Wayloft Picks · 2026

Best Credit Cards for Travel

Travel smarter, not harder.

Premium and mid-tier travel cards with the best earning rates on flights and hotels, transfer partners, and travel perks.

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At a Glance

#CardAnnual FeeSignup Bonus
1Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

Amex

$550175,000 pts
2The Platinum Card from American Express

Amex

$895175,000 pts
3Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

Wells Fargo

$9560,000 pts
4Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase

$795125,000 pts
5Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

Amex

$650100,000 pts
6American Express Gold Card

Amex

$32575,000 pts
amex
HILTON HONORS AMERICAN EXPRESS ASPIRE
amex
Top Pick#1

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire

$550/year · 175,000 pts after $6,000 in 6mo

brand property

14x

flights

7x

dining

7x

Hilton Diamond status
14x at Hilton properties
7x on flights and dining
amex
THE PLATINUM CARD FROM AMERICAN EXPRESS
amex
#2

The Platinum Card from American Express

$895/year · 175,000 pts after $12,000 in 6mo

flights

5x

dining

1x

groceries

1x

gas

1x

$600 hotel credit (FHR/THC)
$400 annual Resy dining credit ($100/qtr)
$300 digital entertainment credit ($25/mo)
wells fargo
WELLS FARGO AUTOGRAPH JOURNEY
visa
#3

Wells Fargo Autograph Journey

$95/year · 60,000 pts after $4,000 in 3mo

hotels

5x

flights

4x

car rentals

3x

dining

3x

5x on hotels
4x on airlines
3x on dining, car rentals, transit
chase
CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE
visa
#4

Chase Sapphire Reserve

$795/year · 125,000 pts after $6,000 in 3mo

flights

4x

hotels

4x

dining

3x

travel

1x

$300 annual travel credit
8x on flights, hotels, car rentals via Chase Travel
4x on flights and hotels booked directly
amex
MARRIOTT BONVOY BRILLIANT AMEX
amex
#5

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex

$650/year · 100,000 pts after $6,000 in 6mo

brand property

6x

flights

3x

dining

3x

groceries

2x

Marriott Platinum Elite status
25 Elite Night Credits annually
Free night (up to 85k) on anniversary
amex
AMERICAN EXPRESS GOLD CARD
amex
#6

American Express Gold Card

$325/year · 75,000 pts after $6,000 in 6mo

dining

4x

groceries

4x

flights

3x

travel

2x

$120 dining credit ($10/mo at select restaurants)
$120 Uber Cash ($10/mo)
$100 annual Resy dining credit ($50 semi-annually)

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