What's the Best Credit Card for Travel to Mexico? Here Are Our Top 7 Picks in 2024

When choosing the best credit card for your foreign travels, steer clear of cards with foreign transaction fees and opt for ones with universal acceptance. In Mexico, Visa and Mastercard are seamless choices. AMEX is also fairly accepted while you'll have a harder time finding businesses that accept Discover.

You will also definitely need cash on hand for local markets, street vendors, and those iconic street tacos. In this guide, we consider debit cards like Revolut and Wise for ATM withdrawals to dodge credit card cash advance fees.

Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card is the best no-nonsense and cost-effective choice for travelers heading to Mexico — especially thanks to a large number of ATMs in Mexico within Chime's fee-free network. This card not only provides the convenience and security of a credit card but also offers a unique opportunity to build credit while abroad.

Whether you're paying for tapas in Cancun or buying an entrance ticket to the ancient ruins of Tikal, Chime's no foreign transaction fee debit card allows you to easily make purchases in US dollars that are converted to pesos at VISA's exchange rate, which is generally only a 0.2% markup on the interbank rate. Chime charges no foreign transaction fees of its own.

Does Chime Work in Mexico?

Yes, Chime offers instant notifications and real-time spending insights, empowering you to stay on top of your travel expenses. Furthermore, Chime's credit builder feature is designed to help you establish and improve your credit history. It's a secured credit card that helps you demonstrate creditworthiness without having to take on debt. Chime reports your activity to Experian, one of the major credit bureaus, allowing you to track your progress and take steps towards financial stability.

Here's a quick breakdown of the benefits of using Chime as both a travel card and a credit builder:

• No annual fees;
• Fee-free ATMs available in Mexico;
• No foreign transaction fees in Mexico;
• Variable APR of 0%;
• Helps build credit history;
• Reports to Experian for credit monitoring and improvement.

Learn more: Read our in-depth Chime review or visit their website.

Revolut Travel Multi-Currency Debit Card

Revolut is the second best option to take out cash cheaply in Mexico, thanks to its favorable ATM withdrawal policy that allows for $400 worth of free withdrawals each month. By converting your USD ($) deposits to MXN prior to your transaction (which you can do in the mobile app), the ATMs will recognize your Revolut card as local, bypassing the need for dynamic currency conversion.

Moreover, Revolut offers the added luxury of lounge access not only in Cancun International Airport but also worldwide, at a cost of $37 per person. This one-off cost certainly beats the high annual membership fees charged by lounge-access credit cards. If you are a paid member of Revolut's higher tiers, you'll receive discounts on lounge access and get a suite of travel insurance benefits.

While the paid tiers offer higher allowances and more perks, this is what you'll get under Revolut's Standard plan:

• No monthly fee for the Standard Plan;
• $400 of fee-free ATM withdrawals per month, then a 2% fee;
• Airport lounge passes for $37 per person;
• Supports 35 currency balances including MXN;
• No FX fee for the first $1,000 exchanged monthly;
• Revolut's FX rate is industry-low, usually ~0.5% (check live here).

Learn more: Read our in-depth Revolut review or watch our video review.

Wise Multi-Currency Card

The Wise Multi-Currency Account is well-suited if you just need a small amount in cash in Mexico, since Wise offers a $100 limit on fee-free withdrawals per month. Beyond this, withdrawals incur a $1.50 fee plus 2%.

If you are not going to take out cash, then card or digital wallet purchases with Wise are a great debit option because it applies the mid-market exchange rate on your purchases (Wise will instead charge an industry-low fee of around 0.5%).

However, just remember that Revolut offers a slightly better deal with $1,000 of fee-free exchanges per month, a feature that Wise does not match.

Here are benefits of the Wise multi-currency account at a glance:

• Opening an account costs $0;
• Offers $100 fee-free ATM withdrawals per month;
• Supports over 40 currencies, including MXN;
• Offers foreign bank details for 10 countries;
• Uses the mid-market rate (check live here), with a small fixed fee.

Learn more: Read our in-depth Wise review or watch our video review.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a staple for many international travelers, serving as a go-to card for all card transactions. The bonus offer should pay for a sizeable round-trip flight when redeemed through Chase Travel.

For the perks that Chase offers, the $95 annual fee is very reasonable. You'll pay 21.49%–28.49% variable APR on unpaid balances, so pay your monthly balance on time in full to avoid accumulating interest.

Here's a breakdown of the card's offerings:

• Earn 60,000 points after meeting a $4,000 spend in the first 3 months;
• Get $50 in credits each year for hotels through Chase Travel;
• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel;
• 2x on other travel purchases;
• 3x points on dining, online groceries, and select streaming services;
• 1x points on all other purchases;
• Each anniversary, get points equal to 10% of total yearly purchases;
• 1:1 point transfer to partners;
• Comprehensive travel and purchase coverage;
• Uses Visa network rate (check live rate here);
• No foreign transaction fees.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

We like this credit card largely for its generous bonus offer and the simplicity of earning 2x miles on every purchase. The bonus miles could conceivably cover the entire cost of a US to Mexico round trip.

The card carries a $95 annual fee, a great trade for the value it delivers, especially for avid travelers. The 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR is similar to that of Chase. It's wise to pay off your full balance monthly to avoid interest.

Here's what makes the Capital One Venture Card a great option for travelers to Mexico:

• Earn 75,000 miles after meeting a $4,000 spend in the first 3 months;
• Unlimited 2x miles;
• Earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel;
• If you find a better price with 24 hours, Capital One will match it;
• Get up to $50 in travel credit if price drops within 10 days of booking;
• Emergency replacement and cash advance if card is lost or stolen;
• Flexibility to transfer miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs;
• Uses Visa (check here) or Mastercard network rate (check here);
• No foreign transaction fees.

American Express® Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card is an appealing option for those looking for a travel card from American Express, which is known for its points programs. This card is best for domestic spending within the USA since some spending categories can only earn extra points within the country. AMEX has the most airline points transfer partners of any major U.S. credit card loyalty program, making it an ideal card to help you pay for your flight to Mexico.

Some of the best airlines active in Mexico that also allow the transfer of AMEX points include Aeromexico, Delta, and JetBlue.

With a $250 annual fee, the AMEX Gold Card is more expensive than the other cards on this list. But when compared to other AMEX cards, this one is fairly average in terms of price (The Green Card has a $150 annual fee while the Platinum Card's fee is $695). AMEX Gold charges a variable APR of 21.24% to 29.24%.

Here are the benefits that come with this AMEX credit card:

• Earn 60,000 points after meeting a $6,000 spend in the first 6 months;
• 4x points at restaurants worldwide;
• 4x points for takeout and delivery in the US;
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year);
• 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AMEX Travel;
• 1x points on other eligible purchases;
• $120 Dining Credit, up to $10 monthly at participating partners;
• $120 Uber Cash, get $10 each month for Uber;
• Receive $100 credit with a two-night minimum stay on AMEX Travel;
• Uses AMEX network rate (check here);
• No foreign transaction fees.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X credit card is one of the best-priced premium cards on the market, offering exceptional benefits for frequent travelers. It has an incredible 10x reward rate on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One's portal and 5x on flight purchases, with 2x on all other purchases. The card essentially pays for itself with a $300 travel credit applicable to any booking through Capital One's travel portal.

The 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR is the same as the regular Venture Rewards card. The main up front difference is the $395 annual fee, as opposed to the Venture card's $95 annual fee.

Here are the key benefits of the Venture X card:

• Earn 75,000 points after meeting a $4,000 spend in the first 3 months;
• Receive 10,000 bonus miles every year starting on first anniversary;
• $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel;
• Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®;
• If you find a better price with 24 hours, Capital One will match it;
• Get up to $50 in travel credit if price drops within 10 days of booking;
• Unlimited lounge access for you and 2 guests worldwide;
• Hertz President’s Circle status for free car upgrades;
• Uses Visa (check here) or Mastercard network rate (check here);
• No foreign transaction fees.

What Are the Best Credit Cards to Use in Mexico For Travel in 2024?

Chime is a great choice for international spending, since it helps you build up your credit history in the process. According to the in-app Cash Map, Chime even has fee-free ATMs in Mexico! Otherwise, they will charge $2.50 per out-of-network withdrawal.

Revolut stands out as a great debit option for withdrawing cash at ATMs in Mexico, thanks to its generous $400 monthly fee-free withdrawal limit. If you exceed this limit, Wise is a reliable backup, also doubling as an excellent debit card for international spending.

When it comes to Chase and Capital One, it's a tough call for me; I'd use both if I wanted. The great AMEX rewards program pays for itself, but also seems like a good tool to use before heading to Mexico.

Ultimately, your choice of card for your trip to Mexico will likely hinge on a mix of cash withdrawal needs, earning points while on your trip, and using accumulated points to pay for your flights:

1. Chime Credit Builder Card — Best credit builder
2. Revolut Standard Card — Cheapest way to get cash and lounge access
3. Wise Multi-Currency Card — Best prepaid travel debit card
4. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — Best for dining and travel points
5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card — Best intro offer
6. American Express® Gold Card — Best way to transfer points to flights
7. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Best premium travel

Disclaimers

Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A.; Members FDIC. Credit Builder card issued by Stride Bank, N.A.

¹ Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply. See here for details.

² To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.

³ The Annual Percentage Yield ("APY") for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change anytime. The disclosed APY is effective as of September 20, 2023. No minimum balance is required. Must have $0.01 in savings to earn interest.

⁴ On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Results may vary.

⁵ SpotMe® on Credit is an optional, no-interest/no-fee overdraft line of credit tied to the Secured Deposit Account available to qualifying members with an active Chime Credit Builder Account. SpotMe on Debit is an optional, no-fee overdraft service attached to the Chime Checking Account available to qualifying members after Visa debit card activation. Both SpotMe on Credit and SpotMe on Debit are sometimes collectively referred to as "SpotMe" or, if you have signed up to use SpotMe with only one account, "SpotMe" means the elected service. To qualify for SpotMe, you must receive $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to your Chime Checking Account monthly. Qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their Chime Checking Account and/or Secured Deposit Account (associated with your Chime Credit Builder credit card) up to $20 but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on Chime account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. The SpotMe limit will be displayed within the Chime mobile app and is subject to change at any time, at Chime’s sole discretion. Although Chime does not charge any overdraft fees for SpotMe, there may be out-of-network or third-party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe Debit Terms and Conditions and SpotMe on Credit Terms and Conditions.