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Big changes just landed for United credit card holders. Chase just unveiled a major refresh to its United MileagePlus credit card lineup — and it’s the biggest update we’ve seen in memory. With revamped perks, monthly statement credits, and upgraded spending benefits, there’s a lot to be excited about… if you can stomach the higher annual fees.
Let’s break down what’s changing across each card and what it means for your wallet.
Page Contents
The New United℠ Explorer Card
United's most popular card is getting a very Amex-like makeover. The card's annual fee is increasing from $95 to $150 in exchange for a new set of benefits that require spending additional money on the card:
- Rideshare credits: Up to $60 in statement credits for rideshare purchases ($5 per month, yearly opt-in required)
- United Hotels credits: Up to $100 statement credit for purchasing hotel stays through United Hotels (up to two $50 credits)
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $50 United Travel Bank credits on Avis and Budget purchases (up to two $25 credits)
- JSX credits: Up to $100 statement credit for JSX flight purchases
- Instacart credits: Up to $120 in Instacart credits annually
- PQP earnings: Earn 1 PQP per $20 spent, up to 1,000 PQP per calendar year
- $100 United Travel Bank credit after spending $10,000 in a calendar year
- 10,000-mile award discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year
Plus there's one benefit that doesn't require card spending: Three-month Instacart+ membership and then 25% off an annual membership.
Chase is also enhancing the earning rates on this card by adding 2x earnings on hotel stays booked through United Hotels. Note that Chase is advertising this as “5x total miles on hotel stays” — but that's counting the typical 2x mileage earnings for MileagePlus members booking through United Hotels and 1x from United when you prepay your hotel stay.
The New United Quest℠ Card
Like the United Explorer Card, the United Quest Card is getting a higher fee in exchange for a bunch of additional benefits. The United Quest Card annual fee is jumping from $250 to $350 in exchange for the following additional benefits:
- Rideshare credits: Up to $100 in statement credits for rideshare purchases ($8 per month from January to November and $12 in December, yearly opt-in required)
- PQP earnings: Earn 1 PQP per $20 spent, up to 18,000 PQP per calendar year
- 10,000-mile credit each account anniversary year toward an eligible award flight
- $200 United Travel Bank credit at account opening and each account anniversary
- Renowned Hotels and Resorts credit: Up to $150 in statement credits annually
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $80 United Travel Bank credits on Avis and Budget purchases (up to two $40 credits)
- JSX credits: Up to $150 statement credit for JSX flight purchases
- Instacart credits: Up to $180 in Instacart credits annually
- 10,000-mile award discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year
- Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn 2 global after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
In addition to earning up to 18k PQP through card spending, Chase will also offer United Quest Card cardholders a 1,000 PQP jump start each year starting in 2026.
United Quest Card cardholders will also get a three-month Instacart+ membership and then a 50% discount on an annual membership.
Finally, United Quest Card now earn 5x miles on hotel stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
The New United Club℠ Card
United's lounge access card is also seeing a significant annual fee increase. Effective immediately, the United Club carries a $695 annual fee instead of $525.
United Club lounge access
The marquis benefit of this card will remain a United Club membership, granting unlimited United Club access for the cardholder plus one adult and dependents under 18 years old.
Now, cardholders will be able to unlock a “United Club All-Access membership” by spending $50,000 within a cardholder year or earning at least United Gold elite status. This will unlock Star Alliance lounge access and access for either two adults or one adult plus dependents under 18.
In addition, you'll get four United Club one-time passes when you earn an All-Access membership and have an authorized user on your account.
New benefits and perks
- Rideshare credits: Up to $150 in statement credits for rideshare purchases ($12 per month from January to November and $18 in December, yearly opt-in required)
- PQP earnings: Earn 1 PQP per $15 spent, up to 28,000 PQP per calendar year
- 10,000-mile award discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year and another after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
- Renowned Hotels and Resorts credit: Up to $200 in statement credits annually
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $100 United Travel Bank credits on Avis and Budget purchases (up to two $50 credits)
- JSX credits: Up to $200 statement credit for JSX flight purchases
- Instacart credits: Up to $240 in Instacart credits annually
In addition to earning up to 28k PQP through card spending, Chase will also offer United Club cardholders a 1,500 PQP jump start each year starting in 2026.
United Club cardholders now get a complimentary Instacart+ membership.
Finally, United Club now earn 5x miles on hotel stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
The New United℠ Business Card
The mid-tier United Business Card isn't spared by these changes. In exchange for an annual fee increase from $99 to $150, after a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, cardholders will get the following additional perks:
- Rideshare credits: Up to $100 in statement credits for rideshare purchases ($8 per month from January-November and $12 in December, yearly opt-in required)
- PQP earnings: Earn 1 PQP per $20 spent, up to 4,000 PQP per calendar year
- $125 United Travel Bank credit after making five purchases of $100 or more
- United Hotels credits: Up to $100 statement credit for purchasing hotel stays through United Hotels (up to two $50 credits)
- United FareLock: Up to $25 in statement credits after buying FareLock on a United flight
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $50 United Travel Bank credits on Avis and Budget purchases (up to two $25 credits)
- JSX credits: Up to $100 statement credit for JSX flight purchases
- Instacart credits: Up to $120 in Instacart credits annually
- Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn 2 continental U.S. after spending $25,000 in a calendar year
Cardholders will also get a three-month Instacart+ membership and then 25% off an annual membership.
Chase is also enhancing the earning rates on this card by adding 2x earnings on hotel stays booked through United Hotels. Note that Chase is advertising this as “5x total miles on hotel stays” — but that's counting the typical 2x mileage earnings for MileagePlus members booking through United Hotels and 1x from United when you prepay your hotel stay.
United Club℠ Business Card
The largest annual fee increase of the lot goes to the United Club Business Card, which is seeing its annual fee soar from $450 to $695
United Club lounge access
Like the United Club, the United Club Business Card will continue to offer unlimited United Club lounge access for the cardholder plus up to one adult and dependents under 18.
Like the United Club, cardholders can now unlock a “United Club All-Access membership” by spending $50,000 within a cardholder year or earning at least United Gold elite status. Plus, you'll get four United Club one-time passes when you have an authorized user and earn an All-Access membership.
New benefits and perks
- Rideshare credits: Up to $150 in statement credits for rideshare purchases ($12 per month from January to November and $18 in December, yearly opt-in required)
- PQP earnings: Earn 1 PQP per $15 spent, up to 28,000 PQP per calendar year
- 5,000-mile bonus for carrying both the United Club Business Card and a personal United credit card
- Renowned Hotels and Resorts credit: Up to $200 in statement credits annually
- United FareLock: Up to $50 in statement credits after buying FareLock on a United flight
- Avis/Budget credits: Up to $100 United Travel Bank credits on Avis and Budget purchases (up to two $50 credits)
- JSX credits: Up to $200 statement credit for JSX flight purchases
- Instacart credits: Up to $240 in Instacart credits annually
- Economy Plus seat upgrades: Earn 2 global after spending $40,000 in a calendar year
United Club Business Card cardholders now get a complimentary Instacart+ membership.
Finally, United Club Business Card now earn 5x miles on hotel stays purchased through Renowned Hotels and Resorts.
The New United Gateway℠ Card
The only United credit card that isn't getting a fee increase is the no-annual-fee United Gateway Card. Thankfully, Chase is leaving this entry-level card with $0 annual fee.
Understandably, this card isn't getting a bunch of new benefits. However, Chase is adding a new spending threshold. Cardholders who spend $10,000 in a calendar year will unlock two perks:
This card will continue to earn miles at the following rates:
- 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
When Do the Higher Annual Fees Take Effect?
The new higher annual fees takes effect immediately for new cardholders. However, existing cardholders will get a bit of a reprieve.
Chase won't charge existing cardholders the higher annual fee until at least August 1, 2025. If your renewal takes place before then, you'll be charged the prior annual fee amount.
United Explorer Card cardholders get a bit more of a trial period. For this card only, renewals before January 1, 2026 will be charged at the previous $95 annual fee. Only renewals starting in 2026 will be charged at $150.
Our Take
That's a ton of changes to digest. Each United card with an annual-fee is getting a substantial annual fee increase in exchange for a slew of new benefits. If you can maximize these benefits, you'll come out well ahead after these changes. But many United cardholders will be frustrated to have to jump through hoops to offset the annual fee increases.
One thing is clear from these changes: Chase wants cardholders to use their cards more. In the past, travelers may have snagged an United Explorer Card card for the free checked bag and priority boarding benefits, but not used it outside of purchasing United flights. And Chase clearly wants to stop that.
In the advanced media briefing I attended, Chase was asked why it was adding monthly rideshare credits instead of easier-to-utilize quarterly or semi-annual credits. Chase reps noted that this was “to remind customers” to use it. Translation: Chase wants you to keep your United card in your wallet instead of your sock drawer.
Thankfully, existing cardholders have a bit of time to decide if the new benefits are worth the higher annual fee. If you already hold a United card, now’s a good time to review your benefits and spending habits before your next renewal.
And if you’re considering applying for a United credit card, be sure to weigh the new perks against the higher fees to decide whether these refreshed cards earn a place in your wallet.
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