What the Chase United Airlines Card offers and who it suits
The Chase United Airlines Card is a co-branded rewards card issued by Chase Bank in partnership with United Airlines. It earns points on every purchase, with bonus points on United flights and certain other categories. The card charges an annual fee, which you pay whether or not you use the card that year.
This card makes sense if you fly United regularly — at least a few times per year — and want to accumulate points toward free flights or upgrades. If you rarely fly or split your travel between multiple airlines, a general rewards card or a different airline card may deliver more value. The card's benefits are designed around United's loyalty program, MileagePlus, so your points stay within that ecosystem.
Chase offers several versions of the United card at different reward levels and annual fees. The specific earning rates, sign-up bonuses, and benefits change periodically, so you should check Chase's website directly for current terms before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- The card charges an annual fee that you owe every year; this fee is not waived in the first year on most versions.
- You earn bonus points on United flights and certain categories like dining and gas, plus base points on all other purchases.
- A sign-up bonus offers additional points if you spend a set amount within the first few months of opening the account.
- The card includes perks like checked baggage waivers, priority boarding, and United Club passes on some versions, which can offset the annual fee if you use them.
- Points earned through the card can be used for United flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to United's partner airlines.
How points and rewards work on this card
Every purchase you make on the card earns points at a base rate. United flights booked directly with United earn a higher rate — typically 2 points per dollar or more, depending on the card version. Certain categories like restaurants, gas stations, and hotels also earn bonus points, usually at 2 points per dollar.
Points accumulate in your MileagePlus account, which is United's loyalty program. You can redeem points for United flights, seat upgrades, checked baggage fees, or other travel-related purchases. You can also transfer points to United's partner airlines and hotel programs, though the transfer rate varies and is not always favorable.
The value of a point depends on how you use it. A point redeemed for a domestic flight might be worth 1 to 2 cents, while a point used for an upgrade or transferred to a partner could be worth less or more. Calculating the true value requires knowing your own travel patterns and redemption habits.
Annual fee and what it includes
The card carries an annual fee, charged to your account each year. This fee does not waive in the first year on most versions. The amount varies depending on which United card you choose — Chase offers cards at different tiers, each with different fees and benefits.
Some versions include benefits that can offset the fee: a statement credit toward baggage fees or seat upgrades, United Club passes (day passes or annual membership), priority boarding, or other travel perks. Whether these benefits offset the fee depends on whether you actually use them. If you never use United Club or never pay for upgrades, those perks have no value to you.
You should calculate whether the card's rewards and perks will save you more than the annual fee costs. If you fly United frequently and use the included perks, the fee may be worth it. If you fly infrequently or do not use the perks, the fee is a net cost.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
Chase typically offers a sign-up bonus when you open a new United card account. The bonus is usually a set number of points, awarded after you spend a certain amount within a set timeframe — often three months. For example, you might earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
This bonus is a one-time offer and applies only to new cardholders. If you have held a United card from Chase in the past, you may not be may be able to access for the bonus again, depending on Chase's current rules. The bonus is added to your MileagePlus account once you meet the spending requirement.
The sign-up bonus can be substantial — sometimes worth $500 to $800 in travel value — but only if you actually spend the required amount and redeem the points. If you cannot meet the spending threshold, you will not receive the bonus.
Comparing this card to other airline cards
Other airlines offer co-branded cards through different banks. American Airlines has cards through Citi and Barclays, Delta has cards through American Express, and Southwest has cards through Chase. Each card has different earning rates, annual fees, and perks tied to that airline's loyalty program.
If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general rewards card — like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold — may deliver better value because points are not locked into one airline. If you fly one airline most of the time, a co-branded card for that airline usually earns points faster on that airline's flights.
The choice depends on your actual travel patterns. Track which airline you fly most over the next year, then compare the annual fee and earning rates across cards for that airline. A card that earns 2 points per dollar on flights but costs $95 per year is only worthwhile if you fly enough to earn back more than $95 in value annually.
How to use points and when they expire
Points in your MileagePlus account can be used to book flights on United's website, through the MileagePlus app, or by calling United. You can also use points to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin, pay baggage fees, or purchase other travel services. Points can be transferred to United's partner airlines and hotel programs, though the transfer rate is typically not favorable unless you are targeting a specific redemption.
MileagePlus points do not expire as long as your account remains active. An account is considered active if you have earned or redeemed points within the past 24 months. If your account becomes inactive, points may be forfeited, though United has historically allowed members to reactivate accounts and restore points. You should not rely on this — keep your account active if you want to preserve your points.
Redeeming points for flights is straightforward, but availability is limited. United releases a set number of award seats on each flight, and those seats can sell out quickly, especially on popular routes and dates. Booking far in advance or flying on less popular routes increases your chances of finding available award seats.
Fees, restrictions, and what to watch for
Beyond the annual fee, the card itself has no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you travel internationally. However, United may charge fees for certain services — like booking a flight by phone instead of online, or changing a reservation — and those fees are not waived by the card.
The card's benefits are tied to your MileagePlus account status. If you do not fly United frequently enough to maintain elite status, you lose some perks. For example, priority boarding may be included with the card, but elite status members get even earlier boarding. If you downgrade or cancel the card, you lose the card-specific benefits when ready.
Read the card's terms carefully before you open an account. Benefits, earning rates, and annual fees change, and the terms you see today may not explore to future years. Chase can change the card's terms with notice, so what you earn this year might be different next year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the annual fee waive in the first year?
On most versions of the Chase United card, the annual fee is charged in the first year and every year after. Some promotional offers may waive the first-year fee, but this is not standard. Check the current offer on Chase's website to see if a first-year waiver is available when you are considering the card.
Can I use points on airlines other than United?
Points earned on the Chase United card stay in your MileagePlus account and can only be used on United flights or transferred to United's partner airlines and hotels. You cannot transfer points to other major airlines like American or Delta. If you want flexibility across airlines, a general rewards card is a better choice.
What happens to my points if I cancel the card?
Your points remain in your MileagePlus account even if you cancel the card. The card-specific perks — like baggage waivers or priority boarding — stop when ready, but the points themselves do not disappear. You can continue to use accumulated points to book flights as long as your MileagePlus account stays active.
How much is the sign-up bonus worth in real money?
The value depends on how you redeem the points. A point used for a domestic flight might be worth 1 to 2 cents, so a 50,000-point bonus could be worth $500 to $1,000 in flight value. However, if you redeem points for upgrades or transfer them to partners, the value may be lower. Calculate based on flights you actually plan to take.
Is this card worth it if I only fly United once or twice a year?
Probably not. If you fly United only once or twice yearly, the annual fee is unlikely to be offset by rewards and perks. You would need to earn enough points on everyday purchases to cover the fee, which requires high spending or a very generous sign-up bonus. A general rewards card would likely deliver better value for infrequent flyers.