Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, has refreshed its co-branded credit card to go along with changes in its loyalty program. The new card is called the Carnival Rewards Mastercard, and as the name suggests, it earns Carnival Rewards points on every purchase. Carnival Rewards is also the name of the new loyalty program, which replaces the company's former program, the VIFP (Very Important Fun Person) Club.
The new Carnival Rewards Mastercard opened to new applicants on Sept. 1, 2026, and the old loyalty program officially transitioned to Carnival Rewards the same day.
Holders of the cruise line's previous card — the Carnival World Mastercard — will be migrated to the new Carnival Rewards Mastercard during their next billing cycle, according to Barclays, which issues both credit cards. Any unused rewards (formerly known as "FunPoints") accrued with the Carnival World Mastercard will automatically be converted to Carnival Rewards on Sept. 1, 2026. Former VIFP members who enroll in Carnival Rewards will transition their status and retain it until Dec. 31, 2028.
Here’s a rundown of the most important changes to the card.
» MORE: Best credit cards for cruises
Carnival Rewards Mastercard: Better rewards and perks
The new Carnival Rewards Mastercard represents a marked improvement from the old Carnival World Mastercard in almost every way that matters.
The card earns the following rewards, which aren’t capped and never expire:
- 6 Carnival Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases — 3 points from the card, plus 3 points for belonging to Carnival Rewards.
- 2 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart).
- 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
- 1 Status Qualifying Star per dollar on all purchases. (Status Qualifying Stars determine your tier within the loyalty program; the higher your tier, the more perks and onboard extras you enjoy when cruising.)
These rewards are more generous and friendlier for non-Carnival purchases compared with the old card, which topped out at 2x points on eligible purchases with Carnival and associated brands. All other spending earned just 1x.
The welcome offer is more valuable, too. New Carnival Rewards Mastercard holders will earn 50,000 Carnival Rewards points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Other notable card perks include:
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- A 2,500-point bonus after spending $2,000 on the card in an anniversary year.
- A 0% period for balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. (A balance transfer fee of $5 or 5% of the transfer amount applies.)
- A 0% period for six billing cycles from the transaction date on all qualifying Carnival cruise purchases.
Carnival Rewards: What's different
See our article about the Carnival Rewards program for an in-depth look at what's new. Here's a brief overview.
New currency
Instead of FunPoints, members of the Carnival Rewards program will now earn Carnival Rewards, at the following rates:
- 3 Carnival Rewards points per dollar spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities.
- 1 Carnival Rewards point for every 1 Casino Point remaining at the end of a sailing.
Redemption options include future Carnival cruises, onboard experiences, shore excursions, dining, drinks, spa treatments and onboard Wi-Fi. There’s no redemption minimum, but redemption values vary based on redemption method.
Carnival Rewards expire if there’s no account activity within a three-year period. (Rewards don't expire if you have the Carnival Rewards Mastercard. More on that below.)
Status and recognition
Certain purchases also earn Status Qualifying Stars. Carnival Rewards members get 3 Status Qualifying Stars per $1 spent on eligible Carnival purchases, including gratuities, and 1 Status Qualifying Star for every Casino Point earned (even if already redeemed onboard for Funplay).
The number of stars in your Carnival Rewards account determines your status within the loyalty program. The five status tiers within the VIFP loyalty program have been replaced with four in Carnival Rewards: Red, Gold, Platinum and Diamond.
Loyalty members have two years to earn status, which applies for the next two years. Status perks include free beverages and complimentary laundry.
In addition to a new rewards currency and status tiers, the Carnival Rewards program is introducing the Carnival Rewards Milestone program to recognize frequent sailors. Milestone recognition begins at 50 days sailed. Once certain milestones are met, Carnival Rewards members receive extra Carnival Rewards points and other exclusive gifts.
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