United Airlines offers three main credit cards, each built for a different type of traveler
United has the United Club Infinite Card, the United Explorer Card, and the United Gateway Card. The Club Infinite is for frequent fliers who want lounge access and premium perks. The Explorer is the middle option — it gives you earning power and some travel benefits without the annual fee of the Club card. The Gateway is the entry point, designed for people who fly United occasionally and want to start building miles without a high annual cost.
Each card charges an annual fee, which varies by card. The fee is worth it only if you actually use the card's benefits — lounge access, checked bag credits, seat upgrades — often enough to offset what you pay. If you fly United fewer than three or four times a year, a lower-fee card or no airline card at all may make more sense.
The right card depends on three things: how often you fly, whether you value lounge access, and whether you want to earn miles fast or just accumulate them slowly over time.
Key Takeaways
- The United Club Infinite Card costs the most but includes United Club lounge access, a checked bag credit, and priority boarding — benefits that pay for themselves if you fly United at least four times a year.
- The United Explorer Card has a lower annual fee and earns bonus miles on United flights and dining, making it a solid choice for moderate travelers who don't need lounge access.
- The United Gateway Card is the cheapest option and works best for occasional fliers who want to earn miles without committing to a high annual fee.
- All three cards earn miles on every purchase, but the earning rate and bonus categories differ — compare the bonus structure to your actual spending before you choose.
- Annual fees are charged every year, so calculate whether the card's perks (lounge access, seat upgrades, checked bag credits) will save you money based on your real travel habits.
United Club Infinite Card: Premium perks for frequent fliers
The Club Infinite is United's top-tier card. It includes a United Club membership, which gives you access to United Club lounges at most major airports. You also get a checked bag credit each year, priority boarding, and a seat upgrade certificate annually. These perks alone can save you $200 to $400 per year if you use them regularly.
The card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You also get a bonus mile earning rate when you first open the card — the exact amount changes, so check United's website for the current offer.
This card makes sense if you fly United at least four times a year and value lounge access. Lounges let you work, eat, and rest between flights without paying extra. If you fly less frequently or don't care about lounges, the annual fee will likely outweigh the benefits.
United Explorer Card: Balanced earning and travel benefits
The Explorer Card sits between the Gateway and Club Infinite. It has a lower annual fee than the Club card but still includes a checked bag credit and priority boarding. You do not get lounge access with this card.
The earning structure is 2 miles per dollar on United flights and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. The opening bonus is typically higher than the Gateway card, which can give you a head start on miles for a future trip.
Choose the Explorer if you fly United three to four times a year and want to earn miles faster than the Gateway card allows, but you do not need lounge access. The checked bag credit alone saves you money on most trips, and the priority boarding can help you avoid checked baggage fees by fitting your bag in the overhead bin.
United Gateway Card: Low-cost entry point for occasional fliers
The Gateway Card has the lowest annual fee of the three. It includes a checked bag credit and priority boarding, but no lounge access. The earning rate is 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, with a bonus earning rate on United flights and dining.
This card works for people who fly United one to three times a year and want to earn miles without paying a high annual fee. The checked bag credit covers one checked bag per trip, which saves you money on most flights. Priority boarding helps you board earlier and find overhead bin space.
If you fly United less than once a year, even the Gateway card's annual fee may not be worth it. In that case, a general rewards card with no annual fee might serve you better.
How to compare the three cards side by side
| Feature | Club Infinite | Explorer | Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | Highest | Mid-range | Lowest |
| Lounge Access | Yes | No | No |
| Checked Bag Credit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Boarding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Miles per Dollar (United) | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Miles per Dollar (Other) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Best For | 4+ flights/year | 3-4 flights/year | 1-3 flights/year |
What to know about annual fees and when they pay for themselves
Each card charges an annual fee on the anniversary of when you open it. The fee is not optional — you pay it every year you keep the card. Before you open an account, calculate whether the card's perks will save you more than the annual fee costs.
The checked bag credit is the easiest to value. If you check a bag on every United flight, that credit saves you $30 to $35 per trip. On four trips a year, that is $120 to $140 in savings. If your annual fee is less than that, the card pays for itself on checked bags alone.
Lounge access is harder to value because it depends on how much you use it. If you visit a lounge twice a year, that is worth roughly $50 to $100 in value (the cost of a day pass). Seat upgrade certificates and priority boarding are worth money only if you actually use them — if you never upgrade or if you always get an aisle seat anyway, they have no value to you.
Be honest about your travel habits. If you tell yourself you will fly four times a year but you actually fly twice, the Club Infinite card will cost you money.
Opening a United credit card and earning your first miles
To open a United credit card, visit United's website or call the phone number on the card offer. You will need your Social Security number, a government-issued ID, and current income information. The bank will run a credit check and tell you within minutes whether you are approved.
Once your card arrives, you can start earning miles when ready on every purchase. Most cards offer a bonus mile earning rate in the first few months — for example, 50,000 bonus miles after you spend a certain amount in the first three months. Read the offer carefully to see what spending triggers the bonus.
Miles never expire as long as you have at least one United account activity every 18 months. Account activity includes flying United, opening a new card, or transferring miles in or out. This means you can let miles sit for a while without losing them, but you cannot abandon your account entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn miles on purchases with a United card even if I do not fly United?
Yes. All three United cards earn miles on every purchase you make, whether you fly or not. The earning rate is lower on non-United purchases (usually 1 mile per dollar), but you still accumulate miles. This makes the cards useful even if you only fly United occasionally.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your United account. Closing the card does not erase your miles. However, if you close your United account entirely and have no activity for 18 months, United may close your account and you could lose your miles. Keep your account active by flying or transferring miles occasionally.
Do I have to use the checked bag credit every year?
No. The checked bag credit is a benefit you can use or not use. If you do not check a bag, the credit does not roll over or pay you cash — it straightforward goes unused. This is why the checked bag credit is only valuable if you actually check bags on your flights.
Can I switch from one United card to another?
Yes. You can open a different United card and close the old one, though you may want to wait until after your annual fee posts so you do not pay two fees in one year. Some people keep multiple United cards open to maximize benefits, but each card charges its own annual fee.
Which card should I pick if I am not sure how often I will fly?
Start with the Gateway Card. It has the lowest annual fee and still includes a checked bag credit and priority boarding. If you find yourself flying United more than three times a year, you can upgrade to the Explorer or Club Infinite later. It is easier to add benefits than to pay for ones you do not use.