Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America have introduced the Royal ONE Visa Signature credit card to provide U.S. consumers with cruise-related rewards [1].
This partnership aims to simplify how travelers earn and redeem points across different Royal Caribbean brands. By consolidating rewards, the company intends to provide loyal cruisers with more accessible onboard perks and cruise-discount benefits [2].
Launched in 2024 [3], the initiative consists of two distinct card options: the Royal ONE Visa Signature and the Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature [4]. The standard Royal ONE version is a no-annual-fee card [5]. According to the companies, these are the industry's first tri-branded credit cards [6].
"Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America announced a new pair of credit cards designed to simplify how travelers earn and redeem rewards, dubbing them the industry's first tri‑branded credit cards," a press release quoted by TravelPulse said [6].
The new cards replace previous versions of the co-branded Royal Caribbean cruise line credit card [7]. The premium Royal ONE Plus version offers enhanced bonus rewards compared to the standard offering [8].
Bank of America serves as the issuer for both cards in the United States [1]. The primary goal of the restructuring is to create a faster path for users to achieve cruise discounts [9]. This allows travelers to aggregate their spending across the group's various brands rather than managing separate reward tracks.
"Bank of America has launched new versions of its co‑branded Royal Caribbean cruise line credit card, a no‑annual‑fee card and a premium card that offer enhanced bonus rewards," US News said [8].
“the industry's first tri‑branded credit cards”
The shift to a tri-branded model suggests a strategic move by Royal Caribbean Group to increase brand ecosystem loyalty. By allowing rewards to flow across multiple brands under one umbrella, the company reduces friction for customers who sail on different lines within the group, likely increasing the lifetime value of each cruiser.
