Best Travel Credit Card 2026 : Which One Actually Saves Your Money?

If you love to travel, a travel credit card can help you make the most of your purchases. Instead of earning just a small percentage back on everyday expenses, you can rack up points on things like dining, flights, and hotels. These points can then be redeemed for travel rewards like flights, hotel stays, and even bonus perks like airport lounge access or free checked bags. 

Want to know which cards actually deliver? Which ones waste your time? How to pick the right one without getting confused by all the options? With so many options out there, how do you choose the best travel credit card for your needs? In this guide, we’ll break down the top travel credit cards of 2026 and help you pick the one that fits your spending habits and travel goals. 

Best Travel Premium Travel Rewards Credit Cards in 2026

1- Chase Sapphire Preferred

Annual Fee: $95 | Welcome Bonus: 75,000 points | Earning Rate: 2X on travel and dining

The Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers great rewards at an affordable price. With 2X points on dining and travel, it’s ideal for frequent travelers. You can transfer points to major airlines like United and Southwest or hotel chains like Hyatt. Booking through Chase’s website adds 25% more value to your points. The card also comes with trip insurance and rental car coverage, helping you save when things don’t go as planned.

Best for: People who want good rewards without high fees.

2- Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite

Annual Fee: AED 1,575 | Welcome Bonus: Up to 100,000 Skywards Miles | Earning Rate: 2X on Emirates purchases, 1.5X on international spend, 1X on local purchases

The Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite is the ultimate card for frequent Emirates flyers. With a huge welcome bonus of 100,000 Skywards Miles, you can quickly rack up miles just by spending. Earn 2X miles on Emirates purchases and 1.5X miles on international spend, with 1X mile for every AED spent locally.

Enjoy exclusive perks like free access to 1,000+ airport lounges, four Careem rides per year, and complimentary golf at five UAE courses. You’ll also get automatic Emirates Skywards Silver status, offering priority check-in and extra baggage.

Best for: UAE residents who fly Emirates often and want premium rewards with unbeatable perks.

3- Wells Fargo Autograph

Annual Fee: $0 | Welcome Bonus: 20,000 points | Earning Rate: 3X on dining, travel, gas, transit, and streaming

The Wells Fargo Autograph card has no annual fee, making it a good choice for those looking for rewards without any cost. You earn 3X points on dining, travel, gas, and even streaming services like Netflix. It also covers your phone with protection up to $600. While it doesn’t offer airport lounge access or fancy perks, you won’t have to pay for them either.

Best for: People who want travel rewards without spending money on fees.

4- ADCB Traveller Credit Card

Annual Fee: AED 1,499 | Welcome Bonus: Free return flight annually | Earning Rate: 12% cashback on flights and hotels

The ADCB Traveller Credit Card offers straightforward benefits with no complicated points system. Get 12% cashback on flights and hotels, up to AED 1,800 monthly no points to worry about. Plus, enjoy a free return flight every year to over 15 destinations like London, Paris, and Istanbul. Spend AED 300,000 annually for a second free flight the next year.

With 1,200+ airport lounge access and free travel insurance up to $500,000, this card is perfect for frequent travelers who prefer simplicity and real rewards.

Best for: UAE residents who want easy cashback and a free flight every year.

5- American Express Platinum 

Annual Fee: $695 | Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points | Earning Rate: 5X on flights booked directly with airlines

Though the fee is high, the American Express Platinum card offers a lot of value for frequent travelers. You get access to over 1,400 airport lounges, which can save you money on food and give you a relaxing space to unwind. The card also provides up to $400 in hotel and airline credits, as well as elite status with Hilton and Marriott hotels. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are included, saving you time at the airport.

Best for: People who fly every month and will use these perks.

6- Capital One Venture

Annual Fee: $95 (free first year) | Welcome Bonus: 75,000 miles | Earning Rate: 2X on everything

With the Capital One Venture card, you don’t need to worry about categories. It gives you 2X miles on every purchase, whether it’s groceries, gas, or coffee. You can use your miles to erase travel purchases like flights or transfer them to 15+ airlines. There are no foreign transaction fees, making it great for international travel.

Best for: People who hate complicated systems and want easy travel credit card rewards.

7- Delta SkyMiles Gold 

Annual Fee: $150 (free first year) | Welcome Bonus: 40,000 miles | Earning Rate: 2X on Delta purchases, restaurants, and U.S. supermarkets

The Delta SkyMiles Gold card is perfect for frequent Delta flyers. You get 2X miles on Delta purchases and dining, as well as a free checked bag, saving you up to $70 per flight. You also get priority boarding and discounted access to Delta lounges. The card pays for itself quickly if you fly Delta regularly.

Best for: Delta flyers who check bags and want airline perks.

Comparison Between Best Travel Credit Cards

We have enlisted all five cards in one place. Makes picking easier and choose what best fits you.

How to Pick the Right Travel Credit Card for You

Picking the best travel credit card isn't hard. You just need to think about a few simple things and decide on.

How Much Do You Actually Travel?

Be honest about how often you travel. Do you fly twice a year, once a month, or just one big trip every summer?

• Travel 2-3 times per year: Go for a card with a low fee around $95 or $150. These cards offer solid rewards without costing you much.
  

• Fly every month: Premium cards with lounge access and other perks are worth the high fee since you'll use them enough to make it worthwhile.
  

• Travel once in a while: Stick with a free card. Why pay for things you won’t use?
  

Match the Card to Your Real Spending

Think about where your money goes each month and how can you earn more with travel cards:

• Love eating out? Get a card that gives you 3X points at restaurants to rack up points faster.

• Spend money on various things? Go for a card that gives 2X on everything—no thinking required, just swipe and earn.
  

• Book lots of flights and hotels? Cards that offer 5X points on travel purchases are great for maximizing rewards on what you already spend.
  

Does the Fee Make Sense?

Consider the card fee and how much value it gives:

• A card with a $95 fee should give you at least $200 in value. This is easy to hit with a decent welcome bonus and rewards.
  

• A card with a $695 fee requires you to use the perks (like airport lounges and hotel credits) to make it worth it. If you don’t use them, you’re just throwing money away.
  

Which Airlines and Hotels Work?

Different cards work with different airlines and hotels:

• Chase points transfer to United, Southwest, and Hyatt. It will be beneficial if you fly these airlines.
  

• Amex points work with Delta, Hilton, and Marriott; it sounds perfect for Delta flyers.

• Capital One offers 15+ partners, giving you more options to book flights and hotels.
  

• If you fly one airline often, getting their branded card makes your travel experience easier and more rewarding.

Why Travel Credit Cards Are Better Than Regular Cards

Travel credit cards are a game-changer. Here's why they beat regular credit cards every time.

Welcome Bonuses as Free Travel

When you sign up for a travel credit card, you often get a huge welcome bonus anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 points just for using the card in the first few months. What does that mean? Free flights and hotel stays worth around $500 to $1,000. That’s basically a vacation paid for just by signing up.

Earns More Points

Regular cards give you 1 point for every dollar you spend. That's not much, right?But good travel credit cards give you 2X to 5X points on travel, food, and other expenses. So, you earn points much faster.

Perks That Save You Money

Travel cards come with great perks that can save you real cash:

• Airport Lounges: Skip overpriced food at the airport. The lounge offers free food and comfy seating, saving you $50 to $75 each visit.

• TSA PreCheck: Skip the long lines at security. Worth $85 to $120 and lasts for 5 years.

• Trip Insurance: Covers you if your flight gets canceled.

• Rental Car Insurance: Protects you on road trips.

• Bag Protection: Helps if the airline loses your luggage. These perks add up to hundreds of dollars in savings each year.

No Extra Charges When You Travel Abroad

Regular cards often charge you a 3% foreign transaction fee every time you make a purchase abroad. That’s $30 for every $1,000 spent. But the best travel credit cards don’t charge this fee at all. That means you’ll save money whenever you use your card outside the U.S.

Which Travel Credit Card Should You Pick?

The right travel credit card depends on how you spend and travel. If you travel a few times a year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers great rewards at an affordable price. For those who want rewards with no annual fee, the Wells Fargo Autograph is a solid choice, giving you 3X points on dining, travel, and more. 

If you fly frequently, the American Express Platinum may be worth the higher fee, thanks to perks like airport lounge access and travel credits. For simplicity, the Capital One Venture offers 2X points on everything. And if you’re loyal to one airline, cards like the Delta SkyMiles Gold provide great perks like free checked bags. Pick the card that fits your spending habits and travel style to make the most of your rewards. The best travel credit card isn't some magic trick. It's just using the right tool for the job.

FAQ’s

1. Are travel credit cards worth it?

Yes, if you travel 2-3 times a year. The welcome bonus alone can cover a trip, giving you $500 to $1,000 in value. Plus, you earn points on everyday spending, and the perks like free checked bags and airport lounge access save you money. If you only travel occasionally, a travel card may not be worth the annual fee.

2. How do travel credit card points work?

You earn points by spending with your card usually 1 to 5 points per dollar. Let’s say, if you spend $100 at a restaurant on a card that gives 3X points gets you 300 points. You can use points to book travel, like flights or hotels. Points can be worth more if transferred to airline programs. For example, Chase points work with United, and Amex points work with Delta.

3. What credit score do you need for a travel credit card?

Most good travel cards need a credit score of 670 or higher. For premium cards with big perks, you’ll need 700+ or even 750+. No-fee cards are easier to get, with scores around 650-670. If your credit isn’t great yet, start with a beginner card and use it responsibly to improve your score