When we talk about points and miles, the conversation often leans toward champagne toasts at 35,000 feet or super nice suites in 5-star hotels. And while those moments are amaaazing, what about when your vibe is more tacos at a street stall? Turns out, points and miles can work wonders for budget trips too.
Today, we’re heading south of the border to highlight one of the most vibrant (and affordable!) cities in the world: Mexico City. No matter your plans, Mexico City offers an incredible experience without blowing your points bank. Let’s dig into how you can make this trip happen for pennies (or points) on the dollar.
Flying to Mexico City
Getting to Mexico City is almost too easy when you have points. From the U.S. or Canada, you’ve got tons of redemption options to snag cheap award flights:
Alaska Airlines: Fly from Phoenix to Mexico City for 7,500 miles in economy or 15,000 miles in business
American Airlines: New York to Mexico City? Just 8,000 miles for the nearly five-hour flight.
United Airlines: Chicago to Mexico City costs as little as 9,500 miles, making this an unbeatable value for international travel.
With cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or the American Express® Gold Card, you can easily transfer points to these airline partners and book flights at these cheap rates.
Where to Stay
Once you’re in Mexico City, the real budget magic begins. This city is a haven for affordable accommodations, whether you’re into traveling with backpackers or craving a little more privacy.
Hostel Life: For $16 a night, you can stay in a highly rated hostel with bunk beds, Wi-Fi, and a crew of travelers who’ve probably got wild Thailand stories. If you’ve got Capital One Miles, that’s just 1,600 points per night—basically free.
Budget Hotels: Prefer your own space? Book a cozy hotel room for $40 a night (free breakfast included!) and redeem just 4,000 points per night using the same strategy.
With the right credit card, you could stretch a single signup bonus to cover weeks of accommodations.
Explore, Eat, Repeat
Beyond flights and stays, Mexico City keeps the budget-friendly theme going strong. Public transportation costs just $0.25 a ride, and the city is filled with activities that are either free or ridiculously cheap. Street tacos for $0.50 each? Yes, pleeeeease.
Want to explore beyond the city? Head to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan. Tours can be booked for around $35 per person, and you can use cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card to offset the cost for only 3,500 points.
Breaking Down the Costs
Let’s see what a week in Mexico City could cost you using points and miles:
Flights: 20,000 miles round-trip per person.
Accommodations: 11,200 points per person for seven nights in a budget-friendly hostel or hotel.
Tour of Teotihuacan: 3,500 points per person.
For just 34,700 points per person (or 69,400 points total for two), you can cover flights, accommodations, and a must-see activity. That’s less than some first-class seats to Europe cost one way.
Why Mexico City Is Perfect for Budget Travelers
Mexico City proves you don’t need to splurge on luxury flights or swanky hotels to make points and miles work for you. Whether you’re earning points from daily spending or leveraging a single credit card welcome offer, this city offers endless things to do without breaking the bank.
So grab your favorite credit card (like one from this list), book those flights, and get ready for an amazing time in Mexico City! For more tips on stretching your points, check out our elevated offers page here. Happy travels, friends!
