Getting ahead with travel credit cards is all about timing: Getting a card when the welcome bonus is at its highest is what it is all about. So if you’re in the market for a new travel credit card right now, you’re in luck.
Many banks are out with some eye-popping bonuses of points and miles – in some cases, the biggest we’ve ever seen. Banks, airlines, and hotel chains alike are competing hard for a share of your wallet, trying to capitalize on the renewed interest in travel. And there’s even a brand new travel card on the scene that makes this list.
We’ve assembled a list of the absolute best credit card offers for November 2021 that are currently available – and everything you need to know if you are thinking about taking advantage. Just 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.
For more information on the best current offers, make sure to head to our Top Credit Cards Page.
- 1. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 2. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- 3. The Citi Premier® Card
- 4. The American Express® Gold Card
- 5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
- 6. The Chase Freedom Flex Card
- 7. The Platinum Card® from American Express
- 8. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
- 9. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
1. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Current Offer
The brand new Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is currently offering 100,000 Venture Miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months. Considering you earn 2x for every dollar you spend on the Venture X Card, you’ll earn a total of at least 120,000 Venture Miles. Plus, you’ll also earn a $200 credit for Airbnb or VRBO stays.
Annual Fee: $395
Click Here to learn more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Why This Offer Makes the List
Because it’s one of the most exciting new travel credit cards to hit the market in years – if ever.
Capital One first unveiled the brand new Venture X Card in early November before opening for applications on Nov. 9. It’s a souped-up version of the ever-popular Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card that’s chock full of extra benefits: Access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, a $300 annual travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, great travel and rental car insurance protection, and more.
And all that comes with a price tag of just $395 a year. That automatically makes this card a compelling alternative to premium competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Platinum Card® from American Express, which cost as much as $695 per year.
While a $395 annual fee may turn off many travelers, it’s a mirage. It’s actually far cheaper. Consider the fact that you get an automatic $300 credit a year towards travel booked through the Capital One Travel portal. Then, starting in year two, you get a 10,000-point bonus every year – points that are worth a minimum of $100.
Are you the kind of person who plans to spend $300 a year or more on travel? If so, do the math and you’ll see that in reality, you’re paying $95 a year for this card – or much less when you consider the other perks and welcome bonus.
It’s hard to think of any other travel credit card with a better value proposition than this one.
Read more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Apply Now! 100K Bonus & Lounge Access
2. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Current Offer
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is currently offering 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. These points are worth a minimum of $750 towards travel.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The record-setting 100,000-point offer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is gone, which is a shame. It’s possible we won’t see an offer like that again. If you missed out, make sure to read our post on what you can still do.
That said, getting 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points is still a very solid offer. Those 60,000 points can be used to book at least $750 in travel through the Chase Travel Portal – or $750 towards an Airbnb stay or a new Away suitcase via the Pay Yourself Back feature – as every point is worth 1.25 cents apiece. But you can easily get double that (or more) by using Chase’s transfer partners like United, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Hyatt. Not bad for a card with an annual fee of only $95, right?
There are some restrictions you’ll need to be aware of. First and foremost, there’s the Chase 5/24 rule. If you have been approved for five or more cards from any bank (not just Chase) in a 24 month period, you will automatically be declined for any new Chase card. Additionally, if you have earned a bonus on either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve in the past 48 months (four years), you will not be eligible.
Read more: Are You Eligible for the Chase Sapphire Preferred?
3. The Citi Premier® Card
Current Offer
The Citi Premier® Card is out with its biggest-ever welcome bonus offer of 80,000 Citi ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of card membership. That’s up from the old bonus of 60,000 points for the same spending requirement.
Annual Fee: $95
Click Here to Learn More About the Citi Premier Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Citi ThankYou points have long been considered a distant third behind both Chase Ultimate Rewards, and American Express Membership Rewards. But that’s not quite correct – these points are far from worthless. There are a ton of great ways to use Citi ThankYou points.
Critically, through Nov. 13, 2021, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points to American Airlines on a 1:1 basis. That means one Citi ThankYou point will be equal to one American Airlines mile. So the 80,000 points welcome bonus would get you 80,000 American Airlines miles.
While that may not sound like a big deal, American Airlines are some of the most valuable miles out there, thanks in part to their incredible airline alliance partners. We’re hoping this gets extended beyond mid-November.
Read More: 7 Reasons American Airlines Miles Have Huge Value
4. The American Express® Gold Card
Current Offer
Earn at least 60,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 in the first six months of card membership. You’ll also get six months to meet the spending requirements, which is twice as long as normal.
Be sure to check if you’re eligible for an even better 75,000 point offer via CardMatch!
Annual Fee: $250 (see rates & fees)
Click Here to 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 credit cards. The real value of the Gold card goes far beyond that initial bonus – though a 60,000-point bonus or more sure doesn’t hurt.
Most importantly, the Gold Card earns 4x points for every dollar you spend at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 annually then 1x) and 4x points per dollar spent at restaurants, making it one of the best cards to use at grocery stores and restaurants.
You’ll also get up to a $120 dining credit each year and up to a $120 annual credit to use at both Uber or Uber Eats. Maximize these two credits alone and that will cover $240 of your $250 annual fee. These credits and bonus categories are a big part of the reason we feel the card is easily worth the $250 annual fee.
The Rose Gold version of the card is back – and back for good. New cardholders can choose between the traditional Gold finish and Rose Gold when applying for the card. Already have a Gold Card and want to go Rose? Just message American Express and ask for a replacement.
Read our full review of the American Express Gold Card.
5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Current Offer
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is currently offering $200 cashback (or 20,000 Ultimate Rewards Points) after spending only $500 in the first three months of card membership. But you will also earn 5% cashback on grocery spending on the first $12,000 spent in your first 12 months of card membership – making it possible to earn another $600 cashback (or 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points).
Annual Fee: $0
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
With the rollout of the Chase Freedom Flex Card in October 2020, Chase also updated the benefits of the Chase Freedom Unlimited. And it got much, much better.
It’s easily among the best no-annual-fee travel credit cards. And it gets better if you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, as that allows you to transfer your cashback into Chase points. Every cent of cashback gets you 1 Chase Ultimate Rewards point.
You’ll earn an unlimited 1.5% cashback (1.5x points) on every dollar you spend. You’ll also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022, and 3% back on dining at drugstores.
And for a limited time, you’ll earn 5% back (5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on all grocery spending in your first year (up to $12,000). It’s the best offer we’ve seen on the card and it allows you to earn up to $800 back in your first year (or 80,000 Ultimate Rewards Points).
If you already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card, this should be your next move.
Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card.
Make sure to check out our guide on Freedom Flex vs Freedom Unlimited to help you decide which version is right for you.
6. The Chase Freedom Flex Card
Current Offer
The Chase Freedom Flex Card is currently offering $200 cashback (or 20,000 Ultimate Rewards Points) after spending only $500 in the first three months of card membership. You also earn 5% cashback on grocery spending on the first $12,000 spent in your first 12 months of card membership – making it possible to earn another $600 cashback (or 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points).
Annual Fee: $0
Click Here to Learn More About the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Chase introduced the Chase Freedom Flex Card in October as a replacement to the popular Freedom Card – which is no longer available for new applications. It’s easily one of the best no annual fee credit cards, period. And it gets even better if you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve Card.
That’s because you can transfer the cashback it earns into valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points. And since the earning rates on the Freedom Flex are better on certain categories than the Sapphire Cards, it is a better option for much of your everyday spending.
And for a limited time, you’ll earn 5% back (5x Chase Ultimate Rewards points) on all grocery spending in your first year (up to $12,000). It’s the best offer we’ve seen on the card and it allows you to earn up to $800 back in your first year (or 80,000 Ultimate Rewards Points).
You’ll earn 5% cashback (5x URs) on up to $1,500 each quarter on a list of rotating bonus categories. You’ll also earn 5% back on travel booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, 5% back on Lyft rides through March 2022, and 3% back on dining at drugstores.
Again, if you already have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card, this should be your next move.
Read our full review of the Chase Freedom Flex Card.
7. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Current Offer
There is currently a targeted offer available through creditcards.com’s CardMatch tool to earn 150,000 American Express Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first six months of card membership.
Even if you aren’t eligible for the 150,000 point offer, you can get a 125,000-point bonus (plus earn a whopping 15x points per dollar spent on the first $25,000 spent at restaurants and U.S. small businesses in six months) by applying for the Platinum Card through Resy!
At the very least, you’ll earn at least 100,000 American Express points after spending $6,000 within the first six months. But it gets even better.
In addition to that bigger welcome bonus, you’ll also earn 10x points for every dollar you spend at restaurants worldwide and at small businesses in the U.S. on up to $25,000 during the first six months of card membership!
Earn the welcome bonus and maximize that 10x multiplier and you can earn as much as 350,000 points. That is unbeatable.
Annual Fee: $695 (see rates & fees)
Click Here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express.
See if you’re eligible for the 150,000-point offer via CardMatch.
Why This Offer Makes the List
The Platinum Card® from American Express just had a huge refresh, bringing new benefits and a bigger annual fee.
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 record welcome bonus currently available. That takes the cake for the best offer we have ever seen on the Platinum Card, and it’s not even close.
Based on past evidence, it seems that those who have never held an American Express card have the best chance to pull up the targeted CardMatch offer for 150,000 points. That said, this offer won’t be available for all users.
Check out some of the best ways to use your bonus from the Amex Platinum card.
8. The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Current Offer
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® allows you to earn 60,000 bonus miles after making your first purchase in the first 90 days. Buy a cup of coffee, a pack of gum, or anything and you’ll earn the 60,000 miles.
Annual Fee: $99
Apply Here (for full disclosure this is not an affiliate link).
Why This Offer Makes the List
These are some of the easiest miles you will ever earn. Make one purchase, pay the $99 annual fee, and boom. You’ve got 60,000 American Airlines miles.
9. The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Current Offer
Earlier this year, U.S. Bank officially launched the new U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, making a splash in the middle of the market for travel credit cards.
First and foremost, you’ll earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 120 days of card membership (four months). Those points will be redeemable through U.S. Bank at 1 cent apiece (for $500 total) for travel, cashback, gift cards, merchandise, and more (terms and conditions apply).
Annual Fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months, $95 per year afterward. See rates & fees
Click Here to learn more and apply for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card.
Why This Offer Makes the List
Just for opening the card and spending $3,000 in eligible purchases in the first 120 days (four months) of card membership, you’ll earn 50,000 bonus points. Those points are redeemable for up to $500 towards travel, merchandise, gift cards, cash back, and more. Your points will never expire for as long as you hold the card.
But if you are looking for a card that will cover the cost of either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, this card is easily one of the most cost-effective ways to do it. Every four years, you’ll receive up to a $100 credit to cover the application fee for either program. And membership in both programs is good for five years.
You’ll also earn 4x points for every dollar they spend on both travel purchases and at gas stations. Eligible travel expenses include flights, hotels, rideshare, cruises, and much more. Since these points are worth one cent each when it comes time to redeem them, that’s effectively a 4% return on purchases in both categories.
Not to mention, cardholders will also earn 2x points for purchases at grocery stores (including grocery delivery), dining at restaurants, and on streaming services. All other eligible purchases on the card will earn 1x point for every dollar you spend.
Bottom Line
November is a huge month in terms of elevated credit card offers. These are some of the best that are currently available. And make sure to check our Top Credit Cards Page, as offers are always changing.