Best Travel Credit Cards (2026): Our Top 3 Picks
Short on time? Here’s the fast version: if you want the best all-around value, get the Sapphire Preferred. If you fly often and want premium travel perks, get the Sapphire Reserve. If you’re loyal to one airline, the United Explorer pays for itself in free checked bags alone.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred — Best Overall Value
A low $95 annual fee and a strong welcome bonus make this the card most people should start with.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve — Best for Frequent Travelers
A $795 fee sounds steep until you count the lounge access and travel credits most cardholders use every year.
3. United Explorer — Best for Loyalists
If you fly United regularly, free checked bags and priority boarding add up fast.
How we picked these
We compared welcome bonus value, real-world redemption value, and annual fee after credits. Full rates and terms are on each issuer’s site — see the “View Offer” link above before applying.
See our Advertiser Disclosure for how we’re compensated.