Maximize Your Points and Miles with These Top Travel Rewards Cards of November 2026

If you're looking to turn your everyday spending into flexible rewards points or miles that can be used for discounted flights, hotels, lounge access and more, check out these top-rated travel cards from our partners below.
Last updated Nov. 1, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors
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- Melinda Sineriz, Personal Finance Managing Editor

Limited-Time Offer
Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards
4.7
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 Miles + $300 Capital One Travel credit info
Rewards Rate
2X - 5X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value (limited-time offer)

  • Excellent reward rate on everyday purchases with no cap

  • Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Overall Travel Credit Card
4.9
info

on Chase's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 5X info
Points
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • One of the most flexible rewards cards you can get at this price. Points can stretch well past face value when transferred to travel partners, and everyday categories are broad enough to rack them up fast. All for a $95 annual fee.
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in first 3 months - that's worth up to $1,125 toward travel!
  • Earn 3X points on dining, vacation homes at top brands, gas & EV charging, top streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs) , plus the lucrative rate of 5X on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • Transfer points to airline and hotel partners like United, Southwest, Hyatt, Marriott, and more (plus earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel), with trip cancellation, delay, and baggage insurance built in.

on Chase's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details
Excellent for travel + intro purchase and balance transfer perks
4.0
info

on Capital One's secure website

Intro APR
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers:
0%, 15 months;
Balance transfer fee applies
Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.25X - 5X info
Miles
Why We Like It
  • One of the simplest ways to start earning miles without paying an annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Redeem them to cover travel purchases, or transfer them to Capital One's 15+ airline and hotel partners when you want to stretch them further.
  • Earn 20,000 miles after you spend $500 in the first 3 months - worth $200 to use toward your next flight or hotel!
  • Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, plus 5 miles per dollar, with the top rate on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Get 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable). Balance transfer fee applies

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Last Chance
Excellent for elevated cash back
4.7
info

on Chase's secure website

Welcome Bonus
$250 info
Bonus
Rewards Rate
1% - 5% info
Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer ends November 5 at 9AM EST)
  • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

on Chase's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Card
4.4
info

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Welcome Bonus
20,000 info
Bonus Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 3X info
Points
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Probably one of the most rewarding $0 annual fee cards for everyday life, with a handful of reward categories that cover where people actually spend. Powerful and low-maintenance, with a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fee.
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in 3 months - that's worth $200!
  • Earn 3X points on restaurants, travel, gas stations, transit, popular streaming services, and phone plans.
  • Get 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable.

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details
Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Luxury Travel
4.9
info

on American Express's secure website

See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Welcome Bonus
As high as 175,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 5X info
points
Annual Fee
$895
Why We Like It
  • For frequent travelers, the American Express Platinum Card® (See rates and fees) Terms Apply might be one of the highest-value rewards cards going. Get top rates on flights and hotels through Amex Travel with a deep set of annual credits, with no foreign transaction fee.
  • Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • Over $3,000 in annual credits ranging from hotel, airline fee, Resy, Uber Cash, and digital entertainment credits, plus complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold® Elite status, transferable miles to Delta SkyMiles, British Airways, Air Canada Aeroplan, and more.

on American Express's secure website

Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Lounge Access
4.9
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 info
Miles
Rewards Rate
2X - 10X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$395
Why We Like It
  • Earn a 75,000 miles bonus once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 towards travel!

  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment.

  • Earn unlimited travel rewards and get access to great prices on thousands of flights, hotels, and more through Capital One Travel.

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Excellent (740 - 850)
Card Details


Bottom Line

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) is a great travel companion with numerous perks for a card with only a $95 annual fee.

  • Generous welcome offer: New cardholders can enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value (limited-time offer) 
  • Earn unlimited miles: You can earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, simple! Plus, you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Flexible rewards: Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase or redeem by booking through Capital One Travel. Plus, you can transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs. Miles won’t expire for the life of the account, and there’s no limit on how many you can earn.
  • Added travel perks: Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and enrich every hotel stay from Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
  • Purchase and balance transfer APR: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable).

Recommended Credit Score info
Good
670-739
Excellent
740-850

>>Click here to apply now and start racking up miles for your next trip

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards
  • Easy rewards program and highly flexible travel redemptions
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Valuable travel protections
  • Generous early spend bonus
  • Apply Now
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
info

on Capital One's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value

Annual Fee

$95

+

Why we like it



Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about travel credit cards? We've answered the most common ones below to help you choose the right card.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you make an eligible purchase. The typical earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, typically within travel categories.

The value of a point (or mile) depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal, but instead of paying cash, you can pay with your points or miles. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel directly from your airline or hotel of choice, then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Is a travel card better than a cash back card?

While cash back cards offer a straightforward reward system, travel rewards cards often provide greater flexibility and value. With travel rewards, you can redeem points or miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. This can lead to significant savings on your vacations and trips. Additionally, travel rewards cards often come with exclusive perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and priority boarding. By choosing a travel rewards card, you can turn your everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences.

How often do I need to travel to make a travel card worth it?

Even if you're not a frequent traveler, a travel rewards card can still be a valuable asset. Many cards offer generous welcome offers that can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars worth of travel. Those rewards don’t generally expire while your account is active, so you can save them for the holidays or a big trip. Additionally, you can earn points or miles on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, which can add up quickly and offset any annual fee.

How do I earn the most travel points?

To maximize your travel rewards, consider these strategies:

  • Utilize welcome offers: Many travel cards offer substantial welcome bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain timeframe.
  • Maximize bonus categories: Look for cards that offer bonus points or miles on spending categories where you make regular purchases, such as dining or groceries.
  • Use your card for everyday purchases: By using your travel rewards card for regular expenses, you can accumulate points or miles over time.
  • Consider a premium card: Premium travel cards often offer higher earning rates and exclusive perks, but they may also have annual fees. Weigh the benefits against the cost to determine if it's worth the investment. It’s not uncommon for frequent travelers to get more value from a premium card than casual travelers.
  • Transfer points strategically: Some travel rewards programs allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs. This can be a great way to redeem your points for specific travel experiences.



How we chose these cards

FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of cards from our partners, looking at various criteria including the annual fee, travel benefits, and bonus offers. We did not review all cards in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the cards.

Why Trust FinanceBuzz?
  • OVER 120 MILLION people visit FinanceBuzz every year
  • 600+ EXPERT product reviews and insights
  • MORE THAN 120 financial contributors
"Money questions can feel overwhelming, and we get that. That's why everything we publish is written by people who care about whether you walk away better informed. We test products, compare data, and fact-check claims so you don't have to. Your financial decisions are too important for anything less."
- Melinda Sineriz, Personal Finance Managing Editor

Limited-Time Offer
Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards
4.7
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 Miles + $300 Capital One Travel credit info
Rewards Rate
2X - 5X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value (limited-time offer)

  • Excellent reward rate on everyday purchases with no cap

  • Up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Overall Travel Credit Card
4.9
info

on Chase's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 5X info
Points
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • Popular travel card with perks like up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠ , statement credit for TSA PreCheck ® , Global Entry, or NEXUS application fee, and valuable travel protections

  • Amazing welcome offer valued at up to $1,125 when redeemed via Chase Travel℠, where points are worth up to 1.5x more

  • Solid rewards rate on travel, dining, top streaming services, and eligible online groceries

on Chase's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Excellent for travel + intro purchase and balance transfer perks
4.0
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
20,000 Bonus Miles info
Rewards Rate
1.25X - 5X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Earn a 20,000 miles bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $200 towards travel!

  • Long intro APR period to help fund your next purchase or tackle debt

  • Earn unlimited travel rewards and get access to great prices on thousands of flights, hotels, and more through Capital One Travel - all with no annual fee.

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Last Chance
Excellent for elevated cash back
4.7
info

on Chase's secure website

Welcome Bonus
$250 info
Bonus
Rewards Rate
1% - 5% info
Cash Back
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening (limited-time offer ends November 5 at 9AM EST)
  • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! Plus, earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

on Chase's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Card
4.4
info

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Welcome Bonus
20,000 info
Bonus Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 3X info
Points
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • High unlimited reward rate on common spending categories with no cap

  • Flexible reward redemption, including statement credits, gift cards, and transfers to select travel partners

  • No annual or foreign transaction fee

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Good to Excellent (670 - 850)
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Luxury Travel
4.9
info

on American Express's secure website

See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Welcome Bonus
As high as 175,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1X - 5X info
points
Annual Fee
$895
Why We Like It
  • Exclusive travel perks like access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection and elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors (enrollment required).

  • Hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits) that could help you offset the annual fee.

on American Express's secure website

Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Card Details

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Lounge Access
4.9
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 info
Miles
Rewards Rate
2X - 10X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$395
Why We Like It
  • Earn a 75,000 miles bonus once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 towards travel!

  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment.

  • Earn unlimited travel rewards and get access to great prices on thousands of flights, hotels, and more through Capital One Travel.

on Capital One's secure website

Recommended Credit info
Excellent (740 - 850)
Card Details


Bottom Line

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) is a great travel companion with numerous perks for a card with only a $95 annual fee.

  • Generous welcome offer: New cardholders can enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value (limited-time offer) 
  • Earn unlimited miles: You can earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day, simple! Plus, you can earn 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Flexible rewards: Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase or redeem by booking through Capital One Travel. Plus, you can transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs. Miles won’t expire for the life of the account, and there’s no limit on how many you can earn.
  • Added travel perks: Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and enrich every hotel stay from Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more.
  • Purchase and balance transfer APR: 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable).

Recommended Credit Score info
Good
670-739
Excellent
740-850

>>Click here to apply now and start racking up miles for your next trip

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best for Simple Travel Rewards
  • Easy rewards program and highly flexible travel redemptions
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Valuable travel protections
  • Generous early spend bonus
  • Apply Now
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
4.7
info

on Capital One's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value

Annual Fee

$95

+

Why we like it



Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about travel credit cards? We've answered the most common ones below to help you choose the right card.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you make an eligible purchase. The typical earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, typically within travel categories.

The value of a point (or mile) depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal, but instead of paying cash, you can pay with your points or miles. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel directly from your airline or hotel of choice, then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

Is a travel card better than a cash back card?

While cash back cards offer a straightforward reward system, travel rewards cards often provide greater flexibility and value. With travel rewards, you can redeem points or miles for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. This can lead to significant savings on your vacations and trips. Additionally, travel rewards cards often come with exclusive perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, and priority boarding. By choosing a travel rewards card, you can turn your everyday spending into unforgettable travel experiences.

How often do I need to travel to make a travel card worth it?

Even if you're not a frequent traveler, a travel rewards card can still be a valuable asset. Many cards offer generous welcome offers that can be redeemed for hundreds of dollars worth of travel. Those rewards don’t generally expire while your account is active, so you can save them for the holidays or a big trip. Additionally, you can earn points or miles on everyday purchases like groceries and gas, which can add up quickly and offset any annual fee.

How do I earn the most travel points?

To maximize your travel rewards, consider these strategies:

  • Utilize welcome offers: Many travel cards offer substantial welcome bonuses when you meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain timeframe.
  • Maximize bonus categories: Look for cards that offer bonus points or miles on spending categories where you make regular purchases, such as dining or groceries.
  • Use your card for everyday purchases: By using your travel rewards card for regular expenses, you can accumulate points or miles over time.
  • Consider a premium card: Premium travel cards often offer higher earning rates and exclusive perks, but they may also have annual fees. Weigh the benefits against the cost to determine if it's worth the investment. It’s not uncommon for frequent travelers to get more value from a premium card than casual travelers.
  • Transfer points strategically: Some travel rewards programs allow you to transfer points to airline or hotel loyalty programs. This can be a great way to redeem your points for specific travel experiences.



How we chose these cards

FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of cards from our partners, looking at various criteria including the annual fee, travel benefits, and bonus offers. We did not review all cards in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the cards.