priceline cruise onboard credit

Cruise onboard credit: What it is, where to get it and how best to use it

Spend any time shopping for cruises online, and you'll likely come across the term "onboard credit," also known as OBC. Cruise lines and online travel agencies often promote it as a booking bonus. They might offer as little as $25 cruise onboard credit for booking an inside cabin on a short sailing and all the way up to thousands of dollars for booking suites on longer cruises or with luxury lines.

But what exactly is onboard credit, and what can you do with it once you have it? Find out here if cruise onboard credit is a perk you can use on your next sailing.

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What is onboard credit?

Onboard credit is free money you can use to buy things on your cruise ship. It's a financial credit to your shipboard account; the amount of your onboard credit will be deducted from your final bill of purchases made on board during your cruise.

If you've never cruised, know that a cruise ship is a cashless society. You don't use credit cards, either. Instead, the cruise line opens a charge account for every passenger on embarkation day. You will either connect the account to a credit or debit card or pre-load it with a cash payment.

Your onboard account is how you pay for almost everything you need that isn't included in your cruise fare or wasn't paid for in advance. That includes store purchases, bar drinks, spa and salon treatments, fitness classes, and shore excursions. The same cruise keycard that opens your cabin door also functions as a shipboard credit card. Hand it over to the bartender or salesperson to bill a purchase to your onboard account.

Most cruise lines place no restrictions on the use of onboard credit; if you can bill it to your account, you can cover the cost with your cruise onboard credit. A few don't allow OBC use in the casino or to pay for crew gratuities. Some cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line , offer specific onboard credits, limited to one type of purchase. For example, NCL's "shore excursion credits" can only be used to purchase tours.

In most cases, onboard credit is nonrefundable. If you don't use it up on your current cruise, you neither get paid out in cash nor can you roll it over to your next cruise.

How do you get onboard credit?

Cruise travelers have several ways to acquire onboard credit; some are easier than others.

Booking bonuses

Onboard credit is a popular booking bonus , offered during a cruise sale instead of (or in conjunction with) price drops, reduced deposits and other free perks.

Cruise lines that regularly post booking bonus offers of onboard credit include most of the popular big-ship lines: Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises and Celebrity Cruises , plus more luxurious lines, such as Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Some lines offer extra onboard credit for first responders and members of the military .

Travel agents, both online and in person, often have onboard credits at their disposal to use as booking bonuses, as well. Sometimes, the amounts they hand out are larger than what the cruise lines are offering. I booked an Alaska cruise recently through United Cruises and got $50 OBC; the cruise line was offering $25 for the same cabin.

The sales agents on board your cruise also have onboard credit booking bonuses to hand out, almost always in amounts larger than you'll find elsewhere. If you are loving the cruise you're on, it pays to book the next one while you're still on board .

Price drops

Once you've paid for your cruise in full, some lines will offer you a refund in the form of onboard credit if you notify them that the price of your cabin category dropped. This isn't quite the same as free spending money since you already spent it on your cruise. But it's fun to have a little of that money back to use for extras instead of the base fare. It happens more often than you might think. Your travel agent might already be watching those fares for you; if not, you should be doing it yourself.

For some cruise lines, having you share your enthusiasm for their brand with your friends is reason enough to send a bit of OBC your way. Windstar Cruises , for example, offers both you and friends you refer $100 each in onboard credit once they pay in full for a cruise.

Credit cards

If your favorite cruise line has a cobranded credit card , check to see if it offers onboard credit, either as a sign-up bonus or as one of the points redemption options. Celebrity Cruises' and Royal Caribbean's branded Bank of America Visa Signature cards both feature My Cruise Points redemptions for onboard credit. Sign-up bonus points are frequently advertised on the cruise line websites. The cards have no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees.

The information for the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

When things go wrong on board

Cruise lines don't always get everything right. Maybe your air conditioning wasn't working for a few days during your cruise. Maybe you were supposed to have an unobstructed view, but your cabin faced a lifeboat. If you can document the problem and politely inform guest services, chances are good they'll offer you compensation in the form of onboard credit — either for the current cruise or a future one.

Stockholder onboard credit offers

If you have done your research and decided to purchase cruise line stock, know that some lines offer onboard credit to shareholders each time they cruise, with certain restrictions. One of those restrictions is usually a minimum number of shares; another is that you might not be allowed to earn both your stockholder OBC and booking bonuses on the same cruise, only the option with the highest value.

Related: Do you own cruise line stocks? You could get onboard perks

What's the best way to use onboard credit?

Now that you have the basics, let's dig into some uses of onboard credit and how to squeeze the most out of those transactions.

But first, a note: Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean allow passengers to use onboard credit to pay for pre-cruise purchases. However, that's typically only promotional credit directly from the cruise line, not bonus credit issued by third parties like travel agents. MSC Cruises , Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line do not accept OBC for most pre-cruise purchases.

If your cruise line only accepts OBC once you're on board a ship, you might need to decide between paying cash for discounted pre-cruise purchases and saving your OBC for other onboard spending, or skipping the discount and advance purchase to use your credit on a specific package or tour once you board. Note that there are certain cruise activities you should book in advance if you don't want to miss out.

Additional restrictions might apply to the use of onboard credit, so always read the terms of any onboard credit offer before you accept it.

Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that aren't)

Wi-Fi is expensive on a cruise compared to your home internet plan. That fact alone makes it a great use for onboard credit. The basic advice for onboard Wi-Fi is if you know you'll need it for the entire cruise, buy a pre-cruise package when prices are a few dollars cheaper per day. Apply your onboard credit to the pre-cruise purchase, and your savings have multiplied.

Here's an example: Carnival's Premium Wi-Fi for a full-cruise package is $21.25 per day for one device if you buy it before midnight the day before your ship sails. Buy it on board, and the cost is $25 per day for one device. On a four-night cruise, a pre-cruise Wi-Fi package is $85. If you happen to have $50 of onboard credit, that's a fantastic use of it. You'll get Wi-Fi for only $35 of your own money.

Drinks and beverage packages

Getting the most out of your onboard credit when it comes to drinks depends on what kind of drinker you are. Don't think only in terms of beer, wine and cocktails. On a cruise, you'll also have to pay for specialty coffees, sodas, smoothies, nonalcoholic cocktails and bottled water.

If you don't plan on purchasing many drinks, consider using your onboard credit for a fun splurge like an occasional poolside beverage, a bottle of wine at dinner, or a mixology class or cocktail tasting.

Cruisers who plan on buying multiple drinks a day will save by purchasing an inclusive beverage package . If you've got onboard credit and your cruise line allows it, use the OBC to buy the package pre-cruise when it's on sale.

Related: Best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)

Spa and salon treatments

Relaxing treatments at a cruise ship spa are tops on many cruisers' splurge lists, which makes them worthy of onboard credit use. Sometimes, adding a massage, facial or manicure to your cruise plans makes the whole trip even more special. If your cruise allows pre-cruise spa purchases, the prices might be slightly lower. Also look for first-day and port-day specials to stretch your OBC further. These will usually be posted in each day's ship highlights, or you can always call or visit the spa to ask for specials.

Specialty restaurant meals and dining packages

On some ships, the paid specialty restaurants are what add the wow factor to the overall food experience on board. That fact alone makes them a good way to spend onboard credit.

If a multinight package is available, that might lower your cost, as would a pre-cruise purchase where available. Otherwise, book your specialty meals as soon as possible after boarding because prime times disappear quickly. You can do this via the cruise line's app (if there is one), at the restaurants of your choice or at stations set up on embarkation day specifically so you can make dining reservations throughout the ship.

Onboard charges for specialty dining usually show up at the end of your meal, rather than when you make reservations. That's important to know so you can budget your OBC accordingly.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Shore excursions and activities

Shore excursions offered by the cruise line are a terrific use of onboard credit. In some ports, you'll have plenty of options, even after you board the ship. I've seen people in line at the shore excursion desk booking tours as the ship arrives in port.

The best use of your onboard credit would be an advance purchase at a discounted price on cruise lines that offer that option. When that's not possible, it's best to book and pay for the excursions that matter most to you, leaving OBC purchases for the tours you could live without.

For instance, if salmon fishing is what you've dreamed of doing in Alaska, don't wait until you can use onboard credit on embarkation day. You probably won't find any availability because Alaska excursions like that often fill up months in advance. Save that credit for something else.

In addition to shore excursions, some ships and even some private islands owned by the cruise line have attractions that aren't included in the cruise fare, from private cabanas to escape rooms. Hello, onboard credit. It's rare to find deals on these kinds of extras, but it never hurts to ask. The strongest possibilities are port-day specials for onboard activities like thermal suite passes or thrill rides that come with a charge.

Shopping and souvenirs

Onboard shopping and professional portraits let you bring back tangible mementos from your cruise vacation. If the credit is there, and you really want a new scarf, or one of the formal night photos is the best one of you and your partner in years, use that OBC to treat yourself. Check the daily newsletter or even shop signage for special offers to reduce your costs a tiny bit.

Necessities and practicalities

Unless you pay tips in advance, most cruise lines add a daily gratuity amount to your cabin account during the cruise. It's something you'll pay one way or another, so using OBC to cover the expense makes sense on ships where it's allowed. Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line specifically state that onboard credit cannot be used to pay for service charges and gratuities.

I also know people who have used their onboard credit for laundry or dry cleaning . Who cares if cruise line laundry prices are high when you're using free money? It's especially smart to do this if you will end up paying for laundry or dry cleaning once you get home (and if you're on a ship where drinks or tips are included).

I also know a guy who got his hair cut on board using OBC, saving him the cost of his next haircut at home. Smooth move.

Casino play

You usually can fund your casino play with OBC — but watch out. Some cruise lines put restrictions on using OBC in the casino (Holland America bans it outright) or charge a convenience fee for using your onboard account for funds at the gaming tables.

Slot machines will generally accept a transfer from your account without fees. When you have finished playing, your winnings will be paid out as a credit slip which you take either to a machine or the cashier for actual money.

If you're going to gamble on board, please play responsibly. Here's what I did recently with $50 in onboard credit that did not involve risking any of my own money. I found a slot machine with a minimum play of 25 cents. I was comfortable playing $1.25 at a time, which meant I had 40 plays before my original $50 was used up. Once those 40 plays were done, I was playing with my winnings, not my OBC. I chose to cash out at that point, and happily walked away with $52. Plus, I earned points in the cruise line's casino loyalty program .

Related: I earned a 'free' cruise in a ship casino — here's what it cost, plus tips for getting comped

Bottom line

Onboard credit is money in your account to do with almost whatever you wish. The more you collect in your account, the more you have available to spend or play with. You can think of it as a license to do something you wouldn't do if you were paying or a way to reduce your anticipated vacation bill by using it to cover costs you already planned to incur.

Either way, you should always keep your eye out for onboard credit offers when booking a cruise, or ask your travel agent or cruise line if they have OBC to hand out to thank you for your business.

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What Is Onboard Credit (OBC) & How Can You Use It?

Onboard credit may be completely new to you, but even if you’re a seasoned cruiser there are probably things we can shed some light on.  Commonly abbreviated as “OBC” or referred to as "shipboard credit", onboard credit can be thought of as a gift card of sorts for a specific cruise - money that you can use on your cruise for any number of things, including beverages, shore excursions , retail purchases, and more.  What many people don’t realize is there are actually different types of onboard credit , which can affect how you can use it.  Let’s look at how you get onboard credit , what you can do with it, and what happens if you don’t use it.

How to Get Onboard Credit

What onboard credit can be used for.

In short, you can use onboard credit for nearly any expense you incur onboard.  We’ve listed out some examples below - but essentially, if if goes onto your onboard account (just like charging something to your hotel room), your onboard credit will be automatically applied.

• Spa services, such as massages or haircuts
• Alcoholic drinks (including beverage packages )
• Specialty (up-charge) dining
• Shore excursions
• Gratuities (aka service charges) 
• Onboard retail purchases (gift shop merch )
• Gambling and other onboard games
• Internet access

We should note that certain things onboard will not go towards any onboard credit .  Ship’s medical services for example, are billed independently, and often don’t go to your onboard account.  Gratuities will usually go toward onboard credit , but any cash tips of course, is a different story - and some lines have not allowed gratuities to go towards OBC, but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.

Gratuities are an entire discussion in themselves, so check out our article which explains who is usually tipped and how.

It should also be noted that more and more cruise lines let you book shore excursions , beverage packages , and more online in advance of your cruise.  More and more lines have added functionality to their website to allow you to use your onboard credit when paying for these items online, but some OBC, such as gift onboard credit isn’t available until embarkation day.

What happens if you don’t use your onboard credit?

If you search this question you’ll find many conflicting answers, and that is because for the most part, it depends on what type of onboard credit you have.  Before I explain, know that in scores of cruises, I’ve had one single cruise in which I didn’t quickly go through my onboard credit without trying - but it can certainly happen.

If your OBC was offered as a booking incentive from the cruise line, then it is considered non-refundable - so you either use it or lose it.  If you somehow get a lot of this type of OBC and don’t use it all by the end of your cruise (again, this is rare), then stock up on staple sundries or other items in the gift shop, see if you can use it for a future cruise credit if you book another cruise while onboard (most lines don’t allow this - but it does vary), or go gamble with it (we don’t personally gamble, but if you don’t use it then you’re guaranteed to lose).  In the past, one trick was to buy casino chips with non-refundable OBC and then cash out - but now most lines give you “gift chips” for this credit, which must be plaid or turned back into non-refundable credit.  If you win money with that play however, it’s yours to keep.

If you’re onboard credit is refundable, meaning it was offered up as a gift from your travel agency, then you can get back any unused portion at the end of your cruise.  If however you had both types of OBC, it isn’t always clear which is “used” first, so you may want to talk to guest services to be sure, if allowed by cruise line policy, that the non-refundable onboard credit was used up first.

Wrapping Up on Onboard Credit

To me, onboard credit is like cash, because I am confident each and every time that I’m going to spend it.  Gratuities alone can quickly chip away and onboard credit , and if you’re buying drinks that too can offset things right away.  Some shore excursions are pricey enough to eat up even generous amounts of OBC all at once.  It is important however to keep track of how much credit you should have and from what sources - mistakes happen and you want to ensure you get what you paid for (or your friends/family gifted you).  

More and more ships allow you to check your onboard account (including any OBC) on your stateroom television, but you can go to guest services at any time to check on your tab as well - just don’t wait until disembarkation day, as the queues can get quite long.  If you’re still unsure of just how onboard credit works, just buy us some for our next cruise and we’ll tell you all about it ;-)

Have questions about onboard credit ?  Have you ever "lost" OBC because you didn't use it?  Comment below or reach out on  Twitter  or  Facebook !

View the discussion thread.

How to Get and Use Cruise Onboard Credits (OBC)

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If you’ve booked a cruise, you may have been given onboard credits by the cruise line or your travel agent. In fact, may people accumulate a fair amount of onboard cash credits, and wonder what to do with them.

In this post, I share how to get and use your onboard credits (OBCs for short), and answer some questions that you may have.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What is On Board Credit or OBC?

Onboard credits are a nice extra that you can use to enhance your cruise vacation! Onboard credits work just like a cash credit that you can use onboard your cruise ship. Often, you can use your onboard credits, or OBCs as they are often called, to make online purchases like excursions, before your cruise.

OBC is an acronym for on board credit, part of the “ cruise lingo ” you’ll want to know before you cruise.

How to Get On Board Credits

There are several ways to get onboard credits to use on your cruise. Onboard credits may be given as a part of a promotion when you book your cruise

Booking Incentives with Cruise Lines & Travel Agents

Cruise lines will run different promotions throughout the year, and onboard credits are offered as a booking incentive. The amount of onboard credit can vary by cruise line, cabin type and length of cruise. However, the most common amounts of onboard credits offered are $25-$100 per cabin. 

In addition to the cruise line promotion, travel agents and cruise booking websites may offer an onboard credit as a gift or booking incentive.

Related:  Best Way to Book a Cruise: Travel Agent or Direct with the Cruise Line?

Shareholder Credits

Seasoned and frequent cruisers often use this cruise hack to get cruise ship onboard credits. If you own 100 shares of a cruise line stock, you will be entitled to a shareholder benefit that can range from $50 to $300 per cruise, per cabin. 

Loyalty Promotion 

If you’re loyal to a cruise line, this can have some benefits. Keep an eye on your emails, as past passenger offers, including onboard credits might be sent to you.

On a recent cruise, we got a $50 onboard credit with a coupon code for past passengers, sent to us in an email.

Refer a Friend

Princess Cruises has a referral program where you can earn onboard credit. The Princess Cruises Refer a Friend program works like this. As a past guest of Princess, when you refer a friend who has never sailed with Princess, you’ll each get a $25 onboard credit.

There are some terms and conditions, however you can refer as many people as you want, and earn a good amount on onboard credits.

Book On Board

One of the best reasons to book your next cruise onboard this one, is to get onboard credits. By putting a deposit down on a future cruise, you can take advantage of lower deposits and onboard credit offers. 

Conditions and offers will vary by cruise line, but typically range from $50-300 per cabin. Depending on the cruise line, you may get onboard credits to use on this cruise, to use towards any purchases on your onboard account. You may also be able get onboard credits to use on your next cruise.

Good Will Gesture

One way that cruise lines may compensate cruise passengers for issues or complaints, is with a good will gesture of an onboard credit. If you do have a complaint on a cruise , always bring it up politely with guest services and allow them the opportunity to work on a solution.

Onboard credits make great gifts for people going on a cruise . You can purchase onboard credits for family or friends going on a cruise by calling the cruise line or travel agency. You can even gift yourself onboard credits, by purchasing them before your cruise.

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How to Use Onboard Credits on a Cruise

These days, onboard credits can often be used both on the cruise ship and to purchase online packages and excursions before your cruise. While this depends on the cruise line, you will usually be able to see your onboard credit balance on your reservation in the cruise planner and plan accordingly.

When make online purchases, like drink packages or wifi, you can use your onboard credits or your credit card. The balance remaining can be used when you’re on your cruise.

Can You Use On Board Credits for Excursions?

Onboard credits can be used for cruise line shore excursions . These days, most cruise lines allow you to pre-book shore excursions online using your onboard credit, rather than waiting to book once you board your cruise ship.

What Happens if You Don’t Use All Your Onboard Credit?

Since OBCs are non-transferable and non-refundable (in most circumstances), they must be used during your cruise. There are so many ways to use your onboard credits, even if you have a lot! 

Don’t let them go to waste. Book excursions, pay gratuities, go to the spa or salon, or buy something special for yourself or someone you love in the duty-free cruise ship boutiques .

20 Great Ways to Use Your Onboard Credits on a Cruise

On board credits are amazing! It really is like having extra money for your cruise.

This is why it’s important when deciding on booking a cruise, to look beyond the price of the cruise to see if any extras are included. A slightly higher priced cruise may include a specialty dining package, free gratuities , or a good amount of on board credits.

We love having an on board credits on our cruises! It allows us to book and pay for some “ extras ” that perhaps we wouldn’t have purchased otherwise as well as any practical purchases.

Here are a few ideas of how to use your onboard credits on a cruise:

1. Gratuities

Since gratuities will appear as a daily charge on your ship board account, you can use your OBC’s to pay for this.

2. Shore Excursions

Don’t underestimate how great a shore excursion can be. While not necessary in every cruise port, taking a tour or doing an activity you’ve always wanted to do, such as swimming with dolphins, could be well worth it.

Drinks can really add up on a cruise, and OBC’s are perfect to offset the cost.

4. Drink packages

It may be worth it to purchase a drink package , which may be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

5. Specialty Restaurants

Some of our best dinners have been in the cruise specialty restaurants . Consider splurging on the steakhouse or another specialty dining experience.

6. Shopping On Board

 The duty-free shopping is actually pretty good on most cruise ships. You’ll convenience store items, logo wear, brand name luxury goods, high end jewelry and watches, a souvenir shop, and your favorite cruise line swag.

7. Spa Treatments

Pamper yourself with a massage or other spa treatment. As a tip, look our for first day specials and port day promotions .

8. Hair and Nail Salon

Would it feel amazing to get your hair done for formal night ? You can even treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure on a sea day.

9. Fitness Centre Classes

While the gym on a cruise ship is included , and there are some free classes, there are also some that have an extra fee. If you vowed to keep fit on your cruise , check out the Pilates and other classes available.

10. Chef’s Table

 There are some really special dining experiences on a cruise. The Chef’s Table, at around $75 per person, is a 5 course meal with wine pairings that are pretty exclusive. They often only serve about 12 people a night so sign up early.

11. Behind the Scenes Ship and Bridge Tour

Sign up quick for bridge tours, as they are very popular!

12. Professional Photos

If you’re on a family cruise or a romantic cruise and want to do something special to bring home the memories, get some photos taken by the ship’s photographer. You can even opt for a photo package. Make sure to sign up online to see if there are any pre-cruise discounts.

13. Specialty Coffee

You can purchase specialty coffees individually or get a coffee package

14. Wifi Package

  Cruise ship internet is a bit pricey. If you need to work or simply want to keep in touch, consider using your OBC’s to purchase a wifi package. 

If you love Bingo, why not play? Bingo cards are available once on the cruise ship.

16. Art Auction

 Attending an art auction is free, however you may fall in love with a work or art and want to buy it and bring it home. Your OBCs can be used towards a print or other items.

Let the kids have a small allowance to use at the ships arcade or the candy store

18. Onboard Activities (where there’s an extra fee)

While there’s a lot included with the price of your cruise , there may be some additional fees for certain cruise ship activities . Some examples are the race cars on Norwegian Joy or the North Star on Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas.

19. Acupuncture

Did you know you can have an acupuncture treatment on many cruise ships? In some cases you can also see a chiropractor. There are many services available on a cruise to help you rejuvenate and feel better.

20. Private Adult Area

If you’re in the need of a little R & R (rest and relaxation), it can be worth it to purchase a daily or weekly pass to the ship’s exclusive adult area. Check these out to see if your cruise ship has one, and what it includes.

Things you wouldn’t think of – The truth is there’s so much available to do, see, and experience on a cruise vacation, that it’s impossible to think of them all. However, in most cases, if there’s an additional cost on your cruise , you can use your OBC to pay for it.

When Can You Not Use Cruise On Board Credits?

An onboard credit is almost as good as cash, but it does have it’s limitations. These are the things that you aren’t able to buy with your OBC.

• future cruise deposit
• ship’s medical services
• items off the cruise ship

How Can You Get More Onboard Credits?

Onboard credits are often given by the cruise line and/or a travel agent as a promotion when you book a cruise. In some cases, cruise lines have referral credits, like Princess cruises .

One of the cruise hacks many seasoned cruisers use to get more on board credits, is to book their next cruise onboard. When booking a future cruise onboard, you’ll receive on board credits that you can either use for this cruise or on your next cruise.

Other ways to get more OBCs include military benefits, past passenger promos, shareholder credits , regional promotions. It always pays to ask your travel agent about this.

Finally, OBC’s are sometimes given as good will gestures, such as a compensation for an issue onboard a cruise ship or even as a resolution to a complaint you may have made.

Suggested:  How to Handle a Complaint on a Cruise and Actually Get Results

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Final thoughts on How to Get and Use Onboard Credits on a Cruise

Onboard credits are just as good as cash on a cruise, and can actually be a great way to get even more enjoyment out of your cruise vacation! You can use OBC’ on things you may have bought anyway, or to treat yourself to a special activity, onboard experience or even a gift from the cruise ship boutiques. 

I hope I’ve answered your questions about on board credits and how they work. If you do need more information, please leave a question in the comments below.

Have you had onboard credits on a past cruise? If so, how do you like to use them?

Happy cruising!

P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

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I would be interested in information about loyalty points. Particularly, how to use them. There is lots of info about how to earn them but I searched and searched, with no luck,on how to take advantage of them.

This is a good question. Loyalty programs differ from cruise line to cruise line. The benefits will be on each of the cruise line’s websites.

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When Do I Get Cruise Credits From Priceline?

Table of Contents:

Onboard Credit is a service offered by Priceline Cruises for most ship purchases, available to customers as soon as they board. It is attached to the onboard account and applicable to all purchases. To qualify, customers must log into their My Cruise Reservation account and fill out the redemption form no later than 22 days prior to departure. Payment methods accepted at Priceline Cruises include simple autopay, Pay Monthly, and Pay 0 Down on select sailings.

Customers can also add travel insurance and use the exclusive Parking Credit, which covers up to $200 for parking costs on select sailings. To maximize the value of their cruise, customers can visit www.priceline.comrefundstatus to see the status of their refund. If a trip was charged by a third-party, customers can make a payment or add travel protection from the Booking Summary page.

Cash back in the form of a credit will be issued to the Priceline VIP Rewards Visa Card account used for the qualifying purchase within 60 days following completion of all components of the purchased cruise. The onboard credit amount will be applied to the account within 24 hours of boarding the cruise. Credit will be issued to the card used for purchase approximately 6-8 weeks from the date on which you return from the cruise.

For those with a Priceline account, they can log into My Trips and go to the Cancelled section. The onboard credit covers the processing fee, but a deposit must be paid 10 days prior to the final payment due date or 5 days prior to the credit card expiration date (whichever comes first).

Booking hotels and rental cars through Priceline counts as a third-party booking, and these bookings are not eligible for elite benefits. If a refund request is approved, the credit card used to purchase your cruise will be credited 110% of the price difference within 7-10 business days.

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Planning to book a cruise and wondering if it’s better to book with a travel agent, directly with the cruise line, or online? In this …

Can I get a refund instead of future cruise credit?

If we cancel a voyage, or delay embarkation by three days or more and you elect not to sail on the delayed voyage or a substitute voyage we offer, you can obtain a refund or a future cruise credit (FCC). Although our practice is to issue a future cruise credit automatically, you may insteadcontact us to request a refund. Refund requests must be made within six months of the date the cruise was cancelled or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier.

Please note this policy does not apply to guests booked on chartered sailings. If you were booked on a chartered sailing that was canceled or embarkation was delayed by three or more days, and you wish to inquire about refunds or future credits, you must contact the third party reseller that sold you the cruise.

How is future cruise credit calculated?

How much is a Future Cruise Credit worth?. The value of your Future Cruise Credit will depend upon multiple factors. For example, the value could be determined based on how much you paid for your original cruise, how much (if any) of your sailing was interrupted, and how severe of an inconvenience was suffered. In response to COVID-19, some Future Cruise Credits are even worth MORE than the cost of the original cruise!

How do I get my Future Cruise Credit?. You will most likely receive your Future Cruise Credit via email from the cruise line. If you do not receive your Future Cruise Credit, please speak with your travel advisor or contact the cruise line directly.

If I have the choice of a Future Cruise Credit or a refund, which option is better?. While no one can truly say what is best for you, we find that you almost always get the best value by choosing the Future Cruise Credit. With COVID-19 cancellations, for instance, many cruise lines offered generous Future Cruise Credits worth more than the original cruise fare. In cases like this where you may receive greater than 100% back as a Future Cruise Credit, we recommend choosing the Future Cruise Credit. The bonus FCC value could be used to book an upgraded stateroom on your next vacation!

Is Priceline trustworthy?

Can I trust Priceline? The short answer is: Yes, you can. Priceline launched in 1998 with the ability to book otherwise empty airline seats. Since then, it’s grown to include hotels, rental cars and cruises, and the website hosts millions of visitors each month.

Is Priceline legit? This online travel agency is well known and joins plenty of others in promising good travel deals for flights, hotels, rental cars and more. But is this true? Is Priceline a safe and reliable site for booking travel? It can be.

Let’s take a look at how Priceline works, it’s reliability and how it can save you money.

Like many other online travel agencies, travel can be booked through Priceline on its own dedicated website.

Are Priceline prices guaranteed?

Priceline has a “Best Price Guarantee”: For Priceline VIP members only, if you find a better deal on the same hotel, including the same room type and dates, after booking a Priceline Express Deal®, you can apply for the Best Price Guarantee (BPG) to be refunded the difference in rates.

How long does it take to get cruise refund?

In most cases, refunds will post to the original form of payment about 7 to 10 days after they’re fully processed. However, some refunds may take up to 30 days to post. Royal Caribbean International® doesn’t control how long the refund process takes; your bank or financial institution determines the length of time.

How much do you lose if you cancel a cruise?

• From the final payment date to 56 days prior to sailing, the penalty is the standard deposit amount.
• From 55 days prior to sailing to 30 days prior to sailing, the penalty is 50% of the Total Fare or the standarddeposit amount, whichever is greater.
• From 29 to15 days prior to sailing, the penalty is 75% of the Total Fare or the standard deposit amount, whichever is greater.
• From 14 days prior to sailing to the day of your cruise, the penalty is 100%of the Total Fare.
• No refunds will be made if you do not show up for your cruise or if you interrupt or cancel your vacation once it has begun.

The Total Fare is defined as Cruise Charges, Transfer Services, Pre/Post Cruise Vacation Packages and Fly2Fun Air(please note thatFly2Fun Restricted Air which is non-refundable at time of booking). Government Taxes and Fees, as shown on your cruise invoice, as well as any prepaid Service Gratuity, will not be subject to a cancellation penalty and will be refunded in case of cancellation.

(“Cruise Charges” means the combination of the “Cruise Fare” and “Required Cruise Fees and Expenses”. “Cruise Fare” means the amount paid for the cruise which includes full board, ordinary ship’s food during the voyage, but not charges or expenses for goods or services voluntarily or incidentally incurred by Guest, including, but not limited to, for spirits, wine, beer, soft drinks or mineral waters, shore excursions, salon and spa services, room service or dining in specialty restaurants, charges for any medical services received onboard, or Service Gratuities (as described in your Ticket Contract). “Required Cruise Fees and Expenses” means all mandatory third-party fees and expenses for services on board and in port. “Government Taxes and Fees” includes government-imposed taxes and fees for the performance of the cruise and related purchases, such as port head taxes, VAT, air, and hotel taxes and similar fees and taxes assessed on the transaction.)

How long does it take to get a credit from Carnival cruise?

24 hours Cruise Cash credit may take up to 24 hours to appear on the guest’s Sail & Sign account. Cruise Cash is valid for a single voyage and cannot be transferred to future bookings. Cruise Cash is non-refundable and any unused credits will be forfeited.

The pre-purchase window for certain products and activities closes between one and three days prior to the sail date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us once you’re on board — we’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

• Cruise Cash provides a credit to a guest’s Sail & Sign account. This credit is good for any charge made to the guest’s account including taxes and gratuity charges. • Cruise Cash credit may take up to 24 hours to appear on the guest’s Sail & Sign account. • Cruise Cash is valid for a single voyage and cannot be transferred to future bookings. • Cruise Cash is non-refundable and any unused credits will be forfeited. • Cruise Cash is sold for specific revenue areas on the ship such as Bar, Photo, Shore Excursion, Spa, etc. Guests will be able to purchase: • Cruise Cash ($25, $50, $75 and $100) – Can be used for any expenses on the guest’s Sail and Sign account. This includes staff gratuities. • Cruise Cash Bar ($25, $50, $75 and $100) – Can be used on all bar purchases (alcoholic, non-alcoholic and specialty coffee shops). • Cruise Cash Photo ($10) – Can be used on all photo purchases. • Cruise Cash Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea ($26) – Can be used for one furry friend during Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea events.

What is the price guarantee on Priceline cruises?

If you find a lower price on another website within 48 hours of booking your cruise with Priceline Cruises, we will refund you 110% of the difference. Please complete the form below and a Customer Care Representative will contact you via email within 72 hours in response to your claim.

The lower rate must be in U.S. dollars and found online for the same cruise you purchased through our site, at a rate you are eligible to receive, and available for booking at the time you contact us. Our 110% Best Rate Guarantee applies only to rates available to the general public. It does not apply to consolidator, group, incentive, interline, meeting, or convention rates that are not available to the general public. 110% Best Rate Guarantee applies only to the cost of the cruise (including port charges). Promotional packages, group deals, air or land components, shipboard credit, transfers, pre- or post-cruise hotel stays, and shore excursions are not eligible. Taxes and fees, which vary by itinerary, are not included. Priceline Cruises reserves the right to refuse the refund should you not be able to provide us with positive proof of a competitor’s lower price. Priceline Cruises reserves the right to refuse the refund for any errors in prices by the competition. If your refund request is approved, the credit card used to purchase your cruise will be credited 110% of the price difference within 7-10 business days of final approval. Priceline Cruises reserves the right to modify or cancel the 110% Best Rate Guarantee at any time without prior notice or liability to you.

How long does it take to get future cruise credit?

The amount of time that it takes to issue an FCC can vary and is heavily dependent upon the type of FCC, as well as the volume. For Cruise with Confidence and Remaining Balance FCCs, the process typically takes no more than 2-weeks from the date of cancellation.

Can I get a refund on my future cruise credit?

• If a refund is approved, all FCCs (including Bonus FCCs) will be deactivated, and a refund will be issued back to the original form of payment, within 90 days from the request submission date.
• Any existing 10% Future Cruise Discounts will remain active and available for use on future bookings.
• For guests who are no longer able to travel as a result of an official announcement by a government or agency that takes place within 14 days of sailing (when Peace of Mind is no longer available), and the mandate states guests are NOT allowed to travel, then a refund would be available. If the new mandate is an inconvenience to the guest, i.e. a new quarantine requirement upon return from travel (but not a travel ban), then an FCC would be offered.

Only new government or agency mandates would be considered. Anything in place already since April 2021 would not allow the guest to cancel and receive the above.

What is cruise credit?

Once on board, you can use Onboard Credit on shore excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments, beverage packages and more. Purchases will be added to your stateroom folio and your Onboard Credit will be automatically applied before your credit card is charged at the end of your cruise.

Future Cruise Credits(“FCC(s)”) may be awarded to guests for many reasons, including if their cruise is cancelled. Princess may sometimes also elect to award a good-will FCC, or bonus FCC. FCCs issued in lieu of refunds are refundable (“Refundable FCCs”); otherwise FCCs are not refundable (“Nonrefundable FCCs”). Guests understand that they have no right to obtain a Bonus FCC in any situation and such Bonus FCCs are good-will gestures only and have no cash value and cannot be returned or refunded. FCCs issued by Princess Cruises may only be used on a Princess Cruise booking. FCCs must be used before their stated expiration (book by and sail by) date.

FCCs may be applied as a form of payment towards your balance due and therefore, in accordance with our passenger contract, FCCs are subject to cancellation fees. If an FCC has been applied as a form of payment, Princess will first deduct any imposed cancellation fee from such FCC before assessing cancellation fees on other forms of payment. This means cancellation fees may be incurred by someone else on your booking who may or may not have applied FCCs of their own. Cancellation fees will be deducted from any used FCCs prior to being returned to the guest’s My Princess Account (if applicable). In the event any guest believes any cancellation fees have been applied in error, they shouldcontact us.

In the event an FCC being returned to My Princess Account is expired, if the FCC is a Refundable FCC (in which case it will be labeled with a cash value), Princess will refund its remaining cash value to the associated Captain Circle Number (CCN). Nonrefundable FCCs (which are not labeled with a cash value) will expire with no refund. Cancellation of a Refundable FCC (cash value) will automatically cancel any bonus FCCs related to the original. In the event a Bonus FCC is used, portions of the related cash value FCC may become non-refundable also.

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Radikal Hughes also known as Radikal Marketer will show you the Rules to Know for Barclaycard Applications so that you get …

Related Articles:

• When Do Princess Cruise Credits Expire?
• How To Get Carnival Cruise Credits?
• What Are Princess Cruise Credits?
• What Can Ncl Future Cruise Credits Be Used For?
• Can Future Cruise Credits Be Used For Excursions?
• How Long Is Jungle Cruise Without Credits?

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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A Complete Guide To Booking Travel With Priceline [2024]

David Slotnick

Former Content Contributor

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Keri Stooksbury

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Table of Contents

Priceline hotels, priceline flights, priceline rental cars, priceline bundle + save, priceline cruises, priceline vip, priceline app, priceline rewards card, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

You are probably familiar with Priceline, an online travel agency (OTA) you can use to book flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, and more.

The key thing that differentiates Priceline from its competitors is its opaque  travel booking products. If you’re willing to be flexible with your travel plans (to the point of not knowing which airline you’re flying or what hotel you’re staying at when you make a reservation), you might be able to snag a deep discount.

As part of Booking Holdings Inc. — which includes Booking.com, Agoda, Kayak, Momondo, and other OTAs and metasearch sites — Priceline has also been able to use its combined resources to build its published-rate hotel offerings. Its Name Your Own Price tool has ceased to exist as an option, but low prices are offered through its other opaque tools — Express Deals  and Pricebreakers .

Below, we’ll take a look at the various services offered by Priceline, including how to use it to find the best prices on flights, hotels, rental cars, and more!

Booking a hotel on Priceline is straightforward. Enter your search preferences, pick a hotel, and confirm your reservation, just like with any other OTA like Travelocity or Expedia . Although Priceline has a few extra options to help you find a great rate, there can be some additional terms.

How To Book a Hotel on Priceline [Step-by-Step]

To search for a hotel on Priceline, enter a destination, choose your check-in and check-out dates, and specify the number of rooms you need.

By default, results are organized in recommended  order, determined by a combination of user reviews, general ratings, and price. You can change this to sort results by price or customer rating instead. Semi-opaque Pricebreaker options, in which you’ll get 1 of 3 hotels listed, will also be suggested at the top of the search results. If you have tons of flexibility, check out the Express Deals , completely opaque bookings in which you won’t know the hotel you booked until your reservation is complete.

At the top, you can switch to Map View, or even select from top filters. On the left sidebar, you can adjust filters for amenities, budget, guest rating, neighborhood, and hotel brand. If you have a specific property in mind, you can also search for it by name.

The terms and conditions vary between properties, so make sure to read everything before making a reservation. If your travel plans are concrete, you can usually save money with a prepaid and/or non-refundable rate.

Some properties require payment at the time of booking, while others allow you to pay at check-in. You can see each hotel’s policy on the results page — if a hotel says Pay Later  your card won’t be charged (unless you choose to pay upfront). If the hotel allows you to cancel the reservation without penalty, Priceline highlights that as well.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that taxes aren’t included in the rate shown on the results page or a specific property’s profile page — you’ll see all additional fees included once you choose a room and rate. When comparing prices between different websites and services, it’s always good to check the total price rather than the initial per room rate.

Select any hotel by clicking Choose your room , which will bring up the hotel’s page to select your room type. You’ll be able to review payment and cancellation terms, guest ratings, and amenities. Scroll further down to select your room type, then click Book.

Toggle the button above the results to see the true  total price, including taxes and fees. This will also be displayed before you checkout.

Enter your personal and payment details, then click Complete Booking .

Trip Protection

Before completing your reservation, you’ll be offered the opportunity to add Trip Protection, a travel insurance product offered by Allianz through Priceline.

While adding this protection is a personal choice, it’s important to understand that there may be no need to purchase extra insurance if you have a credit card with travel insurance like trip cancellation insurance or travel accident insurance . in your wallet.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to credit card insurance for more information about the various protections and benefits offered by different credit cards.

Best Price Guarantee

Priceline VIP members that can find a better deal within 24 hours of making their air, hotel, rental car, and cruise reservations can submit a Best Price Guarantee claim to Priceline for the difference.

For Express Deals, Priceline members who find a better price up to midnight before they travel can be refunded 200% of the difference.

To make a claim for a hotel, you’ll need to contact Priceline by phone at 800-PRICELINE (800-774-2354). The representative will check the lower rate to verify it. Note that to qualify, the lower rate must be available to the public and have the same availability.

Hot Tip:  Rates booked through loyalty program discounts are excluded from the Best Price Guarantee, meaning that if there’s a membership discount (even one that’s available to the general public), Priceline may not honor it.

Price Comparisons — Hotels

Let’s take a look at some price comparisons to see how Priceline stacks up against other online travel agencies and hotel websites.

We priced out a 3-night stay in a deluxe king suite at the Conrad New York Downtown for 2 adults (refundable rate) and here’s how the prices stacked up.

In this example, Priceline had the cheapest overall rate, with Hilton itself coming in ~$72 more. You would have to weigh the overall cost savings compared to any benefits you may receive from a loyalty program like Hilton Honors since you don’t receive any elite status benefits or earn any hotel points when booking through a third party like Priceline.

Bottom Line: When you book a hotel through a third party like Priceline, you generally won’t be able to collect hotel loyalty points . Also, the property likely won’t honor any elite status you hold. For example, if you hold Hilton Honors Gold elite status, you wouldn’t get a room upgrade or food and beverage credit if you booked through Priceline.

Priceline Pricebreakers

One of Priceline’s opaque products, Pricebreakers gives travelers a heavily discounted price on one of 3 similar hotels. You will be able to see details for the 3 hotels before your purchase, including the shared amenities, location, reviews, and average retail rates. You will be guaranteed to secure a room at one of the 3 properties at the price shown, with the “winning” hotel revealed after confirmation of your purchase.

Pricebreakers is similar to Hotwire’s Hot Rates with the added benefit of narrowing down the possible hotel to one of 3 guaranteed options across various amenities and star ratings. You can also create your own deal at the bottom of the options by selecting 3 amenities and 3 neighborhoods that will help narrow the deals shown to you.

Priceline Express Deals

The basic premise of Express Deals is that Priceline can provide a deep discount on a hotel, but it won’t tell you where you’re actually staying until you confirm the reservation. Bookings are prepaid, non-refundable, non-changeable, and non-transferable … so basically, you’re stuck once you make the booking.

From the main Hotels page, you can scroll down until you see an option to Search Express Deals , or you can simply enter the city, the number of rooms, and check-in and check-out dates and filter by Express Deals at the top of the results page.

The results page looks exactly like the standard hotel search results, except that instead of hotel names you’ll only see star ratings. For example, the top result might be “4-Star Hotel.” If you click the What Hotel?  link, you’ll see a map with the hotel’s general location shaded and a list of similar hotels in the area.

Because you can’t even read guest reviews before committing — only an average rating by guests — any hotel booked through Express Deals is a bit of a gamble. You have no way of knowing exactly where you’re staying. If you’re flexible or more easy-going, this means you can get a great deal. Otherwise, it might be worth paying a bit more so you know the details of the hotel before you book.

The good news is that Priceline’s Best Price Guarantee applies, and Priceline members who find a better price up to midnight before they travel can be refunded 200% of the difference.

Bottom Line:  Priceline’s Express Deals feature can help you save up to 60% off a hotel, but you won’t know the actual hotel until you make a non-refundable reservation. If you are flexible, this can be a great deal.

How To Book a Flight on Priceline [Step-by-Step]

Booking flights on Priceline is a straightforward process, similar to any other OTA.

You start by entering details of your trip: the departure and arrival cities, dates, cabin, and the number of people traveling. You can also search for a one-way or multi-stop trip instead of a standard round-trip flight.

If your dates are flexible, you can see variable pricing across the calendar when inputting your search parameters.

By default, results are shown in price order. You can use controls on the left sidebar to filter results by the number of stops, departure or arrival time, total travel duration, and airline. If your travel involves a city with multiple airports, you can also specify which one you’d prefer.

At the top, you can also search by flexible dates to see pricing a day before and after your selected dates.

Once you select any departing flight, you’ll see options for the return flight. Any pricing at +$0.00  will not affect your total price, but you may see cheaper or more expensive options for your return.

Once you have selected your flights you’ll see a confirmation of the departure and return, baggage information, and also have an option to select your seats before continuing to checkout. Enter your passenger and billing details, then review and book.

Price Comparisons — Flights

Using the straightforward flight-search function, prices compare favorably with other tools (though Express Deals may be cheaper, see below).

We searched for the cheapest round-trip flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Tokyo (NRT) and here’s what we found:

Priceline actually came out as the most expensive in this example. Keep in mind that this won’t always be the case, so it’s good to check prices on a few different websites before you book a flight.

Hot Tip:  When comparing prices on different OTAs, make sure the results you find are valid! In some cases, the cheapest fare you find may no longer be available.

How To Book a Rental Car on Priceline [Step-by-Step]

Priceline’s rental car tool has access to most major rental agencies, such as Alamo , Avis , Budget , Hertz ,  National , and SIXT .

To search for a rental car, enter the airport or city you’re traveling to and your pickup/drop-off dates and times. You can also specify whether you want a different drop-off location in the same city or a one-way rental.

You can sort and filter your results by a number of different parameters, including car type, location, cancellation policy, rating, and more.

Once you select Choose,  you’ll be able to view the terms and conditions — these vary by the rental company, although many reservations are cancelable.

You will then be prompted to enter your contact and driver information, as well as optional information like adding child seats, loyalty program information, and flight information.

Collision Damage Protection

Before confirming your purchase you’ll be offered an option to purchase collision damage protection, an insurance product offered by Allianz through Priceline.

Make sure to check if you have a credit card with car rental insurance , and then use it to make the reservation. This coverage usually requires you to decline coverage from the rental agency and pay for the entire rental with the card.

Hot Tip: Some of our favorite credit cards that offer primary car rental coverage are the Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card  and  Chase Sapphire Reserve ® .

Price Comparisons — Rental Cars

Let’s take a look at how Priceline’s car rental rates compare to other OTAs and car rental agencies.

Both of these examples are for a week-long rental in Denver including all taxes and fees. The first example compares prices for the cheapest option available, and the second example compares prices for a specific type of vehicle.

As you can see prices are all over the map, with the most expensive coming from individual car rental agencies. Priceline was essentially tied for first place for the cheapest available and tied for second place when it came to the mid-size SUV. While you can absolutely save money by booking a rental car through Priceline, it’s always smart to compare prices on a few different websites before you make a reservation.

Often you’ll need to book both a flight and hotel and maybe even a rental car at the same time. You can do that all in one go by booking a Bundle + Save package from Priceline.

How To Book a Bundle + Save Vacation Package on Priceline [Step-by-Step]

Priceline offers the opportunity to bundle a combination of hotel, flight, and car rental together to assemble a discounted vacation package. Start your search on the homepage by clicking Bundle + Save in the main search area or on the top navigation bar.

You’ll have 4 bundled options to choose from:

• Hotel + Flight
• Hotel + Flight + Car
• Flight + Car
• Hotel + Car

Enter your departure and arrival cities and dates as well as the number of adults and rooms, then click Find Your Trip .

On the left-hand side, you’re able to sort by recommended hotels, hotel name, price, and star and guest rating. You can also filter by amenities, neighborhood, star and guest rating, and hotel name and brand.

Once you select your hotel by clicking Choose your room , the rest of the booking process is just like if you were booking a hotel or flight separately. Note that there are 2 prices displayed for your Priceline vacation package — a per person rate and the total price.

After you select your hotel and begin to select your flights, you’ll see how the various options affect the package price you were initially quoted.

• +$0.00 will not affect your package price
• A positive price would increase your package price
• A negative price would decrease your package price

You’ll get a chance to review your selections fully before checking out, then add the passenger information and payment details before completing your booking.

Hot Tip: Take a peek at our guide to the best credit cards for vacation packages before making your purchase.

Price Comparisons — Bundle + Save

Let’s see if this Priceline vacation package will have you on your way to saving $382 as advertised.

This package included  2 round-trip flights from Chicago (ORD) to Cancún (CUN) plus a 7-night stay at Grand Oasis Cancun All Inclusive for a cost of $1,089 per person. The total price for this package is $2,178.

We quoted the individual components of the bundle separately for review:

If paid for separately, the total cost when booking through Priceline would be $2,446, so the actual savings for the Bundle + Save rate is $268 . The savings are a bit shy of the advertised $382, but still a substantial discount nonetheless.

The thing to note is that while you can save money with Bundle + Save vacation packages from Priceline, often the flights included aren’t great. We found many packages with flights that had long overnight connections, which, in addition to being annoying, reduced the vacation by 1 night.

Bottom Line: While you can save money with Priceline Bundle + Save vacation packages, it’s not always as big of savings as advertised. Also, be sure to pay attention to the package details, as many of the ones we found included absolutely terrible flights with overnight connections.

How To Book a Cruise on Priceline [Step-by-Step]

Start your cruise search by selecting Cruises from the top navigation bar or the main search menu, enter your destination, cruise line, departure month, cruise length, and whether you’re under 55 or not, and then click Find Your Cruise . You can fill out minimal information to see a wider variety of search results, like all destinations  or all cruise lines , etc.

You can then sort by featured cruises and departure date, or refine your search further at the top to adjust destination, length, departure date, cruise line, cruise ship, departure port, and additional discounts.

Click View Itinerary to see more details about the cruise. Choose your sailing date and click Select.

Input the number of guests in your party and the ZIP code of your current residence and click Continue. Select your room type by clicking Select. Finally, enter your full guest details and preferred dining time and click Continue.

On the final booking screen, you’ll be able to review your fare, taxes, and fees, as well as special offers like onboard spending credits. You can opt to add travel protection and choose how to pay — deposit-only, payment in full, or monthly payments. When you’ve entered all the required details, click Complete Booking .

Price Comparisons — Cruises

Will Priceline save you money when booking a cruise? Let’s take a look.

In this example, we searched the 7-Night Western Caribbean cruise for 2 adults on Ruby Princess in a balcony stateroom.

Priceline had the cheapest price in this example but if you were planning to book shore excursions, the Cruise Direct price could end up saving you money.

Bottom Line: It’s to your advantage to search on a few cruise websites to find the best price and best bonus offers (like onboard credit, free gratuities, or free specialty meals or drinks). 

Priceline’s loyalty program is called VIP. Once you join Priceline VIP, you’ll be eligible for various bonuses and perks.

There are 4 levels of status within the Priceline VIP program:

• VIP Member: No minimum requirement
• VIP Blue: Earned after 2 completed trips
• VIP Gold: Earned after 5 completed trips or Priceline Rewards™ Visa ® Cardholders
• VIP Platinum: Earned after 25 completed trips

VIP Gold and Platinum members can share their benefits with family by creating a VIP Family account . This allows up to 3 users to pool their activity and status to gain benefits 3x faster.

The free Priceline app ( iOS , Android ) can be used to book, view, and manage your hotels, flights, and rental cars , even when you’re offline.

The app offers exclusive app-only hotel deals as well as Late Night Rates  daily at 9 p.m., showcasing the best hotel deals nearby to help with last-minute check-in.

For people who use Priceline consistently, Barclays offers the Priceline Rewards™ Visa ® Card  that earns rewards on everyday spending and bonus points on everything booked through Priceline.

• 5x points per $1 on Priceline purchases
• 2x points per $1 on gas and restaurant purchases
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases
• Automatic VIP Gold status

Hot Tip: Because Priceline itself codes as travel,  you can also use a card that offers bonus points for travel purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Ink Business Preferred ® Credit Card , both of which earn 3x points per $1 spent on all travel, not just Priceline purchases.

As a standard online travel agency, Priceline performs solidly, and it is roughly on par with other OTAs in terms of selection and pricing. What makes the website stand out is its various opaque pricing tools that sometimes offer steep discounts on flights and hotels … if you’re flexible and willing to commit without knowing all the details.

Before purchasing one of Priceline’s opaque options, make sure that you’re certain about the trip, timing, and any other details you can confirm. Once you make a reservation, there’s no refund or cancellation!

The information regarding the Priceline Rewards™ Visa ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

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UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.