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Best Travel Credit Cards: My Current Stack

The travel cards I actually carry, why I chose them, and how they work together to cover flights, hotels, and dining.

Finance 18 min read Updated May 25, 2026
3X-4X on dining and travel•Sign-up bonuses worth $750+•No foreign transaction fees

Why travel cards are worth it

🍽️

Earn on what you already spend

Travel cards earn 3-4X on dining - your grocery runs and restaurant tabs are working for flights you’d be paying for anyway.

✈️

Sign-up bonuses cover real trips

A 60,000-point welcome bonus is worth $750-$1,500 in travel. One sign-up can cover a transatlantic flight or a week in a good hotel.

🌍

No fees abroad

Standard cards charge 3% on every foreign transaction. Travel cards waive this - on a $5,000 trip, that’s $150 back in your pocket automatically.

The cards I actually carry (and why)

My Pick

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
$550annual fee
60,000 points entry incentive
Estimated value: $900+ in travel credit
Requires $4,000 spend within 90 days
Earns: 3X points on global travel and dining

What you get:

  • $300 annual travel credit (applied automatically)
  • Priority Pass Select membership
  • 1.5x redemption value via Chase Travel
  • Comprehensive trip delay and cancellation insurance
  • DoorDash DashPass integration
Best for: Frequent travelers maintaining high dining spend
Apply for Chase Sapphire Reserve® →

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

Chase

Chase Sapphire Preferred®
$95annual fee
60,000 points entry incentive
Estimated value: $750 in travel credit
Requires $4,000 spend within 90 days
Earns: 2X points on travel and dining

What you get:

  • Access to 1:1 transfer partners (Hyatt, United)
  • 25% redemption bonus via Chase Travel
  • Travel and purchase protection protocols
  • Mobile device protection
Best for: Users seeking transfer partner access with lower overhead
Apply for Chase Sapphire Preferred® →

The Platinum Card® from American Express

American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express
$695annual fee
80,000 points entry incentive
Estimated value: $800+ in travel value
Requires $8,000 spend within 6 months
Earns: 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels via Amex Travel

What you get:

  • $200 annual airline fee credit
  • $200 annual Uber Cash
  • $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit
  • Global Lounge Collection access (Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta)
  • Global Entry / TSA PreCheck credit
Best for: Frequent flyers who maximize lounge access and travel credits
Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express →

American Express® Gold Card

American Express

American Express® Gold Card
$250annual fee
60,000 points entry incentive
Estimated value: Variable point valuation
Requires $4,000 spend within 6 months
Earns: 4X points on global dining and US supermarkets

What you get:

  • $120 annual dining credit (monthly increments)
  • $120 annual Uber Cash (monthly increments)
  • Access to Membership Rewards transfer partners
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty
Best for: High-volume grocery and hospitality spenders
Apply for American Express® Gold Card →

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express

American Express

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express
$350annual fee
Variable entry incentive
Estimated value: Airline-specific mileage
Requires $3,000 spend within 6 months
Earns: 3X miles on Delta and hotel purchases

What you get:

  • $2,500 annual MQD credit for status maintenance
  • Annual domestic main cabin companion certificate
  • First checked bag fee waiver
  • Priority boarding privileges
Best for: Delta loyalists prioritizing status acquisition
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express →

Bilt Palladium Card

Cardless

Bilt Palladium Card
$495annual fee
50,000 points entry incentive
Estimated value: $1,100 housing/travel credit
Requires $4,000 spend within 90 days
Earns: 2X points on all spend + 4% Bilt Cash

What you get:

  • Integrated housing rewards multiplier
  • $400 annual hotel credit (semi-annual utilization)
  • $200 annual cash grant for Palladium holders
  • 1:1 transfers to Hyatt and United
Best for: Users seeking a high-yield catch-all return
Apply for Bilt Palladium Card →

Which card to start with

You travel a few times a year

Start with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. The $300 travel credit covers most of the fee automatically, and the 3X on dining earns quickly. Once you have the bonus, transfer to Hyatt for outsized hotel value.

You want travel perks without the heavy fee

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® gets you into the same transfer partner ecosystem at $95/year instead of $550. Same Hyatt transfers, same United transfers - just a smaller bonus and lower earning rate.

You spend a lot on food and groceries

The American Express® Gold Card earns 4X on dining and US supermarkets - the highest rate you’ll find. The monthly Uber Cash and dining credits effectively make the $250 fee a wash if you actually use them.

Common questions

Do these cards work with our restaurant maps?

Absolutely! Every restaurant on our maps counts as “dining” for these cards. Whether you’re using our NYC, Paris, or Tokyo guides, you’ll earn 2-4X points on every meal. The cards work worldwide at any restaurant.

What’s the catch with annual fees?

Annual fees are real, but the credits and benefits often exceed them. The Reserve’s $300 travel credit and Gold’s $240 in credits effectively reduce fees significantly. Plus, signup bonuses typically cover 2-3 years of fees.

How do I redeem points for maximum value?

Best strategy: Transfer points to airline partners for international business class flights (can get 2-3 cents per point value) or use Chase Travel portal for 1.25-1.5x value. Don’t redeem for cash back or gift cards (worst value).

Can I get multiple cards?

Yes! Many people pair the Chase Sapphire Reserve with the Amex Gold to maximize dining earnings (4X with Gold) and travel benefits (Reserve’s lounge access and travel credit). Just manage the annual fees strategically.

ⓘ Links on this page may earn me a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use. Affiliate policy →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best travel credit card in 2026?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum are the top premium travel cards. The Sapphire Reserve is better for flexible travel and dining rewards; the Amex Platinum is better for lounge access and airline credits. For a no-annual-fee option, the Chase Sapphire Preferred punches well above its weight.
Are travel credit card annual fees worth it?
Yes, if you use the benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve's $550 annual fee is offset by $300 in automatic travel credits, Priority Pass lounge access, and superior point redemption rates. If you travel at least a few times per year, the math almost always works out in your favor.
What are transferable points and why do they matter?
Transferable points (Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles) can move to multiple airline and hotel programs. This flexibility lets you find the best redemption for any given trip - often getting 2–5 cents per point in value versus 1 cent with cashback.
How do I earn free flights with a travel credit card?
Sign up for a card with a large welcome bonus (typically worth $500–$1,500 in travel), meet the minimum spend requirement, and transfer the points to an airline partner. Business class flights to Europe frequently cost 60,000–75,000 points each way - achievable with a single sign-up bonus.
Jason

Written by Jason

Jason is a tech industry veteran in NYC who has been optimizing personal finance and digital privacy for 15 years. He uses Wealthfront for automated investing and writes about the systems he actually runs.

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Cite this guide: "Best Travel Credit Cards: My Current Stack", jason.guide, updated 2026-05-25. https://jason.guide/guides/travel-cards