What the United Airlines Chase Visa card is and who should consider it
The United Airlines Chase Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with United Airlines. It's designed for people who fly United regularly or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases that convert to United miles. The card comes in three versions: the standard United card, the United Club, and the United Club Infinite, each with different annual fees and benefits.
This card makes sense if you fly United at least a few times a year and want your spending to accumulate toward free flights. It's less useful if you rarely fly, prefer other airlines, or want a general rewards card that works everywhere. The annual fee ranges depending on which version you choose, so you'll want to calculate whether the miles you'll earn and the perks included actually save you money compared to what you'd spend.
Key Takeaways
- The United Airlines Chase Visa earns United miles on purchases, with bonus categories for United flights, dining, and gas, plus a sign-up bonus when you first open the account.
- You pay an annual fee that varies by card tier, and the card includes benefits like checked baggage waivers and priority boarding that may offset the cost if you fly United regularly.
- Miles earned through the card can be used to book United flights, upgrade existing tickets, or transferred to United's partner airlines, though redemption rates vary widely.
- The card reports to the three major credit bureaus, so opening it will temporarily lower your credit score, and closing it later may affect your credit history length.
- You can manage your account, view miles balance, and redeem rewards through the Chase website or the United app after your card arrives.
How to open a United Airlines Chase Visa account
You can open this card online through Chase's website or through United's website — both routes lead to the same process. You'll need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, current address, and employment information. Chase will pull your credit report, which is a hard inquiry and will show on your credit history.
The process takes about 10 minutes. Chase usually tells you whether you're approved, denied, or pending within seconds. If you're approved, your card ships within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you can set up it through the Chase app or website before you use it, though set up isn't required to make purchases.
If you're denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration line to ask whether they'll reconsider based on new information, though this doesn't always work. If you're approved but want to move forward, you'll be asked to link a bank account for payments — you don't have to do this when ready, but you'll need it before your first bill is due.
Understanding the annual fee and what's included
The standard United Airlines Chase Visa charges an annual fee that varies by card version. The United Club card and United Club Infinite card charge higher annual fees but include perks like United Club passes, priority boarding, and baggage fee waivers that may reduce the real cost if you use them. Chase charges the fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary.
Beyond the annual fee, there are no other required charges. You won't be charged foreign transaction fees if you use the card abroad, though you will pay interest on any balance you carry month to month. The card also doesn't charge late fees or over-limit fees — those only appear if you miss a payment or exceed your credit limit.
To decide whether the fee is worth it, add up what you'd spend on checked baggage fees, seat upgrades, and paid flights over a year, then compare that to the annual fee plus the miles you'd earn. If the math doesn't work, the card isn't the right fit, and that's okay.
How miles are earned and what they're worth
The United Airlines Chase Visa earns miles at different rates depending on what you buy. You earn bonus miles on United flights purchased with the card, on dining at restaurants, and on gas and EV charging. You earn a lower rate on all other purchases. The exact earning rates depend on which card version you have.
When you first open the card, you'll also earn a sign-up bonus — a large lump of miles if you spend a certain amount within the first few months. This bonus is often the biggest value in the card, sometimes worth more than a year of regular spending. Read the terms carefully to see what spending triggers the bonus and how long you have to reach it.
The value of a mile varies. United publishes award charts that show how many miles a flight costs, but the number changes based on demand, route, and how far in advance you book. A mile might be worth 1 cent on a short domestic flight or 2 cents on an international trip. You can also transfer miles to United's partner airlines, though the exchange rate and value differ for each partner.
What happens after your card arrives and how to use it
Once your card arrives, set up it through the Chase app or website by confirming the last four digits and your zip code. You can then use it anywhere Visa is accepted — online, in stores, or over the phone. Every purchase automatically earns miles according to the card's earning structure; you don't have to do anything extra to accumulate them.
Your miles appear in your United account within a few days of each purchase. You can view your balance through the United app or website anytime. To redeem miles for a flight, log into United.com, search for a flight, and choose "pay with miles" instead of a credit card at checkout. The system will show you how many miles the flight costs and let you complete the booking.
You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket, extend a trip, or book a hotel or rental car through United's partners. These options appear in your United account under "Redeem" or "Rewards." If you don't use your miles, they don't expire as long as your account remains active — but if you close your United account, your miles may be forfeited.
How to pay your bill and manage your account
Your bill is due 21 days after your statement closes each month. You can pay through the Chase website, the Chase mobile app, or by setting up automatic payments from your bank account. If you pay in full by the due date, you won't be charged interest. If you carry a balance, interest accrues at a rate that depends on your creditworthiness and current market rates.
You can view your statement, recent transactions, and available credit through the Chase app or website anytime. If you see a purchase you didn't make, report it to Chase within 60 days and they'll investigate. You can also set up alerts for large purchases, low balances, or payment due dates so you don't miss anything.
If you want to close the card later, call Chase and ask them to close the account. They'll stop charging the annual fee after you confirm, though you'll still owe any balance on the card. Closing the card will reduce your available credit and may lower your credit score slightly, so consider whether you want to keep it open even if you're not using it actively.
How the card affects your credit and what to watch for
Opening this card will result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your credit score by a few points. The new account also lowers your average account age, which can affect your score for several months. However, if you pay on time and keep your balance low relative to your credit limit, the card will help your credit over time by showing responsible credit use.
If you miss a payment, Chase will report it to the credit bureaus and it will stay on your credit report for seven years. Late payments also trigger late fees and higher interest rates. If you're struggling to pay, contact Chase before the due date — they may offer a hardship program or payment plan.
Closing the card later will remove it from your active accounts, which can lower your credit score because it reduces your total available credit. However, the account will remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, so the damage isn't permanent. If you're trying to improve your credit, keeping the card open and using it occasionally is usually better than closing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my United miles to someone else or use them on someone else's ticket?
You can book a flight for another person using your miles, but the ticket will be in your name initially. United allows you to change the passenger name on an award ticket for a fee in some cases, but policies vary. You cannot directly transfer miles to another person's account unless they're a family member and you use United's family pooling feature.
What happens to my miles if I close my United account?
If you close your United MileagePlus account, your miles are forfeited and cannot be recovered. Your miles are tied to your United account, not to the credit card itself. As long as you keep your United account open, your miles remain even if you close the credit card.
Do I have to use the card on United flights to make it worth it?
No. The card earns miles on dining, gas, and other everyday purchases, not just flights. However, you earn bonus miles at a higher rate on United purchases, so the card is most valuable if you do fly United at least occasionally. If you never fly United, a general rewards card might be better.
What if I'm denied for the card?
Chase denies applications based on credit score, income, existing debt, and credit history. If you're denied, you can call Chase's reconsideration team to ask if they'll approve you based on additional information, but there's no may provide. You can also wait a few months and reapply if your credit situation improves.
Can I earn miles on my credit card payments?
No. Payments to your credit card bill do not earn miles. Only purchases earn miles. Payments are money you're sending back to Chase to pay down your balance.