Travel Credit Cards
NOTES
There's only three referred because these are the best three in the business. All other cards do not meet the quality of the three below.
The cards below all offer travel protection.
Travel cards specific to business, brands, and airlines are excluded from this list.
All travel cards listed below do not have foreign transaction fees, which means you can and should be purchasing items in Cancun in Mexican Pesos and not USD.
The American Express Platinum card is very lucrative if you use it right. Generally, you need to be invited to apply by American Express themselves or referred via a Platinum Card holder for best odds of getting approved for AMEX Platinum. I will be sharing my personal referral with four users per year!
Using my link below will award you between 80,000 - 150,000 points as a sign-up bonus for a certain amount spend in X months.
PLATINUM
The AMEX Platinum is a behemoth of a card, usually ranking as one of the top travel cards recommended for those who travel consistently. It has a wide range of benefits which usually pays off it's annual $695 fee, such as:
$200 annual Uber & Uber Eats credit
$240 annual entertainment credit (which gives me free Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN)
$155 Walmart+ annual subscription credit
$200 airline credit (only for baggage, in-flight entertainment, food and drinks)
$200 Hotel Credit (only for AMEX Travel Hotel Collection)
$189 CLEAR subscription credit (click here to read more on CLEAR)
$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (click here to read more on Global Entry & PreCheck)
$100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit
5X points on travel booked via AmexTravel.
and more money saving offers!
Using my link below will award you 60,000 points as a sign-up bonus for a certain amount spend in 3 months. That's enough to fly you and your partner to Cancun roundtrip with United Airlines!
SAPPHIRE PREFERRED
Chase Sapphire Preferred is a little less intense than the AMEX Platinum, but it's a great travel card nonetheless! With an annual fee of only $95, you can't go wrong with it. The Sapphire Preferred doesn't give you as many benefits as AMEX, but it's great for building up points! You will get:
5X points on travel booked via Chase Travel
3X points on dining and restaurants
2X points on all other travel purchases
Exclusive transfer partner with United Airlines and other hotels/airlines
Note: The Chase alternative to the AMEX Platinum would be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, however I am choosing Sapphire Preferred as my choice of travel card here due to the lower annual fee and my personal opinion of Platinum being better than Reserve.
Using my link below will award you 75,000 points as a sign-up bonus for a certain amount spend in 3 months. That's enough to get you a Cancun flight roundtrip with AeroMexico!
Venture
Capital One Venture is always my one of my most recommended travel card without any foreign transaction fees because it provides the best bang for your buck! With an annual fee of only $95, you definitely can't go wrong with it. Some of the highlights are:
2X points on all purchases with this credit card
$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (click here to read more on Global Entry & PreCheck)
Large selection of transfer partners for points comparable to AMEX
Capital One cash-back offers which can be paired well with Viator (click here to read more)
Note: The Captial One alternative to the AMEX Platinum would be the the Venture X, however I am choosing Venture as my choice of travel card here due to the lower annual fee.
The importance of using Travel Credit Cards while on vacation:
Using travel credit cards while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico can offer several benefits, including:
Rewards and Points: The travel credit cards above offer rewards and points for every dollar spent on travel-related expenses, such as flights, hotels, and restaurants. This can help you earn valuable points that you can redeem for free flights, hotel stays, or other travel-related purchases.
Foreign Transaction Fees: When you use a credit card that doesn't have a foreign transaction fee, you can save money on fees that can add up quickly when you're spending money abroad.
Travel Insurance: Some travel credit cards offer travel insurance, which can provide coverage for things like trip cancellations, lost luggage, and emergency medical expenses. This can provide peace of mind while you're traveling and help you save money on additional travel insurance.
Convenience: Credit cards offer a convenient and secure way to pay for expenses while traveling. They can also provide additional protection against fraud, as many credit cards offer zero liability for unauthorized purchases.
Emergency Cash Advance: If you need cash while traveling, many credit cards offer the option of an emergency cash advance, which can be a lifesaver in a pinch.
Overall, using a travel credit card while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico can help you save money, earn rewards, and provide additional protection and peace of mind during your trip. Just be sure to pay off your balances in full each month to avoid interest charges and late fees.
The importance of why you should not be using a Debit Card while in Cancun:
While there is no hard and fast rule about using debit or credit cards while on vacation in Cancun, Mexico, there are a few reasons why it may be more beneficial to use credit cards instead of debit cards:
Fraud Protection: Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection compared to debit cards. In case of unauthorized transactions, you can dispute the charge with the credit card issuer and get a refund. With a debit card, it can be more difficult to recover stolen funds due to lack of protection over your cash.
Dispute Resolution: If you encounter a problem with a merchant, such as a billing error or a damaged or defective product, it can be easier to resolve the issue with a credit card. You can dispute the charge with the credit card issuer, who will then handle the dispute on your behalf.
Rewards and Points: Many credit cards offer rewards and points for every dollar spent, including travel expenses. You can earn valuable rewards and save money on future trips. Debit cards do not typically offer rewards or points.
Foreign Transaction Fees: Debit cards often charge a foreign transaction fee for purchases made outside of the country.