Nonstop flights to Cancun for as low as $189 from 9 U.S. cities
It's been a while since we've seen such great prices for direct flights from this many departure airports.
Cancun is one of the top beach retreats in Mexico, and these deals make it even hotter.
Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines all have nonstop flights from New York City, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Denver and Chicago starting at $189 round trip.
While you'll have to book within the next three days to get these rates, you'll be happy to find that you can escape to Mexico during the winter months affordably from many of these departure points.
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Deal basics
Airlines: Southwest, United Airlines, American Airlines.
Routes: New York, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Denver and Chicago to Cancun, Mexico.
How to book: Search Google Flights to find the best rates, and then book directly through the airline.
Travel dates: August 2022 to February 2023, depending on your departure airport.
Book by: One to three days.
Related: After more than 25 years, Marriott calls it quits on The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
Sample flights
There are many options available at these great prices for the next few days. Between Southwest, United and American Airlines there are nine departure airports with nonstop flights available for travel into the new year. Whether you want to get away to Mexico with what's left of your summer or escape the winter months for some warmer weather, you've got options to get to Cancun International Airport (CUN).
On American Airlines:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), starting at $227
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), starting at $250
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), starting at $227
- Miami International Airport (MIA), starting at $227
On United Airlines:
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), starting at $189
- Denver International Airport (DEN), starting at $247
On Southwest:
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), starting at $229
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), starting at $227
- O'Hare International Airport (ORD), starting at $227
The Southwest booking platform is very user-friendly, so you can book directly through the website instead of searching Google Flights for the cheapest dates.
Related: 7 things to know before booking a stay at Marriott's Planet Hollywood Cancun
For example, when searching through prices for this article on the FLL route, we chose Nov. 1 for departure and Nov. 9 for return. These two dates had the lowest combination of rates — getting us the $227 price point listed above. You can also click through the months to see prices over different times.
Southwest includes two checked bags and no change fees, regardless of class. So when you book its Wanna Get Away fare, the main thing you're losing out on is the option to get a refund if you cancel (though you'll be compensated in the form of a flight credit).
Booking on American Airlines' website is a little less user-friendly. While you can view rates for a week before and after your selected dates, you can't scan over months at a time. However, it gives you the round-trip rate upfront, whereas Southwest's calendar breaks the prices down for each way. So if you're not great at fast math, you may prefer American Airlines' site.
We rounded up the rates for the most basic fare on each airline. With the Basic Economy American Airlines rate, you won't be allowed changes, you'll board last and you'll have pay to choose your seat and check bags. If you pay $80 more for the Main cabin fare, you won't be charged any change fees and you can select your seat free of charge.
United Airlines' website has a pretty good system too, as you can search a low fare calendar by selecting "Flexible Dates" when you choose your airports.
This website combines features from American Airlines' site and Southwest's site, and lists round-trip prices on the fare calendar based on the length of the stay that you stipulate. So you don't have to start out on Google Flights for flights on United either.
United only allows a personal item on board if you are traveling in Basic Economy, with no carry-on permitted. To check a bag you'll pay $30 if you prepay or $35 if you pay at the airport.
Maximize your purchase
Don’t forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express which earns 5 points per dollar 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 Premier® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve earn 3 points per dollar on airfare, while the American Express® Gold Card earns 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel. Meanwhile, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 2 points per dollar on travel. Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
Read more: Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card review
Bottom line
All in all, this is a fantastic deal that has us itching to get on an airplane and soar away to the great beaches of Mexico.
The availability of nonstop flights from this many airports for as low as $189 is definitely something to get excited about, in our opinion.
Start searching, because while this deal is for travel until February 2023, the rates will only last up to three more days.
Featured photo by Roberto Machado Noa/Getty Images.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
- Learn Moreabout American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees