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Cancún is just a short flight away from the U.S. It’s a popular tourist destination year-round, but especially so during the spring and summer months, as well as the Christmas holiday season.
Known for exceptional white-sand beaches, a lively culture, and some of the friendliest locals you’ll encounter, Cancún is certainly an aspirational spot in Mexico that’s worth a visit.
Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, it’s also near Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel, which means you’ll have endless activities and attractions to visit!
When you visit Cancún, you have an endless array of lodging options, ranging from Airbnbs and boutique hotels to opulent 5-star resorts and everything in-between! In this guide, we’ll be showing you our favorite hotels to book using points.
All of the below properties are displayed with cash room rates that include taxes and fees — an important cost to consider since the total ancillary fees almost always exceed 30% of the room rate!
We evaluated all of the 4 major hotel chain loyalty programs: Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy. Without further ado, here are the best Cancún hotels to book using points!
Our favorite property to redeem points at isn’t technically in Cancún — it’s in nearby Playa del Carmen, which is a less than 1-hour drive from Cancún International Airport (CUN).
But the drive is totally worth it; in fact, the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya was recognized in 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler as the #1 resort in Mexico!
The property boasts beachfront luxury in a private, gated complex surrounded by lush greenery and nature.
Choose between 1 king bed or 2 double beds — either way, you’ll enjoy at least 538 square feet of space. The standard rooms contain plush bedding, an open floor plan, a private terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows, a flat-screen TV, a sitting area with 2 chairs and a table, a Bluetooth speaker, a fully-stocked complimentary minibar, a Nespresso coffee machine, and tea facilities.
The beautiful marble spa bathroom contains double sinks, a walk-in rain shower, luxury toiletries, bright lighting, bathrobes, slippers, and more.
This property comes fully loaded with dining options, including an all-day restaurant with 2 open kitchens, a poolside Mexican restaurant, a shorefront seafood restaurant, a terrace cocktail bar and juicery, a fantastic gastronomic dinner restaurant, and a vibrant cocktail bar.
You can enjoy any of the hotel’s facilities, including the 2 outdoor pools, whirlpool, gym, spa, and kids’ club! There are also meeting and event facilities.
Category: 6
World of Hyatt Points Required: 25,000
Cash Rate: $300 to $1,300 ($425 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 5.2 cents per point
Hot Tip: In addition to being our favorite Cancun area hotel to book with points, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya also made our list of the best hotels to book with points in Mexico!
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is the sister property to the Andaz above, though the Grand Hyatt primarily appeals to families and business travelers, while the Andaz appeals to couples.
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is a sprawling 5-star resort on Playa Marmitas beach, just a short 5-minute walk from La Quinta Avenida’s shopping and dining.
All of the sophisticated 316 rooms have a private furnished balcony, an inviting floor plan, a minimum of 409 square feet of real estate, a flat-screen TV, a sitting area, blackout curtains accompanying the floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar, and a coffeemaker.
The deluxe bathroom has twin vanities, a lighted wall-mounted make-up mirror, branded toiletries, a walk-in shower, a separate toilet room, a make-up station, bathrobes, and slippers.
You can pick between 2 full-service restaurants, 3 bars, a club lounge, and room service. As far as amenities go, you’ll find 3 infinity pools, 1 kids’ pool, a gym, a spa, direct beach access, an arcade, a kids’ club, and meeting space.
Category: 6
World of Hyatt Points Required: 25,000
Cash Rate: $225 to $850 ($340 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 3.4 cents per point
Hot Tip: From beaches to Mayan ruins to nightlife, our guide offers the best things to do in and around Cancún.
The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is yet another immensely popular luxury hotel, especially among U.S. travelers looking to enjoy the modernized JW Marriott brand.
Ideally situated between the sea and a lagoon, this property is 1 mile from Museo Maya de Cancún!
Each room measures at least 462 square feet and is furnished with either 1 king bed or 2 double beds — all rooms have ocean views, include soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows, a furnished balcony, a flat-screen TV, a sitting area, a desk, a minibar, and coffee and tea facilities.
The large bathroom contains a walk-in shower, a separate soaking tub, dual vanities, marble tiling throughout, a lighted make-up mirror, bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer, and Aromatherapy Associates bath products.
There’s an Italian restaurant, a Southwestern grill restaurant, a lobby bar with 150 unique margaritas, a poolside American eatery, a grab-and-go deli and boutique, a Japanese izakaya and noodle bar, a Thai bungalow restaurant, 2 sports bars, and a club lounge.
You’ll also find a gym, a spa with a steam room, an indoor heated pool, an outdoor heated family pool, an outdoor dive pool with an artificial reef, more pools, a hot tub, a kids’ club, a tennis court, a water sports center, and much more.
Average Marriott Bonvoy Points Required: 40,000 to 60,000
Cash Rate: $300 to $1,000 ($400 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 1.67 cents per point
Hot Tip: Get there on points too! Check out our guide on how to fly to Mexico using points and miles.
Situated next to the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, the Marriott Cancun Resort is yet another upmarket property with 4-star amenities. So while it isn’t the most luxurious option, you’ll have choices if the luxury Marriott properties are sold out.
Each room has either 1 king bed or 2 double beds, a furnished balcony or patio, and a relaxing layout. The rooms also include a minimum of 423 square feet of space, a sitting area with a couch and a desk, soundproof floor-to-ceiling windows, a minibar, coffee and tea machines, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.
The marble bathroom contains a walk-in rain shower, double vanities, a large mirror, and upscale amenities.
As far as dining options go, it has a total of 6 restaurants, 2 bars, and a coffee shop. It shares most of its restaurants with the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.
Other much-appreciated amenities include an outdoor pool, a kids’ pool, kids’ entertainment and activities, a spa, a gym, and event space.
Average Marriott Bonvoy Points Required: 30,000 to 40,000
Cash Rate: $200 to $600 ($250 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 1.5 cents per point
The sole IHG Hotels & Resorts property on our list, we’ll show you that the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort, an IHG Hotel should be on your radar!
Just a 10-minute walk from Cancun Golf Club at Pok ta Pok and 2.5 miles from Yamil Lu’um Archaeological Site, the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort offers 4-star luxury and amenities.
Each room is at least 366 square feet large and has 2 queen beds or 1 king bed. You’ll also find a sitting area with a table and 2 chairs, a daybed, floor-to-ceiling windows, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, coffee and tea facilities, and a luxurious bathroom with a separate toilet room, a single vanity, and a make-up mirror.
On the property, there’s a thatched-roof restaurant, 2 bars, a beach eatery, a club lounge, an outdoor pool, a whirlpool, a spa, and a gym. Event space is also available at this resort.
IHG One Rewards Points Required: 34,000 to 40,000
Cash Rate: $135 to $550 ($200 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 1.38 cents per point
Although Hilton’s presence in Cancún isn’t as strong as Marriott’s, it’s still definitely worth a glance. In this case, the best-value hotel is Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla, a 5-star hotel thoughtfully placed in the Cancún Lagoon area.
This hotel is a 14-minute walk from Marlin Beach and 3 miles from Museo Maya de Cancún.
The standard-level room measures 344 square feet large and contains a king bed, floor-to-ceiling windows, a workspace with a desk, a sitting area with a daybed, a hanging chair, a flat-screen TV, a minifridge, a Nespresso machine, and tea facilities.
The spacious, modern bathroom has a walk-in shower, a single vanity, Apivita organic amenities, and much more.
There are also 2 restaurants, 2 bars (1 rooftop), a gym, a rooftop pool, and a meeting space.
Hilton Honors Points Required: ~46,000
Cash Rate: $150 to $400 ($135 on average) per night
Points Value: Up to 0.87 cents per point
Cancún is known for its all-inclusive hotels, which promise superb value during your vacation.
And while the quality of these all-inclusive hotels varies across the board, it’s actually possible to book a name-brand all-inclusive hotel in Cancún using points!
Our top all-inclusive resort in Cancún is the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, a 5-star adults-only luxury resort.
Located on the Caribbean coast, this all-inclusive property is a little more than a mile from MUSA, the world’s largest underwater museum.
Each of the 310 suites measures a minimum of 653 square feet large and features a king bed or 2 double beds, a spacious sitting area, multiple flat-screen TVs, a double whirlpool tub, and a furnished terrace or balcony. You’ll also find a full minibar, a pillow menu, and a work desk.
The bathroom includes double vanities, walk-in rain showers, designer toiletries, and much more.
During your stay, indulge in refined dining options including 7 restaurants, 2 beach bars, a lobby bar, and a swim-up bar. These options include a gourmet Caribbean seafood restaurant, an Asian restaurant and Teppanyaki bar, a fine-dining Mexican spot, and much more.
The resort has 2 outdoor pools, a beachfront infinity pool, private beach access, a fitness center, and a spa. Complimentary activities include swimming and water sports, live entertainment, daily activities, and land sports.
If you’re in the mood for private dining or a spa treatment, you’ll pay extra.
World of Hyatt Points Required: 35,000 to 43,000 points per night for double occupancy (17,000 to 23,000 points per night for each additional guest; maximum of 4 people per room)
Cash Rate: $320 to $750 ($550 on average) per night, based on double occupancy
Points Value: Up to 2.0 cents per point, based on double occupancy
Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the sister resort to Hyatt Zilara Cancun. The main difference is that Hyatt Ziva Cancun is family-friendly. This resort is 2.5 miles from the Interactive Aquarium Cancún and 5 miles from Museo Maya de Cancún.
Each of the suites has at least 483 square feet of space and includes a king bedroom with a queen sofa bed or 2 double beds. Either way, you’ll enjoy a walk-out terrace, a sitting area, a flat-screen TV, a desk, floor-to-ceiling with blackout drapes, and a minibar.
The marble bathroom is furnished with a shower, double vanities, a lighted mirror, a make-up mirror, bathrobes, slippers, and deluxe amenities.
In total, you’ll find 8 restaurants, 3 lounges (including a club lounge), 6 bars (including a microbrewery), as well as an oceanfront spa, 3 infinity pools, a kids’ club, a gym, and event space!
World of Hyatt Points Required: 35,000 to 43,000 points per night for double occupancy (17,000 to 23,000 points per night for each additional guest; maximum of 4 people per room)
Cash Rate: $325 to $950 ($500 on average) per night, based on double occupancy
Points Value: Up to 2.53 cents per point, based on double occupancy
Hot Tip: For additional all-inclusive options, Choice Hotels is a transfer partner with Amex Membership Rewards and Citi ThankYou Points, and offers a few very competitive resorts from its Ascend Hotel Collection that can be booked using points, such as Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun, Ascend Hotel Collection, Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Ascend Hotel Collection, and Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Ascend Hotel Collection.
So, after all is said and done, you still need to earn points to redeem them for hotel stays in Cancún.
It’s possible to get some exceptional value at the properties listed above, so let’s walk through each loyalty program!
The World of Hyatt Credit Card offers an incredibly easy way to earn lots of points quickly. For a mild annual fee, you get elite status, the ability to earn up to 9x points per $1 spent at Hyatt, 1 free night at a Category 1-4 property, 5 elite night qualifying credits, and the ability to spend your way to top-tier Globalist status!
The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.
When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.
Check out our top valuable benefits of the World of Hyatt card for more details!
Hot Tip: You can also opt to sign up for the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, which offers enticing benefits and tons of earning potential for small businesses.
The reality is that the World of Hyatt card doesn’t have bonus categories that make everyday spending the most attractive card possible.
But that’s where Chase Ultimate Rewards comes in — if you have Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you could accelerate the rewards you earn, thanks to dining, travel, and business bonus categories!
Hyatt is a 1:1 Chase transfer partner, which means you can transfer the required number of Hyatt points from Ultimate Rewards!
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are offered by 2 issuers: American Express and Chase.
Each Marriott Bonvoy credit card has a unique value proposition, depending on what benefits you’re looking for, the annual fee you’re willing to pay, and more.
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Marriott Bonvoy employs dynamic pricing for all hotel stays, which means that the price you pay for your hotel stay can vary depending on when you’re booking.
Indeed, American Express and Chase points can both be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy, but it’s generally not a good idea to do so unless you can take advantage of a transfer bonus and book an aspirational property immediately after transferring your points.
Chase is the issuer of IHG Rewards credit cards, of which there are currently 3 open for new applications. Just remember that these co-branded cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve checked your 5/24 status before applying for these cards.
Earn up to 17x when you stay at IHG hotels, 3x on monthly bills, at gas stations, and restaurants, and 2x on all other purchases.
If you’re someone who is looking to enhance your IHG stays by earning more points and benefits, without paying an annual fee, then the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card might be the perfect fit for you.
In this guide, we will provide a detailed view of what the card can offer so you can decide if it makes sense to add to your wallet.
The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.
If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.
The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.
The IHG Premier Business card is the perfect option for business travelers who regularly stay at IHG hotels.
IHG Rewards and Chase have teamed up to offer the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Card, a compelling option for those who travel often for their business and stay at IHG hotels.
In this review, we will cover all of the benefits of the card, including earning rates, perks, fees, and more to help you determine whether the card is a good fit for your travel goals.
IHG One Rewards uses a dynamic award pricing scheme, which is why you may see different prices on certain dates — the price generally coincides with the hotel’s paid rate.
IHG One Rewards is a 1:1 transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards.
However, we do not recommend transferring your points from Chase due to the limited value you’ll get from your redemption.
There are plenty of ways to earn IHG points through paid stays and IHG credit card spending.
Hilton Honors’ points system follows a dynamic award pricing structure, meaning that standard room rewards can be priced with a specific range instead of 1 set value.
American Express is the sole issuer of Hilton credit cards, and there are a total of 4 options open for new applications. You can earn lots of Hilton points through credit card spending — up to 14x points per $1 spent! Check out our favorite Hilton credit cards below:
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesComplimentary Hilton Honors Silver status, plus great earnings at Hilton, U.S. gas stations, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. restaurants!
You can’t beat a comfy king-sized bed and room service. For many travelers, it’s the hotel that really makes or breaks an experience. If you’re one of those people, you’ve probably stayed at a Hilton hotel.
Whether your visits are for work or pleasure, the Hilton brand has you covered with more than 6,200 locations in 100 counties and territories.
To enjoy a host of great benefits, you may want to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAn excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and up to $200 in Hilton credits every year.
If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status to up to $200 in Hilton credits every year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAutomatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.
The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.
So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesAn excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.
For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.
Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status, complimentary Priority Pass visits, travel protections, and the opportunity to earn free night certificates.
Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.
Even though it’s easy to amass Hilton points quickly, you can transfer points from Amex to Hilton Honors if you still need a few thousand points, but it’s probably not a good idea to transfer lots of points to Hilton because there are so many other ways to redeem Amex points for incredible value.
Cancún is one of the most frequented tourist spots, particularly by U.S. travelers. Luckily, using your points to book a free luxury hotel stay is not only possible but easy!
In this guide, we’ve shown you our top picks for the best-value hotels you can book in Cancún using points.
We’ve gone through World of Hyatt, Marriott, IHG, and Hilton to develop this list, and we’ve organized it starting from highest to less-than-optimal redemption value.
Make the next trip a memorable and complimentary one with points!
The information regarding The World of Hyatt Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
Our favorite all-inclusive Cancún resort is either the Hyatt Ziva Cancun or the Hyatt Zilara Cancun. The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is a family-friendly luxury resort, while the Hyatt Zilara Cancun is an adults-only luxury resort.
Arguably, the most popular luxury hotels in Cancún is the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa which can be booked using Marriott Bonvoy points!
Our favorite hotels in Cancún that you can book with points are:
You can stay in Cancún for cheap by redeeming points for reward stays at luxury hotels. By using points, you can save your hard-earned cash for other travel expenses!
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Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
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