What the United Airlines Chase Card Does
The United Airlines Chase card is a co-branded rewards card that earns points on purchases, with bonus points on United flights and certain travel expenses. You earn one point per dollar spent on most purchases, and additional points on United tickets, dining, hotels, and other travel categories. The card comes with an annual fee, currently $450, and offers benefits like a free checked bag on United flights and priority boarding.
This is not a card that waives the fee in the first year or offers a sign-up bonus that covers the cost. You pay the full annual fee upfront, then decide whether the benefits and earning rate justify keeping it. The card is designed for people who fly United regularly or want to accumulate points toward future flights.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges a $450 annual fee with no first-year waiver, so the math only works if you use the benefits regularly.
- You earn one point per dollar on most purchases and bonus points on United flights, dining, hotels, and other travel categories.
- The card includes a free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and other perks that reduce what you would otherwise pay out of pocket.
- Points do not expire as long as your account stays open and you have account activity at least once every 24 months.
- You can transfer points to United's MileagePlus program or use them to book travel through Chase's travel portal.
How to Earn Points and Understand the Rewards Structure
The card earns points in two ways: a base rate on all purchases, and bonus rates on specific categories. You earn one point per dollar on everyday purchases like groceries and gas. You earn four points per dollar on United flights booked directly with United, two points per dollar on dining and hotels, and one point per dollar on other travel purchases like rental cars and parking.
Points accumulate in your MileagePlus account, which is United's frequent flyer program. You can use points to book United flights, upgrade existing reservations, or pay for seat upgrades and baggage fees. You can also transfer points to hotel and car rental partners, though the redemption value varies depending on the partner and the specific booking.
Benefits That Offset the Annual Fee
The card includes a free checked bag on United flights for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation. This alone saves $35 to $70 per round trip if you check a bag. You also get priority boarding, which means you board before most other passengers and can stow your carry-on bag in the overhead bin rather than checking it at the gate.
The card includes $100 in United travel credits each year, though the credit applies only to United purchases like tickets, seat upgrades, and baggage fees — not to other airlines or non-travel purchases. You also get a 10% discount on United in-flight purchases like food and drinks. These benefits are real but modest; whether they justify the $450 fee depends on how often you fly and whether you use the free checked bag.
How Points Expire and What Keeps Them Active
MileagePlus points do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months. Activity includes earning points, redeeming points, or even just logging into your MileagePlus account. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, United may close it and forfeit your points.
Keeping the United Airlines Chase card open counts as account activity, so as long as you hold the card, your points will not expire. If you close the card, you need to make sure your MileagePlus account stays active through other means — like flying United, earning points through a partner, or logging in periodically.
how the process works and What Happens After Approval
You can open the United Airlines Chase card through Chase's website or by calling Chase directly. You will need your Social Security number, income information, and employment details. Chase will check your credit report and give you a decision within minutes to a few days.
If you are approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your MileagePlus account is linked automatically, so points start posting to your account as soon as you make purchases. You can track your points balance online through either your Chase account or your MileagePlus account — both show the same balance.
When This Card Makes Sense and When It Does Not
The $450 annual fee is steep, so this card works best if you fly United at least a few times per year or spend enough on bonus categories to earn back the fee in points value. If you fly United once a year or less, or if you rarely use the free checked bag, the card probably costs more than it saves.
The card also makes sense if you are building toward a specific redemption — like a business class upgrade or a flight to Europe — and want to accumulate points faster. The bonus earning rates on United flights and travel purchases help you reach that goal more quickly than a flat-rate card would.
If you do not fly United, or if you split your flying among multiple airlines, a general travel rewards card with no annual fee or a lower fee might be a better fit. Compare the points you would earn on this card over a year against the $450 fee, then decide whether the math works for your travel patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points stay in your MileagePlus account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, your points will expire if your MileagePlus account goes inactive for more than 24 months. You can keep the account active by flying United, earning points through a partner, or logging in to your account periodically.
Can I use points to book flights on other airlines?
No, MileagePlus points are for United flights only. You cannot use them to book American, Delta, or Southwest flights. You can transfer points to hotel and car rental partners, but those transfers are separate from flight bookings.
Does the $100 United travel credit explore to ticket purchases?
Yes, the $100 credit applies to United ticket purchases, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other United travel services. It does not explore to purchases on other airlines or non-travel purchases. The credit posts automatically once per year.
How long does it take to earn enough points for a free flight?
It depends on the flight and how much you spend. A domestic round trip typically costs 25,000 to 50,000 points. If you spend $5,000 per month on the card and earn one point per dollar, you would earn 60,000 points per year, which covers one or two domestic flights. Bonus category spending accelerates this timeline.
What if I have a balance on the card when the annual fee hits?
The annual fee is separate from your balance. You pay the fee whether or not you carry a balance, and the fee is charged to your account on your card anniversary each year. You can pay the fee with a statement credit or from your regular payment.