If you’re planning a trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, you can book free stays at fantastic hotels using points! There are highly rated options at chains like Hiton, Hyatt, IHG, and Starwood!
But before selecting a hotel, consider which part of Los Cabos (or “Cabo”) you’d like to stay.
There’s San Jose del Cabo, which is a less touristy area that’s closer to the airport. And there’s Cabo San Lucas, which is known for tourist attractions and home to the port where cruise ships stop. The 2 towns are ~30 minutes apart.
I’ll show you 5 highly rated hotels in Los Cabos where you can stay free using points!
Where to Stay in Cabo Using Points
San Jose del Cabo is the area of Los Cabos where you’ll find the most large chain hotels that accept loyalty points. These hotels are typically a ~25 minute drive from the Los Cabos airport.
Team member Keith recently took a trip to San Jose del Cabo. And he highly recommends renting a car if you’re staying in San Jose del Cabo and plan to explore attractions in Cabo San Lucas like:
And Los Cabos is a fantastic destination for folks with the Southwest Companion Pass. Because there are non-stop flights to Los Cabos from 8 US airports, including:
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Denver
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Oakland
- Orange County
- San Diego
Here are 5 fantastic hotels you can stay using points!
1. Hyatt Ziva
The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is a family-friendly, all-inclusive beachfront hotel located in San Jose del Cabo. Every room at the hotel is a suite, which means using points doesn’t just get you a traditional basic room.
As an all-inclusive hotel, you get:
- Unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks at lounges and bars
- Meals at all 7 hotel restaurants
- Live bands and theatre performances
- Wi-Fi internet access
This hotel gets excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. Folks say the food is phenomenal. And it’s a great option whether you’re traveling as a family or a couple looking for a romantic getaway.
A free night at this hotel costs 20,000 Hyatt points. Room rates are regularly $300+, so using points is a great way to save money.
To book a room with points, you must call Hyatt at 800-228-3360.
The standard room cost is for 2 adults. You can bring up to 2 additional guests for 10,000 Hyatt points per person per night. So a family of 4 will pay 40,000 Hyatt points per night (20,000 points for standard room + 20,000 points for additional guests). You do NOT have to pay for children under 3 years old.
2. Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
You won’t have to leave your room at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort to enjoy magnificent views. Because all rooms have private balconies overlooking the Sea of Cortez.
At this hotel, you can relax in the infinity pools, get spa treatments, or visit Los Cabos’ largest tequila collection at the hotel bar Azul.
The hotel also has partnerships with area golf courses, including Palmilla Golf Club. Team member Keith played at this course and loved the layout and views!
On TripAdvisor, this hotel ranks #4 out of 41 for all hotels in San Jose del Cabo. Folks love the infinity pool swim-up bar, excellent food, large fitness center, and friendly staff!
Hilton no longer publishes an award chart. But I searched a sample stay in November 2017, and found free nights cost between 52,000 and 70,000 Hilton points. Using points saves you $250+ per night!3. JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
Folks on TripAdvisor say they can’t wait to go back to the JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa.
Families or couples can enjoy a wonderful stay at this luxury hotel, which is home to Cafe des Artistes, one of Cabo’s top restaurants.
There are lots of amenities for children, including the NAYAA Kids Club. And if you’re on a romantic getaway, feel free to enjoy quiet time at the adult only pool or at Jasha Spa & Salon.
A free night at this hotel costs 40,000 Marriott points. Don’t forget, you can also transfer Starwood points to Marriott at a 1:3 ratio. So you can convert ~14,000 Starwood points to book a free night.
Using points will save you ~$250 per night!
4. The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa
The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa was recently renovated.All rooms at this hotel are villa style, which means you’ll get a kitchen area with a cooktop, microwave, and washer and dryer. And don’t forget about the comfortable Westin Heavenly Beds!
At this hotel, you can treat yourself to massages and treatments at Spa Otomí. And enjoy meals at several different hotel dining options, including a beachfront restaurant.
Award nights at this hotel cost 20,000 to 25,000 Starwood points. Or you can convert 60,000 to 75,000 Marriott points. Nightly room rates are $250+ if you pay cash.
5. Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos
The Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos is an all-inclusive hotel. You can enjoy a la carte dining at Azul Estero or choose the buffet option.
The hotel has tennis courts, a fitness center, spa, and kids club.
While you won’t get the feel of a luxurious resort, folks on TripAdvisor say the hotel is ideal if you’re traveling on a budget. Because nightly rates are less than $200. Or you can redeem 35,000 IHG points.
How to Earn Points for Free Stays
Link: Hotel Credit Cards
Depending on your hotel chain preference, you can earn points for free stays directly with one of these credit cards:
| Card | Sign-Up Bonus & Perks | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| IHG® Rewards Club Select Credit Card | 80,000 IHG points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account 1 free night on your card anniversary each year | $49 (waived the first year) |
| Hilton Honors™ Surpass® Card from American Express | 75,000 Hilton points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. | $75 (not waived the first year) |
| Marriott Rewards® Premier Credit Card | 80,000 Marriott points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening 1 free night on your card anniversary each year to use at a Category 1 to 5 hotel every year | $85 (not waived the first year) |
| The Hyatt Credit Card | 40,000 Hyatt points at any Hyatt after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account 1 free night in a Category 1 to 4 Hyatt every card anniversary | $75 (not waived the first year) |
| Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express | 25,000 Starwood points after spending $3,000 within the first 3 months of opening your account | $95 (waived the first year) |
And if you’re considering a stay in Los Cabos at an independent boutique hotel or Airbnb, I suggest the below cards. Because you can use miles to offset travel purchases.
- Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Elite Mastercard
- Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
Bottom Line
Los Cabos, Mexico is a terrific travel destination located right along the beautiful Sea of Cortez.
You can use points for free stays at these highly rated hotels in Los Cabos:
- Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
- Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
- JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa
- The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas & Spa
- Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos
Remember, many popular chain hotels are located in San Jose del Cabo, which is a ~30 minute drive from tourist attractions in Cabo San Lucas. So you might consider renting a car to drive back and forth to your hotel.
Do you have a favorite hotel in Cabo you’ve booked using points?