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Deal alert: Head to Mexico for the winter for as little as $160

Sept. 20, 2021
4 min read
Deal alert: Head to Mexico for the winter for as little as $160
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There are some scorching-hot deals to be had if you want to head south of the border this winter. And let's be honest: Who doesn't think sunshine, sand and sandals sound great for an end-of-year trip?

There are currently nonstop flights to Mexico going for as low as $160. We found the deals courtesy of our friends at Scott’s Cheap Flights. Most of the fares are from Los Angeles, but there are bargains to be had for people in further -- and colder -- cities. Prices are good for travel booked between September through early March 2022. Thanksgiving and Christmas are excluded but New Years's Eve is available.

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Playa Los Muertos - beach and pier in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Aerial view. (photo by Westend61 for Getty Images)

Airline: Alaska Air (Oneworld), JetBlue and United (Star Alliance)
Routes: From LAX/ORD/DFW to CUN/PVR/SJD SEA/JFK/EWR/PDX/SFO/SLC
Cost: From $160 round-trip for select nonstop routes.
Dates: Book for travel between now and December 2021; Thanksgiving travel excluded
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x on air travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

You can fly from Chicago to Cancun for only $160 on United, right as the weather usually starts to take a frigid turn in the Midwest. This is United's basic economy fare so it doesn't come with a free carry-on bag.

(screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

You can also fly from Dallas to Cancun nonstop starting at $180. This is the price for American's basic economy rate, which does get you one free carry-on bag, so if you pack light, you can avoid the $60 checked-bag fee.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

There are abundant options for people in Los Angeles to score great rates for a getaway to Puerto Vallarta. If you're looking for a winter trip for the family, this is an ideal place, given its amply supply of resorts.

Related: Comparing 8 family-friendly Puerto Vallarta points hotels

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We found a number of flights for just $181 roundtrip from LAX. This offer for October is from United for its basic economy rate.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Alaska Air is also offering the same rock-bottom rate for LAX-PVR, and their lowest tier, Saver, does give customers a free carry-on bag, unlike United. This fare often costs $500, so this is a tremendous savings.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

If Los Cabos is more your style, you'll find the price is right for flights from LA, such as this $180 deal from Alaska Air.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

How to book

There are no tricks or special codes needed to find these fares.

If you’re paying with cash, head to Google Flights and plug in your desired departure and destination cities. Then, use the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you and then click through to book with the airline directly.

Maximize your purchase

Don’t forget to use a card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel), American Express Gold Card (3x on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel), Citi Premier Card (3x on air travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel purchases). Check out this guide for more on maximizing airfare purchases.

Featured Image by Ruth Peterkin for Getty Images

Featured image by Getty Images/iStockphoto
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.

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  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees