When you mention Cancun to casual travelers, it might conjure up images of sunburned spring breakers crowding splashy swim-up bars by day and thumpingdiscotecasafter dark. But Cancun and the surrounding so-called Riviera Maya offer visitors a lot more than that.
With the coastal city as your home base, you can explore the jungles of the Yucatan and the ruins of ancient Mayan cities, take a dip in mysticalcenotes(natural sinkholes that have filled in with seawater) and snorkel with gargantuan whale sharks (from May-September at least; just beware that this is also when you might encounter the notorious sargassum seaweed washing up on Cancun's shores).
Nearby destinations like Isla Mujeres and Cozumel beckon with white-sand beaches; Tulum still has more of a sunrise-yoga-barefoot-in-the-sand vibe, despite a lot of recent development; and the buzzy boutiques and eclectic eateries of Playa del Carmen are always a draw.
There are hotels for every taste and budget ranging from luxury enclaves to energetic megaresorts with sprawling waterparks, which are a particular hit with the kids. What's more, major airlines offer flights from a vast array of cities across the U.S. to Cancun as well as the new, nearby Tulum International Airport (TPQ).
Here are some of my top picks for using points and miles to get to Cancun and how to make the most of a trip there with your credit card benefits.
Picking an area of Cancun to stay in
When referring to Cancun, folks typically mean the entire region surrounding the city, rather than just the town of Cancun itself. That means you might be talking about places as far away as Tulum, which is around 80 miles away, not to mention islands off the coast, including Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, to which you can take ferries.
For the purposes of this guide, we're going to focus on the area right around the city itself as well as its international airport. If you're interested in guides to other parts of the Riviera Maya, like Playa del Carmen or Tulum, but leave a comment below, and if there's enough interest, we'll get to them for you!
Related:The 14 best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun
Use Alaska Airlines Atmos points for American Airlines flights
American Airlines and Alaska Airlines both have extensive route networks to Cancun from their hubs in cities like Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Seattle. However, American seems to make more award seats available at saver levels both to members of its own AAdvantage frequent-flyer program as well as to those of its Oneworld partners, including Alaska Airlines.
And by redeeming Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points for American Airlines flights instead of AA's own miles, you can sometimes save a ton.
For instance, American Airlines would charge you just 4,500 miles plus $75 in taxes and fees from Miami-Cancun in economy (which would otherwise cost $251 for a paid fare), or 9,000 miles in first class (or $441 paid).
Compare that to the 9,000-22,000 miles American Airlines would charge you in economy, or the astounding sum of 20,000-59,500 miles in first class plus taxes and fees of around $62. The choice is clear … Alaska all the way!
Alaska is a 1:1 transfer partner of Bilt. Even better, if you have the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card or the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card, you can earn 3 Atmos Rewards points for every dollar spent on eligible rent when paying through Bilt, on up to $50,000 per calendar year; terms apply.
Related:The best credit cards for Alaska Airlines flyers
Use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles for Delta flights
Delta flies to Cancun from many of its hubs, including:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Delta SkyMiles prices awards dynamically, so the lower the airfare, the fewer the miles you'll need, and you can find dates with prices below 20,000 miles each way on nonstops to Cancun from the airline's various hubs.
However, if you're willing to put in a little more work (honestly, it's not much!), you can easily find awards on Delta flights using miles from its partner, Virgin Atlantic. For instance, nonstop flights from Atlanta to Cancun throughout the summer are pricing out at around 22,000 Delta SkyMiles each way plus $63 in taxes and fees…
Or just 11,000 Virgin Atlantic miles and the same taxes and fees for a ticket that would cost $330 otherwise, giving you a value of about 2.4 cents per mile, which also handily beats TPG's June 2026 valuation of Virgin miles at 1.3 cents apiece.
Granted, not as many flights on Delta are available for awards using Virgin miles as those for which you can redeem SkyMiles, but a little flexibility could mean saving half your miles.
If you don't already have a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account, time to get one. The program is a 1:1 transfer partner of:
- American Express Membership Rewards
- Bilt
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Wells Fargo Rewards
So there are plenty of ways to pad your account once it's active.
Related:Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: How to earn and redeem points
Book United flights using MileagePlus miles
United Airlines flies nonstop to Cancun from its major hubs, including:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C.
- Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Like Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus prices award tickets dynamically based on airfare, so when prices are low, you can find some bargains like this example one-way ticket from Newark to Cancun for just 12,000 miles plus $62 in taxes and fees one-way (similar pricing was also available out of Houston) instead of around $250 each way for paid fares.That's about 1.6 cents per mile in value, well above TPG's June 2026 valuation of United miles.
Throughout the year, though, tickets often start at under 20,000 miles each way in economy and at about 35,000 miles each way in business class with better availability than you can find through partners like Air Canada Aeroplan, so your best bet is just to book directly through United.
Remember, United is transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt, so even if you don't fly the airline regularly or have a United credit card, there are plenty of ways to stock up on miles.
Related:The best United credit cards
Save by using hotel points for an all-inclusive resort
Hotel points are a great way to save money in lots of destinations, but especially in Cancun, where there are a ton of all-inclusive resorts where you can redeem points for stays.
That way, you can cash in those points you've been saving and everything, including meals and even some activities, will be included in your stay with no extra money out of pocket.
This isn't our full list of favorite points all-inclusives in Cancun. Rather, these are just some suggestions to get you started where award availability is plentiful and inexpensive.
Hilton all-inclusives in Cancun
If you have Hilton points, consider a stay at the sprawling Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort on a prime beachfront location in the hotel zone. Its 540 rooms and suites face the ocean, and there are plenty of pools as well as restaurants ranging from family-friendly buffets to gourmet Mexican, Italian and Asian outlets, most of which are included with your stay (some restaurants charge supplements). Rates start at $542 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night, double occupancy.
Related:The best Hilton credit cards
Marriott all-inclusives in Cancun
The Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, which was the first-ever Marriott-branded all-inclusive when it debuted in 2024, is among our favorite all-inclusive resorts to redeem Marriott points thanks to its bright, beachy rooms, vibrant kids club, plethora of restaurants ranging from casual to fine-dining and its dreamy, infinity-edge adults-only pool. Rates start at $438 or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, double occupancy.
Travelers who want more of a fiesta vibe should check into the adults-only Royalton Chic Cancun, Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, whose motto is "Party your way." And there's no shortage of places to do so, with an expansive beachfront, six bars, nine restaurants, four pools, a jacuzzi and 458 spacious suites. Rates start at $248 or 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
On the other hand, those looking for a quieter slice of paradise and who are willing to venture 30 minutes south of town can check into the Royalton Reserve Paraiso de la Bonita, a Luxury Collection Resort, Riviera Maya, Adults-Only All-Inclusive. That's a mouthful! But there are other tasty morsels in store at the resort's 10 restaurants, bars, clubs and other dining experiences, too. The hotel also has an ocean-inspired Thalasso Spa. Rates start at $396 or 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.
Related:The best Marriott credit cards
Hyatt all-inclusives in Cancun
With Breathless, Dreams and Secrets resorts galore, Hyatt is leading the pack with all-inclusive resorts. Those looking for a solid, fun beach resort experience can cut through the noise and book either the Hyatt Ziva Cancun (for families) or Hyatt Zilara Cancun (for adults) right along the main strip of sand in the hotel zone.
The Ziva is more your standard megaresort with over a dozen bars and restaurants, huge pools and lots of family-friendly amenities. Those looking for a quieter romantic stay should opt for the Zilara instead (also note there is a Zilara nearby in Playa del Carmen), where nearly all the rooms have an ocean view. Rates at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun start at $630 and range from 45,000-85,000 World of Hyatt points per night. Rates at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun start at $480 and range from 35,000-75,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Related:Which credit cards should you use for Hyatt stays?
Avoid resort fees when redeeming hotel points in Cancun
One of the biggest scourges when it comes to booking beach vacations these days is resort fees. These are extra charges hotels tack onto your bill for amenities such as Wi-Fi and use of the fitness center, though some also offer useful perks like discounts at restaurants.
While you'll be on the hook to pay resort fees when booking through Marriott or IHG, even if you are redeeming points for an award stay, the good news is that neither Hilton Honors nor World of Hyatt add resort fees to award stays. If you have points with either of those programs, you might want to look at options through them first before resorting to Marriott or IHG points.
What's the big deal in paying a few extra dollars a day, you ask? The sad truth is, resort fees can run over $100 a day at some luxury resorts, so that can make a big dent in your budget. For instance, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa charges a relatively modest resort fee of $35 per room, per day. Over the course of a week, that could add $245 to your bill, whether you're paying cash or redeeming points. So choosing the right points program to redeem for a stay can really end up saving you a chunk of change.
Related:The best beach hotels in Mexico to book with points
Save with premium credit card hotel credits
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees), you are eligible for two statement credits of up to $250 each (for a total of $500) this calendar year to put toward stays of two nights or more at luxury hotels that participate in The Edit by Chase Travel℠.
For 2026, Chase is also offering cardholders a one-time $250 statement credit for eligible prepaid hotel stays of two nights or more booked through Chase Travel at several hotel chains including IHG Hotels & Resorts.
While you can't stack these two credits in Cancun, specifically, since none of the IHG resorts in the area are part of The Edit, you can take advantage of either of them quite easily. For instance, you could get $250 off a stay of two nights or more at a luxury The Edit property like the Kempinski Hotel Cancun, or $250 off a prepaid stay of two nights or more at the Intercontinental Hotels Presidente Cancun Resort by IHG.
Likewise, if you have either the American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can book American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and get up to $300 back in statement credits semiannually for up to a total of $600 per year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel.
That can save you nicely on stays at FHR properties like the dreamy, jungly Nizuc Resort and Spa on a secluded peninsula north of town, or at the chic SLS Cancun near the city's yacht marina. And don't forget, when you book through FHR, you also get other benefits like complimentary daily breakfast for two and a $100 on-property credit to use for things like meals or spa treatments (just not nightly room rates), so you can end up saving even more.
*The Hotel Collection bookings require a minimum two-night stay.
Related:Our favorite American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts around the world
Avoid foreign transaction fees
Some credit cards charge foreign transaction fees ranging from 1-3% of your total purchase price when you use them make purchases outside the U.S. Depending on how much you are spending, all those little fees can really add up.
The good news is, many credit cards waive foreign transaction fees, especially rewards cards that are geared toward travelers. Before your trip, check your cards to make sure you have at least one that waives foreign transaction fees so you don't end up getting hit with unexpected charges.
If earning points is another major consideration, consider applying for the recently introduced Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card. Not only does it waive foreign transaction fees, but the card actually earns 3 points per dollar on foreign transactions, in any category, which makes it one of the best credit cards for trips abroad.
Related:The best credit cards with no foreign transaction fees
Bottom line
With long beaches, beautiful Caribbean waters, a vast selection of hotels with options for every budget and a reputation for good vibes, as the kids say, Cancun remains one of the world's most popular beach destinations. And no wonder, since it's also within a quick flight of dozens of U.S. cities.
If a trip to Mexico's vacation capital is in your future, hopefully the tips here can help you save time and money by putting your points to use for flights and hotels. But if you have more questions or tips of your own, feel free to share those in the comments!
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
