Best Credit Cards for Travel HackingTravel Hackers 2026

Maximize travel rewards with cards that earn transferable points, offer lounge access, and deliver the highest value per point for flights and hotels. 23 cards with $19,865+ in total sign-up bonus value.

BeginnersTravel HackersBusiness OwnersGrocery Shopping
Chase

Chase Sapphire Reserve

125,000 points
~$1,875 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$550
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x dining3x travel10x hotels via portal+1 more
Apply NowDetails
Capital One

Capital One Venture Rewards

75,000 miles
~$1,125 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards2x on all purchases
5x hotels/rentals via Capital One Travel
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Card

100,000 miles
~$1,100 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$350
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x Delta2x restaurants2x groceries+1 more
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred

70,000 points
~$1,050 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x dining3x streaming2x travel+1 more
Apply NowDetails
Chase

World of Hyatt Credit Card

30,000 points
~$1,000 value
Spend Required$15,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
4x Hyatt2x restaurants2x airline tickets+2 more
Apply NowDetails
American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 points
~$960 value
Spend Required$8,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$695
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
5x flights booked directly5x hotels via Amex Travel
Apply NowDetails
Barclays

JetBlue Plus Card

80,000 points
~$960 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$99
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
6x JetBlue2x restaurants2x groceries
Apply NowDetails
Citi

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select

80,000 miles
~$960 value
Spend Required$2,500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$99(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x American Airlines2x restaurants2x gas+1 more
Apply NowDetails
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

60,000 points
~$900 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x restaurants3x travel3x gas+2 more
Apply NowDetails
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey Card

60,000 points
~$900 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
5x hotels4x airlines3x restaurants+1 more
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Hilton Honors Aspire Card

175,000 points
~$875 value
Spend Required$6,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$550
Base Rewards3x on all purchases
14x Hilton7x restaurants7x flights booked directly
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Delta SkyMiles Gold Card

70,000 miles
~$770 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x Delta2x restaurants2x groceries
Apply NowDetails
Capital One

Capital One Venture X

75,000 miles
~$750 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$395
Base Rewards2x on all purchases
10x hotels via Capital One Travel5x flights via Capital One Travel
Apply NowDetails
US Bank

US Bank Altitude Reserve

50,000 points
~$750 value
Spend Required$4,500 in 3 months
Annual Fee$400
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x travel3x mobile wallet purchases
Apply NowDetails
American Express

American Express Gold Card

60,000 points
~$720 value
Spend Required$6,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$250
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
4x restaurants4x groceries (up to $25k/yr)3x flights
Apply NowDetails
Chase

United Explorer Card

60,000 miles
~$720 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0(waived yr 1)
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x United2x dining2x hotels
Apply NowDetails
Barclays

AAdvantage Aviator Red

60,000 miles
~$720 value
Spend Required$1 in 3 months
Annual Fee$99
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
2x American Airlines
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority

50,000 points
~$700 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$149
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x Southwest2x local transit/commuting2x internet/cable/streaming
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

85,000 points
~$680 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards2x on all purchases
6x Marriott3x dining3x groceries
Apply NowDetails
American Express

Hilton Honors Surpass Card

130,000 points
~$650 value
Spend Required$3,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$150
Base Rewards3x on all purchases
12x Hilton6x restaurants6x groceries+1 more
Apply NowDetails
Citi

Citi Premier Card

60,000 points
~$600 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x restaurants3x supermarkets3x gas+2 more
Apply NowDetails
Bank of America

Bank of America Premium Rewards

60,000 points
~$600 value
Spend Required$4,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$95
Base Rewards1.5x on all purchases
2x travel2x dining
Apply NowDetails
Chase

Marriott Bonvoy Bold

100,000 points
~$500 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
3x Marriott2x groceries2x rideshare/food delivery+1 more
Apply NowDetails

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best transferable points programs?

Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Capital One Miles are the four major transferable points currencies. Chase and Amex transfer to the most airline and hotel partners, making them the most valuable for travel hackers.

Is it worth paying annual fees for travel cards?

Yes, if you use the perks. The Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 fee) comes with $300 travel credit, lounge access, and 3x on dining/travel — most active travelers come out ahead. Calculate credits + points value vs. the fee to decide.

How do I maximize credit card points for free flights?

Earn transferable points from cards like Sapphire Preferred or Amex Gold, then transfer to airline partners at peak value (often 1.5-2 cents per point). Booking through partner sweet spots like Hyatt for hotels or United for domestic flights stretches your points further.