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Thinking about adding a United credit card to your wallet? With Chase announcing sweeping changes to the United co-branded family of cards, you may wonder if one of these cards is right for you. In addition to lucrative opportunities to earn a new cardholder bonus, these co-branded cards from Chase offer an expanded list of perks that can make them easy to justify keeping for the long term.
The great thing about the United cards is that each one is well suited for a different type of traveler. From the no-annual-fee The New United Gateway℠ Card to the benefit-packed The New United Club℠ Card offering United Club lounge access and other elite-like perks, United's portfolio of credit cards has an option for every type of traveler.
In this post, we'll break down those benefits to help you decide which United Airlines card is right for you.
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 2x on United® purchases
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
Page Contents
- United Explorer — A Great Mix of Benefits With a Modest Annual Fee
- United Quest — A Huge Step Up for Occasional United Flyers
- United Club Card — Top-Tier Perks for Frequent United Flyers
- United Business Card — Business-Focused Earnings and Travel Credits
- United Gateway — Earn United Miles Without Paying an Annual Fee
- Who’s Eligible for the United Cards?
- Our Take
United Explorer — A Great Mix of Benefits With a Modest Annual Fee
The United Explorer Card is the most popular United credit card because it strikes a solid balance between perks and fees. If you fly with United at least a few times a year, you can come out ahead on the $150 annual fee with benefits like a free checked bag, priority boarding, and two United Club one-time passes each year on your account anniversary.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining, and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- Earn a $100 United travel credit after spending $10,000 on purchases with your United℠ Explorer Card within a calendar year
- Over $400 in partner credits each year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2X miles per $1 spent on purchases from United®
- 2X miles per $1 spent on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel
- 1X mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
United Explorer Card benefits on United
- Two United Club one-time passes each anniversary (over a $100 value). You must be traveling on United or a partner airline to use this benefit.
- Free first checked bag for the primary card member and one companion on the same itinerary (up to $160 in savings per roundtrip). Limited to United-operated flights purchased with the United Explorer Card.
- 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases
- Expanded MileagePlus award availability, typically reserved for United MileagePlus elites.
- Earn 1 Premier Qualifying Point for every $20 spent on the card — up to 1,000 PQP annually.
- Ability to earn $100 travel credit and 10,000 mile award discount with eligible spend on the card.
Other United Explorer Card perks
- $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee reimbursement every four years. This is one of the lowest annual fee cards to offer this perk.
- Up to $5 per month ($60 annually) credits for rideshare purchases
- Priority boarding for the primary cardholder and companions traveling on the same reservation.
- Primary rental car coverage in the U.S. and abroad.
- 3-month Instacart membership and a 25% discount on the annual membership afterward. Plus, receive up to $120 in Instacart credits annually.
New travel partner perks
Chase also added some somewhat niche credits for booking travel through United's travel partners including:
- United Hotels: Two $50 statement credits and the ability to earn 5x miles on hotel stays purchased through United Hotels.
- Avis or Budget: Up to $50 in United TravelBank credits for booking car rentals (two $25 credits)
- JSX: Up to $100 in statement credits annually on flights purchased directly through JSX, a “hop-on jet service that offers semi-private flying experiences at commercial fares.”
If you aren't certain whether you'll be able to maximize the additional perks that come with one of the higher-cost United credit cards, this could be the perfect addition to your wallet. For more details, check out our full review of the United Explorer Card.
United Quest — A Huge Step Up for Occasional United Flyers
The United Quest Card does a great job of filling the gap between the United Explorer Card and the premium United Club. The United Quest Card is an excellent choice for anyone who flies United more than once or twice a year, thanks to some unique benefits and credits that can justify the annual fee.
- Limited-time Offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP
- 3x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- Receive a $200 United® travel credit and 10,000-mile award flight discount on each account anniversary
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 each calendar year to use toward an eligible award flight
- Earn 2 global Economy Plus® seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on purchases each calendar year
- Get a jump start on earning Premier status with 1,000 Card Bonus PQP each year, awarded within 6 to 8 weeks after February 1 each year, starting in 2026.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 5 miles per $1 spent at Renowned Hotels and Resorts
- 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants
- 2 miles per $1 spent on select streaming services
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
United Quest Card benefits on United
- An annual $200 United TravelBank credit, valid for booking flights on United or United Express.
- Expanded MileagePlus award availability.
- Priority boarding.
- Free first and second-checked bags for the primary card member and one companion (up to $360 in savings per roundtrip). Must use the card to purchase the flight.
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi when paying with your card.
- Earn a 10,000-mile award-flight discount valid on United- or United Express-operated flights on your first cardholder anniversary and every year after.
- Earn an additional 10,000-mile award discount when you spend $20,000 in a calendar year.
- The ability to earn 2 global Economy Plus seat upgrades after spending $40,000 on the card within a calendar year.
United Quest Card United Premier elite status boosts
- Earn 1 Premier Qualifying Point for every $20 spent on the card, up to 18,000 PQP annually.
- Plus, starting in 2026, cardmembers will get a jumpstart by receiving 1,000 bonus PQP each calendar year.
Other United Quest Card perks
- Up to $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit every four years.
- $100 in annual rideshare credits ($8 per month except for December which is $12.)
- Primary rental car insurance coverage.
- Travel protections, including baggage delay insurance, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and trip delay reimbursement.
- Access to the Renowned Hotels and Resorts Collection.
- Complimentary three-month Instacart Plus membership with 50% off annual membership thereafter. Plus receive up to $180 in Instacart credits annually.
New travel partner perks
Much like the United Explorer Card card, the Quest card also has some partner travel discounts and credits for cardmembers, which are increased for the United Quest Card:
- Renowned Hotels and Resorts: Up to $150 in statement credits annually when using the card to book and pay for hotel stays directly.
- Avis or Budget: Up to $80 in United TravelBank credits for booking car rentals (two $40 credits)
- JSX: Up to $150 in statement credits annually on flights purchased directly through the hop-on jet service
After factoring in the $200 annual credit, the effective cost of this card is close to that of the United Explorer Card. And the mileage credits help make the card practically pay for itself.
Read our full review of the United Quest Card for a deep dive into this card.
United Club Card — Top-Tier Perks for Frequent United Flyers
The United Club card charges a hefty annual fee, but the cost may be justifiable if United is your primary airline. The card's annual fee is lower than the cost of a United Club membership, and the card includes additional perks such as free checked bags and elite-like travel benefits.
The card also adds hundreds of dollars in additional value. When paying with their card, cardholders can take advantage of multiple free checked bags on every United-operated flight and benefit from perks such as United Premier Access, Premier upgrades on award tickets (for eligible MileagePlus elites), and expanded United award availability.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 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
United Club benefits on United
- United Club membership (valued up to $750 annually). Unlock All-Access membership after spending $50,000 in a calendar year (or with Gold status).
- Expanded MileagePlus award availability.
- Free first and second checked bags (up to $360 in savings per roundtrip). You must use the card to purchase the flight.
- 25% back on food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases.
- Earn up to 20,000 in award flight discounts annually (a 10,000-mile discount can be earned after spending $20,000, up to twice annually.)
United Club United Premier elite status perks and boosts
- Earn up to 28,000 Premier Qualifying Points, at a rate of 1 PQP for $15 spent on the card.
- Starting in 2026, cardholders will receive a jump start of 1,500 PQPs per calendar year.
- Premier upgrades on award tickets for MileagePlus elites.
- Premier Access services, including priority check-in, boarding, and security.
Other United Club perks
- Up to $150 in rideshare statement credits annually ($12 per month Jan-Nov and $18 in December.)
- Primary rental car coverage and complimentary roadside assistance.
- Complimentary Instacart Plus membership and up to $240 in Instacart credits annually
- Avis Presidents Club status
- IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status
New travel partner perks
In addition to the included United benefits, cardmembers can now earn credits for booking travel with the following United travel partners:
- Renowned Hotels and Resorts: Up to $200 in statement credits annually when using the card to book and pay for hotel stays directly.
- Avis or Budget: Up to $100 in United TravelBank credits for booking car rentals (two $40 credits)
- JSX: Up to $200 in statement credits annually on flights purchased directly through the hop-on jet service
If you're a frequent United flyer, this card's benefits can easily justify the annual fee. Check out our full United Club review for more details.
United Business Card — Business-Focused Earnings and Travel Credits
For business owners, Chase offers the excellent United Business credit card. This card offers small-business owners bonus miles on business-focused spending categories plus unique perks like 5,000 bonus miles if you hold both a personal United credit card as well as this card.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- Receive a $125 United travel credit after making 5 United® flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year with your United℠ Business Card.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 2x on United® purchases
- 2x on local transit and commuting — including train tickets, taxicabs, mass transit, tolls and ride share services
- 2x at gas stations, restaurants and office supply stores
- 1x on all other purchases
United Business Card benefits
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles and 2,000 PQP after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150.
- 2x miles on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
- 1x mile on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
- Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
- Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
- Receive a $125 United travel credit after making 5 United® flight purchases of $100 or more each calendar year with your United℠ Business Card.
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
Check out our full United Business Card review for more details.
United Gateway — Earn United Miles Without Paying an Annual Fee
The United Gateway Card is the entry-level card in the United family of cards. If you want to earn MileagePlus miles but don't want to pay an annual fee, this card is the perfect option to add to your wallet.
- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles
- 0% intro APR for the first 12 months from account opening on purchases & no annual fee.
- 2x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Earn 2 checked bags after you spend $10,000 in a calendar year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 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
The recent changes have added the ability for cardholders to unlock perks like free checked bags and reduced award pricing available with the other United cards once they have spent $10,000 on the card in a calendar year.
Even if you meet that spending threshold, you won’t get the full suite of benefits that come with the other United cards, but you can still earn miles without worrying about an annual fee.
Who’s Eligible for the United Cards?
If you're a current United credit card holder — or you received a sign-up bonus on one of these cards in the previous 24 months — you won’t be eligible to get that same card.
All United credit card application terms have the following note:
“This product is not available to either (i) current Cardmembers of this credit card, or (ii) previous Cardmembers of this credit card who received a new Cardmember bonus for this credit card within the last 24 months.”
However, Chase doesn't restrict you from applying for any of these cards if you already hold a different United card. For example, you could get the United Gateway Card if you have the United Explorer Card or United Club, and vice versa.
In short, proceed carefully if you're applying for a card you've had before. Make sure that you no longer have the card and that it's been at least 24 months since you last earned the sign-up bonus. Otherwise, you may be able to get the card but won't be eligible for the sign-up bonus.
Like all Chase cards, these United cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 policy. If you’ve opened five or more personal credit cards in the previous 24 months, you will not be approved for any of these cards. Moreover, Chase doesn't tend to approve any person for more than two credit cards in a 30-day period.
Related: Understanding Rewards Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Our Take
United co-branded credit cards offer a great way to earn MileagePlus miles and unlock some valuable travel perks. If you fly United just a few times a year, the United Explorer Card provides a strong mix of benefits at a modest cost. For those seeking additional perks, United's higher-tier cards offer options that can upgrade your travel experience. But no matter your needs, there’s likely a United credit card that fits both your budget and travel style.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United℠ Business Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United Gateway℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
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