Getting ahead with travel credit cards is all about timing: Opening a card when the welcome bonus is at its highest is what it’s all about. If you’re in the market for a new travel credit card, this is the place to start.

Just as we do every month, we’ve assembled a list of the best currently available credit card offers for October 2026 – and everything you need to know if you are thinking about taking advantage. Some of these big bonuses are limited-time offers – with a few ending in a matter of weeks – while others should be around for a while. Plan accordingly! 

But remember: Credit cards are serious business. You should never apply for a credit card if you’re already in debt, and never charge more to a credit card than you can afford to pay off immediately. However many points and miles you can earn, they’re not worth it.

 

In this post

 

1. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Current Offer

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Annual Fee: $95

*capital one venture card*

Learn more about the *capital one venture card*

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

Considering Capital One miles can be used to cover nearly any travel purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile, the current 75,000-mile bonus you’ll earn after spending $4,000 in the first three months is worth a minimum of $750 towards travel. Add in the $300 Capital One Travel stays credit, and you’re looking at a bonus with a value of up to $1,050 towards travel on a card with a $95 annual fee.

We don’t know how long this big limited-time offer will last, but we have to think its days are limited. If you’re eligible for the Venture Card, now is the time to add it to your wallet! 

While you won’t get all the perks that come with the premium *venture x* , you also won’t be on the hook for a $395 annual fee each year. And you’ll be earning the same unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, just like the Venture X. This means it’ll be easy to keep racking up miles well after you earn the big bonus.

The Venture Card includes a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover the cost of a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership – making it one of the most cost-effective ways to get this benefit from a credit card. 

With a big offer like this, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card for someone just getting started with points and miles. 

Read More: All About the Capital One Venture Card

 

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Current Offer

We’ve long considered the *chase sapphire preferred* to be one of the best cards for anyone just getting started with points and miles … and that still hasn’t changed.

Its current sign-up bonus is a big reason why: You can currently earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in your first three months from account opening.

Annual Fee: $95

*csp*

Learn more about the *csp*

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

So, what can 75,000 points get you? In two words: A lot.

Those points are worth a minimum of $750 toward flights, hotels, and other travel expenses booked through Chase Travel℠. They can also be redeemed for $750 in cash (deposited into a Chase bank account), applied as a statement credit, or used for a number of third-party gift cards.

But you can probably do even better by leveraging Chase’s transfer partners and sending those points to airlines like Air Canada Aeroplan, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios – or even a top-notch hotel partner like Hyatt – instead. 

The value of the Chase Sapphire Preferred goes well beyond its initial welcome bonus, though. When you use the card for purchases, you’ll earn 3x points on dining, gas and EV charging, online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), and streaming services. Plus, 2x on travel (even more through Chase Travel) and 1x on all other purchases. Add in the card’s annual $100 hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel, and it’s clear why this card is such a favorite among beginners and experts alike.

 

3. Delta SkyMiles American Express Cards

Current Offers

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

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Annual Fee: annual_fees (see rates & fees)

*delta skymiles reserve*

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

 

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

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Annual Fee: annual_fees (see rates & fees)

 

*delta skymiles platinum*

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

 

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

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Annual Fee: annual_fees (see rates & fees)

*delta skymiles gold*

Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

 

Why These Offers Make the List

Amex and Delta team up to roll out elevated, limited-time welcome offers three or four times a year on their suite of SkyMiles credit cards, and they’ve done it again … with one of the strangest (but still potentially lucrative) bonuses we’ve ever seen on its top-tier card.

Through Nov. 4, new applicants for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can earn a two-part welcome bonus after spending $10,000 in the first six months:

  • 50,000 SkyMiles, and
  • Two roundtrip tickets in Delta Comfort to anywhere in the mainland U.S. (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) as well as Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands 

This first-of-its-kind offer with certificates for two roundtrip flights in Delta Comfort shouldn’t be sneezed at – perfect for flights home for the holidays (if you can spend big … in a hurry) or any other busy travel period like spring break, Memorial Day, and more.

While there are a few restrictions to be aware of – namely, you can’t use them within 21 days of departure – these certificates aren’t hamstrung with the same hurdles as Delta companion certificates … and they’re uncapped: You could use them to book hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of flights.

We’ve been loving SkyMiles more than ever lately, thanks to a recent surge of SkyMiles flash sales and even discounted Delta One seats, but this quirky bonus that throws in two roundtrip flights instead of more miles could easily go down as Delta’s most valuable credit card offer of all time.

Separately, the SkyMiles Gold and Platinum Cards are both offering bigger welcome offers than usual, making now a great time to pick up one of these cheaper alternatives.

And all these bigger offers come on the heels of a surprising revamp this summer: Delta added a second free checked bag for domestic flights and expanded rideshare credits to more cards – all without raising annual fees a dime. Combined with all the usual benefits like an annual companion certificate, Delta’s TakeOff 15 benefit, and Delta Sky Club access, these cards are worth a permanent spot in the wallets of many loyal Delta flyers.

 

4. United℠ Explorer Card

Current Offer

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Plus, you can earn an extra 10,000 miles by adding an authorized user in the first three months, bumping the total bonus to 80,000 miles. 

Annual Fee: annual_fees

*united explorer*

Learn more about the *united explorer*

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

With big changes earlier this year – namely a minimum 10% discount on award redemptions and expanded “saver” availability – having a United co-branded card in your wallet is more essential than ever if you’re hoping to get the most out of your MileagePlus miles. 

With up to 80,000 miles up for grabs with the Explorer card, there’s never been a better time than now to pick one up and start saving big when you go to redeem! 

While it may seem like United miles don’t go as far as they used to, there are still deals out there … especially for cardholders! With this card in your wallet, you can fly United Polaris business class to Europe for as low as 72,000 miles each way or all the way to Asia and Australia for just 90,000 miles … or even less with elite status. There are deals to be had in economy and premium economy, too – but with savings of 200,000 miles or more on some of these long-haul business class flights, those examples really stand out. 

Beyond the discounts and expanded award availability, this card comes packed with perks like free checked bags, two United Club passes each year on your cardmember anniversary, hundreds of dollars in statement credits, and much more, so it’s a good one to keep around for the long run … well after that initial new card bonus is gone. 

Not sure which United Card is right for you? Read more about the full portfolio of cards and limited-time offers here! 

 

5. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Current Offer

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Considering you earn at least 2x miles for every dollar you spend on the Venture X Card, you’ll have at least 83,000 miles (worth at least $830 towards travel) right off the bat.

Annual Fee: $395

*capital one venture x*

Learn more about the *capital one venture x*

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

The Venture X is a souped-up version of the ever-popular *capital one venture card* that’s chock full of extra benefits like access to Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass™ lounges. It also includes an annual $300 Capital One Travel credit, a statement credit of up to $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, great travel and rental car protections, and more.

Sure, the card’s $395 annual fee may immediately turn off some travelers, but in practice, the card is actually far cheaper. Consider this: You get an automatic $300 credit towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal each year – and then, starting in year two, you get a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth a minimum of $100).

Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $400 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math, and you’ll see your real out-of-pocket cost isn’t much. And it’s an even better deal when you add in all the other perks and welcome bonus, which you can use to cover nearly any travel purchase. 

Read More: A Full Review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

 

6. Chase Freedom Flex®

Current Offer

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Annual Fee: annual_fees

*Freedom Flex*

Learn More about the *Freedom Flex*

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

A big bonus like this is pretty rare on a no-annual-fee card like the *Freedom Flex*, but it gets even better if you have a Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred Card. 

So long as you also hold one of those cards, the cash back you earn from the Freedom cards can easily be moved into your Ultimate Rewards points balance and transferred to travel partners for even greater value. Every cent of cash back earns you 1 Chase point, so the $250 bonus is worth 25,000 points.

What’s more, this card offers 5% back (or 5x points) on a rotating list of bonus categories (up to $1,500 in combined spending, per quarter) … and this quarter’s categories are a real doozy! 

  • Dining 
  • Grocery stores (excluding Walmart and Target)
  • Donations to the American Red Cross 

With both dining and grocery stores earning 5% cash back (5x Chase points), this should be the first card you reach for any time you go to eat. And since the Freedom Flex ordinarily earns 3% cash back (3x points) on dining, and the quarterly bonus categories add an additional 4% on top of base earnings, you’ll really be earning a whopping 7% (or 7x points) back on dining in the last three months of the year!

No annul fee, a big bonus, and 7% (or 7x points) back on dining? Sign me up! Oh, wait … I already have the Freedom Flex at the top of my wallet. 

 

7. American Express® Gold Card

Current Offer

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Annual Fee: $325 (see rates & fees)

*amex gold*

Learn more about the American Express® Gold Card

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

The American Express® Gold Card is one of our favorite travel rewards cards, period.

With the current offer on the Amex Gold, you can now earn as high as 100,000 points after spending $8,000 in the first six months. After you submit your application – but before you accept the card (if you are approved) and your credit score is pulled – Amex will let you know the exact welcome offer you are eligible for. 

The Gold Card earns 4x points per dollar spent at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually, then 1x) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 annually, then 1x), making it arguably the best card for all your food purchases.

You’ll also get up to $120 in dining credits each year (doled out in $10 monthly increments) to spend at Grubhub, Seamless, Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, the Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder, up to $84 in Dunkin’ Credit each year (up to $7 per month), up to $100 in Resy Credit per year (up to $50 semi-annually), and up to $120 annually in Uber Cash ($10 per month) to use on both Uber and Uber Eats in the U.S. All of these credits are use-them-or-lose-them benefits, any unused amount won’t roll over from month-to-month. 

Maximizing these credits alone will cover all your $325 annual fee and then some. These credits and bonus categories are a big reason why we feel the card is easily worth the $325 annual fee.

Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card. 

 

8. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Current Offer

Earn 80,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3,500 in the first four months of account opening.

Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

All information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Thrifty Traveler and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card

Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

Considering all the great ways you can use AAdvantage miles, this card and its big bonus is well worth your attention … even if you’re not an American Airlines flyer.

From business class flights to Japan or Europe to lie-flat seats to Hawaii, the list of ways to use a big bonus like this could go on and on – and that’s just scratching the surface. These miles go further than almost any other airline’s … especially with the right partner.

Beyond the big bonus, you’ll also get benefits like free checked baggage, priority boarding, and earn status points from your everyday spending. 

Last thing: There’s nothing in this for us if you apply. We just think this is an excellent bonus you should know about! 

 

9. American Express Platinum Card®

Current Offer

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Annual Fee: annual_fees (see rates & fees)

*amex platinum*

Learn more about the American Express Platinum Card®.

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

This card could (and arguably should) be much higher on our list thanks to its current welcome offer, but we recognize that its annual_fees annual fee is a tough pill for many to swallow – rightfully so.

With the new “as high as” offer on the American Express Platinum Card® you might be eligible for a big welcome offer! Exactly what bonus offer you’re eligible for will vary, but after a recent hike to the spending requirement, you can now earn as high as 175,000 points after spending $12,000 in the first six months.

After you submit your application – but before you accept the card (if you are approved) and your credit score is pulled – Amex will let you know the exact welcome offer you are eligible for. 

There’s a reason why the American Express Platinum Card® comes with such a high price tag … after the latest round of changes last year, the card is chock-full of new benefits. But with a huge welcome offer bonus and unbeatable travel perks, now is as good a time as ever to get the Platinum Card. 

And while that big annual fee may be hard to stomach, you can still come out way ahead in your first year, thanks in part to the huge welcome offer. Better yet, you can double-dip by opening the card now: Use up a bunch of money-saving credits before the year ends, then get another round of perks come Jan. 1 when everything resets for the New Year.

Just know that if you don’t already have an American Express Membership Rewards-earning card, it may be better to start at the bottom and work your way up. With changes to Amex application rules, going straight to Amex’s best card could cost you additional new card welcome offers down the road.

 

10. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Current Offer

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Annual Fee: annual_fees

*chase sapphire reserve*

Learn more about the *chase sapphire reserve*.

 

Why This Offer Makes the List

Chase is out with an offer to earn 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after spending $6,000 in the first three months of card membership. 

Best of all, many travelers who were previously shut out from adding the card (and earning a big bonus) are now eligible.

Beyond the big bonus, the Sapphire Reserve offers a ton of benefits that Chase pegs at $3,000-plus – whether you’ll be able to take advantage of all of them is another question entirely. That said, you really only need to use a couple of them to come out ahead, and the math works especially well in year one, as the 100,000 points are worth at least $1,000 toward travel and likely much more if you use Chase’s transfer partners.

Read More: Earn 100K Points With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®

 

Bottom Line

October is shaping up to be another big month for welcome offers with a handful of limited-time bonuses on some of our favorite cards. While there are plenty of cards and bonuses to choose from, we think these are the best travel rewards card offers currently available.

Be sure to check our Top Credit Cards Page, as offers are always changing.