What Chase United credit cards offer

Chase offers several credit cards branded with United Airlines, each designed to reward frequent flyers and everyday spenders. The cards earn miles on United flights and other purchases, offer checked baggage benefits, and provide lounge access depending on which card you choose. Unlike some airline cards that require you to fly with that airline to earn rewards, United cards let you accumulate miles through credit card spending alone.

The main cards in the Chase United lineup are the United Club Infinite Card, the United Explorer Card, and the United Gateway Card. Each has different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and benefits. The cards are issued by Chase Bank, and you manage them through Chase's online banking portal or mobile app.

Key Takeaways

  • Chase United cards earn miles on United flights and everyday purchases, with different earning rates depending on which card you hold.
  • Each card charges an annual fee, ranging from no fee to several hundred dollars, and offers benefits like baggage allowance and lounge access that may offset the cost.
  • Sign-up bonuses typically offer a large number of miles if you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the card.
  • Miles earned through the card can be used for United flights, seat upgrades, or transferred to hotel and car rental partners.
  • You need a credit score in the good to excellent range to be considered for approval, though the exact requirement varies by card.

The three main Chase United cards and their costs

The United Club Infinite Card is the premium option. It carries an annual fee of $650 and is aimed at frequent business travelers. It includes United Club passes, priority boarding, a checked baggage allowance, and a $100 annual United travel credit. The card earns 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and 1 mile per dollar on other spending.

The United Explorer Card sits in the middle tier with a $325 annual fee. It includes one free checked bag per year, priority boarding, and United Club passes twice per year. You earn 2 miles per dollar on United flights and 1 mile per dollar on dining, gas, and transit. This card is often recommended for people who fly United several times a year but do not need year-round lounge access.

The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and is the entry point for casual United flyers. It earns 1.5 miles per dollar on United purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. You do not receive baggage allowance or lounge access, but you do get a small annual United travel credit. This card makes sense if you fly United occasionally and want to earn miles without paying a fee.

Sign-up bonuses and how they work

Each Chase United card offers a sign-up bonus if you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three months. The bonus is typically stated as a number of miles — for example, 50,000 miles or 75,000 miles. You must spend the required amount on the card to unlock the bonus; it does not happen automatically.

The bonus miles post to your account once Chase confirms you have met the spending threshold. This usually happens within one to two billing cycles after you reach the amount. You can then use those miles when ready to book flights or transfer them to partner programs. Sign-up bonuses are the largest single earning opportunity with these cards, so comparing the bonus size across cards is often the first step in deciding which one fits your travel plans.

How to earn and use miles

Miles accumulate in your United MileagePlus account, which is linked to your credit card. Every purchase you make on the card earns miles at the rate shown for that purchase category. You can check your balance anytime through the United website or app, and miles do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months.

You can use miles to book United flights directly through the United website or by calling their reservations line. Miles can also pay for seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel services. Many people transfer miles to hotel chains and car rental companies that partner with United, though the conversion rate varies. Some transfer partners offer better value than others, so it pays to compare before you move miles out of your MileagePlus account.

Annual fees and whether they make sense

The annual fee is charged to your card every year on the anniversary of when you opened the account. For the United Club Infinite Card, the $650 fee is offset by the $100 annual travel credit and the value of Club passes and priority boarding if you use them regularly. For the United Explorer Card, the $325 fee is often justified by the free checked bag alone if you fly United at least twice a year, since a checked bag typically costs $35 to $40 per flight.

To decide whether an annual fee is worth it, add up what you would spend on baggage fees, lounge visits, and seat upgrades in a year without the card, then compare that to the annual fee. If the card's benefits exceed the fee, it makes financial sense to keep it. If you do not use the benefits, you can close the card or downgrade to a no-fee version if Chase offers that option.

Credit score requirements and approval

Chase typically requires a credit score of 700 or higher to be considered for a United card, though the exact threshold varies by card and by your overall credit profile. The premium cards (Club Infinite and Explorer) usually require higher scores than the Gateway Card. Your credit report, income, and existing Chase accounts also factor into the decision.

You can check your credit score for free through many banks and credit monitoring services before you explore. If your score is below 700, you may want to wait and build your credit before explore, or start with the no-fee Gateway Card, which has slightly more lenient approval standards. Chase will tell you within minutes whether you are approved, and if you are denied, you can ask why and try again after addressing any issues on your credit report.

Managing your card and avoiding common mistakes

Once you open a Chase United card, set up autopay for at least the minimum payment to avoid late fees and credit damage. Many cardholders set autopay to pay the full balance each month, which avoids interest charges. You can manage your account through Chase's website or mobile app, where you can view transactions, set spending alerts, and update your address.

A common mistake is letting miles expire. Miles expire if your MileagePlus account has no activity for 24 months, so make sure you use or transfer miles periodically, or keep the account active by flying United or using a United credit card. Another mistake is not using the card's benefits before the annual fee hits. If you know you will not fly United in the coming year, close the card before the fee renews to avoid being charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my miles to someone else?

United allows you to transfer miles to another MileagePlus member, but there are restrictions and fees. You can transfer to a family member or friend, though United charges a fee per mile transferred. The recipient's account must be open and in good standing. Check the United website for current transfer fees and rules.

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles stay in your MileagePlus account even after you close the credit card. The card and the frequent flyer account are separate. However, if your MileagePlus account has no activity for 24 months, the miles will expire. Closing the card does not trigger expiration, but it does mean you stop earning miles from credit card spending.

Do I have to fly United to use these cards?

No. You earn miles on every purchase you make with the card, whether or not you fly United. Many cardholders use the card for everyday spending like groceries and gas, then redeem miles for United flights once or twice a year. This is one of the main advantages of airline credit cards over airline loyalty programs alone.

Can I get a sign-up bonus if I already have a United card?

Chase typically limits sign-up bonuses to customers who have not held that specific card in the past 24 months. If you already have a United Explorer Card, you may not be able to get the bonus again for 24 months. However, you might be able to get a bonus on a different United card, such as upgrading from the Gateway Card to the Explorer Card.

What is the difference between miles and points?

United uses the term "miles" for its frequent flyer currency. Some other airlines call their currency "points." With United cards, you earn miles, which are redeemed through the MileagePlus program. The terms are often used interchangeably, but they refer to the same thing in the context of United.