What the United Mileage Credit Card offers
The United Mileage Plus Card is a co-branded credit card issued by Chase in partnership with United Airlines. It earns miles on every purchase you make, and those miles can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, and other travel rewards. The card comes with a sign-up bonus — typically a large number of miles awarded after you spend a certain amount in the first few months — and ongoing perks like checked baggage waivers and priority boarding.
This card is designed for people who fly United regularly or want to build a balance of miles over time. Unlike some airline cards that lock you into one carrier, you can use United miles for partner airlines and non-flight purchases through United's shopping portal, though redemption rates vary. The annual fee is charged every year, so you need to decide whether the benefits justify the cost for your travel habits.
Key Takeaways
- The card earns miles on all purchases, with bonus rates on United flights, dining, and gas depending on which version you hold.
- A sign-up bonus of 50,000 to 70,000 miles (the exact amount changes) is awarded after you meet the spending requirement, usually within the first three months.
- You pay an annual fee each year, and the card includes a checked baggage waiver and priority boarding on United flights.
- Miles can be redeemed for United flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays through partners, or merchandise, though flight redemptions typically offer the best value.
- United miles do not expire as long as your account has activity at least once every 24 months.
How to earn miles with this card
Every dollar you spend on the card earns miles. The earning rate depends on which version of the card you hold — there are several tiers, from the basic Mileage Plus Card to premium versions like the Club or Premier Card. On a standard card, you typically earn 1 mile per dollar on all purchases, with higher rates (2x or 3x miles) on United flights, dining, gas, and hotels depending on the card tier.
The sign-up bonus is the largest chunk of miles most cardholders earn in the first year. You receive the bonus after you spend a set amount — often $2,000 to $5,000 — within the first three months of opening the account. This bonus is not automatic; Chase tracks your spending and deposits the miles into your United account once the threshold is met. If you do not reach the spending requirement, you do not receive the bonus.
Beyond the sign-up bonus and everyday spending, you can earn additional miles through United's shopping portal, dining programs, and partner credit cards. You also earn miles on every United flight you book, regardless of whether you use the credit card to pay.
Annual fees and ongoing costs
The United Mileage Plus Card charges an annual fee, typically between $95 and $450 depending on the card tier. This fee is charged to your account every year on your card anniversary, and you are responsible for paying it as part of your regular credit card bill. The fee does not waive automatically; you must contact Chase to close the card if you decide not to pay it in a given year.
Some versions of the card offer a statement credit or other benefit that partially offsets the annual fee — for example, a $100 United travel credit or a dining credit. Read the specific terms for your card tier to understand what benefits come with the fee. If the annual fee and benefits do not align with your travel plans, downgrading to a no-annual-fee United card or closing the account entirely are both options.
What you can do with your miles
United miles are most valuable when redeemed for flights. You can book any United flight or flights on United partner airlines using your miles, and the number of miles required depends on the route, distance, and how far in advance you book. Premium cabin seats (business and first class) cost significantly more miles than economy seats on the same flight. You can also use miles to upgrade a paid ticket to a higher cabin.
Outside of flights, United miles can be transferred to hotel and car rental partners, used to purchase merchandise through the United shopping portal, or donated to charity. Hotel and car redemptions typically offer lower value per mile than flights, so most experienced cardholders focus on flight bookings. You can also use miles to pay for baggage fees, seat selections, and other ancillary charges, though this is rarely the best use of your miles.
Miles do not expire as long as your United account has some activity — a flight, a credit card purchase, or even a mile transfer — at least once every 24 months. If your account goes inactive for two years, United will close it and you will lose your miles.
Sign-up bonus and how to claim it
When you open a United Mileage Plus Card, you are offered a sign-up bonus if you meet a spending requirement within a set timeframe, usually three months. The bonus amount varies — it may be 50,000 miles, 70,000 miles, or another figure depending on the current promotion. This bonus is the main financial incentive to open the card, and it often represents more miles than you would earn through regular spending in a year.
The bonus is not awarded when ready. Chase monitors your account and deposits the miles into your United account automatically once you have met the spending requirement. This typically happens within one to two billing cycles after you cross the threshold. You do not need to request the bonus or submit any paperwork; it appears in your United account without action on your part.
If you close the card before the bonus is awarded, you forfeit it. Some cardholders open the card, meet the spending requirement, receive the bonus, and then close the card to avoid paying the annual fee in the following year — this is a common strategy, though it does affect your credit profile slightly each time you open and close an account.
Card benefits beyond miles
The United Mileage Plus Card includes several perks that come with holding the card, separate from the miles you earn. All versions include a checked baggage waiver, meaning you and an when ready family member traveling on the same ticket receive one free checked bag on United flights. This benefit alone can save $35 to $70 per round trip if you normally check luggage.
Priority boarding is another standard benefit — you board before most other passengers, which means better overhead bin space and a smoother boarding experience. Premium card tiers include additional perks like United Club passes, seat upgrades, travel credits, and concierge services. These benefits vary significantly by card tier, so compare what each version offers before deciding which one to pursue.
The card also typically includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay coverage, and emergency medical and dental coverage when you are traveling. These protections explore when you charge the trip to the card, and the coverage limits and conditions vary. Review the full benefits guide that comes with your card to understand what is covered.
How this card compares to other airline cards
United is one of three major U.S. carriers, and American Airlines and Delta both offer their own co-branded credit cards with similar structures: sign-up bonuses, annual fees, checked baggage waivers, and priority boarding. The main difference between them is which airline's flights and partners you value most. If you fly United more than other carriers, the United card makes sense. If you split your flying between carriers, you may want to hold multiple airline cards or choose a general travel rewards card instead.
General travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express Gold earn points that can be transferred to multiple airlines, giving you more flexibility. However, they typically do not include airline-specific perks like checked baggage waivers or priority boarding. The trade-off is flexibility versus airline-locked benefits. Your choice depends on whether you are loyal to United or prefer to spread your spending across multiple carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your United account and do not disappear when you close the credit card. The card and the airline account are separate. However, if your United account has no activity for 24 months, United will close the account and you will lose the miles. To keep your account active after closing the card, you can take a United flight, transfer miles, or use the United shopping portal.
Can I use my miles on airlines other than United?
Yes. United is part of the Star Alliance, a network of partner airlines. You can redeem miles for flights on partners like Lufthansa, Air Canada, and others. Partner redemptions sometimes cost more miles than United flights on the same route, and availability can be more limited. You can also transfer miles to hotel and car rental partners, though this is typically a lower-value use.
How long does it take to receive the sign-up bonus?
The bonus is awarded automatically after you meet the spending requirement, usually within one to two billing cycles. This means if you hit the threshold in month two, the miles typically appear in your United account by the end of month three or early month four. Chase does not require you to request it — the system deposits it automatically once the condition is met.
Is the annual fee worth it if I only fly occasionally?
That depends on your travel frequency and the card tier. If you fly United at least once or twice a year and check a bag, the checked baggage waiver alone saves you $35 to $70 per trip, which can offset a $95 annual fee. The sign-up bonus also adds significant value in your first year. If you fly less than once a year, a no-annual-fee United card or a general travel card may be a better fit.
Do I have to pay taxes on the sign-up bonus miles?
No. The IRS does not treat airline miles as taxable income when you receive them as a sign-up bonus or through credit card spending. You only owe taxes on miles if you sell them or redeem them for cash, which is rare. Redeeming miles for flights or other travel is not a taxable event.