What United Airlines credit cards offer
United Airlines issues several credit cards through Chase, each designed to reward frequent flyers or occasional travelers. The cards differ in annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and the rewards you earn on purchases. Most cards give you miles for spending, priority boarding, checked bag waivers, and access to United Club passes. The specific benefits depend on which card you choose and how much you spend each year.
United's main cards are the United Club Infinite Card, the United Explorer Card, the United Gateway Card, and the United TravelBank Card. Each targets a different traveler: the Club Infinite is for frequent flyers willing to pay a high annual fee, the Explorer is the mid-tier option, the Gateway is entry-level, and the TravelBank Card is for people who want to bank miles without a premium card. You can hold only one United card at a time, so choosing the right one matters.
Key Takeaways
- United credit cards earn miles on every purchase, with bonus categories for dining, gas, and travel that vary by card.
- Sign-up bonuses range from 20,000 to 150,000 miles depending on the card, and you must meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe to receive them.
- Annual fees range from $0 to $650, and some cards waive the first year or offer statement credits that offset the cost.
- Most United cards include a free checked bag, priority boarding, and United Club passes, though the number and type of passes differ by card tier.
- You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, or transfer them to hotel and car rental partners.
United Club Infinite Card: Premium benefits and high annual fee
The United Club Infinite Card carries a $650 annual fee and is aimed at elite frequent flyers. It earns 2 miles per dollar on dining and gas, 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, and comes with a sign-up bonus of 150,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in the first three months. The card includes unlimited United Club passes for you and authorized users, a $100 annual United purchase credit, a $200 annual airline fee credit, and a free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same ticket.
The high annual fee makes sense only if you fly United frequently and use the Club passes regularly. The $100 United credit and $200 airline fee credit reduce the net cost, but you must actively use them. If you fly United at least once a month and value lounge access, this card can pay for itself. If you fly less often, a lower-tier card is usually better.
United Explorer Card: Mid-tier option with moderate annual fee
The United Explorer Card costs $99 per year and is Chase's most popular United card. It earns 2 miles per dollar on dining, gas, and transit (including taxis and rideshare), 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, and offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first three months. The card includes two United Club passes per year, a free checked bag for you and one companion, priority boarding, and a $100 statement credit every four years as a renewal benefit.
This card works well for people who fly United several times a year and want solid earning rates without paying for premium lounge access. The dining and gas categories help you accumulate miles faster on everyday spending. The $100 renewal credit every four years offsets some of the annual fee cost if you keep the card long-term.
United Gateway Card: Entry-level card with no annual fee
The United Gateway Card has no annual fee and earns 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, with a sign-up bonus of 20,000 miles after you spend $500 in the first three months. The card includes a free checked bag, priority boarding, and access to United's mobile app features. It does not include Club passes or other premium perks.
This card is for people who fly United occasionally and want to earn miles without paying an annual fee. The low sign-up bonus and flat earning rate mean you build miles more slowly than with premium cards, but there is no cost if you do not use the card regularly. If you fly United once or twice a year, this card lets you earn something without wasting money on unused benefits.
United TravelBank Card: No annual fee, no miles
The United TravelBank Card has no annual fee and earns statement credits toward United purchases instead of miles. You earn 1% back on all purchases, with a sign-up bonus of $50 after you spend $500 in the first three months. The card does not include a free checked bag, priority boarding, or Club passes.
This card is for people who want to bank rewards with United but prefer cash-like credits over miles. It is the simplest option if you do not want to track miles or worry about award availability. The earning rate is lower than other United cards, so it is best for light flyers who value simplicity over earning power.
Sign-up bonuses and spending requirements
Every United card offers a sign-up bonus in miles or statement credits, but you must meet a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe—usually three months—to receive it. The Club Infinite requires $5,000 in three months for 150,000 miles. The Explorer requires $3,000 in three months for 60,000 miles. The Gateway requires $500 in three months for 20,000 miles. The TravelBank requires $500 in three months for $50 in statement credits.
These bonuses are the largest rewards you will earn from the card, so they matter when deciding which card to open. If you cannot spend the required amount in the timeframe, you will not receive the bonus. Some people time card openings around planned large purchases—a flight, hotel stay, or home improvement project—to meet the requirement more easily.
Annual fees and credits that reduce them
Annual fees range from $0 to $650 depending on the card. The Club Infinite's $650 fee comes with a $100 United purchase credit and a $200 airline fee credit, reducing the net cost to $350 if you use both. The Explorer's $99 fee includes a $100 renewal credit every four years, which means the card costs nothing in years two, three, and four if you keep it open. The Gateway and TravelBank have no annual fees.
When deciding whether to keep a card, calculate whether the credits and benefits you actually use exceed the annual fee. If you fly United once a year and do not use Club passes, the Club Infinite does not make financial sense. If you fly United several times a year and dine out regularly, the Explorer's 2x miles on dining may earn back the $99 fee through miles alone.
How to redeem United miles and what they are worth
United miles can be redeemed for flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, car rentals, and gift cards through the United website or app. The value of a mile varies depending on how you use it. A mile used for a domestic flight might be worth 1 to 1.5 cents, while a mile used for a premium cabin seat upgrade might be worth 2 to 3 cents. Miles used for expensive international flights can be worth more.
You can also transfer miles to United's hotel and car rental partners, though the exchange rate is usually less favorable than booking flights directly. Some people hold miles for premium cabin upgrades or long-haul international flights, where the value per mile is highest. Others book economy flights as soon as they have enough miles, prioritizing the ability to travel over maximizing value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one United credit card at the same time?
No. United and Chase allow you to hold only one United credit card at a time. If you want to switch cards, you must close your current card or downgrade it to a non-rewards version before opening a new one. Some people downgrade to avoid closing the account and losing the account history.
Do I earn miles on my credit card purchases if I am not a United frequent flyer member?
You must be a United frequent flyer member to earn miles on the card. Membership is free and takes a few minutes to set up on United's website. Miles are deposited into your account automatically when you use the card.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your United frequent flyer account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, if your account becomes inactive for 24 months, United may expire your miles. Using the miles, flying United, or earning miles through other means keeps the account active.
Are there any restrictions on which United flights I can book with miles?
United has award availability on most flights, but not every flight has seats available for miles redemption. Availability is typically better on less popular routes and times. You can search for award availability on United's website before committing your miles.
Do authorized users earn miles on their purchases?
Yes. Authorized users earn miles at the same rate as the primary cardholder. Miles from authorized user purchases go into the primary account holder's frequent flyer account.