United Airline credit cards are some of the best in the market because of the benefits they offer their users whether you are a frequent or less-frequent United flyer.
In recent years, there have been some major changes done to these cards to provide it’s users more value and options than before. In this article we will be looking at all the best United Airlines Credit cards and their benefits when flying on United and using United miles. There are points that can be earned, United Airlines miles can be transferred and also can be used to book United flights through rewards programs.
Best United Airlines Credit Cards
- United℠ Explorer Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- United Club℠ Infinite Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- United℠ Business Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- United Quest℠ Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
United℠ Explorer Card
Best for Occasionally United Flyer
This card is packed with premium perks like an up-to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit, free checked bags, and two annual one-time lounge passes as well as the usually airline credit card perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding.
United Explorer offers offers premium-level benefits as well as an annual one-time United Club passes, excellent travel protection and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
For the first three months of spending up to $3,000 you’d get a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles.
Annual fee: $0 for the first year, then $95 afterwards
Intro offer: 50,000 bonus miles
Rewards rate: 1 – 2x miles
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent
Benefits of United℠ Explorer Card
You will earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of opening your account
You’d be charged $0 introductory fee for the first year, then $95 dollars after wards
You’d earn 2 miles per $1 spent on hotel stays, dining as well as United® purchases Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS fee credit
It offers a 25% cash back as a statement credit on purchases of beverages, food, WiFi on board United-operated flights as well as on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card Free first checked bags.
It offers a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
You’d get a priority boarding privileges
You’d get to visit the United ClubSM with 2 one-time passes every year for your anniversary
It offers a one year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both Cavier and Door dash that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery charges as well as lower service fees on eligible orders.
Advantages
• It’s has trip cancellation, trip delay and baggage insurance
• It’s has elite status shortcuts
• It’s has two, one-time United Club passes every year of card membership
• It offers up to $100 credit every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Free first checked bags for you and your partner on United flights.
• You can transfer United miles earned to anyone you chose.
Disadvantages
• It only offers lounge access twice
• Miles redemption is limited to United and Star Alliance partners.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Best for Flexible Travel Rewards
This is one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards. It’s offer an excellent return on travel and dining purchases. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a lot of value which easily makes up for it’s annual fee of $95. With this card, you can redeem points at 1.25 cents for every travel booked through Chase or you can transfer points to one of Chase’s 14 valuable airline and hotel partners.
Annual fee: $95
Intro offer: 60,000 points
Rewards rates: 2 – 5x points
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent
Benefits of Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
You can earn 60,000 bonus points within the first 3 months after spending $4,000 on purchases. It is worth $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
It offers a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5x on travel purchased via Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3xx on dining and 2x on other travel purchases and lots more.
You’d get 25% more value when you redeem for hotels, airfare, car rentals and cruises via Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For instance, 60,000 points are worth $750 towards travel
It offers insurance for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage
It offers Auto Rental collision damage waiver.
It offers complimentary access to DashPass unlocking $0 delivery charges as well as lower service charges for a minimum of one year.
Advantages
• It offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar dining, takeout and eligible delivery services.
• It offers premium travel protection benefits to cardholders such as insurance for trip cancellation, lost luggage as well as primary car rentals.
• You can transfer Chase Rewards points to United
Disadvantage
• It costs $95 annually.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Best for United Club Access
This card comes with an annual fee of $525 but offers a complimentary United Club lounge membership which is worth up to $650 yearly. There are other perks that comes with this card such as two free checked bags and about $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Annual fee: $525
Intro offer: 80,000 bonus miles
Rewards points: 1 – 4x points
Recommended credit: 740 – 850 Excellent
Benefits of United Club℠ Infinite Card
You’d earn 80,000 bonus miles within the first 3 months after spending $5,000 on purchases
You’d earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Earn 2 miles on every dollar spent on dining including eligible delivery services.
Earn 2 miles on every dollar spent on all other travel
Earn 4 miles on every dollar spent on United purchases which includes tickets, inflight food and beverages, Economy Plus, WiFi and other United charges.
It offers free first and second checked bags which saves you about $320 per roundtrip
It offers a one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for Caviar and DoorDash which provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery charges as well as lower charges fees on eligible orders.
Advantages
• You’ll earn 4 miles on every dollar on United purchases
• You earn 2 miles on every dollar on travel and dining.
• You’ll earn 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else
• It offers free first and second checked bags for you and your travel partner on the same reservation
• It’s offers 25% inflight purchase statement credit
Disadvantage
• It has a high annual fee of $525.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Best for Frequent Travelers
This is the best travel cards for frequent travels, it offers premium perks offering up to 10 points on every dollar spent on travel and dining via the Chase portal. Cardholders can earn Ultimate Rewards points that’s can be transferred to hotel as well as airline partners. They can also be redeemed for flights at a rate of 1.5 cents per point.
Annual fee: $550
Into offer: 60,000 points
Rewards rates: 1 – 10x points
Recommended credit: 740-850 Excellent
Benefits of Chase Sapphire Reserve®
You’ll earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening; it’s equivalent to $900 when you redeem via Chase Ultimate Rewards.
You’ll earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase your travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
You’ll earn 5x total points on air travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
You’ll earn 3x points on other travel and dining
You’ll earn 1 point bon every dollar spent on all other purchases
Get a $300 Annual Travel Credit reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
You’ll get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
You’ll gain access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide after an easy one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and about $100 application fee credit every four years for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS.
It offers insurance for trip cancellation, interruption, lost luggage as well as Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
Advantages
• It offers a reimbursement of $300 Of Annual Travel Credit for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary
• It’s provides access to Chase Ultimate Rewards Hotel and airline travel partners
• It offers unlimited 3 point on every dollar spent on the broad category of travel and dining
• It offers 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Reward.
Disadvantages
• It has a high annual fee of $550
• It’s not profitable for people that don’t travel frequently.
United℠ Business Card
Best for United Business Travelers
This card is specifically designed for business owners, it comes with lots of perks for United flyers from a free first checked bag on United Airlines flights to two United Club one-time passes a year as well as solid protection. If you are a small-business owner who travel occasionally in a year this United℠ Business Card if for you.
Annual fee: $99
Into offer: 150,000 bonus miles
Rewards rates: 1 – 2x points
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent
Benefits of United℠ Business Card
You can earn up to 150,000 bonus miles by earning 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account. Plus additional 75,000 miles in the first 6 months after spending up to $20,000 total on purchases.
It offers a 5,000 miles “better together” bonus on every anniversary when you have a United℠ Business Card as well as a personal Chase United® credit card.
You’ll earn 2 miles on every dollar spent on United purchases such as gas station, dining (including eligible delivery services), office supply stores as well as local transit and commuting.
Cardholders will earn 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other purchases as well as employee cards at no additional cost. Miles earned for all their purchases accrue in their account so they can earn rewards faster.
Get first checked bags for free and save up to $140 per roundtrip. You’ll also get 2 United Club one-time passes per year as well as priority boarding privileges.
It offers one one-year complimentary DashPass, a membership for both Cavier and DoorDash that provides unlimited deliveries with $0 charges as well as lower service charges on eligible orders.
You’ll get $100 United travel credit after 7 United flights purchases of $100 or more on every anniversary year.
Advantages
• You’ll earn 2 MileagePlus miles on every dollar spent on United Airlines purchases such as dining, office supply stores, gas stations and local transit and commuting. Also you’ll earn 1 mile on every dollar spent on everything else.
• Free first checked bags from r you and your companion on your reservation
• You’ll get two United Club one-time passes each cardmember anniversary.
• It has travel protection and insurance for trip cancellation and interruption and rental car.
Disadvantages
• It has an annual fee of $99
• You only have access to lounge two times a year.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This is one of the best travel cards because of its perks and benefits. However it has a high annual fee but It offers top premium travel rewards to it’s users. With Amex Platinum card you will earn valuable rewards points as well as statement credit and access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide and lots more.
Annual fee: $695
Intro offer: 100,000 points
Rewards rates: 5x points
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent
Benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express
You’ll earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points within the first 6 months of card membership after spending $6,000 on purchases on your new card.
You can apply and select your preferred metal card design, classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Julie Mehretu or Platinum x Kehinde Wiley.
You’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per year
You’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
It offers $200 back in statement credit every year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings that requires a minimum two-nights stay via American Express Travel when payment is made with your Platinum Card.
You’ll receive up to $200 in statement credit every year if you fly. After you select a qualifying airline and incidental fees are charged to your Platinum Card by the airline.
It offers $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: you’ll get up to $20 back every month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on these; Disney+, ESPN+, Audible, The Disney Bundle, Peacock, Hulu, The New York Times and SiriusXM. Enrollment required.
Get $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership cost with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ every month with your Platinum Card. Costs includes $12.95 and local sales tax.
Amex Express has expanded the Centurion Network to include over 40 Centurion Lounge and Studio locations around the world. This card can get you more complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
You can get up to $200 in statement credit every year in baggage fees and more with their $200 Airline Fee Credit.
With the $200 Uber Cash; you can get Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eat orders in the Us yearly. This package called Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
With the $300 Equinox Credit package, you can get up to $25 back every month on the Equinox+ digital fitness app.
With the $189 CLEAR®Credit package, you can use your Card to get up to $189 back each year on your CLEAR® membership. This package is available at selected airports and stadiums.
Advantages
• This card has a welcome offer worth $2,000 according to TPG.
• It offers lots of benefits such as access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Marriott and Hilton, over $500 in assorted annual statement credits and lots more
• It comes with access to a premium concierge service that will help you with all your needs from booking hard-to-get reservation to finding destination guides as well as helping you plan your next vacation.
Disadvantages
• It has a high annual fee of $695
• If you are not a frequent traveler it will not benefit you
Apart from the welcome bonus, you will only earn bonus rewards on specific airfares and hotel purchases so it not a good card for other spending categories
It is difficult to take advantage of the annual airline fee credit
United Quest℠ Card
Best for Frequent United flyers
This card is good for frequent United flyers. Although it has a $250 annual fee but there are other benefits that it provides that compensates for this. For example with the annual $125 United statement credit as well as other bonus miles and reward points you can make up and much more than what you pay for the annual fee.
Annual fee: $250
Intro offer: 70,000 bonus miles
Rewards rates: 1 – 3x points
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent.
Benefits of United Quest℠ Card
It offers 70,000 bonus miles within the first 3 months after spending $4,000 on purchases.
You’ll earn 3x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining, travel and select streaming services and you’ll earn 1x on other purchases
Every year, you’ll receive a $125 credit on United purchases as well as 2K-mile anniversary award flight credits.
You’ll get one year complimentary DashPass and a membership for both Cavier and DoorDash which provides unlimited deliveries with $0 delivery fees as well as lower service fees on eligible orders.
Advantages
• It offers reimbursement of $125 in statement credit for United purchases every account anniversary year.
• It offers free first and second checked bags. Up to to $100; Global Entry / TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Disadvantages
• It has an annual fee of $250
• There are no lounge access benefits.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for Booking United Flights Directly
This card is one of the best for frequent business travelers looking to add luxury to their trip. It offers lots of benefits such as annual travel credit lounge access including Amex Centurion Lounges, etc. This card is not for small-business owners especially those that don’t travel frequently.
Annual fee: $695
Intro offer: 120,000 points
Rewards rates: 1 – 5x points
Recommended credit: 670 Good, 850 Excellent
Benefits of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
It has a welcome offer of 120,000 Membership Rewards points within the first 3 months of Card Membership after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases.
It offers 5X Membership Rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com and 1x on every dollar spent on eligible purchases.
You’ll earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases at US construction material and hardware suppliers, shipping providers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers. And on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else on up to $2 million of these purchases each year.
You’ll get over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases which includes purchases made with U.S. wireless service providers, Dell Technologies, Adobe and Indeed.
It offers $200 Airline Fee Credit; you can get up to $200 in statement credit each year for checked baggage fees lounge day passes.
It offers $189 CLEAR Credit; you can use your Card to get up to $189 back each year on your CLEAR membership. CLEAR is available at over 50 US airports and stadiums.
Advantages
• You can get up to $400 annual credit for US Dell purchases
• It offers gold status at Hilton and Marriott hotel (enrollment required)
• You’ll get up to $100 credit for Global Entry nor TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years.
• It provides access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
• It offers extended warranty protection
• It offers international Airline Program and Cruise Privilege Program
Disadvantages
• It has a high annual fee of $695
• It has limited high bonus categories outside travel
• It is difficult to meet the $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses.
