Norwegian Air is entering the credit card market with a new product for U.S. consumers.
Norwegian Reward Card Details + CashPoints
Norwegian Air uses an award currency called CashPoints, which can be applied toward flight purchases, seat assignments, and luggage fees. You can also use CashPoints to make ticket changes or purchase cancellation insurance.
The new credit card, in partnership with Synchrony, will allow customers to earn more CashPoints, including at a higher rate in some categories.
Norwegian Reward Card Benefits
Benefits of the new card include:
- $50 in CashPoints with $500 in purchases in the first 90 days
- 2% extra on Norwegian flights
- 2% on dining and grocery
- 1% on all other purchases
- Anniversary bonus of $100 in CashPoints with $20k spend each year starting on account open date
- Redeem CashPoints anytime on any Norwegian flight with no blackout dates and no minimum spend requirement
- CashPoints valid for two extra years (making them valid for the current earning year plus four years)
- Priority Boarding
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
How To Apply
You can apply for the card via NorwegianReward.com or onboard your next Norwegian flight.
Why is Norwegian Air Entering the U.S. Credit Card Market?
Norwegian Air has over 1.4 million members in the USA. Many are fiercely loyal and about 100,000 per year purchase their Norwegian flights with points. Over 500,000 Americans earned CashPoints last summer. Since points are directly linked to cash value, a rebate-style redemption at check-in is accomplished through one click when purchasing a ticket.
Kristin Møllerplass, Head of Loyalty and Engagement at Norwegian Reward said:
After years of driving organic membership for Norwegian Reward in the U.S., we’re ready to take our acclaimed loyalty program to a new level with an experienced and trusted partner, Synchrony. With unique benefits and innovative ways to earn CashPoints, the Norwegian Reward Card will attract new customers to Norwegian Air and entice deeper loyalty from our existing members – allowing more Americans to travel to Europe faster.
My Thoughts
If you are a frequent traveler on Norwegian, this card makes sense. Not so much to put spending on it, since there are better cash-back cards, but because there is no annual fee and it allows for priority boarding. The 2% back on grocery purchases and zero foreign transaction fees may come in handy in some countries.
Overall, though, I’ve come to appreciate Norwegian as I’ve tried other premium economy products. Its “Norwegian Premium” seat is actually one of the most comfortable out there.
> Read More: Norwegian Air 787-9 Premium Class Review
CONCLUSION
Norwegian offers nearly 50 nonstop transatlantic routes between the USA and Europe. After brushing up with the cliff of insolvency, it seems to have found firmer ground. That’s a good thing for U.S. consumers, since it forces all carriers to be mindful of Norwegian’s competitive pricing. With its new JetBlue partnership, I hope that Norwegian will be sticking around the U.S. market for quite some time.
How in the normal world does this make sense for ANY US Based consumer?
How is this card better than a plethora of options already available like Citi Double cash back, WF Amex Propel and a ton I can name?
I think I was very clear that I would not put any spending on this card, but it may come in handy for Priority Boarding and adding two years of life your points. If 5/24 is not a concern and you fly Norwegian, I’d get this card considering there is no annual fee.
I get $50 to use on Norwegian as a bonus? I’ll pass especially since I’m at Chase 4/24 for the first time in 4 years.