Every time.
We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that appear on our site or when you click to or take an action on their website. This compensation helps us provide tools and services - like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
Advertisement
5 Great Cash Back Cards That Earn More on Travel of October 2026
October, 2026Prefer cash over points or miles? These cards earn cash back on travel purchases, so your rewards are simple to use on anything, not just your next trip.
Read MoreShow Less
What to know about cash back cards for travel
Check how travel is booked. Some cards only pay their top travel rate when you book through the issuer's travel site.
Cash is flexible. Unlike points or miles, cash back can be used on anything.
Watch foreign transaction fees. If you travel abroad, a fee on every purchase can offset your rewards.
Our pick for: Cash back on prepaid travel
Annual fee$0Rewards rate4%CashbackIntro offerN/ARecommended credit score690-850(Good - Excellent)Purchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 21 billing cyclesBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 billing cyclesRegular APR17.24%-28.24% Variable APRRewards breakdown
4%Cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center.Card details
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 21 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR currently 17.24% - 28.24%.
- 4% cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked directly in the Travel Center when you use your card.
- Get a $20 annual statement credit for 11 consecutive months of purchases.
- No annual fee.
- Cell Phone Protection: Your eligible cell phone can be reimbursed up to $600 in the event it is stolen or damaged when you pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card.
- Terms and conditions apply.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® Card is mainly about its long intro period, with travel cash back and a few extras on top. Your travel rewards come back as cash you can use on anything.
Read full reviewProsEarns cash back on prepaid air, hotel and car reservations booked through U.S. Bank's travel center.
An annual statement credit after 11 consecutive months of purchases.
Cell phone protection when you pay your monthly phone bill with the card.
Annual fee: $0.
ConsRewards only apply to travel booked through U.S. Bank's travel center.
No welcome bonus.
Our pick for: Cash back on travel booked through Chase
Annual fee$0Rewards rate1%-5%CashbackIntro offer$250Recommended credit score690-850(Good - Excellent)Purchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 15 monthsBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 monthsRegular APR18.49%-27.99% Variable APRRewards breakdown
5%Cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate.5%Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.1%Cash back on all other purchases.Card details
- Limited Time Offer! Earn a $250 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
- New Benefit! Earn rewards worldwide with no foreign transaction fees
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Chase Freedom Flex® rewards people who like to track categories, with high cash back in a rotating lineup. It's a simple way to earn on travel without managing points.
Read full reviewProsEarns bonus cash back in categories that rotate each quarter (activation required), plus extra on travel booked through Chase, dining and drugstores.
No minimum to redeem cash back.
Annual fee: $0.
ConsYou have to activate the bonus categories each quarter, and bonus earnings are capped.
Our pick for: Choose-your-category cash back
Apply Nowon Bank of America's websiteon Bank of America's websiteAnnual fee$0Rewards rate1%-6%CashbackIntro offer$200Recommended credit score690-850(Good - Excellent)Purchase intro APR0% intro APR on Purchases for 15 billing cyclesBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 daysRegular APR17.74%-27.74% Variable APRRewards breakdown
6%Cash back for the first year in the category of your choice (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).3%Cash back in the category of your choice after the first year (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).2%Cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases).1%Cash back on all other purchases.Card details
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Customized Cash Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to groceries - BofA Rewards™ members earn more cash back.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.74% - 27.74% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
NerdWallet's take
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card lets you pick where you earn the most cash back. Your travel rewards come back as cash you can use on anything.
Read full reviewProsEarns bonus cash back in a category you choose, plus at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, up to a quarterly cap.
Bank of America Rewards members can earn more cash back.
Annual fee: $0.
ConsBonus cash back is capped each quarter.
Our pick for: All-around cash back
Annual fee$0Rewards rate1.5%-5%CashbackIntro offer$200Recommended credit score690-850(Good - Excellent)Purchase intro APR0% intro APR on purchases for 15 monthsBalance transfer intro APR0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 monthsRegular APR18.49%-27.99% Variable APRRewards breakdown
5%Cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.3%Cash back on drugstore purchases.3%Cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.1.5%Cash back on all other purchases.Card details
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.49% - 27.99%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is an easy everyday card: no categories to track, with a few bonus areas. It's a simple way to earn on travel without managing points.
Read full reviewProsEarns cash back on every purchase, with more on travel booked through Chase, dining and drugstores.
No minimum to redeem cash back.
Annual fee: $0.
ConsForeign transaction fee: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Our pick for: Cash back on airfare
Annual fee$0Rewards rate3%CashbackIntro offerN/ARegular APR34.99% Fixed APRRecommended credit score350-850(Poor - Excellent)Rewards breakdown
3%Cash back on air travel purchasesCard details
- No annual fee. Ever.
- Apply in under 5 minutes, get a quick decision.
- $350 and up credit limit.
- 34.99% APR remains fixed for life of the card.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on airfare.
- Pay on time to skip interest.
- We welcome everyone new to credit.
- Globally friendly. Apply without SSN. If you have an SSN you must provide it.
- Neu Card issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
NerdWallet's take
The Neu Card 2 is an option for people new to credit who want to earn back on flights. Your travel rewards come back as cash you can use on anything.
Read full reviewProsEarns unlimited cash back on airfare.
Open to people new to credit; you can qualify without a credit history.
Annual fee: $0.
ConsA high fixed APR, so it works best if you pay in full each month.
Rewards are limited to airfare.
Compare the Best Travel Cash Back Credit Cards
| Credit card | Rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 U.S. Bank Shield™ Visa® CardApply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website | Best for Cash back on prepaid travel | $0 | 4% | N/A | Apply Nowon U.S. Bank's website on U.S. Bank's website |
 Chase Freedom Flex®Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for Cash back on travel booked through Chase | $0 | 1%-5% | $250 | Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Apply Nowon Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website | Best for Choose-your-category cash back | $0 | 1%-6% | $200 | Apply Nowon Bank of America's website on Bank of America's website |
 Chase Freedom Unlimited®Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website | Best for All-around cash back | $0 | 1.5%-5% | $200 | Apply Nowon Chase's website on Chase's website |
 Neu Card 2Apply Nowon Neu's website on Neu's website | Best for Cash back on airfare | $0 | 3% | N/A | Apply Nowon Neu's website on Neu's website |
