What the United MileagePlus credit card does
The United MileagePlus card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase that earns miles toward United Airlines flights. When you use it for purchases, you accumulate miles in your MileagePlus account that you can redeem for tickets, seat upgrades, or other travel rewards. The card comes with an annual fee, a sign-up bonus of miles after you meet a spending threshold, and ongoing earning rates that vary by purchase category.
This is a rewards card, not a travel insurance product or a United Airlines membership. It functions like any other credit card — you receive a bill each month, pay interest if you carry a balance, and the miles you earn are separate from any frequent flyer benefits you already have through flying with United.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee (the amount varies by card tier) and offers a sign-up bonus of miles if you spend a set amount within the first few months.
- You earn miles on every purchase, with higher earning rates on United flights, dining, and gas — and lower rates on other categories.
- Miles can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to hotel and car rental partners, though the value depends on how you use them.
- The card is issued by Chase, so you explore through Chase's website or by phone, and your credit score affects whether you are approved.
- Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months, but the card itself requires an active account to keep earning.
how the process works for the United MileagePlus card
You explore directly through Chase's website or by calling Chase at the number on the back of any Chase card you already have. You will need your Social Security number, current income, employment status, and a mailing address. Chase will pull your credit report to decide whether to approve you, so your credit score and history matter.
The process takes about 15 minutes online. You will get a decision when ready or within a few business days. If approved, the card typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you set up it through Chase's website or app, then you can start using it right away.
If you already have a MileagePlus account with United, your new card will link to that account automatically. If you do not, Chase will help you create one during the process process, or you can set one up separately on United's website before you explore.
Understanding the annual fee and sign-up bonus
The United MileagePlus card charges an annual fee that is charged to your account each year on your card anniversary. The amount depends on which version of the card you hold — there are several tiers, each with different fees and benefits. You pay this fee whether or not you use the card.
To offset the fee, the card offers a sign-up bonus: a large number of miles deposited into your MileagePlus account after you spend a certain amount on the card within a set timeframe (usually three months). The bonus amount and spending requirement vary depending on which card tier you choose and current promotions. You must meet the full spending requirement to receive the bonus — partial spending does not earn a partial bonus.
The bonus is typically large enough that many cardholders earn back the annual fee in the first year through the bonus miles alone. After that, whether the card makes financial sense depends on how much you spend on it and how much you value the miles you earn.
How you earn and use miles
Every time you use the card, you earn miles at a rate that depends on what you bought. United flights, dining at certain restaurants, and gas purchases earn at a higher rate (often 2 to 4 miles per dollar). Most other purchases earn at a lower rate (often 1 mile per dollar). Some categories, like balance transfers or cash advances, earn no miles at all.
Miles accumulate in your MileagePlus account and can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades (like moving from economy to first class), or transferred to hotel and car rental partners. The value you get from a mile varies widely — a mile might be worth less than a cent on a cheap domestic flight or several cents on an expensive international ticket, depending on availability and demand.
You can also use miles to cover taxes and fees on award flights, though you cannot use miles to pay for a ticket outright and then pay taxes separately. Miles do not expire as long as your MileagePlus account has some activity (a flight, a credit card purchase, or a transfer) at least once every 24 months.
What happens if you carry a balance or miss a payment
If you do not pay your full statement balance by the due date, Chase charges interest on the remaining balance at the card's annual percentage rate (APR). The APR for this card varies based on your creditworthiness and current market rates. You can find the exact rate on your first statement or by logging into your Chase account online.
If you miss a payment entirely, Chase reports it to the credit bureaus after 30 days, which damages your credit score. Late payments also trigger late fees. If you fall behind by 60 days or more, Chase may close your account and send the debt to collections.
Miles earned on purchases are not affected by whether you pay your balance in full, but carrying a balance means you are paying interest on those purchases, which usually costs more than the miles are worth. Paying your full balance each month is the most cost-effective way to use a rewards card.
Comparing the United MileagePlus card to other United rewards options
United offers several versions of the MileagePlus card through Chase, each with a different annual fee, sign-up bonus, and earning rate. The basic version has the lowest fee and bonus. Higher tiers offer larger bonuses, higher earning rates on certain categories, and additional perks like free checked bags or priority boarding — but they also charge higher annual fees.
If you do not want a credit card, you can still earn MileagePlus miles by flying United, staying at partner hotels, or renting from partner car companies. You can also purchase miles directly from United, though this is usually expensive. The credit card is the fastest way to accumulate miles if you spend regularly on everyday purchases.
Other airlines offer similar co-branded cards through Chase (American, Delta, Southwest). Whether the United card is the right choice depends on which airline you fly most often and how much you spend in the card's bonus categories.
What to do if your card is lost, stolen, or compromised
If your card is lost or stolen, call Chase when ready at the number on the back of any Chase card you have, or log into your Chase account online and report it through the app. Chase will cancel the card and send you a replacement within 7 to 10 business days. You are not responsible for fraudulent charges made after you report the card missing.
If you notice unauthorized charges on your statement, contact Chase within 60 days of the charge appearing. Chase will investigate and reverse the charge if it was fraudulent. Your MileagePlus miles are tied to your account, not your card, so replacing the card does not affect your balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my MileagePlus miles on airlines other than United?
You can transfer miles to partner airlines and hotels through the MileagePlus program, but you cannot use them directly on other airlines' flights. United has partnerships with airlines like Air Canada, Lufthansa, and others, so you can book partner airline flights using your miles. The transfer rate and availability vary by partner.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your MileagePlus account even after you close the card. However, if your account has no activity for 24 months, the miles expire. Closing the card does not trigger expiration — only inactivity does. You can keep earning miles through other means (flying, hotel stays) even without the card.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee is charged each year on your card anniversary. You can cancel the card anytime to stop paying the fee, but you will lose the ability to earn miles through credit card purchases. Some cardholders downgrade to a lower-tier card instead of canceling to keep earning miles at a lower cost.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
This depends on how much you spend and which flights you want. A domestic United flight typically costs between 25,000 and 50,000 miles depending on demand. If you spend $5,000 per month on the card earning 1 mile per dollar, you would earn 60,000 miles per year — enough for one or two domestic flights. The sign-up bonus can cover a significant portion of this in the first month.
Can I use my miles if I have a balance on the card?
Yes, your miles are separate from your card balance. You can redeem miles for flights even if you owe money on the card. However, you still need to pay your monthly bill to keep the account in good standing and avoid interest charges and late fees.