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If you’ve decided to pledge your loyalty to United Airlines, then the next step is to open a co-branded United Airlines credit card. It’s the best way to boost your mile-earning potential, and most cards offer perks that’ll make your travel more convenient and comfortable.
See our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
We have created series of Best Credit Cards For Earning Points & Miles By Spending Category. In this guide, we’ll cover the best United credit cards.
Best United Credit Cards
United MileagePlus credit cards offer bonus miles on United spending and unlock benefits that are useful when you fly on United. One of the best, overlooked features of having a United card is expanded access to Saver level awards in Economy Class.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best United Airlines credit cards:
| United℠ Explorer Card | Best overall card, Best for non-elite flyers |
| United Quest℠ Card | Best for earning miles |
| United Gateway℠ Card | Best for budget travelers |
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | Best for lounge access |
| United℠ Business Card | Best for business travelers |
The Details
Let’s get more into detail with each card below:
The United℠ Explorer Card is a good fit for casual or moderate United travelers. All the elite-style perks you get easily make up for the card’s $95 annual fee.
Don’t forget to use your United℠ Explorer Card at restaurants and hotels, as well as United purchases, to earn as many extra miles as you possibly can.
CHASE UNITED℠ EXPLORER CARD
The Chase United℠ Explorer Card from Chase has an offer for up to 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 total in the first 3 months. We value these 50k miles at around $700.
The card earns 2X miles on dining and eligible delivery services, hotel stays and United® purchases. United purchases include:
- Tickets
- Economy Plus
- Inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi
- Other United charges
You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other benefits include up to $100 as a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck™ application fee every 4 years. You and a traveling companion on the same reservation will each receive the first standard checked bag free. This card provides priority boarding privileges and 2 one-time passes each year to United Clubs.
The Chase United Explorer Card has a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 thereafter.
The United Quest℠ Card comes packed with benefits, which more than offset the card’s hefty annual fee.
Ongoing rewards include an annual travel credit, mileage rewards for every purchase, free checked bags, priority boarding, premier upgrades on award tickets, and more!
The United Gateway℠ Card is the only co-branded MileagePlus not charging an annual fee. Regular United flyers can maximize their earning potential on everyday purchases such as food and gas.
UNITED GATEWAY℠ CARD
The United Gateway℠ Card from Chase has a welcome offer of 20,000 bonus miles. We value these 20k miles at around $280.
The card earns 2X miles at gas stations, local transit & commuting, and United purchases. United purchases include:
- Tickets
- Economy Plus
- Inflight food, beverages, Wi-Fi
- Other United charges
You’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
After replacing United TravelBank, this card will be the only co-branded MileagePlus card that doesn’t charge an annual fee.
The United Club℠ Infinite Card was made for frequent United flyers with complimentary United Club membership. The card has a hefty price tag but the annual fee is waived for the first year.
UNITED CLUB℠ INFINITE CARD
The United Club℠ Infinite Card from Chase is offering 80,000 bonus miles offer after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. We value these miles at around $1,120. Additionally, this premium card offers complimentary United Club membership, worth up to $650 a year.
Cardholders earn 4X miles on United® purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges; 2X on all other travel; and 2X on dining including eligible delivery services.
You’ll earn 1 MileagePlus mile per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Other valuable benefits offered by this card include free checked bags, priority airport service and 25% discount on United® purchases.
This is a card designed for the loyal United flyer.
The United℠ Business Card is a good fit with business owners who are moderate United travelers. You’ll get double miles on a variety of spending categories, along with plenty of elite-like perks that’ll more than cover the $99 annual cost of the card.
UNITED℠ BUSINESS CARD
The United℠ Business Card has an offer for 75,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Bottom Line
The United credit cards we mentioned in this guide are well-suited for those who fly with the carrier on a regular basis. Otherwise, see our list of Best Credit Cards For Earning Points & Miles By Spending Category for further reading.
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