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Even if you fly just a few times each year, co-brand airline credit cards can provide benefits that make it easy to justify paying an annual fee. For many travelers, it can make sense to pay a sub-$100 annual fee to get a free first checked bag and other savings.
Premium airline rewards credit cards take this a step further with benefits that make it feel like you have top-tier elite status. In this post, we break down the welcome offers, earning potential, and feature benefits for the premium Delta, American, and United credit cards. Hopefully, this comparison of the major similarities and differences among premium airline credit cards can help you make an informed decision.
Page Contents
Comparison of the Best Premium Airline Credit Cards
With the constant changes to premium co-brand cards, it can be a challenge to pick the best card. There’s a big overlap between premium card perks and benefits, and a comparison of these airline credit cards reveals more similarities than differences. However, individual policies vary and can have a significant impact on which card will provide the best long-term value.
We’ve put together a summary of each card in the table below, followed by a deeper analysis of key features below. We'll cover lounge access policies, free checked baggage, travel protection benefits, and perks to elevate your travel experience with each airline.
| Benefits | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | United Club℠ Infinite Card | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $595 | $525 | $550 (Rates & Fees) |
| Authorized User Fee | $175 for the first three authorized users, then $175 each | $0 | $175 (Rates & Fees) |
| Welcome Offer | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles | Earn 80,000 bonus miles | Earn 60,000 bonus miles |
| Bonus Earnings Toward Elite Status | 10,000 Loyalty Points after spending $40,000 per qualification year | Earn 500 PQP for every $12,000 spent (up to 4,000 PQP / $96,000 spent in a calendar year) | 15,000 MQMs for every $30,000 you spend in a calendar year, up to $120,000. Effective 1/1/24, the Status Boost benefit and MQD benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Delta cards - Learn more. |
| Category Bonus | • 10x at aa.com/hotels and aa.com/cars • 4x on American flights (plus, after you've spent $150,000 on eligible purchases, earn 5x on AA purchases through the end of that calendar year) • 1x on all other purchases | • 4x miles on United purchases • 2x miles on dining • 2x miles on all other travel • 1x on all other purchase | • 3x on Delta purchases • 1x on everything else |
| Lounge Access | • Admirals Club (+ 2 guests or immediate family) (AU cardholders also get access via their own membership) | • United Club (+ 2 guests or 1 adult and dependent children under 21 years of age) • Star Alliance Lounges when traveling same-day on Star Alliance ticket | • Delta Sky Club® & international partner lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed/operated flight • 2X one-time guest passes for complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club • The Centurion Lounge - When flying a same-day Delta-marketed/operated flight paid for with a U.S.-issued American Express rewards Card (Starting 2/1/25, Reserve Card members get 10 Delta Sky Club visits yearly. Spend $75,000+ on the card between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24 for unlimited visits, and each calendar year thereafter - Learn more.) |
| Elite Status | N/A | • Avis President’s Club membership • IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status | N/A |
| Free Checked Bags | • Free first checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 companions • Adding your AAdvantage number to the reservation triggers the benefit | • 2 each for you and a companion on the same ticket • Ticket must be purchased using this card to qualify for the benefit | • 1 each for you and up to 8 companions on the same ticket • Adding your SkyMiles number to the reservation triggers the benefit |
| Companion Flight Ticket | N/A | N/A | • Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card • Valid within the Continental U.S. • Pay just taxes and fees |
| In-Flight Benefits | • 25% off in-flight purchases on AA domestic flights, which comes as a statement credit • Applies to food and beverage purchases only, not Wi-Fi | • 25% back (as a statement credit) on food, beverage and Wi-Fi purchases on board United- and United Express-operated flights | • 20% discount on pre-purchased meals and in-flight purchases of food, alcoholic beverages and audio headsets • Comes as a statement credit • Does not apply to WiFi purchases |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit | Every 4 years | Every 4 years | Every 4 years |
| Trip Delay | • 6 hours • $500 | • 12 hours • $500 | • 6 hours • $500 |
| Baggage Delay | N/A | • 6 hours • $100 day up to 3 days | N/A |
| Auto Rental CDW | Secondary in the U.S., primary outside the U.S. for up to $75K | Primary coverage up to retail value of vehicle | Secondary up to $75K |
| Additional Perks & Benefits | • Priority check-in, airport screening, and early boarding • Up to $120 in annual credits with Avis and Budget • Up to $120 in annual Lyft credits • Up to $120 in annual Grubhub credits | • 10% fewer miles required for economy saver award bookings on United / United Express flights within the Continental U.S. and Canada • Close-in award fees waived • Complimentary Premier Upgrades on award tickets • $70 discount on CLEAR membership | • Priority boarding |
*Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®Annual Fee$595Welcome Offer
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.The AA Executive Card card is by far the most cost effective way to gain access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. Even better, you can extend the benefit to authorized users (for a fee), and this card offers a free checked bag, on domestic AA flights, priority checkin and boarding, and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder
- Admirals Club membership for authorized user accounts
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 8 companions
- Priority check-in, TSA screening lines, and boarding
- 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Earn 10X miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked at aa.com/hotels and eligible rental cars booked through aa.com/cars
- Earn 4X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (increased to 5X miles through the end of the calendar year after you pass $150,000 in purchases annually)
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder
- Admirals Club membership for authorized user accounts
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 8 companions
- Priority check-in, TSA screening lines, and boarding
- 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Earn 10X miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked at aa.com/hotels and eligible rental cars booked through aa.com/cars
- Earn 4X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (increased to 5X miles through the end of the calendar year after you pass $150,000 in purchases annually)
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.. The latest bonus of 70,000 bonus points on the AA Executive Card is a solid offer, even for a $595-annual-fee card.
Earning potential and bonus categories
Earn 10 AAdvantage® miles for eligible bookings at aa.com/hotels and aa.com/cars, 4 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. Plus, earn 1 Loyalty Point for every $1 spent.
The earning rates on the AA Executive Card are average in comparison to other airline cards, but 4X AAdvantage miles on American purchases is still the best standard return you’ll see if you are collecting AA miles, as American features no bank transfer partners among the major currencies. However, you can transfer Bilt Rewards to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio. Moreover, you can supplement your earnings by earning 10X on eligible rentals at aa.com/cars and eligible hotels booked at aa.com/hotels. You also can bump your AA earnings up to 5X after spending $150,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year. You'll earn 5 AA miles per $1 spent with AA for the rest of the year.
Feature benefits and lounge access perks
Similar to the cards above, the flagship benefit of the AA Executive Card is the complimentary Admirals Club membership you receive for holding the card. American charges up to $850 a year for Admirals Club membership if you don’t hold elite status, so obtaining it via the AA Executive Card offers a huge discount over purchasing a yearly membership. A unique benefit of this card is that authorized user accounts also gain Admirals Club access! You'll pay .
You’ll also get a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and up to eight companions traveling on the same ticket, 25% off in-flight purchases, priority check-in, airport screening, and early boarding.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United Club℠ Infinite CardAnnual Fee$525Welcome Bonus Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.The United Club Infinite is the top-tier United co-brand card, and offers some great perks like United Club℠ membership, priority check-in, security screening (where available), boarding and baggage handling privileges. If your not an elite, holding this card means you'll be treated like one of United's most loyal and valuable customers. If you already hold MileagePlus Premier status, the card also grants access to Complementary Premier Upgrades on United flights.- Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
- Earn up to 8,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
- Earn up to 8,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
The United Club Infinite offers a solid sign-up bonus of 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
This bonus falls short of the card's all-time-best offer of 120,000 miles — which ended in May 2022 — but 80,000 bonus miles is still a good stash of miles to put towards your next redemption.
Earning potential and bonus categories
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. One of the drawbacks of the superseded MileagePlus Club Card was the low return on spending. You could even get more United miles by swiping an Ultimate Rewards earning card than you could with United co-brand cards.
Thanks to the improved earning rate of 4X on United purchases, the new United Club Infinite is now the best card to earn MileagePlus miles when paying for United flights. It’s also the first co-brand airline card to offer bonus points on all travel purchases including those from other airlines.
Feature benefits and lounge access perks
The feature benefit of the United Club Infinite is United Club lounge access for the primary cardholder, plus 2 adults or 1 adult and dependent children under 21 years of age. United charges up to $650 for an annual United Club membership ($600/$550 for Platinum/1K members), so you are essentially getting a discounted lounge membership in addition to all the other perks and benefits, not to mention the signup bonus.
The feature benefit of the United Club Infinite is United Club lounge access for the primary cardholder, plus 2 adults or 1 adult and dependent children under 21 years of age.
Other benefits include:
- Free first and second checked bags ($30/$40 each way)
- Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
- Expanded award inventory
- Complimentary upgrades on award tickets
You won’t pay a fee to add any additional cardholders, but they won’t get lounge access unless they are traveling with the primary cardholder. The United Club Infinite offers some great travel protection benefits for a co-brand card including trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car insurance, and baggage delay coverage.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardAnnual Fee$550Welcome Offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enjoy Delta Sky Club® access at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enjoy Delta Sky Club® access at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
Welcome offer
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Like the other Delta credit cards, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card periodically runs limited-time offers that are substantially higher than the standard welcome offer. If you aren't planning to use this card's benefits right away, you might be able to earn more bonus points by waiting for one of these increased offers.
Earning potential and bonus categories
Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Whereas the new United card tops the earning sheets for earning United miles, the same can’t be said for the Delta Reserve. Although it earns a solid 3X miles on Delta purchases, you can get a higher return of 5X points per dollar with the The Platinum Card® from American Express (on up to $500,000 of airfare purchases per calendar year booked directly with airlines) which you can then transfer to Delta at a 1:1 ratio.
Feature benefits and lounge access perks
Amex recently refreshed the benefits of the Delta Reserve. One of the best additions is Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta flights paid for with an Amex card. The new lounge access benefits supplement the existing Delta Sky Club access. That means you'll have even more lounge options when flying Delta. Individual SkyClub membership costs $545 annually.
You also receive a domestic round-trip companion certificate each year you renew the card. The certificate is valid for Delta First Class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin flights. Plus, you'll get a free checked bag and priority boarding. These benefits also extend to up to 8 companions flying on the same itinerary. And, if something goes wrong, Amex recently added a new trip delay policy to this card that kicks in after a delay of only 6 hours.
Final Thoughts
The offer of 70,000 bonus miles on the AA Executive Card holds the top spot as our current pick for the best premium airline card offer.
Due to the high annual fees on premium airline cards, you also need to make the most of big-ticket benefits like lounge access and free checked bags to justify keeping the card year after year. If you fly a legacy carrier more than a few times a year and can take full advantage of the benefits on offer, any of these three cards can provide outsized value.
This comparison evaluated numerous similarities and differences among premium airline credit cards. Our winner is the United Club Infinite, but make sure to do the math to ensure it's a good fit for you.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Thanks for such a thorough comparison. You’ve convinced me! I’m opening a new united card now.
Great comparison of the three premium high fee cards. All things equal they only make sense if you fly one of the airlines a lot.
I wonder while Delta does not offer the benefits offered by other AMEX cards.
UA Card must be my best choice. It’s have 100K miles. That’s can be allow me go to somewhere with business class. Don’t it?
Yes. 100k isn’t enough for a round trip on some of the longer international flights in business class. But this is a one-way anywhere, and a round trip to closer destinations.
Bad idea to apply so expensive card as Covid-19 . May be next year or COVID-19 has gone I will be apply.
I like the American Airlines card the most as it is the airline I use the most in North America.
The United card seems to be the best of the ones shown. The problem with travel restrictions it’s difficult to meet the minimum spend requirement to earn the 100000 bonus miles.
The Star Alliance lounge access is pretty unique for the United card. I’m surprised that benefit doesn’t get more coverage. (Whereas the AUs on the AA card gets tons of coverage.)
I think the MileagePlus card is the most rewarding product.
Great comparison. Too bad the AA card has removed so many extras.
Good info! I’ll check into each of these a little more once travel starts to open up a bit more.
Nice comparison. I’d love to also see a more comprehensive article – updated regularly given how often airline alliances change – comparing the various ways to get airline lounge access, airline status (whether earned, via credit cards, or via status matches), and free checked bags.
Thanks for the comment. We’re working on more in-depth coverage. Stay tuned.
Good comparison. For me, the first thing I would look for is which airline is the one that I would use the most.
The Skymiles program is simply the least competitive among the big 3.
Until last month he used Santander Aadvantage; but they are no longer partners. Unfortunately there are few possibilities to accumulate miles with credit cards in Argentina.
Just paid the annual fee on my Admirals Club card. It is still the most useful for me since I find American works the best for my travel patterns. I did just get an email saying there was going to be a 225 statement credit on the card since they acknowledge that we can’t use the Admirals club so often. So that makes it much more palatable to keep.
Is the $225 credit applied across the board?
Probably one of the best posts I have seen. Such good info. Bookmarked!
I do not fly enough to justify the cost of one or more premium airline reward cards. I have the $95 version of AA, DL, and UA to covered checked bags.
I charge everything else to my CSR.
I think United is the winner here.
Of course it depends on which airline you fly and other aspects. The big advantage of the AA card is that any authorized user has access to the lounge. I have given one to all my adult children. That makes the cost much less when you divide it over many trusted people.
The Amex Delta Card is very tempting with the companion first class ticket and access to Centurian lounges but I rarely fly Delta any longer but could fly at least once a year with that benefit. It is the only card that can really pay for itself.
Good write-up. As one of the other posters said, sure miss those AMEX SPG transfers.
Very good comparison, but I think I’m just going to sit tight for now and see how my planned international travels play out.
Let’s hope that after this next election whichever way it goes, all this bickering will quit and we can just enjoy travels internationally.
I’m ready to turn another page in my travel book ?
hoping to see a premium card for Southwest next. Alaska/Jetblue are both way behind on this as well.
That expanded award inventory and primary rental insurance on the United card are both great, but even then it’s hard to justify the annual fees on these when so many of the benefits can be replicated with other better or cheaper cards!
I miss the AMEX Starwood SPG. That had the best transfer options and conditions. Whoever launches a product close to that will attract a huge customer base.
Taking a break from opening cards because of COVID.
Good analysis but I’m waiting to see how the airline situation plays out before go with any more cards with them.
I liked the Citi Executive Mastercard when it had a 100000 mile signup bonus. That was so sweet!
In my opinion the best card is the UA, interesting benefits on Hertz.
Nice comparison. Hope we see airlines back up and running to take advantage of these benefits.
The AA card only makes sense if you need Admirals Club access. The other benefits seem to be the same as their standard cards with a much lower fee.
12 hour trip delay on the United card? For that AF it really should be 6. For me this list is a no-brainer as I live at a United hub. I’m still not sure this card is for me but glad to see Club access is given to an adult and dependant children under 21.
Can I get the bonus on this new card if I already have the United Explorer personal card?
Seems pretty silly to get a travel card when people are barely allowed to leave the house for the foreseeable future
Useful article and table for anyone looking for a new premium card. I would be interested in a side by side comparison that includes other premium travel cards even if they’re not specifically airline cards. Many of the benefits and fee structures seem pretty comparable between the 3 cards mentioned in the article and other cards like the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige, etc..
Airline mileage is really devaluating more and more. Need to rethink when applying
Very good comparison, current situation will probably hold back people from signing into any new airline cards. At least this card gives 2 miles per dollar for dining.
Any good recommendation on good cash back credit card?
Here’s a link from searching the AW site from the search box at the top. It has several articles relevant to your questoin, if you don’t get an answer here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/?s=%22cash+back%22
I am a current MP Club Card holder and have two questions; first and most important, how does this compare to my current United MP Club Card and second, is there a reason to switch (if so, how) as it would be silly to hold both?
Thanks
if the offers last for a while they may be worth considering but not right now.
A write-up on the BA card will be very much appreciated as well.
https://awardwallet.com/blog/british-airways-visa-signature-card/
Will be interesting to see how things shake out months/year from now, post COVID-19.
I wonder if, combined with a bailout, if airlines and cards will be aggressive in their future offers.
Thanks for the detailed info! I am most interested in the Delta card.
Hold on people, these premium card offers will soon look like peanuts compared to what is going to be available out there.
@Pete – Good point! I would certainly expect to see some of the “highest ever” LTO offers (ex. DL) be extended, at the very least. Or better still, as you point out, perhaps be improved… 100k AA Exec, I’m looking for a return from you!
The United card needs to add an EQD/EQM waiver, otherwise it is no match against the Citi and Amex cards.
Should be useful in the future
I like benefits from all of the cards. I just didn’t understand why on the higher cards AA and UA didn’t give extra miles for groceries but the card lower did. UA fixed that but AA is behind. Yes the access to their club is good but I guess Citi wants you to have at least two of their cards so you can benefit from 2x miles on something other than AA flights?
I do like the new benefits of the UA card and makes it a contender in my book.
I have had the AAdvantage Executive card for several years. I really like the fact that I can give my family member AdmiralsClub access by giving them an authorized user card. I understand you can have 9 free authorized users. Of course, you do have to trust them with a credit card.
Great article, Jess! Some questions about these cards include:
• Elite Status with Airlines—Do any of these cards offer automatic actual airlines elite status automatically, and not just “access”? The previous United Club card (Visa Signature version) awarded cardholders Premier Access benefits, but not an actual elite status.
• Elite Status with Partners—Other than Hertz President’s Circle Membership shown in the “Elite Status” benefits row for the new United Infinite card, do any of these cards offer elite status with any airlines partners, like the Hyatt Discoverist status once offered by the previous United Club card (Visa Signature version)?
• Annual Travel Credit—Do any of these cards have travel or airlines credit for cardholders, like other credit cards that charge higher premium fees?
• Authorized Users—Are there fees for additional cards for authorized users? Which benefits are given to authorized users, including TSA/Global Entry application reimbursement and annual travel credit (if any)?
• EDQ/EQM Waiver—After changing its elite status qualification requirements in 2019, United allows Chase United MileagePlus Cardmembers to earn PQPs through spending on specific cards. (See https://mileageplusupdates.com/mileageplus/english/qualification/#accordion-united-mileageplus-chase-cardmembers and https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/mileageplus/premier/qualify.html) Can this change be reflected in your table, and how does the United Club card compare to the other premium airlines cards while considering this change?
1. Elite Status – No, none of the cards offer elite status outright. But the Delta card comes with 20K MQMs as part of the bonus + the ability to earn more by reaching spending thresholds. Silver status is 25K MQMs, so you’d be close as long as you hit the MQD requirements. This post should help. https://awardwallet.com/blog/delta-medallion-status/
2. I don’t know of any other statuses.
3. No Travel credits.
4. Authorized User fees are in the table in this post. I’m not sure if the AU also gets their own TSA/Global Entry
5. Great suggestion. We’ll look into adding some updates on United elite status.
I have the old Chase Continental Presidential Plus Mastercard that is now co-branded as United, but I guess is no longer offered. For me, the qualification miles are a big deal as I’ve had to use them several times in past Decembers to obtain the next “level” of status prior to year’s end…typically platinum.
I get 1000 qualification miles for every $5000 spent on my current card…I put everything on the card, recurring bills (home security, cell, cable/internet, etc.) all the way down to a soda at the gas station, and just pay off those charges monthly to not incur interest, but pay for all without having to go to individual pay sites and/or my bank’s “bill pay” site.
As a previous commenter said, travel is reduced this year, so qualification miles are even more important for me…100,000 miles is nice; however, I typically travel for work, so I’m not purchasing my own flights with the my card to get the 4x mileage benefit with this new card. Plus, my current card gives me the 2x on travel for my other travel expenses (hotel, car rental, etc.) – same as this new card. Furthermore, my annual fee is less, and I get very similar frequent flyer perks – which I end up already receiving due to my FF status. The one difference with FF status though – my current card gives me essentially the same lounge access and associated benefits as this new card would.
Personally, I think this new card probably replaces my current Presidential Card sans the qualification miles and dupes you into thinking its a good deal with the one-time 100K miles. To me, this new card “hits” you long term with a higher annual fee and no longer provides a way to get qualification miles as a means for United to reduce those with FF status. This way other “real” FFs that spend actual United airline $$$ on actual United (and partner) flights can better benefit from those perks of first class upgrades, etc., without having to compete with those who “buy their way to status” using the card benefit of qualification miles at the top tiers (like me! LOL!!). As an example, remember when lounges were almost empty, or for sure, had space to choose where you wanted to sit?!?! Look at ’em now…I’m sure FFers are feel the same way…I remember when platinum would almost guarantee a domestic first class upgrade on “less traveled” days (i.e., middle of the week, Saturday, etc.), now you have to have 1K status, and that might not still be enough…
HOWEVER, I can only use qualification miles to get up to platinum status, and I still have to fly enough to be within around 10K or less miles of reaching platinum status for me to use my accrued qualification miles for that year…hope all that made sense.
Hey Chad, thanks for sharing this. I agree 100% that you are better off with the Presidential Plus card. I was unaware of the 1,000 Qualification Miles awarded per $5,000 spent on the card—that isn’t even listed on the Chase website. definitely stick with your current card. It’s too bad this benefit isn’t available on any of the cards open to new applicants.
You have a really good legacy card but none of us have access to that. The old Club card didn’t offer any status miles so it’s not a loss to us in the new Club card for it not offering qualification miles either.
Not so sure on the timing of this article. Maybe for future reference?
My thought as well, Ron. I personally won’t be flying as much for several months due to current circumstances so I cant make use for many of these cards’ benefits. I’m not even sure I could meet the minimum spend on them either.
P.S. (for AwardWallet) — I’m not sure “wear” is the word you intended to use in this sentence; typo perhaps?: “While the 60,000 mile bonus on the AA Executive Card card doesn’t provide the same value as the 100K offers on the Delta and United cards, you only wear a $450 annual fee for this card.”
Thanks!
The United Infinite card is very strong. For a similar annual fee as the Delta Reserve, I find the Infinite to be much stronger.
@Robert – Agreed, and additionally, although it is to a degree “apples & oranges” in terms of the product, I have to say I’m somewhat surprised to see a better earner on UA spend than the CSR.
For a $525 cobranded card, I’d absolutely expect it to get a better return than the CSR.
Any more insight on your conclusion?
I agree. Also it is important to highlight that UA miles are not expiring anymore which is a great plus from my point of view when we compare against other airlines.
I agree most definitely. The welcome bonus is the key.