Carnival Cruise Line’s Loyalty Program: Carnival Rewards [Review]

One of the world’s most popular cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line is known for its upbeat atmosphere, affordable itineraries, and large fleet of ships. Carnival’s new loyalty program, Carnival Rewards, replaced its former program, Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club, on September 1, 2026.

Carnival Rewards introduces a points-based system and new ways to earn rewards with cruise fares, onboard spending, and credit card use. The previous program rewarded members for days spent aboard Carnival ships, but the new program mirrors other travel loyalty programs by awarding points for spending.

Understanding the Carnival Rewards program will help you maximize your rewards benefits. Let’s look at how Carnival Rewards works, what you can expect at each elite tier, and more.

Carnival Rewards

Carnival Rewards is Carnival Cruise Line‘s updated loyalty program. You can enroll for free.

There’s a dual-earning system that earns redeemable points and tier stars:

• Carnival Rewards points can be redeemed for Carnival purchases, such as onboard experiences, spa treatments, specialty dining, and even future cruises.
• Status Qualifying Stars determine your tier level in the program.

Carnival Rewards has 4 elite tiers:

• Red: Earned when joining the program
• Gold: 10,000 stars
• Platinum: 50,000 stars
• Diamond: 100,000 stars

Members earn status within an earning window. The first window is September 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, and the next is January 1, 2029, through December 31, 2030. Once you meet the requirements for a given tier, your status is valid for the remainder of the current window and the following 2-year status period.

VIFP Diamond members who earned their status by August 31, 2026, receive lifetime Carnival Rewards Diamond status, and VIFP Platinum members who earned their status by August 31, 2026, receive Platinum status through December 31, 2028.

How To Earn Carnival Rewards Points

Members earn Carnival Rewards points on most Carnival-related purchases, including cruise fares, onboard expenses like spa treatments and drinks, and more.

The Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard^® earns up to 6x total points on Carnival purchases, 2x at eligible restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), and 1x points on all other purchases. New cardholders can earn a welcome offer:

• Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard^®

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.

20,000 points

Annual Fee

$0

Why We Like This Card

The information for the Carnival Rewards™ Mastercard^® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided or reviewed by the issuer. 

The Carnival Rewards card is good for those who are loyal to cruising with Carnival, but outside of a few exceptions, there might be a better credit card option for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn up to 6x points on purchases with Carnival
• 2x points at eligible restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart)
• 1x points on other purchases

Cons

• Rewards are limited to Carnival Cruise redemptions
• Not as rewarding as most general travel rewards cards

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Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
• Up to 6x points on purchases with Carnival
• 2x points at eligible restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart)
• 1x points on other purchases
• 0% promotional APR for 6 months on Carnival cruise bookings
• 0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers
• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

How To Earn Status Qualifying Stars

Carnival Rewards members now earn elite status based on how much they spend with Carnival, which could be a net positive for some, but a negative for others. The number of nights you spend cruising no longer has any bearing on earning elite status.

There are 3 types of qualifying activity that earn Status Qualifying Stars:

• 3 stars per $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases
• 1 star per casino point, earned by playing slots, video poker, or table games
• Carnival Rewards cardholders earn 1 star per $1 spent

This means a member will need to spend at least $3,333 to achieve Gold status and at least $33,333 for Diamond. These figures assume you’re only earning stars through eligible Carnival purchases, not including credit card or casino spending.

Keep Track of Your Points and Progress Toward Elite Status

Log in to your Carnival account to view your Carnival Rewards points, stars, current status, bookings, and offers.

Carnival Rewards Membership Benefits [Program Levels]

Carnival Rewards benefits are based on your membership tier, which depends on how many Status Qualifying Stars you’ve earned. There are 4 membership levels in the Carnival Rewards program.

Red: Automatic Upon Enrollment

As soon as you enroll in Carnival Rewards, you receive Red status, which includes the following benefits:

• Member-only offers
• Red member sail-and-sign card
• Complimentary 1.5-liter bottle of water on board

Gold: 10,000 to 49,999 Stars

Gold status offers everything in the Red tier, plus the following:

• Gold member support
• Gold member sail-and-sign card
• 1 complimentary beverage on sailings of at least 5 days

Platinum: 50,000 to 99,999 Stars

Platinum status is where benefits really start to kick in, with a combination of priority services, onboard gifts, and practical benefits. Members receive all of the benefits of the previous levels, plus:

• Platinum member support
• Platinum member sail-and-sign card
• 2 complimentary beverages
• Preferred main dining time
• Preferred specialty dining time
• Complimentary wash-and-fold laundry service (1 to 4 bags, depending on cruise duration)
• Early online check-in (16 days before departure)
• Embarkation priority
  • Check-in
  • Security line (where available)
  • Captain’s lounge (where available)
  • Boarding
  • Checked luggage delivery
• Onboard priority
  • Early in-stateroom baggage dropoff for carry-on luggage
  • Guest services phone assistance
  • Guest services line
  • Casino cashier line
  • Spa reservations
• Debarkation priority
  • Water shuttle boarding (ship to shore only)
  • Debark (designated meeting area)

Diamond: 100,000 or More Stars

The top tier of Carnival Rewards, Diamond, has the most exclusive benefits, including special event invitations, free amenities, and collectibles on each sailing. The additional benefits you receive at this level include:

• Special event invitation from the captain
• Dedicated Diamond support for sales and service
• Diamond sail-and-sign card
• Collectible pin
• Guaranteed main dining time (dinner only)
• Complimentary wash-and-fold laundry service for 2 to 5 bags
• Onboard retail concierge services
• Access to a dedicated casino host upon request

If you earned Diamond elite status in the former VIFP program, you receive lifetime Diamond after enrollment in Carnival Rewards.

Milestone Rewards

You no longer need to cruise for a certain number of days to earn elite status with Carnival. The program has added Milestone Rewards to recognize frequent cruisers.

Members receive special perks after sailing 50, 100, 500, and each subsequent 100 days. Here’s what to expect at each level:

50 days:

• 5,000 Carnival Rewards points
• Special sail-and-sign card

100 days (and every 100 days thereafter):

• 10,000 Carnival Rewards points
• Special sail-and-sign card
• Onboard recognition
• Commemorative coin
• Milestone onboard credit

500 days (and every 100 days thereafter):

• 10,000 Carnival Rewards points
• Special sail-and-sign card
• Onboard recognition
• Commemorative coin
• Milestone onboard credit
• Commemorative keepsake
• Commemorative gift

Carnival Rewards Partner Benefits

Carnival Rewards is primarily focused on onboard perks, but members can take advantage of partner benefits that offer savings and perks. These are especially valuable for guests who enjoy Carnival’s onboard casino program.

Carnival Players Club

The Carnival casino loyalty program is separate from Carnival Rewards status, but available to members. With the Carnival Players Club, you can receive benefits depending on your onboard casino play, including:

• Discounted or complimentary cruise offers
• Onboard credit rewards
• Priority casino invitations
• Tournament entry offers
• Special casino-hosted events
• Cabin upgrades based on play history

Regardless of your Carnival Rewards tier, you may receive deeply discounted (or free) sailings from your casino offers. Players Club benefits don’t affect your Carnival Rewards tier, though many guests combine the programs to maximize perks. For example, you can combine casino offers with Carnival Rewards priority service and benefits.

Hot Tip:

Carnival Players Club has a status match offer with a free or discounted cruise if you upload proof of your casino loyalty program status.

Wyndham Rewards Partnership

Wyndham Rewards members can bundle Carnival cruises with airfare, hotels, car rentals, and activities while earning Wyndham Rewards points.

The partnership is with Wyndham Travel Bundles and offers 1 Wyndham Rewards point per $1 spent on cruises, flights, and car rentals, and up to 10 Wyndham Rewards points per $1 on qualifying Wyndham stays and activities. You can double-dip rewards, earning Wyndham Rewards points and points with the airline, rental car company, or cruise line.

For example, if you book a Carnival Cruise Line cruise through Wyndham Travel Bundles, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points and Carnival Rewards points for the cruise segment.

You can get discounts of up to 50% off eligible Carnival Cruise Line sailings. Bundles must include at least a 1-night stay at a Wyndham property.

Book Your Carnival Cruise

Carnival offers a co-branded credit card, the Carnival Rewards card, which earns up to 6x total points on Carnival purchases, 2x points at restaurants and eligible grocery stores, and 1x points on other purchases. Cardholders can get a 0% promotional APR for 6 months on Carnival Cruise bookings, then a variable APR will apply.

The card offers travel protections, such as trip cancellation and interruption coverage, which can help if you have to cancel or cut your trip short for a covered reason.

However, because Carnival Rewards Points can only be redeemed for Carnival purchases, you may be better off booking a Carnival cruise with a card that earns flexible points, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points, which you can redeem through the Chase Travel portal or transfer to Chase transfer partners for more value.

BEST FIRST TRAVEL CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

75,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,500

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.24% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands, and streaming services.

It offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and strong travel insurance coverage, including primary car rental insurance. If you travel a few times a year and spend on dining, the card is likely to be a good choice, but it’s hard to justify if you don’t dine out or travel often.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via Chase Travel
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), gas, EV charging, vacation home rentals with top brands (such as Airbnb and Vrbo), and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• Subject to Chase’s 5/24 application restrictions

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
• Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 – a value of $156.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck^® or NEXUS application.
• Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.24% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Final Thoughts

Carnival Rewards is a revamped loyalty program for Carnival Cruise Line. Members earn Carnival Rewards points that can be redeemed for future cruises and other Carnival purchases, and stars can be earned to achieve elite status with the cruise line. The program requires quite a bit of spending to achieve elite status, but improved earning rates on its co-branded credit card and on qualifying purchases can help you earn points and status more quickly.