Best travel credit cards
Updated 2026-07-27A travel card pays you back two ways, through what it earns on flights and hotels and through the credits and signup bonus you pocket up front. Every card here waives foreign transaction fees and earn points or miles you can move to airline and hotel partners. The real split is annual fee. The premium cards, from $795 to $895, lean on stacked statement credits, while the $95 tier competes on signup bonuses and simpler earn rates.
How we rank: We ranked each card by its net travel value, weighing airfare and hotel earn rates, the size and reachability of each signup bonus, the statement credits you can realistically use, and how much of the annual fee those credits offset.
- 1175,000 points bonusThe Platinum Card® from American Express
American Express · American Express · $895/yr
It carries the highest fee here at $895, but Amex answers with 5X on flights and 5X on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, a welcome offer as high as 175,000 points (about $3,500), and travel credits that include $600 on hotels, $200 in airline fees, and $219 for CLEAR Plus.
1x base5x Flights booked directly with5x Prepaid hotels booked throug - 2100,000 points bonusChase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase · Visa · $795/yr
Chase's flagship earns 8X on travel booked through Chase Travel and 4X on flights and hotels booked directly, and its $300 annual travel credit posts automatically against any travel charge, taking the sting out of the $795 fee; the welcome offer is 100,000 points, about $2,000.
1x base8x Travel booked through Chase 5x Eligible Lyft rides4x Flights and hotels booked di - 3100,000 points bonusAmerican Express® Gold Card
American Express · American Express · $325/yr
At $325, the Gold earns 5X on prepaid hotels through Amex Travel and 3X on flights while also paying 4X at restaurants worldwide, so it covers the trip and the meals, with a welcome offer up to 100,000 points (about $2,000) and no foreign transaction fee.
1x base4x Restaurants worldwide4x U.S. supermarkets5x Prepaid hotels booked on Ame - 460,000 points bonusCiti Strata Premier℠ Card
Citi · Mastercard · $95/yr
For a $95 fee, it earns 10X on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel and 3X on air travel, restaurants, supermarkets and gas, and adds a $100 credit toward any single hotel stay of $500 or more.
1x base10x Hotels, car rentals and attr3x Air travel and other hotel p3x Restaurants - 575,000 miles bonusCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · Visa · $395/yr
The Venture X earns 10X on hotels and rental cars and 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and its $300 annual travel credit plus 10,000 anniversary miles nearly cover the $395 fee while everything else still earns 2X.
2x base10x Hotels and rental cars booke5x Flights, vacation rentals an5x Capital One Entertainment pu - 6100,000 points bonusChase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
The Preferred holds the fee at $95 and earns 5X on travel through Chase Travel and 3X on dining, and its 100,000-point welcome offer (about $1,250) is the strongest bonus-to-fee ratio on this list.
1x base5x Travel booked through Chase 3x Dining3x Gas and EV charging - 775,000 miles bonusCapital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One · Mastercard · $95/yr
Every purchase earns a flat 2X miles, hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel earn 5X, and a 75,000-mile bonus worth $750 comes with a $95 fee and no foreign transaction fee.
2x base5x Hotels and rental cars booke - 8130,000 points bonusAmerican Express Hilton Honors Business
American Express · American Express · $195/yr ($0 first year)
5x base12x Hilton portfolio hotels and - 9130,000 points bonusAmerican Express Hilton Honors Surpass
American Express · American Express · $150/yr ($0 first year)
3x base12x Hilton hotels and resorts6x U.S. restaurants, U.S. gas s4x U.S. online retail - 1075,000 points bonusCiti Strata Elite
Citi · Mastercard · $595/yr
1.5x base12x Hotels, car rentals and attr6x Air travel booked on cititra6x Restaurants on Citi Nights p - 11110,000 miles bonusChase United Club
Chase · Visa · $695/yr
5x base11x United flights25% United inflight and Club pre - 12Capital One Venture X Business
Capital One · Visa · $395/yr
2x base10x hotels and rental cars booke5x flights and vacation rentals5x Capital One Entertainment pu - 13200,000 points bonusChase IHG Premier Business
Chase · Mastercard · $99/yr
3x base10x IHG Hotels and Resorts5x travel5x dining - 14140,000 points bonusChase IHG Premier
Chase · Mastercard · $99/yr
3x base10x IHG Hotels and Resorts5x travel5x gas stations - 15100,000 miles bonusChase United Quest
Chase · Visa · $350/yr
4x base10x United flights5x Hotel stays prepaid through - 16100,000 miles bonusCiti AAdvantage Executive
Citi · Mastercard · $595/yr
1x base10x hotels and car rentals booke4x eligible American Airlines p5x eligible American Airlines p - 1760,000 points bonusWells Fargo Choice Privileges Select
Wells Fargo · Visa · $95/yr
1x base10x Choice Hotels stays10x Choice Privileges point purc5x Gas stations - 1845,000 points bonusBarclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Business
Barclays · Visa · $149/yr
1x base8x Hotels by Wyndham5x Gas and EV charging5x Marketing, advertising, ship - 19150,000 points bonusChase Sapphire Reserve Business
Chase · Visa · $795/yr
1x base8x Chase Travel purchases5x Lyft rides4x Flights and hotels booked di - 20100,000 miles bonusChase United Business
Chase · Visa · $150/yr
2x base8x United flights - 21100,000 miles bonusChase United Club Business
Chase · Visa · $695/yr
2x base8x United purchases5x Hotel stays at Renowned Hote - 2230,000 miles bonusChase United Gateway
Chase · Visa · No annual fee
1x base2x United purchases2x Local transit and commuting2x Gas stations - 23150,000 points bonusAmerican Express Hilton Honors Aspire
American Express · American Express · $550/yr
1x base14x hilton7x flights-car-rentals-us-resta3x other - 24175,000 points bonusAmerican Express Marriott Bonvoy Bevy
American Express · American Express · $250/yr
2x base6x hotels participating in Marr4x restaurants worldwide4x U.S. supermarkets - 25200,000 points bonusAmerican Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
American Express · American Express · $650/yr
1x base6x hotels3x restaurants3x flights - 260 points bonusAmerican Express Marriott Bonvoy Business
American Express · American Express · $125/yr
2x base6x hotels participating in Marr4x restaurants worldwide4x U.S. gas stations - 2745,000 points bonusBarclays Wyndham Rewards Earner Plus
Barclays · Visa · $95/yr
1x base6x hotels_wyndham4x travel4x dining - 28200,000 points bonusChase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
2x base6x hotels participating in Marr3x grocery stores3x gas stations - 2985,000 points bonusChase Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful
Chase · Visa · $250/yr
2x base6x Hotels participating in Marr4x Grocery stores and dining - 3090,000 miles bonusCiti AAdvantage Globe
Citi · Mastercard · $350/yr
1x base6x AAdvantage Hotels bookings3x American Airlines purchases2x Restaurants - 3175,000 points bonusU.S. Bank Business Altitude Power
U.S. Bank · Mastercard · $195/yr
2x base2.5x mobile wallet and virtual ca6x prepaid hotel and car rental - 3280,000 points bonusAmerican Express Platinum (Morgan Stanley)
American Express · American Express · $895/yr
1x base5x Flights booked directly with5x Prepaid hotels booked throug - 3330,000 points bonusBarclays Wyndham Rewards Earner
Barclays · Visa · No annual fee
1x base5x Hotels by Wyndham3x Vacation Club, dining, groce - 34150,000 points bonusCapital One Venture Business
Capital One · Visa · $95/yr
2x base5x Hotels, vacation rentals, an - 3550,000 points bonusCapital One VentureOne Business
Capital One · Visa · No annual fee
1.5x base5x Hotels, vacation rentals and - 3620,000 points bonusCapital One VentureOne
Capital One · Visa · No annual fee
1.25x base5x hotels, vacation rentals and5x Capital One Entertainment pu - 3780,000 points bonusChase IHG Traveler
Chase · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base5x ihg_hotels3x dining3x gas - 3820,000 points bonusCiti Strata
Citi · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base5x Travel booked on cititravel.3x Supermarkets3x Select transit and gas & EV - 3930,000 points bonusU.S. Bank Altitude Connect
U.S. Bank · Visa · No annual fee
2x base5x travel_portal_prepaid_hotels4x travel4x gas_and_ev_charging - 4060,000 points bonusU.S. Bank Business Altitude Connect
U.S. Bank · Mastercard · $95/yr ($0 first year)
1x base5x travel center prepaid hotel 4x travel2x dining - 41$750 bonusU.S. Bank Business Leverage
U.S. Bank · Visa · $95/yr ($0 first year)
1x base2x Top two spend categories eac5x Prepaid hotels and car renta - 4260,000 points bonusWells Fargo Autograph Journey
Wells Fargo · Visa · $95/yr
1x base5x hotels4x airlines3x restaurants - 4360,000 points bonusWells Fargo Choice Privileges
Wells Fargo · Visa · No annual fee
1x base5x Choice Hotels stays5x Choice Privileges point purc3x Gas stations - 4460,000 points bonusChase World of Hyatt Business
Chase · Visa · $199/yr
1x base4x Hyatt hotels and resorts2x Top three spend categories e2x Fitness club and gym members - 4550,000 points bonusPenFed Pathfinder
PenFed · Visa · $95/yr
1x base4x travel3x travel3x dining - 46100,000 points bonusAmerican Express Business Gold
American Express · American Express · $375/yr
1x base4x Top 2 eligible categories ea3x Flights & pre-paid hotels bo - 4770,000 miles bonusAmerican Express Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business
American Express · American Express · $350/yr
1x base3x Delta purchases3x Hotels1.5x Transit, U.S. shipping, and - 4850,000 points bonusBank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards
Bank of America · Mastercard · No annual fee
1.5x base3x Bank of America Travel Cente - 4925,000 points bonusBank of America Travel Rewards
Bank of America · Visa · No annual fee
1.5x base3x travel booked through the Ba - 50100,000 points bonusChase Ink Business Preferred
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
1x base3x shipping3x advertising with social medi3x internet, cable and phone se - 5160,000 points bonusChase Marriott Bonvoy Bold
Chase · Visa · No annual fee
1x base3x Hotels participating in Marr2x Grocery stores; internet, ca2x Rideshare - 5285,000 miles bonusChase United Explorer
Chase · Visa · $150/yr ($0 first year)
1x base3x United purchases2x Dining, including eligible d - 5340,000 points bonusFNBO Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred
FNBO · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base3x Amtrak travel, including onb2x Dining, travel, transit and 20% Amtrak onboard food and beve - 5438,000 miles bonusSynchrony Cathay Pacific
Synchrony · Visa · $99/yr
1x base3x Cathay Pacific and HK Expres2x dining and eligible dining d - 5560,000 miles bonusSynchrony Virgin Red Rewards
Synchrony · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base3x Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Hote2x Grocery stores, dining out, - 5620,000 points bonusWells Fargo Autograph
Wells Fargo · Visa · No annual fee
2x base3x restaurants3x travel3x gas - 5715,000 points bonusAmerican Express Blue Business Plus
American Express · American Express · No annual fee
2x base - 5815,000 points bonusAmerican Express Business Green
American Express · American Express · $95/yr
1x base2x Flights & prepaid hotels boo - 5975,000 points bonusBank of America Premium Rewards Elite
Bank of America · Visa · $550/yr
1.5x base2x travel and dining - 6060,000 points bonusBank of America Premium Rewards
Bank of America · Visa · $95/yr
1x base2x travel2x dining1.5x other - 6170,000 miles bonusBarclays Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite
Barclays · Mastercard · $499/yr
1x base3x Emirates purchases2x travel - 6240,000 miles bonusBarclays Emirates Skywards Rewards World Elite
Barclays · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base3x Emirates purchases2x travel - 6375,000 miles bonusChase Aer Lingus Signature
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
1x base3x airfare2x hotels - 6475,000 miles bonusChase Iberia Signature
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
1x base3x airfare_partner_airlines2x hotels_direct - 6560,000 miles bonusFirst Avianca LifeMiles Elite
First · American Express · $249/yr
1x base3x avianca or lifemiles2x restaurants2x other travel - 6612,000 points bonusFNBO Amtrak Guest Rewards
FNBO · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base2x Amtrak travel2x dining10% Amtrak onboard food and beve - 6760,000 miles bonusU.S. Bank Skypass Select
U.S. Bank · Visa · $450/yr
1x base3x Korean Air ticket purchases2x Other airlines2x Hotels and car rentals - 6840,000 miles bonusU.S. Bank Skypass
U.S. Bank · Visa · $99/yr
1x base2x korean-air-tickets2x hotels2x dining - 6940,000 miles bonusFirst Avianca LifeMiles
First · American Express · $99/yr
1x base2x avianca or lifemiles2x restaurants2x groceries - 7010,000 miles bonusAmerican Express Delta SkyMiles Blue
American Express · American Express · No annual fee
1x base2x dining2x delta - 7180,000 miles bonusAmerican Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business
American Express · American Express · $650/yr
1x base3x Delta purchases1.5x Transit1.5x U.S. shipping - 7270,000 miles bonusAmerican Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve
American Express · American Express · $650/yr
1x base3x Delta purchases - 7380,000 points bonusAmerican Express Hilton Honors
American Express · American Express · No annual fee
1x base7x hilton5x us_restaurants_gas_supermark3x other - 7470,000 miles bonusBank of America Air France KLM
Bank of America · Mastercard · $89/yr
1.5x base3x Air France, KLM & SkyTeam pu3x Dining3x Rent payments through Bilt - 7585,000 miles bonusBank of America Atmos Rewards Ascent
Bank of America · Visa · $95/yr
1x base3x Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian2x Gas, EV charging, cable and - 7680,000 miles bonusBank of America Atmos Rewards Business
Bank of America · Visa · $70/yr
1x base3x Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian2x gas, EV charging stations, s20% Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian - 7730,000 miles bonusBarclays Breeze
Barclays · Visa · $89/yr
1x base10x Nicer Bundles and Nicest Bun4x Nice Bundles2x No Flex Flares - 7820,000 points bonusBarclays Carnival World Mastercard
Barclays · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base2x Carnival Cruise Line purchas - 7950,000 miles bonusBarclays Frontier Airlines World
Barclays · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base15x Frontier Airlines purchases3x restaurants - 8050,000 miles bonusBarclays Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Business
Barclays · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base3x Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska2x Gas, office supply stores an - 8160,000 miles bonusBarclays JetBlue Business
Barclays · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base6x JetBlue purchases2x Restaurants2x Office supply stores - 8275,000 miles bonusBarclays JetBlue Plus
Barclays · Mastercard · $99/yr
1x base6x JetBlue purchases2x restaurants2x groceries - 8380,000 miles bonusBarclays JetBlue Premier
Barclays · Mastercard · $499/yr
1x base6x JetBlue purchases2x Restaurants and grocery stor - 8410,000 miles bonusBarclays JetBlue
Barclays · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base3x JetBlue purchases2x restaurants2x grocery stores - 8560,000 miles bonusBarclays Lufthansa Miles & More
Barclays · Mastercard · $89/yr
1x base2x Miles & More partner airline - 865,000 points bonusBarclays Xbox
Barclays · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base5x Digital Microsoft Store3x Eligible streaming services3x Eligible dining delivery ser - 8785,000 miles bonusChase Aeroplan
Chase · Mastercard · $95/yr
1x base3x Air Canada purchases3x Grocery stores3x Dining at restaurants includ - 8890,000 miles bonusChase British Airways Signature
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
1x base3x British Airways, Aer Lingus,2x Hotel accommodations booked - 8980,000 miles bonusChase Southwest Performance Business
Chase · Visa · $299/yr
1x base4x Southwest Airlines purchases2x Hotel accommodations booked 2x Gas stations and restaurants - 9020,000 miles bonusChase Southwest Plus
Chase · Visa · $99/yr
1x base2x Southwest Airlines purchases2x Gas stations and grocery sto2x Lyft - 9160,000 miles bonusChase Southwest Premier Business
Chase · Visa · $149/yr
1x base3x Southwest Airlines purchases2x Gas stations and restaurants - 9230,000 miles bonusChase Southwest Premier
Chase · Visa · $149/yr
1x base3x Southwest Airlines purchases2x Grocery stores and restauran3x Lyft - 9340,000 miles bonusChase Southwest Priority
Chase · Visa · $229/yr
1x base4x Southwest Airlines purchases2x Gas stations and restaurants5x Lyft - 9430,000 points bonusChase World of Hyatt
Chase · Visa · $95/yr
1x base4x hyatt2x restaurants2x airfare - 9575,000 miles bonusCiti AAdvantage Business World Elite
Citi · Mastercard · $99/yr ($0 first year)
1x base2x American Airlines purchases2x Gas stations and car rentals2x Telecommunications, cable an - 9615,000 miles bonusCiti AAdvantage MileUp
Citi · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base2x grocery stores2x eligible American Airlines p - 9780,000 miles bonusCiti AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite
Citi · Mastercard · $99/yr ($0 first year)
1x base2x restaurants2x gas stations2x eligible American Airlines p - 98$250 bonusCiti AT&T Points Plus
Citi · Mastercard · No annual fee
1x base3x gas and EV charging stations2x AT&T products and services2x grocery stores - 995,000 miles bonusFirst ANA Card USA Plus
First · Visa · $85/yr ($0 first year)
1x base2x ANA purchases
Bottom line
The right pick comes down to how often you travel and how big a fee you'll carry. Heavy flyers who will actually use the credits get the most from the $895 Platinum or the $795 Sapphire Reserve. If you'd rather keep the fee low, the $95 Sapphire Preferred, Citi Strata Premier and Venture Rewards deliver real travel rewards for far less, and every card here charges $0 in foreign transaction fees.
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