Comp Cruises in 2026: Earn Free Cruises with Credit Card Rewards | Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast

Join host Justin Vacula and returning guest Marc Konchinsky on the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast as they explain practical strategies to earn complimentary cruises in 2026.

Learn how to combine credit card points, casino loyalty programs, and MyVegas games to sail for little out-of-pocket cost.

Justin and Marc discuss how to:

Turn everyday spending into free or discounted cruises

Use MyVegas and MGM status for comp cruise offers

Stack credit card rewards with casino benefits

Status and offer match into additional cruises

Improve your odds of room upgrades and better offers over time

They also discuss recent changes to cruise offers, the current landscape of MGM status benefits, creative ways to upgrade cabins, and how upcoming events and meetups can help you level up your travel game.

Recorded December 10, 2025. Subscribe for more strategies to travel more while spending less.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to the Hurdy Gurdy Travel Podcast
00:45 Meet the Guest: Marc Konchinsky
02:22 Why Choose Cruises?
03:54 Earning Comp Cruises with MyVegas
07:30 Status Matching for Comp Cruises
09:02 Maximizing MGM Rewards for Cruises
13:13 Gambling and Credit Card Strategies on Cruises
17:33 Best Practices for Cruise Travel
21:04 Announcements and Upcoming Events
23:13 Conference Circuit and Meetup Growth
24:12 Comp Cruises in 2026 with Marc Konchinsky
24:26 Upgrading Rooms on Cruises
24:40 Bidding for Room Upgrades
31:38 MyVegas and Other Rewards Programs
33:53 Upcoming Credit Cards and Travel Plans
38:30 Cruising from Local Ports
42:01 Final Thoughts and Future Episodes

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