Best United Airlines Credit Cards
Best United Airlines Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Up to 4X Reward Rate
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases; Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel andRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus miles
Regular APR
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Credit Score
Excellent (750 – 850)
Why We Picked It
United’s top-tier card offering ups its game with 4 miles per dollar earnings on United purchases. A suite of travel perks makes the card an even better value, with the United Club membership alone worth more than the annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fee
- United Club membership is worth more than the annual fee
- First and second checked bag free when you pay for your flight with your card
- Very high annual fee
- No intro APR offer
- High regular APR
Card Details
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and Premier Access® travel services
- 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
- Earn up to 8,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
Best Mid-Tier United Airlines Card
United℠ Explorer Card
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays and United® purchases. 1 mile per $1 spent on allRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Regular APR
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent (700 – 749)
Why We Picked It
A top choice for casual or moderate United fliers; the perks can easily outweigh the annual fee. If you’re prepared to spend on dining and hotels in addition to United purchases, you’ll earn 2 miles per dollar.
Pros & Cons
- Annual fee waived the first year
- Free first checked bag when you pay with your card & Priority Boarding
- Earn unlimited miles with no caps
- No blackout dates
- Seat limitations on Saver Awards
- Everyday Awards flight pricing is expensive
- No 0% intro APR offer
- High regular APR
Card Details
- Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases
- Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
- Free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
- Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
- Member FDIC
Best United Card for Miles Rebates
United Quest℠ Card
Up to 3X Reward Rate
3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases. 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, select streaming services & allRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus miles
Regular APR
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent (700 – 749)
Why We Picked It
Frequent United customers will appreciate that the United Quest Card comes with an annual $125 United credit, rewards on travel and dining and travel protections such as primary car rental coverage and trip cancellation insurance.
Pros & Cons
- $125 annual United purchase credit
- Earn up to two 5,000-mile award flight credits annually
- Two free checked bags for cardholder and a companion traveling on the same reservation
- Earn up to 6,000 Premier Qualifying Points annually
- Primary auto collision damage waiver on eligible rentals
- Checked baggage benefit only applies to one companion
- Earnings for general purchases are only 1 mile per dollar
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
- Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) – and priority boarding
- Up to a $125 United® purchase credit and two 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits each year (terms apply)
- Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (500 PQP for every $12K you spend on purchases)
- Member FDIC
Best No Annual Fee United Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Up to 2x Rewards Rate
2X miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting. 1 mile perRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 20,000 bonus miles
Regular APR
21.74% – 28.74% Variable
Credit Score
Good, Excellent (700 – 749)
Why We Picked It
With its simple and respectable rewards rates, plus Visa Signature benefits, casual fliers who are loyal to United will find value in United’s only card with no annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- Earn 2 miles on purchases with United, at gas stations and on local transportation
- Enjoy expanded United award travel availability
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
- Earns only 1 mile per dollar spent on non-bonused purchases
- No free checked bag or enhanced boarding benefits
Card Details
- Earn 20,000 bonus miles
- No annual fee
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
- Member FDIC
More About the Best United Credit Cards
Other Good Credit Cards for United Flyers
Just because you fly United the most or like United the best doesn’t mean a United-branded card is the best option for you. Other great cards for flying offer a lot more flexibility overall. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card*
Cards earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, especially, can be a good option as Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to United Airlines.
Methodology
The best cards were chosen because they offer the best welcome bonuses, earnings rates, redemption opportunities and other perks. That said, what is best for the majority of United flyers might not be right for you. Do your research before deciding what cards will best help make your flight dreams come true.
Since United no longer publishes an award chart, it’s difficult to give you an exact “It will cost you X miles to get from A to B” calculation. Because of this, there are times when the United miles cost will not be proportional to the cash cost of a ticket or the number of miles you would need if using a Star Alliance partner. This list focuses on the best United credit cards for those valuing United-specific benefits, but many people will be better served by a more flexible travel rewards card like those mentioned on our best credit cards for flying list.
One more important note: Rewards cards generally have higher than average interest rates. If you need to carry a balance, rewards cards are not the best choice for you.
To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on How Forbes Advisor Rates Credit Cards.
Credit Score Needed for a United Airlines Credit Card
Lucrative rewards credit cards generally require a good or excellent credit score to qualify. FICO defines a good credit score as ranging from 670 to 739. A very good score ranges from 740 to 799, while an excellent score is 800 or above.
If you have a good credit score, cards like the United Explorer Card or the Chase Sapphire Preferred may be low-hanging fruit for you. Potential cardholders with a very good or excellent credit score may be eligible for even better rewards potential, like the United Club Infinite Card or the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Keep in mind that more factors than just credit score can affect your credit card application. Total annual income, other existing debt and payment history can all impact your eligibility. Check for preapproval offers when shopping for a new card.
United Airlines Co-Branded Cards
One benefit of having any United co-branded card is that United releases extra MileagePlus award space to cardholders and elite members. If you’re not a United elite, having a United credit card could distinguish between finding a Saver ticket and paying double the cost for an Anytime Award.
Keep in mind that United MileagePlus miles will allow you to fly on any Star Alliance airline, making the miles more versatile than you might think. Star Alliance airlines include Air Canada, the Lufthansa Group and Singapore Airlines.
Who Should Get a United Airlines Credit Card?
A United Airlines credit card could be for you if you regularly fly United and could use a boost to the miles you’re earning via the welcome bonus for the card. Anyone who regularly redeems United miles for flights on United should also definitely consider a United Airlines credit card due to the increased award availability offered to cardholders. This alone could make a United credit card make sense even if you prefer to earn more flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
How Much Are United Miles Worth?
The value you get from your United miles will depend on how you use them. If you book a flight that would cost $1,000 for 50,000 miles, you’re getting a value of 2 cents per mile. As a general rule, you should strive to achieve a value of at least 1.2 to 1.5 cents per airline mile.
How To Pick the Best Credit Card for United Airlines
Finding the best credit card for United Airlines can be overwhelming with so many choices. Before applying, consider your needs and options. Here are some questions to ask:
- Will your benefits offset the annual fee? Annual fees eat into your rewards. Think about your yearly spending to make sure you will earn enough rewards or cash back to offset the fee and then some.
- Will you use the card’s benefits? Some cards come with benefits such as free checked bags, an annual travel credit or discounts on in-flight purchases. Before applying for a new card, think about your actual usage patterns. Does this benefit actually have value to you?
- How easy are miles to spend? United Airlines cards are designed for those who are loyal to United Airlines. If you want to use an airline outside the Star Alliance, this becomes an issue. If you don’t want to stay loyal to United, you might prefer a cash back or flexible rewards card.
How To Apply for United Airlines Credit Cards
Most United credit cards are affiliated with Chase bank. You can apply for a United card by browsing United’s website or visiting Chase.com.
Be prepared with important information like your Social Security number, home address and total gross annual income. Make sure to read the terms of the application and understand the benefits and potential fees of the card you’re applying for. Credit card applications usually result in a hard pull to your credit, temporarily lowering your credit score.
If possible, look for preapproval offers or see if there’s a preapproval tool on the Chase website. By submitting a smaller amount of information, you can see which credit cards you qualify for under what terms without potentially damaging your credit score in the process. You can always submit a formal application immediately after receiving a preapproval offer.
How To Make the Most of Your United Credit Card
If you have a United credit card, make the most of it by taking advantage of as many benefits as possible. If you have miles rebates, lounge access passes or fee credits, don’t let them expire unused. If you find that you’re not using all of the benefits offered by your card, consider if downgrading to one with a lower annual fee makes more sense.
Find the Best Travel Credit Cards For 2023
Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.
Bottom Line
Choosing the best United Airlines credit card for you may take some time, but the right card can help you travel for less and have access to more benefits than you would without the card. It’s worthwhile to take some time upfront to make sure you have the card that best suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best United credit card?
The best United credit card for you varies depending on your needs and willingness to pay an annual fee. The United Club Infinite card offers the most benefits, including United Club membership, but it comes with a hefty annual fee. Consider the United Explorer card for a balance of a moderate annual fee and benefits, including a free checked bag.
Do United miles expire?
United miles never expire.
How do I find out if I’m eligible for a United Airlines credit card?
Rewards cards in general, including United Airlines credit cards, typically require good to excellent credit as defined by FICO. A score in the “good” range of 670 to 739 may be sufficient for a basic rewards card, but for the strongest rewards you can expect to need a score of 740 or higher.
What are United Airlines-branded credit cards?
Most United Airlines co-branded credit cards are issued by Chase. Two of the United co-branded credit cards are the United Explorer Card and the United Club Infinite Card. United co-branded cards earn MileagePlus miles that can be redeemed for flights on United and partner airlines.
How do I activate a United Airlines credit card?
There’s generally a sticker on your card letting you know how to activate the card. Methods include calling a dedicated number, using an activation link on your card’s website or activating via your bank’s app.
Which credit card points transfer to United Airlines?
Premium Chase credit cards that earn Ultimate Rewards transfer to United Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
How do I get a free checked bag with a United credit card?
Cards offering a free checked bag on United include the United Club Infinite card, the United Business card, the United® Credit Card from First Hawaiian Bank* and the United Explorer Card.
How do I cancel a United Airlines credit card?
You can cancel a United Airlines credit card by calling the number on the back of your card. Before canceling your card, you might consider asking for a retention offer if you’re not 100% sure you want to cancel the card.
Can you have more than one United Airlines credit card?
Yes, you can have more than one United Airlines credit card, but keep in mind that Chase’s 5/24 rule applies to applications for new cards. If you’ve gotten more than five new cards, from any bank, in the last 24 months, you are unlikely to be approved for new Chase cards.
How many United miles do you need for a free flight?
United no longer publishes an award chart, so it’s not as easy as it once was to know how many miles are needed for a particular flight. You may be able to book short flights for as few as 5,000 MileagePlus miles. Flights from the U.S. to Europe in economy can be booked for 30,000 MileagePlus miles.
How hard is it to get a United Airlines credit card?
The United credit cards will generally require a good or excellent credit score to qualify. FICO defines a good credit score as ranging from 670 to 739. A very good score ranges from 740 to 799, while an excellent score is 800 or above. You may be able to get a United card with a lower credit score and you may not be approved even if your credit score is excellent. The bank will consider your credit history and additional financial information when you apply.
Other Credit Cards To Be Considered
Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
