
Beyond points, the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® comes with several practical benefits. It charges no foreign transaction fees, an essential perk for international travel that saves you around 3% on every purchase made abroad. Additionally, the card gives you a leg up in Carnival's loyalty program by providing 1 Status Qualifying Star per dollar spent on all purchases. This feature accelerates your path to elite status and its associated benefits, making it an invaluable tool for dedicated Carnival cruisers looking to enhance their vacation experience.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of this card is its potentially high regular APR. Once the introductory 0% APR periods conclude, the ongoing variable APR can climb to 29.74%, making it an expensive option if you carry a balance from month to month. Furthermore, while the card offers a long introductory period for balance transfers, it comes with a steep 5% fee, which could significantly reduce any potential interest savings compared to other dedicated balance transfer cards.
The card's rewards are also highly specialized. FunPoints are most valuable when redeemed for Carnival cruises, onboard credits, and shore excursions. If you're looking for flexible travel rewards that can be used for flights, hotels with other brands, or cash back, you'll find the redemption options here quite restrictive. The card's value is almost entirely dependent on your loyalty to Carnival, making it a poor choice for travelers who prefer to shop around for the best cruise deals or who don't cruise frequently.
Decision Guidance
This card is a clear choice for frequent Carnival cruisers, as its high rewards rate on Carnival purchases and lack of an annual fee directly translate into more affordable future sailings. However, if you prefer other cruise lines or want the flexibility to redeem rewards for flights and hotels, a general travel card will offer much better value. The card's benefits are narrowly focused, making it a poor fit for anyone who doesn't consistently sail with Carnival.
Summary
The Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard® is a straightforward and powerful tool for dedicated Carnival loyalists, offering an accelerated path to earning cruise credits without an annual fee. While its rewards are less compelling outside the Carnival ecosystem and its regular APR is high, it's an excellent choice for anyone who sails with the cruise line regularly and wants to significantly reduce the cost of their next vacation.