So, you’re ready to hit the road (or skies) for your next Caribbean Carnival adventure? Whether you’re heading to Trinidad for the Road March or dancing through St. Kitts for Sugar Mas, getting there doesn’t have to drain your wallet.
One of my favorite ways to save money on Carnival travel is by earning and using points and miles—a strategy that’s helped me wine through festivals without stressing about the cost. In this post, I’ll walk you through the best ways to rack up rewards, so you can turn your Carnival dreams into reality.
Pick the Right Credit Card to Earn Points
Earning points starts with having the right travel credit card. Not all cards are created equal, so you’ll want one that rewards you for the types of purchases you’re already making—flights, hotels, dining, and entertainment.
Look for cards that:
• Offer high rewards rates (think 2–5x points) on travel and dining.
• Come with big sign-up bonuses—perfect for earning enough points to cover flights and hotels in one go.
• Have no foreign transaction fees because Carnival often means traveling internationally.
If you need help picking the perfect card, check out my blog on Travel Credit Cards: A Carnival Chaser Must-Have. I dive into my favorites and how I’ve used them to save big on Carnival travel.
Maximize Sign-Up Bonuses
Sign-up bonuses are one of the fastest ways to rack up points, and trust me—they make a difference. Many travel cards offer 50,000–100,000 points when you spend a certain amount within the first few months.
Pro Tip: Time your new card application with big purchases like your costume deposit, airfare, and hotel bookings to hit the spending requirement without overspending.
Use Your Card for Everyday Spending
Points aren’t just for flights—you can earn them on groceries, gas, and even monthly bills. My trick? I treat my travel credit card like a debit card and pay off the balance every month.
Some cards also offer bonus points on dining and entertainment, which is perfect for booking Carnival parties, fetes, and pre-event dinners. For example, my Capital One Savor card gives me 8% back on entertainment. The points rack up quickly, and before you know it, you’ll have enough for your next Carnival getaway.
Take Advantage of Hotel Rewards Programs
Accommodations can be one of the priciest parts of Carnival, but hotel rewards programs can slash those costs. Many cards are tied to programs like Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, which offer:
Free nights after hitting spending goals.
Room upgrades for elite members (because who doesn’t love extra space to relax after J’ouvert?).
Complimentary breakfast to fuel up before the parade.
For more tips on maximizing hotel points, check out my blog on the Benefits of Hotel Rewards Programs.
Earn free nights, room upgrades, and perks by joining these programs:
Marriott Bonvoy – Sign up here
Hilton Honors – Sign up here
World of Hyatt – Sign up here
IHG One Rewards – Sign up here
Radisson Rewards – Sign up here
Choice Privileges – Sign up here
Best Western Rewards – Sign up here
Wyndham Rewards – Sign up here
Use Airline Loyalty Programs for Flights
Flights can be one of the biggest Carnival expenses, but airline loyalty programs make them much more affordable. Programs like Delta SkyMiles and American Airlines AAdvantage let you earn miles for every trip you take—and you can redeem those miles for free flights later. By earning status with airlines you also benefit from free checked luggage, upgrades, and priority boarding which saves you time AND money.
I flew to London for Notting Hill Carnival entirely on miles, which saved me a pretty penny! If you haven’t already, start signing up for these programs—you’ll thank yourself later. Check out these airline loyalty programs:
Delta SkyMiles – Sign up here
American Airlines AAdvantage – Sign up here
United MileagePlus – Sign up here
Southwest Rapid Rewards – Sign up here
Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan – Sign up here
JetBlue TrueBlue – Sign up here
British Airways Executive Club – Sign up here
Air Canada Aeroplan – Sign up here
Qantas Frequent Flyer – Sign up here
ANA Mileage Club – Sign up here
Shop Through Online Portals
Here’s a little-known hack—many airlines and credit cards have shopping portals that let you earn bonus points when you shop online.
If you’re buying new boots for J’ouvert or accessories for your costume, check these portals first. There are hundreds of stores you can shop from, giving you the opportunity to earn even on your typical online purchases. This is one of the ways I earn airline miles without even flying! To learn more, click here.
2.American Airlines AAdvantage eShopping
4.Southwest Rapid Rewards Shopping
5.Alaska Mileage Plan Shopping
7.Aeroplan eStore (Air Canada)
8.British Airways Avios eStore
Join Dining Rewards Programs
Love trying new food while traveling? Me too!
Dining rewards programs are perfect for Carnival lovers because they let you earn points just by eating out. Many airlines and hotels have programs that link to your credit card, so every meal earns you extra miles.
Bonus: These programs also work at local restaurants, so you can keep earning points even after Carnival is over.
Here’s a list of Airline Dining Programs:
Delta SkyMiles Dining – Join here
American Airlines AAdvantage Dining – Join here
United MileagePlus Dining – Join here
Southwest Rapid Rewards Dining – Join here
Alaska Mileage Plan Dining – Join here
JetBlue TrueBlue Dining – Join here
Earning points and miles doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right strategies, you can cover flights, hotels, and even event tickets, making your Carnival experience more affordable—and just as fun.
For more tips, check out my blog on Travel Credit Cards: A Carnival Chaser Must-Have and start stacking those points today.
