People are quite dedicated to their credit card points, so I comment on this topic with some trepidation. Here’s the caveat before we start: there are lots of comparisons of credit cards done by journalists that specialize in personal finance. Their analyses will be much more comprehensive than mine. I am simply going to make some observations based on my own experience.
Here’s some of the perks of a Travel Credit Card. The trick is determining the value for YOU:
LOUNGE ACCESS: Nice perk, when it’s available. Sometimes, you’ll see a line-up for the lounge. You’ll also see the paying customers (those with tickets in Business Class) bypassing that line.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: The insurance on credits cards is very limited, and has pages of exclusions and limits. Make sure you know what’s covered, what’s not.
CAR RENTAL COVERAGE: Like travel insurance, there are limits. Case in point… if the car rental company upgrades you to a higher value car, your credit card may NOT cover you.
CREDIT CARD FEES: If your credit card costs $200 per year, and offers you a companion fare (for example), then it MAY be worth it. You have to do the math to determine that the benefit exceeds what you’re paying (hint: it’s closer to even-money than it looks at first).
COMPANION FARES: Great if you use them. Often companion fares are only available on certain fare types and routings, so ensure your travel plans align with the restrictions.
MY EXPERIENCE: A couple of decades ago, Bob had hundreds of thousands of airline points earned on a credit card, and we took some incredible overseas trips in business class on points. More recently, rewards seats have become much more scarce.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES: Congress is currently considering legislation on credit card fees. It sounds great at first, and it’s good they want to tackle predatory lending policies and interest rates charged by credit card companies. The collateral damage here MAY be the benefits your credit card offers if the legislation passes.
The Bottom Line: ACCUMULATING credit card rewards is easy, and can become a bit of an obsession. REDEEMING benefits has become increasingly difficult to the point you really do need to consider whether you’re getting the promised value. You need to do a bit of math to make sure you’re accruing the benefits that are most meaningful for YOU.
The next best option is a cash back credit card, where you use the credit you earn exclusively for travel.
In Case You Missed It:
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND: Here are some different choices for seeing these two countries, and suggestions for making the most of your trip there:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/down-under-new-zealand-australia/
HOW WE’LL USE AI: Artificial Intelligence is going to be disruptive in the Travel Biz. We don’t know how it’s all going to play out yet, but we DO know we’re doubling-down on our commitment for our clients to deal with REAL PEOPLE:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/do-you-want-to-deal-with-artificial-intelligence-or-a-real-person/
SEA CLOUD: If you like the size of river boats, and the structure of a river cruise, but want to visit salt water destinations, then SEA CLOUD may be what you’re looking for:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/sea-cloud/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
The Eastern section of the Danube River will take you through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. There’s lots to see and do in this less-visited part of Europe:
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
AMA Waterways
AMA has a strong focus on its culinary offering, has lots of included shore excursion options, and a final payment on 90 DAYS PRIOR to sailing. Their current promo also offers a free pre or post cruise extension on select voyages. Here’s the list:
https://www.amawaterways.com/offers/complimentary-land
PORTUGAL & SPAIN departing May 5 for one-week
- Visit Porto, Douro valley, Regua, Pinhao, Vega de Terron, Salamanca, Afurada.
- See the vineyards and estate wineries, traverse the locks, take in spectacular scenery, visit castle ruins, see paleolithic art, and enjoy architectural treasures.
- Optional extensions to Lisbon.
- Fares from $5649 (Less 5% on this sailing ONLY)
EASTERN EUROPE: Budapest to Bucharest departing for 7-nights
- Travel through Hungary, and then visit Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
- Optional extension to Transylvania/Dracula’s Castle and Bucharest.
- 2026: Departures March – December from $2999
- 2027: Departures March – December from $3179
Here’s a link to our video from when we did this trip: https://youtu.be/-OhF7PSrj0c
EXPLORA JOURNEYS – European Luxury Lifestyle Voyages
With a great culinary offering, a unique entertainment concept and three brand-new ships, Explora Journeys is worth a try.
ARABIA: Dubai round-trip departing December 14, 2026 for 7-nights
- Get a great taste of the Middle East from the safety of the ship, and only unpack once.
- Board in Dubai (overnight), and then visit Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Saudi Arabia
- Veranda fares from $4500
- Stay on board for 14-nights from $11,550 and also visit Khor Fakkan, Oman, Muscat, and Kashab.
WEST COASTER: Los Angeles to Vancouver departing May 3, 2027 for 7-nights
- Visit San Diego, San Francisco (overnight), Victoria.
- Veranda fares from $4440
- Get out in Vancouver OR carry on to Alaska OR take the Rocky Mountaineer to Banff.
EXPLORA I SHIP TOUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/LHjAS0JKCQ0
EXPLORA ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPT: https://youtu.be/9ELX0zxNjZ0
SEACLOUD – Salt-Water River Cruise
These small ships (holding between 60 and 136 guests) compare more closely with a River Cruise, than they do with ocean cruises. Imagine visiting charming little port stops (like a river cruise), with a small group (like a river cruise), but only having to unpack once, with a first-rate culinary offering.
Greek Isles (Athens round trip), departing July 17th/24th/or 31st 2026 (7 nights)
- Details: https://issuu.com/seacloudcruisesusa/docs/sea_cloud_big_book_2026_/68
- Visit Amorgos, Milos, Amorgos, Nauplio, and Poros
- Brochure Price: starting at $6995 per person
- SPECIAL PRICE: From $3745 per person
Eastern Caribbean: round-trip Philipsburg departing December 6 for 8-nights
- Visit Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, Iles des Saintes, Nevis & Antigua.
- Sail the scenic Eastern Caribbean islands, and get into small coves and harbors on board the 136 guest Sea Cloud Spirit.
- Fares from $3425
Learn more about Sea Cloud here: https://youtu.be/fy7Kfd1i3ZQ
OCEANIA
With a strong focus on the CULINARY, and lots of overnight port stops, OCEANIA occupies a market niche between the Premium and Luxury lines:
NEW ZEALAND & AUSTRALIA: Auckland to Sydney departing January 24, 2027 for 14-days
- Visit Rotorua, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Timaru, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Hobart, Melbourne
- Fares from $5399 with a $800 Shore Excursion Credit per person
IRELAND, UK & SCANDINAVIA: Belfast to London departing August 12 for 15-days
- Visit Belfast, Douglas, Greencastle, Isle of Skye, Scrabster, Invergordon, Kristiansand, Copenhagen (overnight), Berlin, Ronne (Denmark), Kariskrona (Sweden), and finish in London
- Fares from $7267 with an $800 Shore Excursion Credit per person.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Remote Experiences
Here are two CLOSE-TO-HOME options for incredible scenery and outdoor activity:
SAN JUAN ISLANDS for 8-days round-trip Seattle
- Visit Victoria BC, Desolation Sound for kayaking and hiking, Alert Bay for First Nations immersion, the Gulf Islands to visit quaint communities, Friday Harbor for the Whale museum, and other islands in Puget Sound.
- This corner of the country is a well-kept secret. Visit remote islands to see the sea lions, eagles, humpback and orca whales. Go for a bike ride in Victoria; kayaking, zodiacs, and paddleboarding in remote bays.
- 2026: Departures in October from $5359
- 2027: Departures in October from $5535
WHALE WATCHING in MAGDALENA BAY (Baja California) for 6-days round-trip Loreto
- Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay for 6 days Jan, Feb, Mar.
- See the Gray Whales, explore the sand dunes at Sand Dollar Beach, and visit the fishing village of Puerto Magdalena. Go kayaking, zodiacs, paddleboarding, hiking, and cycling.
- 2026: Departures January through March from $2524.
- 2027: Departures January through March from $3947.
COLLETTE CITY SPOTLIGHT TOURS
SPOTLIGHT tours mean you only UNPACK ONCE, and can explore a city or region in depth while having the logistics taken care of for you:
NEW YORK for 5-days
- Visit Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Chinatown, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the 9/11 Memorial.
- Includes 4-nights at the Sheraton Times Square, 5 meals, and 2 Broadway shows.
- Year-round departures from $2399.
PARIS for 7-days
- See Notre Dame, Montmartre, Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower.
- Includes 8 meals, 6-nights hotel, Seine River dinner cruise, Louvre Museum, Le Marais, Place de Vosges, Palace of Versailles, and dinner at the Eiffel Tower
- Departures April through November from $3049
Here are some of COLLETTE’s other SPOTLIGHT tours:
- The French Riviera – 9-days from $2599
- London – 7-days from $2549
- Northern Italy – 9-days from $2699
- South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore & the Badlands – 7-days from $2699
- Tuscany – 9-days from $1999
- Washington, DC – 6-days from $2599
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
