When planning a vacation to the Caribbean, the cost of airfare and lodging are usually the biggest financial considerations. To effectively offset these costs, consider a credit card that allows you to earn rewards points for your purchases, which you can redeem for flights or hotel stays.
Certain credit cards are linked to specific airlines or hotel chains and offer targeted rewards, while others offer more flexible reward points that you can use to book travel on different airlines and hotels depending on your personal preference. By choosing an appropriate credit card, you can effectively secure your next tropical trip and make the most of your spending.
Here are our top selections for Caribbean travel rewards credit cards:
Hilton Honors
Hilton’s Caribbean portfolio consists of more than 30 hotels, ranging from downtown accommodations like Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites to opulent resorts like the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa. Hilton Honors American Express users can earn up to 70,000 additional points with the no-fee credit card, which can be used toward resort stays and a coupon for a free night. With higher bonus points and other benefits, the Hilton Amex card is also offered in Surpass ($95 annual fee) and Aspire ($4450 annual fee) editions.
Capital One Venture Card
This is a travel rewards credit card that is not tied to a specific hotel or airline chain. One of the best credit cards for earning travel miles, according to reviews, is the Capital One Venture Card. The card has a $395 annual fee, but it also offers $300 worth of credits for travel-related purchases. Other benefits include 75,000 introductory bonus miles, 10,000 anniversary miles and $100 for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.
Marriott Bonvoy
There are more than 80 Marriott properties in the Caribbean, ranging from budget Courtyard hotels to five-star Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis resorts. Four variations of Marriott Bonvoy credit cards are available: two Visa cards and two American Express cards. The Boundless Visa has a $95 annual fee but an introductory offer of three free nights, while the Bold Visa has no annual fee and comes with 30,000 bonus points. The cost of the Amex cards is higher, but they also offer a larger sign-up bonus and Marriott Elite status.
Hyatt Visa
Numerous locations in the Caribbean, Latin America and the Riviera Maya are included in The World of Hyatt, from all-inclusive resorts like The Reef by Cuisinart in Anguilla to special resorts like Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara. With the Chase Hyatt Visa card, new users will earn 30,000 bonus points plus the chance to earn another 30,000 points, one free night per year and the opportunity to earn another free night based on your annual charge.
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Visa
Southwest Airlines serves the Mexican Caribbean and eight Caribbean destinations, including Aruba, Grand Cayman, Havana, Montego Bay, Nassau, Punta Cana and San Juan, with its low-cost business strategy and Rapid Rewards program. The airline’s Rapid Rewards Visa, issued by Chase, includes an introductory reward of 60,000 points and a coupon code to save 30% on future travel. Priority boarding and the ability to earn points toward a companion ticket are among the key benefits. There are three versions of the card: Plus, Premier and Priority.
JetBlue Mastercard
More than 20 destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America are served by JetBlue Airways, including some surprising places like Guadeloupe and Guyana. The JetBlue Mastercard from Barclays Bank is available in two versions: the base version with no annual fee and 10,000 bonus points, and the Plus version with a $99 annual fee and 60,000 bonus points.
United Airlines Explorer Card
On its route map, United Airlines offers more than 20 “beach destinations” in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera Maya, and Latin America. Passengers can use their Explorer card points to travel to any of these locations. In addition to benefits such as two United Club passes per year, free first-checked baggage, priority boarding and up to $100 in fee credits for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, the Chase Visa Signature card entices new customers with an introductory bonus of 50,000 miles.
American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard
American Airlines offers the most extensive flight network to the Caribbean and Latin America compared to any other airline. With over 800 weekly flights to 35 Caribbean destinations and Mexico’s Caribbean coast, they provide a wide range of options for travelers. Holders of the American Airlines AAdvantage Mastercard, issued by Citi bank, have the greatest variety of choices when it comes to redeeming their rewards points for an idyllic island retreat.
Delta Air Lines SkyMiles American Express Card
In addition to Mexico, Bermuda and Costa Rica, Delta offers flights to 13 Caribbean destinations. Popular regional stopovers on the airline’s schedules include Punta Cana and Montego Bay, as well as less frequently served locations such as Port au Prince, Haiti, and Havana, Cuba. The SkyMiles Amex Card might be a smart choice if you are a frequent traveler who’s used to paying off your credit card bill in full each month. The card is available in Gold, Platinum and Reserve versions and offers an introductory mileage bonus of 40,000 to 50,000 miles.