Best Travel Credit Cards 2026

Earn miles, points, and travel perks with these top travel credit cards.21 cards worth $16,330+ in sign-up bonuses.

Quick Picks

Best Overall
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Best Premium
Amex Platinum
Best No Annual Fee
Wells Fargo Autograph
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
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
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
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

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
American Express

Hilton Honors Card

80,000 points
~$400 value
Spend Required$2,000 in 6 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards3x on all purchases
7x Hilton5x restaurants5x groceries+1 more
Apply NowDetails
US Bank

US Bank Altitude Connect

20,000 points
~$300 value
Spend Required$1,000 in 3 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1x on all purchases
5x hotels/car rentals via Travel Center4x travel and gas/EV charging (up to $1k/quarter)2x dining+2 more
Apply NowDetails
Discover

Discover it Miles

Cashback Match
~$200 value
Spend Required$0 in 12 months
Annual Fee$0
Base Rewards1.5x on all purchases
Apply NowDetails

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best travel credit card right now?

Compare Chase Sapphire Preferred (best all-around), Amex Platinum (premium lounges/perks), Capital One Venture X (great value). Best choice depends on travel style and spending.

Are travel credit card annual fees worth it?

For frequent travelers, yes. The Chase Sapphire Reserve's $550 fee includes $300 travel credit, lounge access, and 3x on dining/travel — heavy travelers recoup the fee easily. Light travelers should consider no-fee alternatives.

What's the difference between points and miles?

Points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards) are flexible and transfer to multiple airlines/hotels. Miles are airline-specific (Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus). Points are generally more versatile.

Can I use travel card points for cash back instead?

Yes, most travel cards let you redeem points as statement credits or cash back, though the value per point is usually lower than booking travel.

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