United MileagePlus members, take note: You can earn some serious bonus miles in the coming weeks by booking a cruise.
United Cruises on Thursday launched a limited-time offer that could bring up to 100,000 bonus United miles and other perks when you book a sailing with select upscale cruise brands.
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That’s an enticing number of United MileagePlus miles. TPG currently values United MileagePlus miles at 1.35 cents each, meaning that 100,000 miles would be worth $1,350 at our valuation.
The bonus miles, moreover, are in addition to the standard amount of United miles you’ll earn when booking through United Cruises. United MileagePlus members earn up to 4 miles for every dollar spent on cruise fares, up to 25,000 miles per booking.
Plus, if you book with a United MileagePlus credit card, you can earn even more miles. United MileagePlus members who book with a United MileagePlus credit card earn up to 7 miles for every dollar spent on cruise fares, up to 45,000 miles per booking.
In other words, for some cruise bookings under this new offer, you could earn up to 145,000 United miles in all.
Additional perks available as part of the offer include early booking savings, onboard credits and extra inclusions.
The bonus mile offer and extra perks are available when booking a select cruise on one of the following brands:
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- Azamara Cruises: Get up to 55,000 bonus United miles, plus an early booking savings of 20% and up to $650 in onboard credit.
- Oceania Cruises: Get up to 55,000 bonus United miles, plus up to 40% off cruise fares, additional inclusions and free gratuities.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Get up to 100,000 bonus United miles, plus 5% savings on fares, additional savings and up to $700 in additional onboard credit.
- Seabourn: Get up to 100,000 bonus United miles, plus up to $2,800 in onboard credit.
- Windstar: Get up to 10,000 bonus United miles, plus free upgrades and up to $500 in onboard credit.
Note that not every sailing available on these five brands comes with a bonus mile offer. You’ll have to scroll through the list of sailings available on the United Cruises website to find the ones that do.
Additionally, you must act fast to get the bonus miles. The accelerated mileage offer is only available through Aug. 31, 2024.
Details of the bonus mile offer
Among caveats to the offer: Miles are earned per cabin and are awarded to only one passenger per cruise booking. In addition, to qualify, customers must book through the United Cruises program.
Also, the number of miles that customers earn as part of the promotion is based on the total cruise purchase price, excluding port charges, port expenses and taxes.
Related: How to book a cruise through United Cruises
Other fine print:
- You must provide a United MileagePlus number to United Cruises prior to embarkation.
- Miles will post to member’s accounts six to eight weeks after the cruise has been completed.
- The offer is only good for new bookings.
- Cruises must be paid for in U.S. currency.
- The offer is subject to availability and is capacity-controlled.
- The offer may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice.
In addition, the number of base miles you will get when booking, separate from any bonus miles, is based on:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on an interior or ocean-view cabin when not using a United MileagePlus credit card
- 4 miles per dollar spent on a balcony cabin or suite when not using a United MileagePlus credit card
- 4 miles per dollar spent on an interior or ocean-view cabin when using a United MileagePlus credit card
- 7 miles per dollar spent on a balcony cabin or suite when using a United MileagePlus credit card
As noted above, only dollars spent on cruise fares — not taxes, fees and port charges — will earn miles.
Which credit card should I use to book?
As previously mentioned, you can maximize your purchase by using a United MileagePlus credit card, such as the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which earns 2 miles per dollar spent on cruises. This card is currently offering 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months your account is open.
If you don’t have a United card, it’s best to use a card that earns bonus points on cruises. A good option is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel, including cruises. Right now, you can earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening your account.
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