Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new card offers and information.
In recent years, the United’s MileagePlus program removed published award charts in favor of a dynamic pricing model where award prices vary just like cash prices. The program also made adjustments to how frequent flyers earn elite status by essentially removing “miles” from the equation and awarding status primarily based on dollars spent with the program.
Combine those changes with some further program adjustments and promotions due to the pandemic, and it can get a bit confusing to keep up with all the rules and benefits. Add on top of that some more recent additions to the line-up of United cobranded credit cards and you might need a chart to sort it all out.
Don’t worry, we come with a chart and tips when choosing the best credit card best for flying United.
A United Airlines 737-700 parked at Newark-Liberty International Airport. (Photo by EQRoy/Shutterstock)
Even with all of United’s changes to its MileagePlus program, United credit cards remain a valuable tool thanks to several key benefits for both frequent and less-frequent United flyers. The lineup of cards also went through some major changes over the last few years, providing members more value and options than before.
For example, the cobranded United credit cards unlock better award availability, open access to less-expensive award prices, come with free checked bags, priority boarding, discounts on Wi-Fi and onboard purchases, give you a way to spend your way to higher elite status levels and access the network of United Clubs. These cards now also allow you to earn bonus miles on common everyday spending categories, such as dining and streaming services.
Today we’re considering all the best credit cards for United flyers, including the just-launched New United Quest Card. Some of these cards unlock benefits that are useful when flying on United and using United miles. Others earn valuable transferable points that can be used to book United flights via other reward programs.
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Best United Airlines credit cards of 2021 United Gateway Card — Best no-annual-fee card for United flyers United Explorer Card — Best for occasional United flyers United Business Card — Best for small business owners United Quest Card — Best for premium benefits without a high annual fee United Club Infinite Card — Best for United Club access United Club Business Card — Best for small business owners who want lounge access Chase Sapphire Preferred Card — Best for flexible travel rewards Chase Sapphire Reserve — Best for frequent travelers Ink Business Preferred Credit Card — Best for high-spending businesses The Platinum Card® from American Express — Best for lounge access around the world Citi Prestige® Card — Best for booking United awards with other programs The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — Best for booking United flights directly In This Post Best United cobranded credit cards
When it comes to choosing the best United cobranded credit card for your wallet, you’ve got five main options that come with annual fees ranging from $95 to $525 per year. There’s also a no-annual-fee version, which we’ll dig into below.
Most travelers who fly on United at least a couple of times per year will be well-suited to have at least one of these cobranded United cards in their wallets:
cREDIT Card Welcome bonus Annual fee Earning capabilities United Gateway Card Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open $0 3x miles on grocery purchases (up to $1,500 in purchases per month) until Sept. 30, 2021; 2x miles at gas stations, on local transit, commuting and United purchases; 1x miles per dollar elsewhere United Explorer Card Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months. $95, waived the first year 2x miles on restaurant, hotel and United purchases; 1x miles per dollar elsewhere United Business Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. $99, waived the first year 2x miles on United purchases, local transit and commuting, and at restaurants, gas stations and office supply stores; 1x elsewhere United Quest Card Earn up to 100,000 bonus miles after a total of $10,000 in purchases in the first six months from account opening — earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months from account opening. $250 3x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on all other travel purchases (including Star Alliance purchases), 2x miles select streaming services and restaurants; 1x elsewhere United Club Infinite Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening $525 4x miles on United purchases; 2x miles on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x miles elsewhere United Club Business Card
50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months after account opening. $450 2x miles on United purchases; 1.5x miles per dollar elsewhere
Note: Bonus valuations below are based on TPG valuations and not provided by the issuer.
The information for the United Club Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
United Gateway Card (Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The United Gateway Card offers 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Bonus valuation: $260
Annual fee: $0
Reasons to get it: The United Gateway is United’s only no-annual-fee card currently available. It earns 3x miles on grocery purchases (up to $1,500 in purchases per month) until Sept. 30, 2021, 2x miles per dollar spent at gas stations, local transit, commuting and United purchases and 1x miles per dollar spent on everything else. Those are some solid bonus categories for a cobranded airline card with no annual fee.
The card also offers some valuable perks that can help you save cash when traveling. As a cardholder, you’ll get a 25% discount on inflight United purchases — including Wi-Fi, food and beverages — and pay no foreign transaction fees for purchases made outside the U.S. Additionally, this card offers up to $6,000 in trip cancellation and interruption insurance (up to $1,500 per person) if your trip is canceled or cut short by covered reasons like sickness or injury.
APPLY HERE: United Gateway Card
United Explorer Card (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The personal United Explorer Card offers a sign-up bonus of 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you spend $10,000 in the first 6 months.
Bonus valuation: $845
Annual fee: $95 (waived the first year)
Reasons to get it: Like the business version (below), this credit card has some outstanding features not found with other airline cards at its annual fee price point. The United personal card earns 2x miles per dollar spent on restaurants, hotels and United purchases and offers 1x miles per dollar spent on everything else.
Other perks include a free checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation, as long as you purchase your ticket (or pay taxes and fees on an award ticket) from United using the Explorer Card. You’ll also get priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes each year, a 25% discount on inflight United purchases — including Wi-Fi, food and beverages — and access to additional award space and less expensive award flights.
The United Explorer Card allows you to earn up to 1,000 elite Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) with $24,000 in annual spending on the card. United has already extended 2020 elite status levels an extra year into early 2022 and adjusted requirements for earning it in 2021. But if you find yourself pushing for a higher elite status level or are chasing status for this first time, your card spending can help you more than normal, especially since elite thresholds have been reduced by around 25%.
Having a United co-branded credit card, such as the United Explorer, also makes you eligible for space-available elite upgrades when flying on United miles.
See TPG‘s full United Explorer Card review for more details.
APPLY HERE: United Explorer Card
United Business Card (Photo by Eric Helgas for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The United Business Card is offering a bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Bonus valuation: $975
Annual fee: $99, waived the first year
Reasons to get it: This card offers you 2x miles on United purchases, on local transit and commuting, and at restaurants, gas stations and office supply stores, and 1x miles per dollar spent on everything else. You’ll also get a free checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, two one-time United Club passes each year and additional award space on United-operated flights.
Even better, if you hold both the business card and a personal United card, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus miles each anniversary. Finally, you have the ability to earn an annual $100 United travel credit after seven United flight purchases of $100 or more and you’ll get a rebate of 25% back of United inflight purchases (includes Wi-Fi, food and beverages).
The United Business Card allows you to earn 1,000 PQPs with $24,000 in total credit card spending. Having this card also makes United elites eligible for space-available upgrades when flying on United.
See TPG‘s full United Business Card review for more details.
United Quest Card (Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The all-new United Quest Card is offering a bonus of up to 100,000 bonus miles after a total of $10,000 in purchases in the first six months from account opening — earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months from account opening, plus an additional 20,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first six months from account opening.
Bonus valuation: $1,300
Annual fee: $250
Reasons to get it: This card was just launched in April 2021. With a $250 annual fee, it’s the perfect hybrid between the mid-tier United Explorer Card and the premium United Club Infinite Card. It offers you 3x on United purchases, 2x on all other travel (including Star Alliance purchases), select streaming services and restaurants and 1x miles per dollar spent on everything else.
Key benefits of the card include a $125 annual United purchase credit, as well as up to 10,000 miles back each year — you’ll automatically get 5,000 miles back into your account after the first two United award flights you take per anniversary year. You’ll also get a free first and second checked bag, an up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years, priority boarding, trip protection, expanded award availability and lower average award prices.
The Quest card allows you to earn 3,000 PQPs towards elite status with $72,000 in total credit card spending. The card also makes United elites eligible for space-available upgrades when flying on United.
United Club Infinite Card (Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Bonus valuation: $975
Annual fee: $525
Reasons to get it: As its name implies, United Club Infinite cardholders enjoy United Club membership, including access for two guests or one adult and dependent children under the age of 21 (here are a few of our favorite United Clubs to be sure you don’t miss).
While it previously offered no welcome bonus in exchange for $0 annual fee the first year, that has changed. The card now offers 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. TPG values United miles at 1.3 cents each, so the 75,000 bonus miles are well worth the $525 annual fee, especially when factoring in the lounge access.
It also offers the first and second checked bag free for the primary cardholder and one companion traveling on the same reservation on United-operated flights when they are purchased with the card. Other perks include an up to $100 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years, Premier Access travel services, expanded award availability and lower average award prices.
The United Club Infinite Card earns 4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on all other travel and dining purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases. Although you will likely get more value by using another card for everyday spending, the United Club Infinite Card is a great way to rack up additional United miles when you fly with the airline. On top of the 4x miles, the United Infinite is a great card for your United ticket purchases because of the solid built-in travel trip delay and trip cancellation benefits that will have your back in the event of a covered problem along the way.
Last but not least, those who care about elite status can be well-served with the United Club Infinite Card. The card has the same earning potential for United PQPs as the new Quest Card — up to 3,000 per year in 500 point increments for each $12,000 put on the card.
As with the other United credit cards, having this card makes United elites eligible for space-available upgrades when flying on United miles if you have United elite status.
See TPG‘s full United Club Infinite Card review for more details.
APPLY HERE: United Club Infinite Card
United Club Business Card (Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The United Club Business Card offers a bonus of 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months after account opening.
Bonus valuation: $650
Annual fee: $450
Reasons to get it: This card is more closely aligned with the older, discontinued version of the personal United Club Card than the United Club Infinite Card. It awards 2x miles on United purchases and 1.5x miles per dollar spent on everything else. You’ll also get up to two free checked bags for you and one companion on the same reservation, priority boarding, United Club membership and access to additional award space on United-operated flights.
The United Club Business Card’s elite perks mirror those of the United Club Infinite Card. Cardholders can earn up to 3,000 PQPs with $72,000 in total card spending. Having this card also makes United elite travelers eligible for space-available upgrades when flying on United miles.
See TPG‘s full United Business Club Card review for more details.
Our picks for buying United Airlines tickets
For most paid tickets, you’ll earn redeemable miles and Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) toward elite status, calculated mostly on the base price of your ticket, minus taxes and fees. The number of redeemable miles you earn also varies based on your United elite status level. And while it can make a lot of sense to have and use a United Airlines cobranded credit card for your United ticket purchases, especially if you fly United more than once a year, there are also situations where other credit cards may be solid choices.
For example, if you want to earn more flexible transferable points on the purchase, you could pay for your United Airlines ticket with a general travel card that earns American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards or Citi ThankYou Rewards Points. Consider the following cards for your United Airlines tickets, some of which carry generous built-in travel protections.
CREDIT CARD WELCOME BONUS ANNUAL FEE EARNING CAPABILITIES Chase Sapphire Reserve 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. $550 3x Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining; 1x elsewhere (10x on Lyft until 2022) Chase Sapphire Preferred Card 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Plus earn a $50 statement credit on grocery purchases in the first year of account opening. $95 2x Ultimate Rewards points on travel and dining; 1x elsewhere Ink Business Preferred Credit Card 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months. $95 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in certain categories like travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites each account anniversary year; 1x elsewhere The Platinum Card® from American Express 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Terms apply. $550 (see rates & fees) 5x points on airfare booked through Amex or directly with the airlines (up to $500,000 on these purchases each calendar year, as of Jan. 1, 2021); 5x on prepaid hotels booked directly with Amex; 10x points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. That’s an additional 9 points on top of the 1 point you earn for these purchases.1x elsewhere. Terms apply. Citi Prestige® Card 50,000 Citi ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. $495 5x Citi ThankYou points on air travel and restaurants; 3x points per dollar spent on hotels and cruise lines; 1x elsewhere The Business Platinum Card® from American Express 85,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening. $595 (see rates & fees) 5x Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel; 1.5x on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to an additional 1 million points per calendar year); 1x elsewhere. Terms apply.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (Photo by Riley Arthur for The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: The current sign-up bonus is 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Plus earn a $50 statement credit on grocery purchases in the first year of account opening.
Bonus valuation: $1,650
Annual fee: $95
Reasons to get it: This card offers 2x points per dollar on all travel and dining purchases (not just United tickets), which is lower than its more-premium sibling (the Chase Sapphire Reserve). However, it does carry a much lower annual fee.
You can then transfer your Chase points to United and have a dozen other airline and hotel programs from which to choose. You can also book flights and other travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, but you’ll only get a value of 1.25 cents each for your points. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also features primary rental car insurance and some solid purchase-protection benefits.
See TPG‘s full Chase Sapphire Preferred review for more details.
APPLY HERE: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve (Photo by Wyatt Smith/The Points Guy)
Sign-up offer: 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening
Bonus valuation: $1,200
Annual fee: $550
Reasons to get it: Since Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio, this card can be a great choice if you’re eyeing future award travel with United. Or, if you prefer the simplicity of cash fares, you can redeem your points for 1.5 cents each when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals or cruises through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. The United flights you book through the Chase portal should count for getting you closer to United elite status and also earn redeemable miles.
The Sapphire Reserve earns 3x points on all travel (excluding the $300 travel credit) and dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on everything else. If you spend a lot in these two categories, you could be ready to book a flight in no time. The card has a high $550 annual fee, but that’s offset by a $300 annual travel credit that will automatically be applied to any eligible purchases — from airfare to hotel stays to sightseeing tours. You’ll get lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership, and the card’s excellent travel protections will cover you when you put the airfare — or the taxes and fees on award flights — on your card.
See TPG‘s full review of Chase Sapphire Reserve for more details.
APPLY HERE: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Ink Business Preferred Credit Card (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy.)
Sign-up offer: 100,000 bonus points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Bonus valuation: $2,000
Annual fee: $95
Reasons to get it: This business card is extremely popular among award travel enthusiasts, as it offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in certain categories like travel, shipping, internet, cable and phone services and advertising purchases made with social media sites, and 1x points on everything else. There are no foreign transaction fees with this card.
You can book flights and other travel through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, but you’ll only get a value of 1.25 cents each for your points. So, you may get better value by transferring your points to United or Star Alliance partner Singapore KrisFlyer if you want to use your Ultimate Rewards points to book a United-operated flight.
See TPG‘s full review of the Ink Business Preferred Card for more details.
APPLY HERE: Ink Business Preferred Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy.)
Welcome offer: 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership, although you may be targeted for a 125,000-point bonus offer through CardMatch (offers subject to change at any time).
Bonus valuation: $1,500 (more with targeted offers)
Annual fee: $550 (see rates and fees)
Reasons to get it: Although you can’t transfer the Membership Rewards points earned with this card to United MileagePlus, you can transfer them to Star Alliance partners Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer and Avianca LifeMiles. You can then use these miles to book award tickets on United-operated flights.
The Platinum Card earns 5x Membership Rewards points on all flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, as well as prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Other cardholder benefits include a $200 annual statement credit toward incidental airline fees (although not actual airfare), monthly Uber credits (on U.S. services), biannual Saks Fifth Avenue credits, Marriott elite status, Hilton elite status, Centurion Lounge access and Priority Pass Select membership.
See TPG‘s full Amex Platinum review for more details.
APPLY HERE: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Citi Prestige® Card (Photo by Eric Helgas/The Points Guy)
Sign-up bonus: 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening.
Bonus valuation: $850
Annual fee: $495
Reasons to get it: This card earns 5x Citi ThankYou points per dollar spent on air travel and dining, 3x points on hotels and cruise lines and 1 point on everything else. You’ll get a fourth night free on paid hotel stays, although you’ll be capped to two bookings per year and bookings will need to be made through ThankYou.com instead of through the concierge.
Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to Star Alliance partners like Avianca LifeMiles and Singapore KrisFlyer for booking United-operated flights. Best of all might be the opportunity to transfer your Citi points to Turkish Airlines, which has some tremendous award chart sweet spots for United-operated flights. (Hint: This includes a 7,500-mile award to Hawaii.) You’ll also have lounge access through the Priority Pass Select membership that is a cardmember benefit. However, the big downside is that the excellent travel protections that came with the Citi Prestige were discontinued in 2019.
See TPG‘s full Citi Prestige review for more details.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express (Photo by Isabelle Raphael/The Points Guy)
Welcome offer: The Points Guy Exclusive offer: Earn 125,000 points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Bonus valuation: $2,500
Annual fee: $595 (see rates and fees)
Reasons to get it: This might not seem like a great fit for United flyers, but hear us out. This card offers you 5x Membership Rewards points on all flights with United booked via Amex Travel, as well any airline or prepaid hotel booked with American Express Travel. You can then transfer these points to Star Alliance partners Singapore or Avianca to book award flights. In particular, Avianca LifeMiles is the only other Star Alliance program besides United that doesn’t impose fuel surcharges on awards.
Better yet, you can designate United as your carrier of choice to receive an up to $200 annual credit for air travel fees. When you do that, you’ll be able to use the Pay with Points redemption option to use your Membership Rewards points for any United flights and receive a 35% rebate (up to 500,000 additional points back per calendar year). This allows you to realize just over 1.5 cents per point, which isn’t too bad, considering you don’t have to worry about finding available award space. When making large purchases of $5,000 or more, this card awards 1.5 points per dollar.
You’ll also receive the 35% points rebate when you book a flight on any airline in business or first class using American Express Travel. Because these are revenue flights, you’ll earn miles and credit toward MileagePlus Premier status and have the opportunity to receive upgrades not afforded by award flights.
See TPG‘s full Amex Business Platinum review for more details.
APPLY HERE: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Who should get a United Airlines credit card?
If you are only going to have one reward credit card in your wallet, the United card is probably not it. If you are only going to have one, I’d recommend a more flexible card. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns points that can be used for United without locking you into one program.
But, if you fly United at least once or twice per year, then having a United card in your wallet likely makes sense. It can save you money on bag fees and inflight purchases, as well as open up access to less expensive awards. In fact, we think that having a United card in your family is a really good strategy.
If you don’t have elite status with United but fly the airline occasionally, the United Explorer Card and the United Business Card are great choices with valuable perks like a free checked bag, priority boarding and a couple of one-time United Club passes each year. The access to increased Saver award space is another tangible perk.
If you have any elite status level with United, some of the features outlined above are redundant. If you are really choosy about what’s in your wallet, you’d probably be better off with a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has the same $95 annual fee but offers 2x points per dollar on United tickets and all travel and dining purchases.
If you can use the Chase Sapphire Reserve $300 annual travel credit, the Sapphire Reserve will likely be a better choice because it offers 3x points on travel and dining and better travel protections. The Ink Business Preferred could also be a no-brainer for any small-business owner who wants to earn a lot of points on common business purchases and then transfer those earnings to United at a 1:1 ratio.
Those who want regular United Club access will be well-served by the United Club Infinite Card, which also offers 4x miles per dollar spent with United and premium travel perks.
Related: How to transfer Ultimate Rewards points between accounts
How much are United miles worth?
TPG values United miles at 1.3 cents each. That’s about an average valuation for a major U.S. airline mileage currency. When United switched to more dynamic award prices, some awards got more expensive while others during less popular periods got less expensive. Overall, this made the miles a bit less valuable, especially for those who like to use miles during peak travel periods or to fly in the fancy seats up front.
However, there are still tremendous award values to be had with United miles. For example, we recently locked in awards from Houston (IAH) to Orange County (SNA) for 7,000 miles each way and lie-flat seats to Hawaii for 60,000 miles each. Even in the good seats, partner award flights are still priced at relatively fixed amounts, so you can fly to Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond in first or business class on partners for pretty static numbers of United miles.
For inspiration, here are some of the best ways to use United miles.
Lufthansa First Class. (photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)Which card is best for United elite flyers?
While you might want one for the welcome bonus or the everyday earning capabilities, the truth is that the entry-level United cards, such as the United Gateway and the United Explorer Card, don’t offer a ton of unique benefits that United elite flyers won’t already have due to their elite status. Early boarding, free checked bags, expanded saver award access, etc., are all pretty useless card perks for those with United elite status.
However, there are a few reasons for elites to consider the entry-level United cards. For example, having even the United Explorer card makes you eligible for complimentary upgrades when flying on United miles. Both the Gateway and the Explorer cards can also save you money on onboard purchases such as Wi-Fi and snack boxes. Elites are also pretty likely to be able to put the United Explorer’s two annual one-time United Club passes to easy use. The United Business Card is also pretty unique in that it provides a $100 United travel credit after seven United flight purchases of $100 or more per account anniversary year.
The ability to charge your way to 1,000 PQPs on several of the United cards is also a tangible perk for United elites.
Truly frequent United flyers could arguably be better served with a more premium United card, such as the United Club Infinite Card. Having that card, or the small business equivalent, gets you into the network of United Clubs as you crisscross the globe when you are flying United. It also awards the most miles per dollar (4x) on United ticket purchases of all United cards, which presumably helps United elites the most.
Alternatively, if you’d rather pay a lower annual fee and don’t need lounge access, the new United Quest Card could make sense as well, with a 3x return on United purchases, $125 credit and up to 10,000-mile annual rebate.
(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)Can you have more than one United Airlines credit card?
Not only can you have more when one United Airlines credit card, but you’re actually incentivized to have a United consumer card and the small business United Business Card to get 5,000 bonus United miles each year.
Each United credit card has its own terms and conditions, but typically having one United card doesn’t automatically exclude you from having another. For example, the United Explorer Card terms exclude current cardholders and previous cardholders who received a new bonus in the last 24 months. However, it doesn’t mention the business cards or the Club-level cards.
That said, if you’re considering more than one United credit card, factor in the Chase 5/24 restrictions, which can play a role in how many total cards you can open within two years.
(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)Bottom line
By examining your travel needs, elite status goals, spending habits and preferences, United flyers can choose the credit card (or cards) that offers the best combination of rewards and benefits. You have lots of options when it comes to choosing the best card as a United flyer.
For most occasional United Airlines flyers, the United Explorer Card will be the way to go to save miles on United awards, save on bag fees, ensure some early boarding and give a nice boost to your MileagePlus account balance with its sign-up bonus of up to 65,000 miles. That said, for effectively $30 more (after factoring in the $125 credit), it could also make sense to get the new United Quest Card, which offers a second free checked bag, up to 10,000-mile rebate, more bonus categories and a much bigger 100,000-mile welcome bonus. Meanwhile, if you’re just starting out or want a no-annual-fee card with a few perks, then consider the United Gateway card.
If you have a small business, the answer for which is best will be different.
Then there’s also option B: Get a more flexible travel credit card. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express awards 5x Membership Reward points per dollar on United Airlines ticket purchases (made directly with the airline) and includes Priority Pass access. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is another great choice for travelers who want some built-in travel protections and bonus points that can be transferred to United Airlines, without being locked into one airline.
Additional reporting by Madison Blancaflor.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, please click here.
Featured photo by Zach Honig/ The Points Guy
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