Financial institutions have released their top travel credit card offerings for January 2026. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is highlighted for flat rewards, featuring a $95 annual fee. New cardholders can earn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Rewards include 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases. Benefits consist of up to a $120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees, a $50 experience credit at eligible hotels, and access to Hertz's Five Star membership tier.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is noted for redemptions, also carrying a $95 annual fee. Its welcome offer provides 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first three months. Cardholders earn 5x points on travel through Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining and select streaming, and 2x points on other travel. A $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit is included. Benefits feature complimentary DashPass enrollment, up to $50 in annual hotel statement credits, and an annual points bonus equal to 10% of the previous year's spending.
For premium travel, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $395 annual fee. It offers 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Rewards rates are 10x miles on hotels and rental cars, 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases. Card benefits include a $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 annual bonus miles, and unlimited lounge access for the cardholder and two guests.
The American Express® Gold Card is recommended for food purchases. Its welcome offer can reach up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in the first six months, with rates and fees applying. It earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets, 3x points on flights, and 2x points on prepaid hotels via AmexTravel.com. Monthly statement credits are available at participating merchants like Grubhub and The Cheesecake Factory, with additional annual credits for Resy purchases and Dunkin' locations.
The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card is listed for rewards boost, with a $95 annual fee. It provides a 60,000-point welcome bonus after $4,000 in purchases within 90 days. It earns 2x points on travel and dining and 1.5x points on all other purchases. Benefits include up to $100 in annual airline incidental fee credits, a TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry fee credit every four years, and no foreign transaction fees. Preferred Rewards members can earn 25% to 75% more points.
Additional top-rated airline cards were mentioned. The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® offers a $99 Companion Fare each account anniversary after $6,000 in annual spending. The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card provides an annual companion certificate for U.S. and select international flights. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card includes 6,000 points and a 15% flight discount annually. The United Quest℠ Card features a $200 annual United travel credit and a 10,000-mile award flight discount.
Top hotel cards include the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which offers an anniversary free night worth up to 40,000 points and automatic Platinum Elite status. The Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee and offers a minimum 3x points on non-bonus purchases with complimentary Silver status. The Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® earns 22x points on stays, provides automatic Platinum Elite status, and grants 30,000 bonus points each account anniversary.