10 Best Credit Cards for Chase Travel of October 2026

Top picks for Chase Travel from our scoring engine.

By CardRewards.ai EditorialData as of October 12, 2026

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, co-brand fit for this brand. The ¢ per dollar column is the reward rate at Chase Travel. Order can differ from that column because ranking adds the adjustments above.

Chase Sapphire Reserve earns the top spot for Chase Travel purchases at 4.5¢ per dollar on flights — a $795 annual fee. We ranked every card in our database against Chase Travel purchases using the same scoring engine that powers our search. See the note above the list for what drives order versus the ¢ per dollar column. Cards 4–10 are still solid picks; they just trade off some headline earn rate for fewer fees, broader networks, or simpler redemptions.

Top Pick
Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase

4x Ultimate Rewards on Flights via direct
4x × 1.8¢/pt = 7.2¢ per dollar
  • +4x on Flights booked direct — points worth 1.8¢ each
  • +Annual fee $795. Other listed credits: Exclusive Tables Dining Credit (up to $300/yr); StubHub & viagogo Credit (up to $300/yr); Apple TV and Apple Music Subscriptions (up to $27/mo); DoorDash DashPass & Credits (up to $35/mo); Peloton Credits & Bonus Points (up to $10/mo). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
  • +Annual Travel Credit (up to $300/yr); The Edit by Chase Travel Hotel Credit (up to $500/yr); Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Access; Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit (up to $120/4yr); Lyft Monthly Credit (up to $10/mo); Primary Rental Car Insurance; Priority Pass Select Membership; Roadside Assistance; Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club; Travel Accident Insurance; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services; Reserve Travel Designer — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
VISACore Rate
4.5¢
per dollar on flights
$795/yr
Welcome: 100,000 points
Runner-Up
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Chase

5x IHG One Rewards on Flights via direct
5x × 0.6¢/pt = 3.0¢ per dollar
  • +5x on Flights booked direct — points worth 0.6¢ each
  • +$100 Airline Statement Credit (up to $100/yr; requires $250 eligible spend within 12 months); Baggage Delay Insurance; Up to $100 Annual IHG Food and Beverage Rewards (up to $25/qtr); Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS Statement Credit (up to $120/4yr); Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance; Up to $50 United TravelBank Cash Each Year (up to $25/6mo) — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
  • +Up to 190,000 points bonus in stages (~$1,080 value counts the first 180,000 points)
MASTERCARDCore Rate
2.2¢
per dollar on flights
$150/yr
Welcome: Up to 190,000 points
Also Great
Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card

Chase Freedom Rise® Credit Card

Chase

1.5% cash back on all other
  • +Travel and Emergency Assistance — not counted in estimated value or ranking; eligible use has not been established
  • +No annual fee. Other listed credits: $10 Off Quarterly DoorDash Non-Restaurant Orders (up to $40/yr). These amounts are not counted in estimated value or ranking: use, eligible purchases and any enrollment requirements have not been established.
  • +$25 statement credit bonus (~$25 value)
VISA
1.5¢
per dollar on all other
No annual fee
Welcome: $25 statement credit

Why Chase Sapphire Reserve wins for Chase Travel

Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 4.5¢ per dollar on flights when you shop at Chase Travel, the highest marginal rate in our list for this brand. At 4.5¢ per dollar, rewards cover the $795 fee after about $17,580 a year in Chase Travel spending. To come out ahead of Chase Freedom Unlimited (1.6¢), you'd need about $27,540 a year here. It's the right pick if you want maximum earn rate on this category and don't mind paying for a premium card.

Compare the Top Picks

Quick Comparison

Side-by-side view of the ranked picks.

Ranked by estimated net annual value: the earn rate on your spending, the card's usable credits and its annual fee together, so a card with a higher rate can rank lower.
CardTravel RateEffective ValueAnnual FeeEst. Fee OffsetNetwork
Chase Sapphire ReserveChase4x Ultimate Rewards4.5¢/$$795—visa
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit CardChase5x IHG One Rewards2.2¢/$$150—mastercard
Chase Freedom Rise® Credit CardChase1.5% cash back1.5¢/$$0—visa
Chase Sapphire Preferred CardChase2x Ultimate Rewards2.0¢/$$95—visa
Chase Freedom UnlimitedChase5% cash back1.6¢/$$0—visa
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit CardChase2x Marriott Bonvoy1.4¢/$$95—visa
Chase Freedom FlexChase5x Ultimate Rewards1.4¢/$$0—mastercard
IHG One Rewards Credit CardChase2x IHG One Rewards1.2¢/$$0—mastercard
United Quest CardChase5x MileagePlus1.8¢/$$350—visa
World of Hyatt Credit CardChase2x World of Hyatt1.3¢/$$95—visa

More Options

How to maximize value at Chase Travel

  • Use Chase Sapphire Reserve for Chase Travel purchases — it earns 4.5¢ per dollar on flights at Chase Travel in our scoring.
  • Shopping portals sometimes offer extra rewards at Chase Travel; check current portal rates before you buy.
  • Pair Chase Sapphire Reserve with IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card to cover categories where it earns more — diversifying your spend can lift your blended return.
  • Plan a major Chase Travel purchase around your card's welcome offer window — Chase Sapphire Reserve's sign-up bonus is worth roughly $1800 on top of base rewards.
  • Pay your statement in full each month — interest charges almost always exceed the rewards you'd earn.

Cards with earn bonuses for Chase Travel

Extra points or cash back when you pay with these cards — not statement credits.

Cards with credits at Chase Travel

Statement credits or cash applied to your bill at Chase Travel, separate from earn rate.

Similar Brands

Other brands in Travel where the top picks above also earn well.

Frequently asked

What credit card earns the most at Chase Travel?
Chase Sapphire Reserve ranks #1 for Chase Travel in our list at 4.5¢ per dollar on flights (including Chase Travel) — $795 annual fee. Order uses the full scoring key described above the list (earn rate, redemption value, fee/credit balance, portals, and co-brand fit); welcome offers are not part of that default brand ranking.
Can I stack a shopping portal with my credit card at Chase Travel?
Shopping portals sometimes offer extra rewards at Chase Travel; check current portal rates before you buy.

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Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card data comes from issuers' published terms; catalog last published October 12, 2026, and each card page shows when its terms were last checked. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content.