Maximize Your Points and Miles with These Top Travel Rewards Cards of March 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 March 10, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors


Today's Top Rewards Credit Cards

Excellent for balance transfers and easy travel rewards redemption
4.4
info

on Bank of America's secure website

Welcome Bonus
25,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1.5X - 3X info
Points
Annual Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Simple, flat-rate rewards with up to 75% Bank of America Preferred Rewards® bonus potential.

  • Lengthy intro APR offer for purchases and qualifying balance transfers, helpful for covering large purchases or paying down high-interest debt.

  • No annual or foreign transaction fee.

on Bank of America'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 an additional $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

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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

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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

Excellent for travel + dining purchases
4.4
info

on Bank of America's secure website

Welcome Bonus
60,000 info
Points
Rewards Rate
1.5X - 2X info
Points
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card is a fantastic card option for travelers who want to earn points on every purchase.

  • Cardholders will receive up to $100 statement credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® applications every four years, and another $100 credit for qualifying airline incidental purchases.

  • Plus, no foreign transaction fees.

  • Earn 2 points per $1 on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases.

on Bank of America's secure website

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

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

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 Miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit info
Rewards Rate
2X - 5X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • 🚨 LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn 75,000 miles + $250 Capital One Travel credit—that's equal to $1,000 in travel

  • 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

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2026 AWARD WINNER Best Overall Travel Credit Card
4.8
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 $50 in statement credits each account anniversary for hotel stays booked through Chase Travel℠ , bonus points each account anniversary equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year, 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, select streaming services, and online groceries

on Chase's secure website

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

Bottom Line

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2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Lounge Access

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is a great choice for travelers who want lounge access — but also other perks that have the power to offset the annual fee completely.

  • Generous welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 toward travel.
  • Lounge access: You'll get access to Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment. 
  • Estimated $1,6711 year one value could help offset the $395 annual fee: Enjoy a welcome offer worth $750 toward travel, an annual $300 credit to use on Capital One Travel, an anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles, up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, Hertz elite status2, and more.
  • Insane reward rates on travel: Earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, and 5 miles per dollar on Capital One Entertainment purchases. 
  • Visa Infinite card3 benefits: Visa Infinite cardholders receive many types of purchase and travel protections, including cell phone protection, baggage delay reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption reimbursement, extended warranty protection, trip delay reimbursement, and auto rental collision damage waiver.

Recommended Credit Score info
Excellent
740-850

» Click here to apply now and start traveling more

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2026 AWARD WINNER Best Card for Lounge Access
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • 10,000 anniversary miles
  • Access to Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment
  • Elevated rewards miles on flights and hotels booked via Capital One Travel
  • Valuable travel protections
  • Apply Now
  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
  • Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
  • Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment
  • Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Top rated mobile app
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
4.9
info

on Capital One's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel

Annual Fee

$395

+

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.