How to Travel for Cheaper (and the Best Credit Cards for Travel)
If you decide to apply for a credit card using one of our links and are approved, we may receive compensation from the bank that issues the card. That partnership might affect how or where the card is featured, but it doesn’t change the advice or tips we share
From the Desk of Mr. Cruise Booker
When My Cruise Booker was founded back in 2023, the idea wasn’t just to help people book cruises. It was to show that amazing travel doesn’t have to drain your wallet. What started as us helping a few friends find good deals has grown into one of the fastest-rising cruise agencies. Yet, the mission at My Cruise Booker has never changed: we love to cruise, we love to save money, and we love helping others do the same.
Over the years, I’ve realized something that most travelers overlook. Flights, hotels, and extras don’t always have to be expensive if you know the right tools. And one of the best tools in my kit? Credit cards. Used wisely, they unlock free flights, free hotel nights, waived baggage fees, and sometimes even two-for-one airfare. Some people get nervous about annual fees, but if you actually use the perks, the value far outweighs the cost.
Checked Bags: The First Big Saver
I’ll never forget a client telling me, “Matt, the cruise was affordable, but the flights and bags cost more than the cruise itself!!” That stuck with me, and it’s exactly why I always bring up airline credit cards.
United, Delta, American, Southwest, and JetBlue (and many more) all have credit cards that cover your first checked bag. In most cases, the perk even extends to your travel companions as long as you’re all booked under the same reservation. That’s hundreds of dollars saved before you even step on the ship.
Southwest is a little different. They’ve always been known for their generous baggage policy, but starting in 2025, the rules changed. Today, having a Southwest Rapid Rewards credit card can be the difference between paying for luggage and still getting a checked bag for free. It’s a reminder that these benefits evolve — and why it pays to stay informed.
The Southwest Companion Pass
If there’s one perk that makes travelers stop and say, “Wait, seriously?” it’s the Southwest Companion Pass. With it, every time you fly, you get to bring one person of your choice along for just the taxes and fees. I’ve had clients use it for family vacations, quick weekend getaways, and flights down to Florida to catch their cruise.
Here’s how you earn it: either fly 100 one-way segments in a year or earn 135,000 qualifying Rapid Rewards points. That might sound intimidating until you realize that points earned from Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards (including the big welcome bonuses) count toward the total.
Here’s where timing becomes everything. If you want nearly two full years of value, the best move is to apply for your Southwest card in late October. That ensures your card is active before your November statement closes. Then, hold off on hitting the minimum spend until your December statement cycle begins. Once you spend during December, your bonus points will post in early January. That timing is the secret — because earning the Companion Pass in January gives you the pass for that full year and the entire following year.
For couples, the strategy gets even better. Instead of adding your spouse or partner as an authorized user, have them apply separately and use your referral link. You both earn bonuses, and those referral points can push you even closer to the 135,000-point threshold.
Why I Carry Chase Sapphire
The Chase Sapphire cards are legends in the travel world, and for good reason. Personally, I carry the Sapphire Reserve, though the Preferred packs a lot of value too.
Here’s an example. I stayed at a resort in Puerto Rico where the cash rate was about $550 per night. Instead of paying cash, I transferred 20,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt. That redemption gave me more than two cents of value per point. Most people settle for one cent when they redeem for cash back, so I effectively doubled the return on my points.
Now, with Chase’s new “Points Boost” in their travel portal, you can sometimes stretch those points even further. Sapphire Preferred boosts certain redemptions by 1.5x, and Reserve can push them up to 2x on popular hotels and premium cabins. And then there are the protections: trip delay coverage, rental car insurance, baggage reimbursement. I’ve had trips where those protections saved me hundreds. Sometimes peace of mind is worth just as much as the points.
A Hidden Gem: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
Most people don’t talk about this one, but the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card is a sleeper hit, especially for cruisers. It earns strong rewards on all travel purchases – no special portal required. Book a cruise with me, book a hotel directly, or buy your airline ticket straight from the airline, and you’ll still get those elevated rewards. Add in no foreign transaction fees, and it’s a card that just works, whether you’re headed to the Caribbean or across the Atlantic.
The Overlooked Perks
Beyond the big names, there are perks most travelers never think about until they need them. Lounge access, for example. A long layover is a lot easier when you can grab a snack, use the Wi-Fi, and recharge in a quiet space. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits are another underrated benefit. When you’re skipping the long security lines, you’ll thank yourself for using the credit your card provided.
Hotel cards also deserve a nod. Many of them include a free-night certificate every year. Use it at the right property, and that one night alone can be worth more than your card’s annual fee. Add in protections like trip cancellation, trip delay, and baggage insurance, and suddenly you’ve built a safety net for your vacations that most people don’t even know exists.
A Word of Caution
Now we have to be honest with you. Travel cards are powerful, but they only work if you use them responsibly. If you carry a balance, the interest wipes out the value of your points. If you miss your sign-up spending deadline, you lose the welcome bonus. And if you assume benefits never change, you could be surprised when an airline or bank updates its policies.
That’s why we have to add this disclaimer: My Cruise Booker is not a financial advisor. What is shared here from our experience as a travelers and cruise experts. Always double-check with the card issuer and consider your own financial situation before applying.
Final Thoughts
Travel doesn’t have to be expensive. With the right credit card strategy, you can save on flights, skip bag fees, earn free hotel nights, and even bring a travel buddy along for nearly free. we’ve seen it work for our team, we’ve seen it work for our clients, and we know it can work for you.
At My Cruise Booker, our job is to get you the best deal on your cruise. Pair that with the right travel card perks, and suddenly you’re not just taking a vacation, you’re traveling smarter than most people on the ship.
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