United offers five main credit cards, each built for different travel patterns and spending priorities
United has five co-branded cards issued by Chase: the United Club Infinite Card, the United Explorer Card, the United Gateway Card, the United TravelBank Card, and the United Business Card. Each one earns miles on United flights and everyday purchases, but they differ in annual fees, sign-up bonuses, lounge access, and what categories earn extra miles. The card that makes sense for you depends on how often you fly United, whether you value airport lounge access, and how much you spend on dining and travel outside of flights.
This guide walks through what each card offers, what it costs per year, and which spending patterns make each one worth holding. You will also find a comparison table and answers to questions people ask most often when choosing between them.
Key Takeaways
- The United Explorer Card costs $65 per year and includes one free checked bag and United Club passes, making it the entry point for frequent United flyers.
- The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and is built for people who fly United multiple times per month and value unlimited lounge access.
- The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and earns miles on all purchases, but offers no travel perks, making it best for people who want miles without paying for benefits they won't use.
- The United TravelBank Card costs $95 per year and lets you convert points to cash for any travel, not just United flights, if you want flexibility.
- The United Business Card costs $95 per year and earns higher miles on United purchases and business travel, designed for people who book flights for work.
United Explorer Card: The standard choice for regular United flyers
The United Explorer Card costs $65 per year and is the most common United card. It earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You get one free checked bag on United flights, a $100 United flight credit every four years (when you pay the annual fee), and 2 United Club passes per year. New cardholders typically receive a sign-up bonus of 50,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
This card works best if you fly United at least a few times per year and want the checked bag benefit to offset the annual fee. The dining bonus is useful if you eat out regularly. The Club passes give you access to United Club lounges twice per year, which is enough for a couple of round trips. If you fly less than twice per year, the annual fee may not pay for itself.
United Club Infinite Card: For people who live in United Club lounges
The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and is built for people who fly United constantly. You get unlimited access to United Club lounges, a $100 annual United flight credit, one free checked bag, and 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining. The sign-up bonus is typically 75,000 miles after $5,000 in spending within three months.
The lounge access is the main draw. If you fly United more than once per month, you will use the lounge regularly enough to justify the cost. The $100 flight credit reduces the effective annual fee to $550. The higher earning rate on United and dining purchases adds up if you spend heavily in those categories. This card is not worth holding if you fly United fewer than six times per year or if you do not value sitting in a lounge before your flight.
United Gateway Card: No annual fee, basic miles earning
The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and earns 1.5 miles per dollar on all purchases. There are no travel perks, no lounge access, and no checked bag benefit. The sign-up bonus is typically 40,000 miles after $1,000 in spending within three months.
This card is useful if you want to earn United miles without paying for benefits you will not use. It works well as a second card if you already hold the Explorer Card and want to earn miles on everyday spending without paying another annual fee. It also makes sense if you fly United occasionally but not often enough to justify the Explorer Card's $65 annual cost. The trade-off is that you lose the checked bag benefit and lounge access, so you pay for those perks when you need them.
United TravelBank Card: For people who want flexible redemptions
The United TravelBank Card costs $95 per year and earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The key difference is that you can convert your miles into TravelBank cash to book any airline, hotel, or rental car, not just United. You get one free checked bag and a $100 annual United flight credit. The sign-up bonus is typically 50,000 miles after $3,000 in spending within three months.
This card appeals to people who want the option to book non-United flights without losing the value of their miles. United miles are worth more when redeemed on United flights, but if you value flexibility or sometimes fly other airlines, the TravelBank conversion option is worth the extra $30 per year compared to the Explorer Card. You still get the checked bag benefit and the annual flight credit, so the total cost is similar to the Explorer Card with more redemption options.
United Business Card: For people who book flights for work
The United Business Card costs $95 per year and earns 3 miles per dollar on United purchases and 2 miles per dollar on dining and gas, with 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You get one free checked bag and a $100 annual United flight credit. The sign-up bonus is typically 75,000 miles after $5,000 in spending within three months.
This card is designed for people who book flights and travel for business. The higher earning rate on United purchases means you accumulate miles faster if you book multiple flights per month. The business version does not offer lounge access, so it is not a substitute for the Club Infinite Card. If you use a personal card for business travel, the Business Card's higher earning rate will build your miles balance more quickly than the personal Explorer Card.
Comparison table: Annual fees, bonuses, and key benefits
| Card | Annual Fee | Sign-Up Bonus | Checked Bag | Lounge Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Explorer | $65 | 50,000 miles | Yes | 2 passes/year | Regular United flyers |
| Club Infinite | $650 | 75,000 miles | Yes | Unlimited | Frequent United flyers |
| Gateway | $0 | 40,000 miles | No | No | Occasional flyers, secondary card |
| TravelBank | $95 | 50,000 miles | Yes | No | People who want flexible redemptions |
| Business | $95 | 75,000 miles | Yes | No | People who book flights for work |
How to decide which card to hold
Start by counting how many times you fly United per year. If you fly fewer than two times per year, the Gateway Card with no annual fee is the best choice. If you fly two to six times per year, the Explorer Card's $65 annual fee is worth it for the checked bag benefit alone. If you fly more than six times per year and value sitting in a lounge, the Club Infinite Card makes sense despite the high annual fee.
Next, think about what you value most. If you want the option to book other airlines with your miles, the TravelBank Card gives you that flexibility. If you book flights for work, the Business Card's higher earning rate on United purchases will build your balance faster. If you do not value lounge access or checked bags, the Gateway Card keeps your costs down.
Many people hold two United cards at once. A common combination is the Explorer Card for the checked bag and lounge passes, plus the Gateway Card for earning miles on everyday spending without paying a second annual fee. Another combination is the Club Infinite Card for frequent flyers who want unlimited lounge access, plus the Business Card if you book flights for work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fly United to make these cards worth it?
You do not have to fly United exclusively, but you should fly United at least a few times per year to justify the annual fee. The checked bag benefit and lounge access are the main ways the cards pay for themselves. If you fly other airlines most of the time, the Gateway Card or the TravelBank Card are better choices because they let you earn miles without committing to United.
Can I get the sign-up bonus if I already have a United card?
Chase has rules about how often you can earn sign-up bonuses on the same card. You typically cannot earn a bonus on the same card more than once every 24 months. If you want to switch from one United card to another, check Chase's current rules before you explore, as these rules change.
What happens to my miles if I close a United card?
Your miles stay in your United account and do not disappear when you close the card. You can still use them to book flights or transfer them to United partners. Closing a card does not affect the miles you have already earned.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only get the sign-up bonus?
The sign-up bonus alone is usually worth more than the annual fee in miles value, but you should plan to use the card for at least a year to get the full benefit. If you close the card after three months, you will have paid the annual fee without getting the checked bag benefit or other perks that accumulate over time.
Can I hold all five United cards at once?
Chase does not prevent you from holding multiple United cards, but holding all five would mean paying $905 in annual fees per year. Most people hold one or two United cards based on their flying habits. Holding more than two is rarely worth the cost unless you fly United very frequently and want to maximize sign-up bonuses.