February 2026: Best Travel Credit Card Offers

How to Choose a Card (and When to Apply)

This page is designed to help you choose the right travel credit card.

Below, you’ll see the best current offers. We highlight the strongest offers first, including those that may not be around long.

You don’t need to understand every detail about points and miles to get started because we’ve already done the work for you. =)

What to look for:

• A strong welcome bonus
• A spending requirement you can comfortably meet
• Points that work for how you travel

Once you find a card that fits, timing matters. Credit card offers change often, and some disappear without notice. If you’re ready, its usually best not to wait.

Want personalized recommendations? Log in to your Travel Freely App (it’s free!) and let the CardGenie® work its magic.

Top Travel Credit Card Offers Right Now (February 2026)

If palm trees and poolside views are calling, this month’s offers can help make those dreams a reality🌴 

🔥 New Offer! Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (75,000 Miles + $250 travel credit)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is now offering a limited-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in addition to 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.

That’s $250 toward travel plus 75,000 miles — a huge value for a card with a $95 annual fee. Note that the $250 travel credit can only be used for bookings made through the Capital One Travel portal. It does not apply to any travel purchases charged to your card.

The travel credit is available as soon as you’re approved, so you can start booking flights, hotels, or rental cars right away. Read more about Why the Capital One Venture Cards are great for Beginners.

Increased Offer: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card — Our Top Beginner Card (75,000 Points)

If you’re new to points and miles, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® remains our #1 recommendation for beginners and one of the easiest cards to start with. If you want flexibility and value – especially if you aren’t sure yet what kind of free travel you want- the Chase Sapphire Preferred® is an excellent option.

👉 Check out the 6 Reasons Why We Love the Chase Sapphire Preferred® and learn how Chase Ultimate Rewards® can be used for everything from domestic and international flights to hotels and rental cars.

With its current increased offer, it’s an even better time to apply. Right now you can earn 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points for $5,000 in spending in the first 3 months. The bonus is worth over $750 in free travel. 

Still Going Strong! American Express® Gold Card (As High As 100,000 Points + 4x on groceries)

The popular American Express® Gold Card has an “As High As” 100,000 point offer when you spend $6,000 within the first 6 months of card membership. (Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.) It’s a crowd favorite for everyday spending thanks to 4x points on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 in purchases per year) and 4x at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US (up to $50,000 per calendar year in purchases.) (Terms apply.)

What’s really cool about this offer is Amex’s new “As High As” feature, which lets you see the maximum welcome offer you might before applying, with no impact on your credit score. This is one of the few times you can see your top-tier offer upfront — totally risk-free. Check out our Walkthrough Guide explaining how “As High As” Offers work.

🔥 Our #1 Business Card: Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (100,000 Points)

The Chase Ink Business Preferred has become the best overall business card right now with a great bonus of 100,000 points for $8,000 spend in 3 months. With 3X categories like travel, shipping, internet, cable, phone, and social media advertising (up to $150k spend per year), it’s hard to beat the Ink Business Preferred if you’re looking for an all-around business card that has flexible redemption options and can be combined with your personal Chase Ultimate Rewards points. Points are also worth more when redeemed through the Chase Travel℠ portal using Points Boost.

2-for-1 Travel Now Possible with One Welcome Offer (but only for up to one year)

All three Southwest personal cards are currently offering the chance to earn a Companion Pass through 2/28/27 + up to 40,000 bonus points for $3,000 – $5,000 spend (depending on the card) in 3 months from account opening. This is a great offer for anyone planning to travel a lot with a friend or family member on Southwest in 2026 through early 2027.

Despite these new offers, we still recommend the strategy for securing Companion Pass for more than one year. If you earn a pass early in the calendar year, then you earn it for the rest of the year earned AND the entire following year. There is very important strategy to doing this and a few nuanced rules you need to know. Read more about the Companion Pass strategy.

Best Travel Credit Card by Situation

Beginner Mini-Webinars & Strategy Resources:

These resources are optional and meant to support your decision — not slow you down.

Watch (Short Videos)

For readers prioritizing balance management or debt reduction this year.

If you’re looking to carry a balance, think about the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. The next best option would be the Citi Double Cash® Card. Note: You will not earn rewards for the balance transfers. Make sure to check terms when applying.

For great introductory offers, check out the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express or Chase Freedom Unlimited® because they also have a welcome bonus.

Best Business Cards for Carrying a Balance