What the United Airlines credit card is and who issues it
The United Airlines credit card is issued by Chase and is designed for people who fly United or want to earn rewards on everyday purchases. Chase offers several versions of this card — the most common are the United Explorer Card, the United Club Infinite Card, and the United Gateway Card — each with different annual fees, benefits, and earning rates.
When you open one of these cards, you get a sign-up bonus in the form of United miles, usually between 50,000 and 150,000 miles depending on which version you choose and current promotions. You also earn miles on every purchase: typically 2 miles per dollar on United purchases and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else. The card comes with a United Club Pass or lounge access on some versions, baggage fee waivers, and priority boarding.
The annual fee ranges from $0 to $650 depending on the card tier. Even cards with no annual fee come with fewer perks than paid versions. You pay the annual fee once per year, usually on your card anniversary.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines credit cards are issued by Chase and come in multiple versions, each with different annual fees and benefits ranging from $0 to $650 per year.
- You earn miles on purchases — typically 2 miles per dollar on United flights and dining, and 1 mile per dollar on other spending — which you can redeem for flights or upgrades.
- Sign-up bonuses usually offer 50,000 to 150,000 miles if you spend a certain amount within the first few months, but the exact offer changes regularly.
- Higher-tier cards include perks like lounge access, baggage fee waivers, and priority boarding, but you pay an annual fee to keep these benefits.
- Miles expire if your account is inactive for 18 months, so you need to use the card or take a United flight regularly to keep them.
How to open a United Airlines credit card
Visit Chase.com or the United Airlines website and search for "United credit card" to see the current offers. You will see the different card versions side by side with their annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and main benefits listed. Read the terms for each one carefully — the bonus miles, spending requirement to earn the bonus, and annual fee all vary.
Click "explore Now" on the card you want. Chase will ask for your Social Security number, income, employment status, and other personal details. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will get a decision right away or within a few days — Chase will tell you on screen or by email whether you were approved, denied, or need to provide more information.
If approved, your card arrives in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through the Chase mobile app or website once it arrives. Your miles post to your United account automatically once the card is open, though the sign-up bonus miles may take a few weeks to appear after you meet the spending requirement.
Understanding the sign-up bonus and how to earn it
The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of miles you will earn at once. Current offers typically range from 50,000 to 150,000 miles, but this changes frequently. To earn the bonus, you must spend a set amount — usually $1,000 to $5,000 — on the card within the first 3 months.
The spending requirement counts regular purchases like groceries, gas, and bills. It does not count balance transfers, cash advances, or fees. If you spend $1,500 in the first month and the requirement is $3,000, you have $1,500 left to spend in months two and three to earn the bonus.
Once you hit the spending target, the bonus miles post to your United account within 1 to 2 billing cycles. You can then use those miles to book flights, upgrades, or other rewards through the United website or app. The bonus is one-time per card version — you cannot earn the same bonus twice on the same card.
Annual fees and what they cover
The no-annual-fee United Gateway Card has no yearly cost but offers fewer perks — no lounge access, no baggage fee waiver, and lower earning rates on some purchases. The United Explorer Card costs $95 per year and includes a $100 United travel credit (which offsets most of the fee), a free checked bag, priority boarding, and lounge access on some versions. The United Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and includes lounge access, a $100 travel credit, and additional perks.
The annual fee posts to your account on your card anniversary — the same date each year that you opened the card. You can cancel the card anytime to avoid paying the next year's fee, though you will lose access to the benefits and any remaining miles may expire if you do not use them.
Some cards offer a statement credit or travel credit that partially or fully offsets the annual fee. For example, the Explorer Card's $100 travel credit can be used on United purchases like flights, seat upgrades, or baggage fees. Check the current offer when you explore, because these credits change.
How miles work and what you can do with them
Miles are United's rewards currency. You earn them on every purchase with the card and on every United flight you take. You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel-related purchases through the United website or app.
The value of a mile depends on what you book. A domestic flight might cost 25,000 to 50,000 miles depending on the route and how far in advance you book. International flights typically cost more — 60,000 to 150,000 miles or higher. You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to business or first class, which usually costs 5,000 to 25,000 miles depending on the flight length.
Miles do not expire as long as you have account activity — this means you take a United flight, earn miles from the credit card, or redeem miles at least once every 18 months. If your account goes inactive for 18 months, United will close your account and you will lose any remaining miles. Using the credit card counts as activity, so regular cardholders rarely lose miles.
Comparing the United card to other airline cards
Other airlines issue their own credit cards through different banks. American Airlines has cards through Citi, Delta has cards through American Express, and Southwest has cards through Chase. Each card has its own earning rates, annual fees, and sign-up bonuses.
The United card is most valuable if you fly United frequently or live near a United hub. If you fly multiple airlines equally, a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred might earn more flexible points that you can transfer to any airline partner. If you fly one other airline more than United, that airline's card may offer better perks for your travel pattern.
Compare the annual fee against the benefits you will actually use. A $95 annual fee makes sense only if you take at least one or two United flights per year or use the travel credit and baggage waiver regularly. If you rarely fly United, the no-annual-fee Gateway Card is the better choice.
What happens if you close the card or miss a payment
If you close the card, your miles stay in your United account as long as you have activity — a United flight or another United credit card — within 18 months. If you close all your United cards and do not fly United, your miles will expire after 18 months of inactivity.
If you miss a payment, Chase will charge you a late fee (usually $25 to $35 for the first late payment) and your interest rate may increase. Missing multiple payments can damage your credit score and may result in Chase closing your account. If your account is closed by Chase, you lose the ability to earn new miles on that card, though your existing miles remain in your United account.
If you want to keep your miles but do not want to pay the annual fee, downgrade to the no-annual-fee Gateway Card instead of closing the account entirely. This keeps your account open and your miles active without the yearly cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my United miles to someone else?
United allows you to transfer miles to another person's account, but there is a fee — usually $15 per 1,000 miles transferred. You can also use your miles to buy a ticket for someone else without transferring the miles themselves. Check United's website for current transfer policies and fees.
What is the difference between the United Explorer Card and the United Club Infinite Card?
The Explorer Card costs $95 per year and includes a $100 travel credit, one free checked bag, and priority boarding. The Club Infinite Card costs $650 per year and includes the same benefits plus unlimited lounge access and additional perks. Choose the Club Infinite only if you fly frequently enough to use the lounge access regularly.
Do I have to use my miles within a certain time?
Miles do not expire as long as your United account has activity at least once every 18 months. Activity includes taking a United flight, earning miles from the credit card, or redeeming miles. If your account goes inactive for 18 months, United will close it and you will lose your miles.
Can I earn the sign-up bonus again if I close and reopen the card?
Chase typically allows you to earn a sign-up bonus once per card version every 24 months. If you close the card and reopen it within 24 months, you will not be able to earn the bonus again. Wait at least 24 months before explore for the same card if you want another bonus.
What if I have a question about my miles or account?
Contact Chase customer service through the Chase app or website for credit card questions like billing and payments. Contact United directly through the United app or website for questions about your miles balance, redeeming miles, or account activity. Both companies have phone numbers and chat support available.