Fly to Mexico Under $500: Best Ways to Travel to Mexico on Points

Key Takeaways:

Use frequent flyer miles from airlines like American, Delta, and United for flights to Mexico City, Cozumel, or Acapulco, with round-trip tickets often starting at 25,000 miles.
Convert points from Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or American Express® Gold Card to airline partners to book flights and reduce costs, potentially paying as little as $500 in points.
Travel during off-peak times and monitor fare alerts to find cheap flights to Mexico. Utilize airline alliances and low-cost carriers to stretch your points further.

Mexico is a vibrant and diverse destination, offering everything from stunning beaches to rich cultural experiences.

Whether you’re dreaming of a tropical escape to Cozumel, exploring the history and culture of Mexico City, or relaxing in Acapulco, getting there doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

With the right use of points and miles, you can fly to Mexico for under $500—or even for nearly nothing!

Let’s dive into how you can make your dream Mexican getaway a reality.

1. Choose the Right Airline for Your Destination

First things first—decide where in Mexico you want to go. Are you looking to explore the bustling streets of Mexico City, relax on the beaches of Acapulco, or dive in the crystal-clear waters of Cozumel? Depending on your destination, certain airlines will offer better options for redeeming points and miles.

Fly to Mexico City

Mexico City, the nation’s capital, is a must-visit for history buffs, foodies, and culture enthusiasts.

If you’re planning to fly to Mexico City, airlines like American, Delta, and United offer direct flights from major U.S. cities like Houston, Miami, Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Atlanta.

Points redemption with these airlines is often straightforward, especially if you book during off-peak times.

Houston to Mexico City
United Airlines MileagePlus program often has availability for flights from Houston to Mexico City for as low as 25,000 miles round-trip. This is a great option for anyone based in Texas.
Miami to Mexico City
American Airlines’ AAdvantage program is another excellent option, with flights often available for around 30,000 miles round-trip.
LAX to Mexico City
Delta’s SkyMiles program can sometimes offer round-trip flights for as low as 35,000 miles, especially if you’re flexible with your travel dates.

Fly to Cozumel, Mexico

If you’re looking for sun, sand, and snorkeling, Cozumel is the perfect destination. However, flights can be pricier than to more popular destinations like Mexico City. But don’t worry—using points and miles can help you avoid the high airfare to Mexico.

Southwest Airlines
Does Southwest fly to Mexico? Yes! Southwest offers flights to Cozumel through its Rapid Rewards program. By transferring points from a credit card like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card to Southwest, you can often find one-way flights for as low as 7,000 points.
American Airlines
AAdvantage miles can also be used for flights to Cozumel, with round-trip tickets sometimes available for around 25,000 miles if booked during a sale or off-peak season.

Fly to Acapulco, Mexico

Acapulco, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, is another popular destination. While it’s not as heavily serviced as other Mexican cities, there are still ways to get there on points.

Delta Airlines
Delta offers flights to Acapulco from various U.S. cities, often with a layover in Mexico City.

SkyMiles can be used to book these flights, and you might find round-trip tickets for as low as 40,000 miles.
United Airlines
United MileagePlus points can also be used for flights to Acapulco, with prices varying based on the time of year and availability.

2. Leverage Credit Card Points for Maximum Value

Using the right credit card points can be the key to flying to Mexico for under $500. Many travel credit cards allow you to transfer points to airline partners or book flights directly through their travel portals.

Transfer Points to Airline Partners

Some of the best travel credit cards for flying to Mexico include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, American Express® Gold Card, and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. These cards allow you to transfer points to airline partners, giving you more flexibility in booking your flight.

Chase Ultimate Rewards
If you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer your points to partners like United, Southwest, or Aeromexico. For example, you could transfer 25,000 Chase points to United’s MileagePlus program and book a round-trip flight from Houston to Mexico City.
Amex Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards points can be transferred to Delta SkyMiles or other airline partners. Depending on where you’re flying from and when, you might be able to book a flight to Mexico City or Cozumel for fewer points than you expect.

Use Points for Travel Portal Bookings

Another option is to book your flight directly through a travel portal like the Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Travel. These portals allow you to use your points as cash to pay for plane tickets to Mexico City, Acapulco, or Cozumel.

Chase Ultimate Rewards Portal
Points redeemed through this portal are worth 25% more if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. So, if you have 40,000 points, they could be worth $500 toward a flight. This could cover most, if not all, of your airfare to Mexico.
Amex Travel
Similarly, you can use Amex points to book flights through the Amex Travel portal. Depending on the flight and the number of points you have, this could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

3. Time Your Booking for the Best Deals

Timing is crucial when trying to score a cheap flight to Mexico. Here are some tips on when to book:

Book During Off-Peak Seasons
Flights to Mexico are typically cheaper during off-peak times, such as late spring and early fall.

By avoiding the busy holiday and summer seasons, you’ll find better availability for award flights and lower points requirements.
Set Fare Alerts
Use tools like Google Flights or Hopper to set fare alerts for your desired routes.

These tools can notify you when plane tickets to Mexico City, Cozumel, or Acapulco drop in price, allowing you to pounce on a good deal.
Look for Flash Sales
Airlines occasionally offer flash sales on flights to Mexico.

These can be a great opportunity to book your flight for fewer points. Keep an eye on your airline’s website and sign up for email alerts to stay informed about upcoming sales.

4. Do You Need a Passport to Fly to Mexico?

Before you get too deep into planning, it’s essential to know the answer to a common question: Do you need a passport to fly to Mexico? Yes, U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico by plane. Make sure your passport is up to date before booking your flight.

5. Take Advantage of Airline Alliances

When booking a flight to Mexico on points, don’t forget to consider airline alliances. Alliances like SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld allow you to book flights on partner airlines using your miles, giving you more flexibility and options.

Delta (SkyTeam)
Delta partners with Aeromexico, so you can use Delta SkyMiles earned via popular cards such as Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card to book flights to Mexico on Aeromexico planes, often with good availability and low points requirements.
American Airlines (Oneworld)
American’s Oneworld alliance allows you to use AAdvantage miles to book flights on partner airlines, including some routes operated by Alaska Airlines and British Airways.

Bottom Line

Flying to Mexico under $500 is not only possible—it’s downright achievable with the right strategy.

Whether you’re flying to Mexico City, Acapulco, or Cozumel, using points and miles can help you get there for a fraction of the cost.

By choosing the right airline, leveraging your credit card points, and timing your booking carefully, you can make your dream Mexican vacation a reality without breaking the bank.

So start planning your trip, gather those points, and get ready to fly to Mexico for under $500. Your margarita on the beach is waiting!

Fly to Mexico Under $500 - Best Ways to Travel to Mexico on Points