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. 22, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

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 + $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

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

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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

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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

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

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

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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

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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: 19.49% - 28.49% (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

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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 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.