Best Travel Credit Cards 2026

Travel credit cards can transform everyday spending into free flights, hotel stays, and unforgettable experiences. Here are the best travel credit cards for 2026.

Best Overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred remains the gold standard for travel rewards.

• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in 3 months
• Earning rate: 5x on travel through Chase, 3x on dining and streaming, 2x on other travel
• Annual fee: $95
• Key perks: points worth 25% more through Chase portal, trip cancellation insurance, no foreign transaction fees

Best for Frequent Flyers: Capital One Venture X

• Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in 3 months
• Earning rate: 10x on hotels/car rentals through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights, 2x everything else
• Annual fee: $395 (offset by $300 travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles)
• Key perks: Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

Best No Annual Fee: Wells Fargo Autograph

• Sign-up bonus: 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in 3 months
• Earning rate: 3x on restaurants, travel, gas, transit, streaming, and phone plans
• Annual fee: $0
• Key perks: no foreign transaction fees, cell phone protection

Best for Hotel Stays: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless

• Sign-up bonus: 3 free nights (up to 50,000 points each) after spending $3,000 in 3 months
• Earning rate: 6x at Marriott, 2x on everything else
• Annual fee: $95
• Key perks: automatic Silver Elite status, one free night certificate annually

Best for Airline Miles: Delta SkyMiles Gold

• Sign-up bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,000 in 6 months
• Earning rate: 2x on Delta purchases, restaurants, and grocery stores
• Annual fee: $150
• Key perks: first checked bag free, priority boarding, 20% back on in-flight purchases

How to Choose the Right Travel Card

• Prefer flexible points or airline loyalty? Flexible cards offer more redemption options.
• How much do you spend monthly? Premium cards require enough spending to offset fees.
• Travel internationally? Prioritize cards with no foreign transaction fees.

Maximizing Your Travel Rewards

• Meet the sign-up bonus — this is where the biggest value lies
• Use the right card for each purchase category
• Transfer points to airline and hotel partners for outsized value
• Never carry a balance — interest charges negate any rewards earned