Top Credit Cards for Air Travel of September 2026

The right travel credit card can help you earn points and miles you can use to save on flights or put toward your next vacation. These top cards from our partners feature generous intro bonuses, high rewards rates, and flexible ways to redeem your points and miles.
Last updated Sept. 2, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

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

Limited-Time Offer
As High As 80,000 Bonus Miles + A $250 Statement Credit Welcome Offer
4.6
info

on American Express's secure website

See rates and fees | Terms Apply
Welcome Bonus
As high as 80,000 bonus miles + a $250 statement credit info
Rewards Rate
1X - 2X info
miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, $150 per year thereafter
Why We Like It
  • Great for frequent Delta fliers with perks like free first checked bag on Delta flights worldwide and second bag free when flying domestically, priority boarding, and 20% back on in-flight purchases.

  • Yearly perks like a $200 Delta Flight Credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year.

  • No foreign transaction fee and a range of travel protections.

on American Express's secure website

Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
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

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 for Simple Travel Rewards
4.7
info

on Capital One's secure website

Welcome Bonus
75,000 Miles info
Rewards Rate
2X - 5X info
Miles
Annual Fee
$95
Why We Like It
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 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

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 the potential for up to a 75% rewards bonus for BofA Rewards™ members.

  • 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

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

Financebuzz awards badge
2026 AWARD WINNER Best Travel Card Revamp
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


Bottom line

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Rates and fees) is a great choice if you want multiple intro APR offers and a simple way to earn travel rewards on everyday purchases — all with no annual fee.

  • Low intro APR: Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months (then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)). Balance transfer fee applies.
  • Up to a powerful $731 in year one value1: You could even increase your value with savvy use of the card’s transfer partners and higher spending categories.
  • Early spend bonus: Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
  • Simple earning: Earn 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase, every day and 5 miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
  • Lack of fees: The Capital One VentureOne has a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, helping you keep your money in your wallet.

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


Click here to apply now and start earning the 20,000 miles early spend bonus

0% Intro APR for 15 months

  • $0 annual fee
  • Simple and elevated rewards on every purchase
  • Flexible redemption options
  • Intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers. Note that a balance transfer fee applies.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Apply Now
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • Top rated mobile app
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
4.0
info

on Capital One's secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it



Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about airline and 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.

How do I use my rewards to book flights?

There are a few ways to use your travel rewards to book flights:

  • Use the card's online travel portal: Many travel credit cards have their own online portal where you can redeem your points or miles for flights. This is often the simplest way to book, as you can search for flights and see how many points or miles it will cost.
  • Transfer points to airline partners: Many travel credit cards allow you to transfer your points to partner airlines. This can be a great option if you want to use your points for flights on a specific airline, or if you need to use your points for a flight that isn't available for direct redemption through the card's portal.
  • Book directly and get reimbursed: Some travel credit cards allow you to book your flight directly with the airline or through a travel agency and then get reimbursed for the cost using your points or miles. This can be a good option if you need to book a complex itinerary or if you want to use a specific travel agent.

Should I get an airline-specific card?

Airline-specific credit cards can be a great option for frequent flyers of a particular airline. These cards often offer bonus points or miles for spending, priority boarding, free checked bags, and other perks. However, it's important to consider whether you'll be able to use the card enough to justify the annual fee (if any) and whether the airline's loyalty program is a good fit for your travel needs.

If you're a flexible traveler who flies multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card may be a better option. These cards often offer more flexibility in how you can use your points or miles, and they may also have better welcome offers and ongoing rewards.

What type of flight and airport perks do travel cards typically offer?

Travel credit cards offer a variety of perks that can make your travel experience more enjoyable. Here are a few examples:

  • Priority boarding: This perk allows you to board the plane before other passengers so you can get settled in your seat and avoid the rush.
  • Free checked bags: This perk can save you money on baggage fees, especially if you're traveling with checked luggage.
  • Lounge access: Some travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges, where you can relax, work, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks before your flight.
  • Travel insurance: Many travel credit cards include travel insurance coverage, which can protect you from unexpected expenses such as trip cancellation, lost luggage, and medical emergencies.
  • Rental car insurance: This perk can save you money on rental car insurance, as many travel credit cards offer primary rental car insurance coverage.

By choosing the right travel credit card, you can enjoy a more comfortable and convenient travel experience.



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.