2026 Best Travel Credit Cards
These are our favorite travel credit cards we use to get free travel and the general way we use them to do so. Hopefully we can help you enjoy some free travel too. 🙂
Points & Miles Tip: Coupling travel credit cards with everyday spend credit cards and business credit cards if applicable can help you maximize your points & miles rewards!
Chase Sapphire — Preferred & Reserve
Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve are two cards we always use when traveling because they have no foreign transaction fees! You earn the most points on dining and travel expenses. Additionally, the Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to individual hotels and airlines enabling you to get a lot of value out of your rewards. They also have amazing insurances and travel protection built in (which we have used before!).
Chase Freedom
The Chase Freedom cards are the best for overall everyday spend. Chase Freedom Unlimited gives you 1.5% on all purchases every day, plus 5% cash back on grocery stores and $200 sign up bonus. Chase Freedom Flex has rotating 5% quarterly categories plus the current $200 bonus and 5% on grocery stores. These cards have no annual fee and they are great for every day spend!
United MileagePlus
The United Mileage Plus Card is one we keep on hand. At sign up you can earn often earn enough United Miles for a round trip from US to Europe! You also get some added perks like first checked bag for free and 2 passes to a United Lounge which comes in handy for those long layovers.
How To Get Free Travel
For everyday spending, use one of the Chase Freedom cards. If you’re booking travel or dining out, use a Sapphire card. If you have a large purchase to make (new iPad or iPhone?) that’s a great time to open a Sapphire card because you’ll have no trouble meeting the minimum spend to earn the HUGE sign up bonuses. Plus you’ll get purchase protection on those items. When it’s time to travel you can transfer your points from Chase Freedom cards to your Sapphire card and from there you can send them to your preferred hotels, airlines etc and enjoy free travel!! During your travel, especially if it is abroad, use your Sapphire card to avoid foreign transaction fees and benefit from built in travel insurance!!
Side note: Please use credit cards responsibly. Pay off your balance each month or the interest you pay is going to defeat the benefit of the rewards you earn! 🙂 Every effort is made to keep this page up to date with current offers. Thanks for understanding that promotions change quickly and without notifying us! 🙂
Business Card Sign Up Bonuses
If you are a business owner, you can also benefit from the best business credit card sign up bonus offers!
