BEST CARDS · UPDATED MONTHLY

Best Credit Cards for Travel Purchases (August 2026)

This page ranks cards by their earn rate on general travel purchases booked directly — flights, hotels, and more, paid to the travel provider. Portal-exclusive rates (like 8x only through an issuer’s own booking site) are excluded so the comparison stays honest.

By Frank · Updated Aug 18, 2026 · 27 cards ranked

1 4x → ≈ 6% back

US Bank Altitude Connect

U.S. Bank

Travel

Annual fee

Welcome bonus

20,000 bonus points

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	4x	6%
Gas	4x	6%
EV Charging	4x	6%
Dining	2x	3%
Streaming	2x	3%
Groceries	2x	3%
Everything else	1x	1.5%

Benefits · $130/yr face value

Credits (2)

$100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit $100 /yr
$30 Streaming Credit $30 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Select Membership

Protections (1)

Travel Protection

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 4 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

2 4x → ≈ 6% back

US Bank Business Altitude Connect

U.S. Bank

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	4x	6%
Gas	4x	6%
EV Charging	4x	6%
Dining	2x	3%
Internet / Cable / Phone	2x	3%
Everything else	1x	1.5%

Benefits · $100/yr face value

Credits (1)

$25 Taxi/Rideshare Credit $25 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Digital Membership

Protections (2)

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver $50 /yr
Lost Luggage Insurance $25 /yr

Other (1)

Free Employee Cards

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 5 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

3 5% back

HSBC Elite

HSBC

Travel

Annual fee

$495

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	5%	5%
Dining	2%	2%
Everything else	1%	1%

Benefits · $1,249/yr face value

Credits (4)

HSBC Travel Credit $400 /yr
$10 Monthly Instacart+ Credit $140 /monthly
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120 /yr
$10 Monthly Rideshare Credit $120 /monthly

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Lounge Access $469 /yr

Protections (2)

Cell Phone Protection
Purchase Assurance

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 7 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

4 3x → ≈ 4.5% back

Chase Ink Business Preferred

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$95

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Shipping	3x	4.5%
Advertising	3x	4.5%
Internet / Cable / Phone	3x	4.5%
Travel	3x	4.5%
Everything else	1x	1.5%

5 3x → ≈ 4.5% back

Full review →

US Bank Altitude Reserve

U.S. Bank

Travel

Annual fee

$400

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	3x	4.5%
Mobile Wallet	3x	4.5%
Everything else	1x	1.5%
Dining	1x	1.5%

Benefits · $425/yr face value

Credits (2)

$325 Annual Travel Credit $325 /yr
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Fee Credit $100 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Select Membership

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 3 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

6 3x → ≈ 4.2% back

Amex Green

American Express

Travel

Annual fee

$150

Welcome bonus

40,000 Membership Rewards Points

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	3x	4.2%
Dining	3x	4.2%
Everything else	1x	1.4%
Transit	3x	0%

Benefits · $209/yr face value

Credits (1)

$209 CLEAR® Plus Credit $209 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 1 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

7 3x → ≈ 4.2% back

Chase Sapphire Reserve (Legacy)

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$795

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	3x	4.2%
Dining	3x	4.2%
Everything else	1x	1.4%

Benefits · $1,129/yr face value

Credits (3)

$300 Annual Travel Credit $300 /yr
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS Fee Credit $120 /yr
$10 Monthly Lyft Credit $120 /monthly

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Priority Pass Select $469 /yr
DoorDash DashPass $120 /yr

Protections (2)

Travel Protections
Purchase Protections

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 7 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

8 4x → ≈ 3.4% back

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards

PenFed Credit Union

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	4x	3.4%
Dining	3x	2.55%
Everything else	1.5x	1.275%

Benefits · $319/yr face value

Credits (2)

$120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120
$100 Ancillary Air Travel Credit $100 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Select Membership $99 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 3 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

9 3% back

Citi Costco Anywhere

Citi

Travel

Annual fee

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Gas Costco	5%	5%
Gas	4%	4%
EV Charging	4%	4%
Travel	3%	3%
Dining	3%	3%
Costco	2%	2%
Everything else	1%	1%

Benefits · $0/yr face value

Credits (1)

Annual Credit Card Reward Certificate

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Citi Entertainment Access

Protections (3)

Worldwide Car Rental Insurance
Travel Accident Insurance
Damage and Theft Purchase Protection

Other (3)

Travel and Emergency Assistance
Roadside Assistance Dispatch Service
Citi Concierge Service

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 8 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

10 3% back

Navy Federal Visa Signature Flagship Rewards

Navy Federal Credit Union

Travel

Annual fee

$49

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	3%	3%
Everything else	2%	2%

Benefits · $230/yr face value

Credits (1)

Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $25

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection $50 /yr

Protections (2)

Travel Accident Insurance $75 /yr
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver $50 /yr

Other (6)

Visa Signature Concierge $30 /yr
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Travel & Emergency Assistance
Zero Liability Protection
24/7 U.S.-based Member Service
Rewards Never Expire

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 10 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

Show all 27 cards ranked for travel · ranked #11–#27

11 3% back

Wells Fargo Autograph Card

Wells Fargo

Travel

Annual fee

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
EV Charging	3%	3%
Gas	3%	3%
Travel	3%	3%
Internet / Cable / Phone	3%	3%
Transit	3%	3%
Dining	3%	3%
Streaming	3%	3%
Everything else	1%	1%

12 3% back

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

Wells Fargo

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Welcome bonus

60,000 bonus points

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Hotels	5%	5%
Flights	4%	4%
Travel	3%	3%
Dining	3%	3%
Everything else	1%	1%

Benefits · $50/yr face value

Credits (1)

$50 Annual Airline Credit $50 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 1 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

13 2x → ≈ 2.8% back

Amex Gold

American Express

Travel

Annual fee

$325

Welcome bonus

As high as 100,000 Membership Rewards Points

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Dining	4x	5.6%
Groceries	4x	5.6%
Flights	3x	4.2%
Travel	2x	2.8%
Everything else	1x	1.4%

Benefits · $524/yr face value

Credits (5)

$10 Monthly Dining Credit $120 /monthly
$10 Monthly Uber Credit $120 /monthly
Hotel Collection $100 /yr
$100 Resy Credit $100 /semi-annual
$7 Monthly Dunkin Credit $84 /monthly

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Hertz Five Star Status

Protections (1)

Travel Insurance

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 7 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

14 7x → ≈ 2.8% back

Full review →

Amex Hilton Aspire

American Express

Travel

Annual fee

$550

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Hilton	14x	6.4%
Travel	7x	2.8%
Dining	7x	2.8%
Everything else	3x	1.2%

Benefits · $1,509/yr face value

Credits (6)

$200 Semi-Annual Hilton Resort Credit $400 /semi-annual
Hilton Honors Annual Free Night Reward $300 /yr
CLEAR Plus Credit $209 /yr
$200 Airline Fee Credit $200 /quarterly
TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit $100 /yr
$100 Waldorf/Conrad On-Property Credit $100 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Hilton Diamond Status $200 /yr
National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 8 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

15 2x → ≈ 2.8% back

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Welcome bonus

75,000 Ultimate Rewards Points

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Lyft	5x	7.5%
Online Grocery	3x	4.5%
Streaming	3x	4.5%
Gas	3x	4.5%
EV Charging	3x	4.5%
Vacation Homes	3x	4.5%
Dining	3x	4.2%
Travel	2x	2.8%
Everything else	1x	1.4%

Benefits · $2,166/yr face value

Credits (5)

$10 Monthly DoorDash Credit $120 /monthly
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / NEXUS Credit $120
$100 Chase Travel Hotel Credit $100 /yr
10% Anniversary Point Bonus $100 /yr
5x Points on Peloton $50 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Complimentary Apple TV (1 Year) $156 /yr
Complimentary DashPass $120 /yr

Protections (4)

Travel Insurance $500 /yr
Purchase Protection $500 /yr
Auto Rental Coverage $200 /yr
Extended Warranty Protection $200 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 11 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

16 3x → ≈ 2.7% back

Chase Ritz-Carlton

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$450

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Marriott	6x	5.4%
Dining	3x	2.7%
Travel	3x	2.7%
Everything else	2x	1.8%

Benefits · $2,520/yr face value

Credits (4)

Annual Free Night Award $600 /yr
Annual Travel Credit $300 /yr
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120 /yr
$100 Hotel Credit $100 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Marriott Gold Elite Status $1,000 /yr
Priority Pass Select $400 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 6 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

17 2x → ≈ 2.6% back

Chase United Club

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$695

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
United	5x	6.5%
Travel	2x	2.6%
Dining	2x	2.6%
Everything else	1x	1.3%

Benefits · $2,299/yr face value

Credits (7)

$20 Monthly Instacart Credit $240 /monthly
$200 Renowned Hotels Statement Credit $200 /yr
$200 JSX Statement Credit $200 /yr
$12.50 Monthly Rideshare Credit $150 /monthly
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120
Up to $100 Avis/Budget Credits $100 /yr
1,500 Card Bonus PQP

Status & Elite Perks (8)

United Club Membership $750 /yr
Free First and Second Checked Bags $440 /yr
Complimentary Instacart+ Membership $99 /yr
Premier Access Travel Services
Visa Infinite Concierge Services
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
Premier Upgrades on Award Tickets
Avis President's Club Status

Other (3)

10% Off United Economy Saver Awards
25% Back on United Inflight/Club Premium Purchases
10,000-Mile Award Flight Discount

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 18 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

18 2x → ≈ 2.6% back

Chase United Quest

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$350

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
United	4x	5.2%
Dining	2x	2.6%
Travel	2x	2.6%
Streaming	2x	2.6%
Everything else	1x	1.3%

Benefits · $1,440/yr face value

Credits (10)

Free First and Second Checked Bags $360 /yr
$200 Annual United Travel Credit $200 /yr
$15 Monthly Instacart Credit $180 /monthly
$150 Renowned Hotels and Resorts Statement Credit $150 /yr
$150 JSX Statement Credit $150 /yr
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120 /yr
Annual 10,000-mile Award Flight Discount $100 /yr
$8 Monthly Rideshare Credit $100 /monthly
$80 Avis or Budget Travel Credit $80 /yr
1,000 Card Bonus PQP

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Boarding

Other (1)

25% Back on United Inflight Purchases

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 12 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

19 2x → ≈ 2.5% back

Bilt Mastercard(Legacy)

Wells Fargo

Travel

Annual fee

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Dining	3x	3.75%
Travel	2x	2.5%
Everything else	1x	1.25%
Rent	1x	1.25%

20 2x → ≈ 2.5% back

Bilt Obsidian Card

First Electronic Bank

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Welcome bonus

$200 Bilt Cash credited upon card approval

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Dining	3x	3.75%
Groceries	3x	3.75%
Travel	2x	2.5%
Rent	1x	1.25%
Everything else	1x	1.25%

Benefits · $610/yr face value

Credits (2)

$200 Annual Bilt Cash Benefit $200 /yr
$100 Bilt Travel Hotel Credit $100 /semi-annual

Protections (8)

Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance $60 /yr
Cell Phone Protection $50 /yr
Purchase Assurance $50 /yr
Lost/Damaged Luggage Insurance $40 /yr
Trip Delay Reimbursement $30 /yr
Extended Warranty $30 /yr
MasterRental Coverage $30 /yr
Price Drop Protection $20 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 10 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

21 5x → ≈ 2.5% back

Chase IHG Business

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$99

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
IHG	10x	5%
Travel	5x	2.5%
Dining	5x	2.5%
Advertising	5x	2.5%
Office Supply	5x	2.5%
Gas	5x	2.5%
Everything else	3x	1.5%

Benefits · $620/yr face value

Credits (5)

Additional Free Night $200 /yr
Anniversary Free Night $200 /yr
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120 /yr
Annual Spending Bonus $100 /yr
Fourth Night Free

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Automatic Platinum Elite Status
Diamond Elite Status Qualification

Protections (2)

Purchase Protection
Trip Cancellation Insurance

Other (1)

Points Purchase Discount

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 10 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

22 5x → ≈ 2.5% back

Chase IHG Premier

Chase

Travel

Annual fee

$99

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
IHG	10x	5%
Travel	5x	2.5%
Dining	5x	2.5%
Gas	5x	2.5%
Everything else	3x	1.5%

Benefits · $820/yr face value

Status & Elite Perks (4)

Diamond Elite Status $200 /yr
Anniversary Free Night $200 /yr
Platinum Elite Status $150 /yr
4th Reward Night Free $100 /yr

Other (2)

Global Entry Credit $120 /yr
United TravelBank Cash $50 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 6 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

23 2x → ≈ 2.4% back

Barclays Emirates Premium

Barclays

Travel

Annual fee

$499

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Emirates	3x	3.6%
Travel	2x	2.4%
Everything else	1x	1.2%

Benefits · $0/yr face value

Credits (2)

Anniversary Bonus Miles
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit

Status & Elite Perks (2)

Emirates Gold Tier Membership
Priority Pass Select Access

Other (3)

25% Discount on Buy/Gift Miles
Miles Never Expire
Free FICO Credit Score

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 7 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

24 3x → ≈ 2.1% back

Amex Marriott Brilliant

American Express

Travel

Annual fee

$650

Welcome bonus

200,000 Marriott points (upcoming), currently 100k

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Marriott	6x	4.2%
Travel	3x	2.1%
Dining	3x	2.1%
Everything else	2x	1.4%

Benefits · $2,720/yr face value

Credits (3)

$25 Monthly Dining Credit $300 /monthly
TSA PreCheck/Global Entry Credit $120 /yr
$100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit $100 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (4)

Marriott Platinum Elite Status $1,200 /yr
Annual Free Night Award $600 /yr
Priority Pass Select $400 /yr
25 Elite Night Credits

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 7 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

25 2% back

BoA Premium Rewards

Bank of America

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	2%	2%
Dining	2%	2%
Everything else	1.5%	1.5%

Benefits · $350/yr face value

Credits (1)

Airline Incidental Credit $100 /yr

Protections (1)

Travel Insurance $150 /yr

Other (1)

Global Entry Credit $100 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 3 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

26 2% back

BoA Premium Rewards Elite

Bank of America

Travel

Annual fee

$550

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Travel	2%	2%
Dining	2%	2%
Everything else	1.5%	1.5%

Benefits · $670/yr face value

Credits (3)

Airline Incidental Credit $300 /yr
$150 Lifestyle Credit $150 /yr
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $120 /yr

Status & Elite Perks (1)

Priority Pass Select $50 /yr

Protections (1)

Travel Insurance $50 /yr

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 5 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

27 2% back

HSBC Premier

HSBC

Travel

Annual fee

$95

Benefits

All earn rates & benefits

Earn rates

Category	Rate	True value
Gas	3%	3%
Groceries	3%	3%
Travel	2%	2%
Everything else	1%	1%

Benefits · $1,049/yr face value

Credits (5)

50,000 Welcome Bonus Points $625
$10 Monthly Instacart+ Credit $140 /monthly
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit $85 /yr
$5 Monthly TV Streaming Credit $60 /monthly
$5 Monthly Lyft Credit $60 /monthly

Status & Elite Perks (1)

ShopRunner Membership $79 /yr

Protections (3)

Cell Phone Protection
Purchase Assurance
Mastercard ID Theft Protection

Other (1)

Booking.com Discount

Redemption progress, reset dates and expiry alerts for all 10 benefits — track them automatically in the MaxWorth app →

How we rank

Rankings are generated from the MaxWorth database at build time. Point multipliers are converted to true cash-back value using program-level point valuations (a 4x rate in 1.4¢ points ranks as 5.6%). Issuer-portal-exclusive rates are excluded; single-brand rates are included but flagged. No card pays to be here. Content is not reviewed or endorsed by any issuer — full disclaimer.

FAQ

Why isn’t a card’s portal rate shown?

Rates that only apply when booking through an issuer’s travel portal aren’t comparable to open-market rates, and portal prices often differ from booking direct. We rank on direct-booking rates only.