The United card you choose depends on how often you fly United and what you spend on other categories
United offers three main credit cards through Chase: the United Club Infinite Card, the United Explorer Card, and the United Gateway Card. Each one earns miles on United flights and everyday purchases, but they differ in annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and what perks come with membership. The right card for you is the one whose benefits you will actually use — not the one with the biggest welcome bonus on paper.
The core trade-off is straightforward: cards with higher annual fees give you more lounge access, higher earning rates, and bigger bonuses. Cards with no annual fee give you lower earning rates and fewer perks. If you fly United once or twice a year and rarely visit airport lounges, a no-fee card makes sense. If you fly United monthly and value lounge access, a premium card pays for itself.
Key Takeaways
- The United Explorer Card costs $65 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, making it the middle-ground option for regular United flyers.
- The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and includes United Club passes, priority boarding, and higher earning rates, but only makes financial sense if you use the lounge benefits regularly.
- The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, making it the lowest-cost entry point for occasional flyers.
- All three cards earn a sign-up bonus after you spend a set amount in the first few months, but the bonus value depends on how you redeem miles.
- Your best card choice depends on your annual United spending and whether you value lounge access more than a lower annual fee.
United Explorer Card: The middle option for regular flyers
The United Explorer Card charges $65 per year and is designed for people who fly United several times a year. You earn 2 miles per dollar on United purchases (flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and on dining at restaurants. You earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The card includes one free checked bag on United flights, priority boarding, and a $100 United travel credit every year (which offsets part of the annual fee if you use it).
The sign-up bonus is typically 50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. At current redemption rates, that bonus is worth roughly $500 to $750 in travel value, depending on which flights you book. The card also waives the first-year annual fee, so you pay nothing in year one and $65 starting in year two.
This card makes sense if you take at least two United trips per year and spend money on dining regularly. The 2x miles on dining adds up quickly if you eat out multiple times a week. The free checked bag alone saves you $35 to $70 per round trip, which covers the annual fee on just two flights.
United Club Infinite Card: Premium perks for frequent flyers
The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and is built for people who fly United monthly or who value airport lounge access highly. The main benefit is unlimited access to United Club lounges at most U.S. airports. You also get priority boarding, a free checked bag, 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and a $100 annual United travel credit (same as the Explorer Card).
The sign-up bonus is typically 100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in the first six months. That bonus is worth roughly $1,000 to $1,500 in travel value. The card also includes guest passes to United Club lounges, so you can bring a companion on some trips.
The $650 annual fee is steep, but lounge access is the real value. If you fly United at least once a month, you will visit a lounge multiple times per year. A single lounge visit saves you $15 to $50 in food and drinks, and the quiet space and wifi are worth money to many travelers. The card pays for itself if you use the lounge at least 10 to 15 times per year. If you fly less frequently or rarely visit lounges, the Explorer Card is a better choice.
United Gateway Card: No annual fee for occasional flyers
The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases. There is no sign-up bonus, no lounge access, and no priority boarding. This card is the simplest option and the lowest cost.
The Gateway Card makes sense only if you fly United rarely (once a year or less) and want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. If you fly United more than once a year, the Explorer Card's $65 annual fee will pay for itself through the free checked bag and the $100 travel credit alone. The Gateway Card is a fallback option, not a primary choice for most people.
How to compare the cards side by side
| Feature | Gateway Card | Explorer Card | Club Infinite Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 | $65 | $650 |
| First Year Fee | $0 | Waived | Not waived |
| Sign-Up Bonus | None | ~50,000 miles | ~100,000 miles |
| Miles on United Purchases | 1x | 2x | 2x |
| Miles on Dining | 1x | 2x | 2x |
| Free Checked Bag | No | Yes | Yes |
| United Club Access | No | No | Yes, unlimited |
| Annual Travel Credit | No | $100 | $100 |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes | Yes |
What sign-up bonuses are actually worth
All three cards offer a sign-up bonus in miles, but the real value depends on how you redeem those miles. United miles are worth roughly 1 to 1.5 cents per mile when you book flights directly through United.com. A 50,000-mile bonus is worth $500 to $750 in flight value. A 100,000-mile bonus is worth $1,000 to $1,500.
The catch is that you have to spend a certain amount in the first few months to earn the bonus. The Explorer Card requires $3,000 in spending; the Club Infinite requires $10,000. If you do not normally spend that much on a credit card, the bonus is harder to reach. Do not open a card just to chase a bonus — open it because you will use the card regularly.
Also remember that sign-up bonuses change. The amounts listed here are typical, but Chase adjusts them based on market conditions. Check the current offer on Chase.com before you explore.
Earning miles on everyday spending
Beyond the sign-up bonus, the real value of a United card comes from earning miles on purchases you make anyway. The Explorer Card earns 2 miles per dollar on dining, which adds up if you eat out regularly. Over a year, someone who spends $300 per month on dining earns 7,200 miles — enough for a domestic round-trip flight in many cases.
The Club Infinite Card earns the same 2x rate on dining and United purchases, so the earning power is identical to the Explorer Card. The difference is the lounge access and higher annual fee. If you earn the same miles on both cards, you are paying an extra $585 per year ($650 minus $65) for lounge access and the higher sign-up bonus.
The Gateway Card earns 1 mile per dollar on everything, which is half the rate of the other two cards. Over a year, that difference adds up. Someone spending $10,000 per year on the Gateway Card earns 10,000 miles. The same person on the Explorer Card earns 15,000 to 20,000 miles depending on how much they spend on dining. The Explorer Card's higher earning rate often makes up for the annual fee within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the $100 annual travel credit on any United purchase?
The $100 credit applies to United purchases made through United.com, including flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and in-flight purchases. It does not cover purchases made through third-party travel sites or airline partners. You have to use it or lose it each year — it does not roll over.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your United MileagePlus account even after you close the card. You can still redeem them for flights or other rewards. Closing the card does not erase your miles, but it does end the earning benefits and any perks like lounge access.
Do I need to be a frequent United flyer to get approved?
No. Chase approves the card based on your credit score and payment history, not on your flying habits. You can open a United card even if you have never flown United before. However, you should only open a card if you plan to use it regularly — opening a card just for the bonus and then closing it can hurt your credit score.
Can I have more than one United card at the same time?
Yes, but Chase limits how often you can open new cards. You typically have to wait at least 24 months between opening two different United cards. Having multiple cards can increase your earning power, but it also increases your total annual fees, so make sure the extra benefits justify the cost.
What is the difference between United miles and airline miles from other carriers?
United miles can only be redeemed for United flights or partner airline flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel rewards within the MileagePlus program. They have no value outside that ecosystem. The redemption value varies depending on the flight and how far in advance you book, so the same miles might be worth more or less depending on when you use them.