Best travel credit cards

Points and miles cards ranked by first-year value for a frequent traveler, including the sign-up bonus, travel credits and annual fee.

Based on $3,080/month spending: dining $450, groceries $400, hotels $450, flights $450, gas $100, streaming $30, everything else $1,200.

1. 1
   Chase Sapphire ReserveFrequent travelers who'll use the $300 travel credit

   Fee

   $795

   Bonus

   $1,500

   Year 1

   $2,632

   Yr 2+

   $1,132

2. 2
   American Express Platinum CardLounge lovers — the widest airport lounge access

   Fee

   $895

   Bonus

   $1,200

   Year 1

   $2,153

   Yr 2+

   $953

3. 3
   Capital One Venture XThe cheapest premium card with lounge access

   Fee

   $395

   Bonus

   $1,050

   Year 1

   $2,080

   Yr 2+

   $1,030

4. 4
   Citi Strata Premier3x across five everyday categories for $95

   Fee

   $95

   Bonus

   $900

   Year 1

   $2,075

   Yr 2+

   $1,175

5. 5
   American Express Gold CardBig grocery and restaurant spenders

   Fee

   $325

   Bonus

   $900

   Year 1

   $2,035

   Yr 2+

   $1,135

6. 6
   Chase Sapphire PreferredA first travel card that's easy to get value from

   Fee

   $95

   Bonus

   $1,125

   Year 1

   $2,030

   Yr 2+

   $905

7. 7
   Capital One Venture RewardsSimple 2x miles on every purchase

   Fee

   $95

   Bonus

   $1,050

   Year 1

   $1,990

   Yr 2+

   $940

8. 8
   World of HyattHyatt fans — Hyatt points are worth more than most hotel points

   Fee

   $95

   Bonus

   $900

   Year 1

   $1,889

   Yr 2+

   $989

9. 9
   Citi AAdvantage Platinum SelectAmerican Airlines flyers — free first bag for you and up to 4 companions

   Fee

   $99

   Bonus

   $975

   Year 1

   $1,611

   Yr 2+

   $537

10. 10
    Hilton Honors SurpassHilton loyalists who want Gold status

    Fee

    $150

    Bonus

    $650

    Year 1

    $1,568

    Yr 2+

    $918

11. 11
    IHG One Rewards PremierIHG regulars — 4th award night free and Platinum status

    Fee

    $150

    Bonus

    $700

    Year 1

    $1,563

    Yr 2+

    $863

12. 12
    Marriott Bonvoy BoundlessMarriott regulars — the free night alone beats the $95 fee

    Fee

    $95

    Bonus

    $700

    Year 1

    $1,510

    Yr 2+

    $810

13. 13
    Delta SkyMiles GoldDelta flyers — a free checked bag saves $70+ per round trip

    Fee

    $150

    Bonus

    $880

    Year 1

    $1,508

    Yr 2+

    $478

14. 14
    United ExplorerUnited flyers — free first bag for you and a companion

    Fee

    $150

    Bonus

    $720

    Year 1

    $1,408

    Yr 2+

    $538

15. 15
    Wells Fargo Autograph JourneyHigh rates on hotels and flights booked direct

    Fee

    $95

    Bonus

    $600

    Year 1

    $1,406

    Yr 2+

    $806

16. 16
    Bank of America Premium Rewards1.5x on everything plus 2x travel and dining

    Fee

    $95

    Bonus

    $600

    Year 1

    $1,215

    Yr 2+

    $615

17. 17
    Hilton Honors CardHilton points with no annual fee

    Fee

    $0

    Bonus

    $350

    Year 1

    $1,126

    Yr 2+

    $776

18. 18
    Capital One VentureOne RewardsTravel miles with no annual fee

    Fee

    $0

    Bonus

    $280

    Year 1

    $927

    Yr 2+

    $647

19. 19
    Wells Fargo AutographThe best no-fee card for travel and dining categories

    Fee

    $0

    Bonus

    $200

    Year 1

    $925

    Yr 2+

    $725

20. 20
    Bank of America Travel RewardsSimple travel rewards with no annual fee

    Fee

    $0

    Bonus

    $250

    Year 1

    $804

    Yr 2+

    $554

How we rank

Ledger adds up each card's sign-up bonus, the rewards it earns on the spending above (respecting caps), and a realistic share of its credits, then subtracts the annual fee. Points are valued at our estimates — in the calculator you can switch to cash-out (≈1¢) or transfer-partner (≈2¢) values, add the cards you already have, and see which new card adds the most.

Updated Oct 30, 2026.