Best Credit Card for Points and Travel 2026: Top Picks
If you travel regularly and are not using a credit card that earns points, you are leaving significant value on the table. The best credit cards for points and travel in 2026 can find flights, hotel stays, and upgrades — often worth thousands of dollars from spending you would do anyway.
This guide covers the best credit cards for points and travel in 2026 what makes each one worth considering, who it suits best, the key rewards structure, and what you need to watch out for.
How Travel Credit Card Points Work
Travel credit card points fall into two main categories.
The first is transferable points. These are points earned by the card that can be moved to multiple airline and hotel loyalty programmes. Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Capital One Miles all work this way. They give you flexibility because one points currency can access dozens of programmes.
The second is co-branded points. These go directly to one airline or hotel programme — Delta SkyMiles, United MileagePlus, Hilton Honors, or Marriott Bonvoy for example. They are simpler but lock you into one ecosystem.For most travellers, transferable points deliver the most value because the flexibility lets you find the best redemption rate for each trip.
What to Look for in a Travel Credit Card
Before choosing any card, be clear on what matters most to you.If you travel frequently and spend heavily, a premium card with a high annual fee often pays for itself many times over through credits, lounge access, and higher earning rates. If you travel occasionally, a mid-tier card with a lower annual fee gives solid value without over-committing.
The key factors to evaluate are the welcome bonus, the earning rates on categories you actually spend in, the transfer partners available, the annual fee versus the credits that offset it, and the travel protections included.
Best Credit Cards for Points and Travel 2026
Chase Sapphire Preferred — Best Overall
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the card most experts recommend for anyone new to travel rewards, and it continues to hold that position in 2026. It earns Chase Ultimate Rewards — NerdWallet’s pick for the best credit card points programme for travel in 2026.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 75,000 points after $5,000 spend in first 3 months |
| Earning Rate | 5x on Chase Travel, 3x on dining, 3x on streaming, 2x on all other travel |
| Transfer Partners | United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, Air France, British Airways, Singapore Airlines and more |
| Best For | New to travel rewards, flexible redemptions, strong transfer programme |
The welcome bonus alone is worth $750 to $1,500 in travel depending on how you redeem. The $95 annual fee is easily justified by the $50 annual hotel credit and the high earning rates on everyday categories. Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer at 1:1 to over a dozen airline and hotel programmes, making them among the most versatile points currency available.
Chase Sapphire Reserve — Best for Frequent Travellers
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the premium version of the Sapphire Preferred and the card that serious travellers use as their primary daily driver. It earns the same Chase Ultimate Rewards points but at higher rates and comes with a wider range of premium benefits.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $550 |
| Welcome Bonus | 125,000 points on select offers |
| Earning Rate | 3x on travel and dining, 2x on groceries and streaming, 1x on everything else |
| Key Benefits | $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, 1.5x redemption multiplier |
| Best For | Frequent travellers who want premium perks and high-value redemptions |
The $300 annual travel credit applies automatically to travel purchases and immediately reduces the effective annual fee to $250. When you redeem through Chase Travel, points are worth 1.5 cents each — making dining and travel purchases effectively worth 4.5 percent back. The Priority Pass lounge access covers the cardholder plus guests at over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
American Express Platinum — Best for Premium Travel Experience
The American Express Platinum Card is the benchmark for premium travel credit cards and in 2026 it remains one of the most benefit-rich cards available for high-spending travellers. The annual fee is substantial but the card is designed for travellers who will use every credit.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $895 |
| Welcome Bonus | Up to 175,000 points depending on the offer |
| Earning Rate | 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, 1x on everything else |
| Key Benefits | Centurion Lounge access, $200 airline credit, $200 hotel credit, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, Fine Hotels and Resorts programme |
| Best For | Frequent flyers who value lounge access and premium travel perks above everything else |
The Amex Platinum earns Membership Rewards points — a highly flexible currency with transfer partners including British Airways Avios, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Delta SkyMiles. The card’s strength is in the experience it provides rather than pure earning rates. Access to Centurion Lounges — widely considered the best domestic airport lounges in the United States — alone justifies the fee for many regular travellers.
American Express Gold — Best for Everyday Spending
The American Express Gold Card is the best credit card for points and travel for people who spend significantly on dining and groceries. It earns Membership Rewards points at exceptional rates on these categories, making it a powerful everyday earning card.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $325 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 to 100,000 points depending on the offer |
| Earning Rate | 4x on dining worldwide, 4x on US supermarkets, 3x on flights |
| Key Benefits | $120 dining credit, $120 Uber Cash, $100 hotel credit |
| Best For | Foodies and grocery spenders who want to earn points fast on daily purchases |
The 4x earning rate on dining and US supermarkets is one of the highest available on any general travel card. The credits offset a significant portion of the annual fee for cardholders who regularly use Uber and dining at eligible restaurants. Points transfer to the same Membership Rewards partners as the Amex Platinum.
Capital One Venture Rewards — Best for Simple Flat-Rate Earning
The Capital One Venture Rewards card is the best option for travellers who want straightforward, easy-to-understand rewards without managing complex category bonuses or transfer partner strategies.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 75,000 miles plus $250 travel credit |
| Earning Rate | 2x on all purchases, 5x on hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel |
| Transfer Partners | 15+ airline and hotel partners including Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, Avianca, British Airways |
| Best For | Simple earners who want a flat rate on every purchase without category tracking |
The flat 2x earning rate on all purchases means every dollar spent earns consistently. Capital One Miles transfer to over 15 travel partners, giving meaningful flexibility. The card is particularly strong for travellers who split spending across many categories and do not want to carry multiple cards for different purchase types.
Citi Strata Premier — Best for Triple Points on Multiple Categories
The Citi Strata Premier is the standout mid-fee card for travellers who spend across several bonus categories and want a versatile transferable points currency.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points |
| Earning Rate | 3x on hotels, air travel, restaurants, supermarkets and gas |
| Transfer Partners | Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Eva Air, American Airlines |
| Best For | Multi-category spenders who want a low annual fee with strong earning rates |
The Citi ThankYou Points programme’s value increased significantly in 2025 when American Airlines became a 1:1 transfer partner. The 3x earning rate across five different spending categories is genuinely useful for travellers who spend significant amounts in hotels, flights, restaurants, and everyday purchases simultaneously.
Wells Fargo Autograph Journey — Best for Booking Directly with Airlines and Hotels
The Wells Fargo Autograph Journey is a relatively new entry to the travel credit card market but has earned strong reviews for its earning rates when booking directly rather than through portals.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points |
| Earning Rate | 5x on hotels, 4x on airlines, 3x on other travel and dining |
| Key Benefits | $50 annual airline credit, travel protections, cell phone protection |
| Best For | Travellers who prefer booking directly with airlines and hotels rather than through portals |
The 5x on hotels and 4x on airlines are among the highest earning rates available at this annual fee level. For travellers who regularly book directly with preferred airline and hotel programmes, this card earns faster than most alternatives at a comparable cost.
Bank of America Travel Rewards — Best No-Annual-Fee Option
Not every traveller wants to pay an annual fee. The Bank of America Travel Rewards card is the best no-annual-fee option for travellers who want points without ongoing cost.
| Detail | Info |
| Annual Fee | $0 |
| Welcome Bonus | 25,000 points |
| Earning Rate | 1.5x on all purchases, 3x on Bank of America Travel portal bookings |
| Best For | Occasional travellers who want zero ongoing cost with simple earning |
The unlimited 1.5x earning rate on all purchases provides consistent value without any category management. Points are redeemed as statement credits against travel purchases — simple and transparent. For Bank of America Preferred Rewards members, the earning rate increases by up to 75 percent, making this card significantly more valuable for those who hold qualifying balances.
Best Points Programmes for Travel in 2026
Understanding the underlying points programmes helps you choose the right card.
Chase Ultimate Rewards — Best Overall Programme
NerdWallet named Chase Ultimate Rewards the best credit card points programme for travel in 2026. The programme’s strength is its combination of high-value transfer partners — particularly World of Hyatt, where 25,000 points can book a night at properties costing $600 or more — and the 1.5x redemption multiplier through Chase Travel for Reserve cardholders.
American Express Membership Rewards — Best for International Travel
Membership Rewards transfers to an exceptional range of international airline partners including British Airways Avios, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Air France-KLM Flying Blue. For travellers who frequently fly internationally or want access to premium cabin awards, Amex points offer some of the highest redemption ceilings available.
Capital One Miles — Best for Simplicity
Capital One Miles are the easiest points to understand and use. Flat-rate earning, 15+ transfer partners, and straightforward redemptions make them ideal for travellers who want rewards without complexity.
Citi ThankYou Points — Best Growing Programme
The addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner in 2025 significantly elevated the ThankYou Points programme. Combined with Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Eva Air, it now offers strong international redemption options that rivals the more established programmes.
How to Maximise Your Travel Credit Card Points
Combine Cards Strategically
Many experienced points earners use two or three complementary cards. A common combination is the Chase Sapphire Reserve for dining and travel, paired with the Chase Freedom Unlimited for all other purchases — both earning Ultimate Rewards that pool together.
Always Transfer Points — Rarely Use Portals
The highest value for transferable points almost always comes from transferring to an airline or hotel loyalty programme rather than using the bank’s own travel portal. A Chase Ultimate Rewards point is worth 1.5 cents through the Chase Travel portal but can be worth 2 to 4 cents or more when transferred to Hyatt, United, or Air France for the right redemption.
Use Welcome Bonuses Strategically
The welcome bonus is the single highest-value benefit on any travel credit card. A 75,000-point welcome bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is worth $750 at minimum and often significantly more. Timing your card applications around large planned purchases makes meeting the spend requirement natural rather than forced.
Pay Your Balance in Full Every Month
No points earning rate offsets the cost of credit card interest. Travel credit cards only make financial sense when the balance is paid in full each month. Carrying a balance at 20 to 27 percent APR erases any points value quickly.
FAQs
Which is the best credit card for points and travel in 2026?
Chase Ultimate Rewards is NerdWallet’s pick for the best credit card points programme for travel in 2026. The Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95 annually is the best starting card for most people, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve is the best option for frequent travellers who can use the premium benefits.
Is the American Express Platinum worth the annual fee?
The Amex Platinum at $895 annual fee is worth it for travellers who regularly use Centurion Lounge access, take advantage of the airline and hotel credits, and spend significantly on flights booked directly. For occasional travellers, the fee is difficult to justify — the Chase Sapphire Reserve at $550 or the Amex Gold at $325 deliver better value at a lower cost.
What is the best credit card for international travel?
For international travel specifically, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture Rewards are the strongest options. All three waive foreign transaction fees, include strong travel protections, and provide lounge access or other airport benefits that make international travel more comfortable.
Can I have multiple travel credit cards?
Yes, and many experienced points earners hold two to four cards that complement each other. The most common approach is a premium card for high earning on travel and dining, a flat-rate card for all other spending, and occasionally a co-branded card for a specific airline or hotel programme where you have elite status.
What credit score do I need for a travel credit card?
Most premium travel credit cards require a good to excellent credit score — typically 700 or above for mid-tier cards and 740 or above for premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum. Some no-annual-fee travel cards are accessible with scores above 670.
Are points better than cash back for travellers?
For frequent travellers, yes. A cash back card typically earns 1.5 to 2 percent back on all purchases. The best travel credit card points are worth 2 to 4 cents per point when redeemed for premium travel, effectively doubling or tripling the return compared to cash back when used strategically.
Conclusion
The best credit card for points and travel in 2026 depends on how often you travel, how much you spend, and whether you prefer simplicity or maximum value.For most people, the Chase Sapphire Preferred at $95 is the right starting point strong earning rates, excellent transfer partners, and a welcome bonus that funds real travel. For frequent travellers who will genuinely use premium benefits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum deliver the highest overall value despite their higher annual fees.
Whatever card you choose, use it consistently, pay the balance in full every month, and transfer points to airline and hotel partners rather than redeeming through the portal. Those three habits separate travellers who get occasional free flights from those who travel in business class for almost nothing.
