United Airlines Credit Cards: Earning and Redeeming Miles
United Airlines offers four co-branded credit cards designed for personal use: the United Club℠ Infinite Card, United Quest℠ Card, United℠ Explorer Card, and United Gateway℠ Card. Each card offers unique benefits, rewards, and welcome bonuses to suit different travel preferences and needs. Here’s a breakdown of the features and benefits of each card:
United Club℠ Infinite Card
- Earn 4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on all other travel and dining, and 1x mile on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus: Limited-time offer, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee: $525
- Benefits include:
- United Club membership with access to over 45 United Club locations and participating Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every four years
- No fee on purchases made outside the U.S.
- The card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to United Club lounges, free checked bags, credit for in-flight purchases, and more.
United Quest℠ Card
- Earn 3x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on dining, select streaming services, and all other travel, and 1x mile on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus: Limited-time offer, earn 70,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $250
- Benefits include:
- Annual United Airlines statement credit of up to $125 each anniversary
- Two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits (up to twice a year)
- Free first and second checked bags
- Priority boarding and seat upgrades
United℠ Explorer Card
- Earn 2x miles on United purchases, dining, and hotel stays; 1x mile on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus: Limited-time offer, earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee: $95 (waived for the first year)
- Benefits include:
- Free first checked bag for cardholder and companion
- Priority boarding
- Expanded access to United economy saver award flights
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
United Gateway℠ Card
- Earn 2x miles on United purchases, gas stations, and local transit and commuting; 1x mile on all other purchases
- Welcome bonus: Limited-time offer, earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
- Annual fee: $0
- Benefits include:
- 25% back on in-flight purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
Maximizing United Miles
- Use your miles to book flights on United or its Star Alliance partners
- Redeem miles for economy flights within the US for as low as 6,000 miles one-way
- Redeem miles for long-haul business class flights for as low as 60,000 miles one-way
- United miles never expire, and you can use them to book any available seat on a United flight
Alternatives to United Airlines Credit Cards
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card: Earn 2X points on all travel and 5X points on travel booked through Chase Travel
- Credit One Bank Wander American Express Card: Earn 10X points on eligible hotels and rental car rentals, 5X points on eligible travel, and 1X points on all other purchases
Ultimately, the United Airlines credit card that’s right for you will depend on your individual travel habits and preferences. Consider your spending habits, travel style, and benefits when choosing the best card for your needs.
