Best American Express Cards for Travel in 2026
American Express cards ranked by earn rate on travel spending.
Rankings are generated by our algorithm based on earn rates, point valuations, fees, and benefits — not paid placement. We don't accept compensation to rank cards higher. How we rank
Ranked by earn rate and redemption value, statement credits minus annual fees (weighted against a typical $30,000/year in total card spend), shopping portal bonuses when we recognize the merchant, matched benefits and promotional earn boosts. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Travel, after spend caps. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.
Top Pick
American Express Gold Card
American Express
5x Membership Rewards on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal
5x × 1.5¢/pt = 7.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Hotels & Lodging booked through the required portal — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $325. Other listed credits: $120 Dining Credit (up to $10/mo); $84 Dunkin' Credit (up to $7/mo); $100 Resy Credit (up to $50/6mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +Global Assist Hotline; The Hotel Collection; $120 Uber Cash (up to $10/mo) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
3.2¢
per dollar on travel
$325/yr
Runner-Up
The Platinum Card from American Express
American Express
5x Membership Rewards on Flights
5x × 1.5¢/pt = 7.5¢ per dollar
- +5x on Flights — points worth 1.5¢ each
- +Annual fee $895. Other listed credits: Digital Entertainment Credit (up to $300/yr); Equinox Credit (up to $300/yr); Lululemon Credit (up to $300/yr); Oura Ring Credit (up to $200/yr); Resy Restaurant Credit (up to $400/yr); Walmart+ Membership Credit (up to $155/yr). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
- +$250 Airbnb Experiences Credit (up to $250/yr); Airline Fee Credit (up to $200/yr); CLEAR Plus Credit (up to $219/yr); $600 Lodging Credit (FHR / Hotel Collection / Airbnb Luxe) (up to $600/yr); Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Uber Credit (up to $200/yr); Uber One Membership Credit (up to $120/yr); Premium Global Assist Hotline; Platinum Travel Service — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
AMEXCore Rate
3.8¢
per dollar on travel
$895/yr
Also Great
TAP Miles&Go American Express®
Cardless
2x TAP Miles&Go on Hotels & Lodging
- +2x on Hotels & Lodging
- +Lounge passes; Preferred boarding — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
- +40,000 miles bonus (~$280 value)
AMEXCore Rate
1.3¢
per dollar on travel
$79/yr
Welcome: 40,000 miles
Compare the Top Picks
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.
| Card | Applicable Rate | Effective Value | Annual Fee | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Gold CardAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Hotels & Lodging | 3.2¢/$ | $325 | amex |
| The Platinum Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 5x Membership Rewards Flights | 3.8¢/$ | $895 | amex |
| TAP Miles&Go American Express®Cardless | 2x TAP Miles&Go Hotels & Lodging | 1.3¢/$ | $79 | amex |
| Blue Cash Preferred Card from American ExpressAmerican Express | 3% cash back Transit & Rideshare | 1.2¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardAmerican Express | 7x Hilton Honors Flights | 1.7¢/$ | $550 | amex |
| Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x SkyMiles Hotels & Lodging | 1.4¢/$ | $350 | amex |
| Navy Federal More Rewards American Express®Navy Federal | 3x points Transit & Rideshare | 1.2¢/$ | $0 | amex |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Marriott Bonvoy Flights | 1.5¢/$ | $650 | amex |
| Business Green RewardsAmerican Express | 1x Membership Rewards All Other | 1.5¢/$ | $95 | amex |
| Hilton Honors American Express CardAmerican Express | 3x Hilton Honors All Other | 1.2¢/$ | $0 | amex |
More Options
#4Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express$95/yr
1.2¢/$
#5Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card$550/yr
1.7¢/$
#6Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card$350/yr
1.4¢/$
#7Navy Federal More Rewards American Express®No fee
1.2¢/$
#8Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card$650/yr
1.5¢/$
#9Business Green Rewards$95/yr
1.5¢/$
#10Hilton Honors American Express CardNo fee
1.2¢/$
Want to customize by spend amount, programs, or fee preference?
Open in full search with filters →Guides for this category
- Points & MilesAmex Membership Rewards: how to build a practical redemption planGive Membership Rewards points a job. Compare Amex Travel, charge coverage, and airline transfers, including the U.S. airline transfer fee, before moving any.
- Card StrategyStreaming credits: how to check eligible subscriptions and billing methodsStreaming rewards and streaming credits are different benefits. Match the card benefit, the eligible plan, and who bills you before you switch cards.
- Card StrategyMonthly versus annual card credits: build a calendar that follows the termsMonthly, half-year, quarterly, anniversary-year, and four-year credits each reset on their own clock. Build a benefit calendar that follows the actual terms.
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