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United Cruises just relaunched its bonus points promotion, offering United Airlines credit cardholders up to 10X miles per dollar when booking by October 31, 2026. This means cardholders can earn up to 60,000 bonus miles, plus other benefits from individual cruise lines. If you are not a United credit card member, you can still earn up to 6X miles on cruises as long as you are a MileagePlus member.

MileagePlus members can take advantage of generous bonus opportunities, including extra miles and onboard perks, when booking through United Cruises. Some top benefits are reserved for United cardholders and MileagePlus Premier status members.

Here are the details of this United Cruises promotion and how to maximize your earnings when you book a cruise.

What Is United Cruises?

United Cruises is one of many airline and hotel loyalty platforms that let you earn reward miles on cruises. These platforms are generally powered by World Travel Holdings, which offers cruises from 30 cruise providers, including all the major lines. And sometimes, you can score a great deal on these bookings.

Remember that using any third-party booking platform has pros and cons. In this case, a pro of using United Cruises is earning bonus miles on your cruises.

Current United Cruises Offers

United credit cardholders: Earn up to 10X MileagePlus miles per dollar

United Cruises has brought back a familiar promotion to earn up to 60,000 bonus miles on cruises. Through October 31, 2026, United credit card members will receive 10X miles per dollar (instead of 7X) when booking a balcony or suite on eligible cruises. Eligible departures are through December 31, 2028. With this promotion, the maximum number of miles members can earn on a single cruise jumps to 60,000 miles.

United Cruises Up to 60,000 Bonus Points 2025 Promotion
Screenshot of United Cruises

In addition to earning up to 60,000 bonus miles, you can earn additional rewards or claim savings with each cruise line. For instance, MSC Cruises has a flash sale that saves up to 78% on cruises, and Virgin Voyages offers up to $200 in ongoing spending through October 31.

United Cruises Deals 2026
Screenshot of United Cruises
United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.
United℠ Explorer Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.
Annual Fee:$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150
Show moreWhy We Like ItHighlightsEarning Rates
The United℠ Explorer Card is Chase's mid-tier United card, providing an excellent mix of functional benefits and value. Notable perks include a credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fees​​, priority boarding​​, and a free first checked bag for the cardmember and a traveling companion on the same reservation, offering up to $200 in savings. Additionally, cardholders receive 25% back on inflight purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights​​, and two one-time United Club℠ passes annually​​.
  • Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
  • 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases.
  • 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
  • Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, Group 2 priority boarding on United® flights.
  • 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
  • Over $500 in partner credits each year
  • Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
  • Member FDIC
  • Earn at least 9X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
  • 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases
  • 2X miles on dining and direct hotel stays
  • 1X on all other purchases
The earning for spending on eligible United flights breaks down as follows:
  • 6x miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
  • 3x miles on United purchases with the United℠ Explorer Card

Bonus miles for MileagePlus members and cardholders

At the same time of the United cardmember promotion, MileagePlus members who aren't cardholders can also earn bonus miles when booking United Cruises. Through October 31, 2026, MileagePlus members earn 2X miles per dollar on any stateroom category booking and 6X miles per dollar on balcony and suite bookings instead of 4X. Eligible sailings are through December 31, 2028.

MileagePlus members can earn a maximum of 45,000 bonus miles per cruise. Previously, this promotion was reserved solely for United cardholders.

United Cruises Up to 45,000 Miles for MileagePlus Members 2026 Promotion
Screenshot of United Cruises

United Cruises promotion terms and conditions

  • Bonus miles, onboard credit, and additional savings are not available on all cruises.
  • Each cruise and cruise line has its own terms and conditions, so check your desired sailing for the fine print to confirm you can receive the benefits listed above.
  • United Cruises will post bonus miles to member accounts within 6-8 weeks after the cruise is completed.

Our Take

Many MileagePlus members may not know about the opportunity to earn bonus United miles by booking cruises. It's a valuable proposition if you prefer ocean-based vacations to land-based ones. Better yet, some cruise lines offer bonus miles in addition to the miles United cardholders earn.

If you are a United credit cardmember, book by October 31, 2026, to earn up to 60,000 bonus miles with balconies and suites. If you're not a cardholder, you can still earn up to 45,000 bonus miles.

Looking for a cheaper way to earn United miles than booking a cruise? Check out United's credit card offerings:

United℠ Explorer Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities.
Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150Rates & Fees

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

  • Earn at least 9X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
  • 3X miles on all other eligible United purchases
  • 2X miles on dining and direct hotel stays
  • 1X on all other purchases
The earning for spending on eligible United flights breaks down as follows:
  • 6x miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
  • 3x miles on United purchases with the United℠ Explorer Card
United Quest℠ Card
United Quest℠ Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 90,000 bonus miles after qualifying activities and 500 PQP after first purchase.
Annual Fee

$350Rates & Fees

Credit Score

Good, Excellent

  • Earn at least 10X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
  • 5X miles on hotel stays at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
  • 4X miles on eligible United purchases
  • 2X miles on all other travel, select streaming services and dining
  • 1X on all other purchases
The earning for spending on eligible United flights breaks down as follows:
  • 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
  • 4X miles on entire United purchases with the United Quest℠ Card
United℠ Business Card
United℠ Business Card
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after qualifying activities.
Annual Fee

$150Rates & Fees

Credit Score

Good, Excellent

  • Earn at least 8X total miles on eligible United flights (excluding Basic Economy and other base fares)*
  • 2X miles on eligible United purchases
  • 2X miles on dining and all other travel
  • 1X on all other purchases
The earning for spending on eligible United flights breaks down as follows:
  • 6X miles on the primary cardmember’s fare from United as a MileagePlus member
  • 2X miles on entire United purchases with the United℠ Business Card

Would you book a cruise through United Cruises to earn bonus miles?

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees)

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