From a distance, the Carnival World MasterCard seems like the ideal rewards card for the cruise enthusiast.
After all, it doles out points for every dollar you spend, extra points on purchases made with Carnival Cruise Lines and a signup bonus to boot. Add the fact the card doesn't charge an annual fee, and you're probably thinking it's a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, most people will find the Carnival World MasterCard anything but rewarding once they dig into the details. While the card does let you earn rewards good for cruises, its earning structure and signup bonus lack the features of a truly great travel card.
Carnival World MasterCard Review
Before we talk about the value of this card, let's dig into the details-specifically, how this card hands out rewards.
Once you sign up, here's what you can expect:
-Earn 1 Funpoint per $1 spent on all purchases
-Earn 2 Funpoints per $1 spent on purchases made with Carnival Cruise Lines
-Earn 10,000 Funpoints after your first purchase
-No annual fee
-No foreign transaction fees
-Redeem your points for statement credits with Carnival Cruise Lines, on-board amenities, and more
I'm sure you're wondering what the heck a Funpoint is. Basically, this is the currency Carnival offered in their credit card rewards program. Each Funpoint is worth one cent each when redeemed for a statement credit, which is an okay deal, I guess.
As you can see, the signup bonus on this card is 10,000 Funpoints worth $100. That's certainly okay, but it's nothing to get too excited about. The fact this card doesn't charge an annual fee is good news, too. However, this perk is standard among cash-back travel cards that don't come with a huge signup bonus.
If you're going to cruise with Carnival no matter what, then I could maybe-potentially-see getting this card. With a $100 signup bonus and no annual fee, you should end up ahead provided you never carry a balance or pay credit card interest.
The main problem I see with the Carnival World MasterCard is that it's not nearly flexible enough. Unlike other travel cards which give you ample options, you can only redeem your points for statement credits or amenities on Carnival Cruise Lines.
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If you get this card but find a better deal on a competing cruise line like Royal Caribbean, for example, you're out of luck. Or, if your cruise plans fall through, you'll be stuck with Funpoints you can't use.
Consider a Flexible Cash Back Card Instead
To rack up rewards with less commitment, consider a flexible travel credit card instead. With any cash back card, you can earn at least 1% back on all purchases, and many offer signup bonuses worth more than the $100 the Carnival World MasterCard doles out.
One card to consider is the Chase Freedom, which lets you earn 5 points per $1 spent on your first $1,500 spent in categories that rotate every quarter, plus 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. This card currently comes with a $150 signup bonus after you spend just $500 in three months, and you can use your points towards a Carnival cruise or any other purchase you make.
Also consider a no-fee card like the Citi Double Cash, which gives you 2% back on all purchases with no annual fee. Another good card for cruises is the Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite MasterCard. This card lets you earn 2x points on all purchases plus a 50,000 point signup bonus worth $500 in travel-all with an $89 annual fee that's waived the first year.
Final Thoughts
The fact that a card has a cruise line in its name doesn't make it the best card for cruises. When it comes to the Carnival World MasterCard, there are plenty of card options that will make your Carnival cruise much cheaper. As always, read the fine print and make sure you understand any rewards program before you sign up.
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