Carnival Rewards card issuances jumped more than 300% after launch. Here is what the card earns

Cruise loyaltyBy Patrick KarshOct 15, 2026

Carnival's new loyalty program has been live for six weeks, and the first hard number is in. New Carnival co-branded credit cards issued rose more than 300 percent in the weeks after launch, compared with levels before the program was announced.

Carnival Corporation shared the figure in its third-quarter results on September 29. It said the program, which started on September 1, was "generating substantial early engagement."

A quick recap of how Carnival Rewards works

Carnival Rewards replaced Carnival's old VIFP Club. The big change is that it rewards spending, not just nights at sea. Here is how it works, according to Carnival's launch announcement:

Points. You earn 3 points per dollar on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities. You also earn 1 point for each casino point left at the end of a cruise. Points post about 14 days after the cruise and can go toward future cruises and onboard extras like tours, specialty dining and the spa.
Stars. Status is based on Stars, earned at the same 3 per dollar. The tiers are Red when you join, Gold at 10,000 Stars, Platinum at 50,000 and Diamond at 100,000.
Status window. You earn status over a two-year window and keep it through the next two years. The first window runs from September 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028.
Milestones. A separate milestone program still counts the days you have sailed with Carnival.

Where the credit card fits

The co-branded Carnival Rewards Mastercard is a big part of the design. According to Carnival, it offers:

50,000 bonus points after $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days.
Up to 6 points per dollar on Carnival purchases (3 from the card and up to 3 from the program).
2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point on everything else.
2,500 points each card anniversary after $2,000 in spending.
Up to 4 Stars per dollar on Carnival purchases, and 1 Star per dollar on other purchases.

That last line matters most. The card lets you earn status from everyday spending, not just from cruises. Carnival's results show many guests have noticed.

What the 300 percent figure tells you

It tells you guests are taking the card seriously. It does not tell you how many people that is, since Carnival gave a growth rate, not a count. It is also early, and the comparison is with the months before the program was even announced. Some of the jump may be a launch effect that fades.

The program also changes Carnival's books. The company said loyalty accounting rules now require it to defer a portion of the ticket price guests pay. That affects how Carnival reports its results. It does not change what you pay.

Should you get the card?

Do the math on your own spending first. At 10,000 Stars for Gold, you need about $3,300 of Carnival spending at 3 Stars per dollar. With the card on Carnival purchases, the same Gold status takes about $2,500. Platinum and Diamond take far more.

If you sail Carnival once a year and pay in full, the card can make sense, especially with the welcome bonus. If you would carry a balance, the interest will wipe out the points. And if you rarely sail, a general travel card may serve you better.

My take

The card spike shows that Carnival's bet on spending is landing with at least some guests. I would only add this card if Carnival is already your main line, and I would pay it off every month. Points are nice, but status is only worth what the perks are worth to you on board.