Boost Your United Miles Balance With These Airline Credit Cards

If you live in the US and travel with United, you’ve likely come across the airline’s co-branded credit cards offered by Chase Bank. A great way to build loyalty, these cards allow passengers to enjoy several benefits, ranging from a free checked bag to an annual United Club membership. Here’s a look at United’s best credit cards in 2023 and the advantages you can get from each.
All of United’s fee-carrying cards also come with added benefits such as expanded award availability, free checked bags, and priority boarding, making it an excellent deal for anyone who flies from a few times a year to every week.
United Gateway Card
– $0 annual fee – Current sign-up bonus: 20,000 MileagePlus miles on spending $1,000 within three months of card opening
Aptly named the Gateway card, United’s zero-dollar annual fee card has an attractive sign-up bonus to kickstart your mileage balance. Add 2x earnings on flights and transport and no forex fees; this is a great travel card.
Photo: Chase
Benefits Earning Rate 25% rebate on all inflight purchases (food, beverages, and WiFi) and on premium alcohol at United Clubs. 2 miles per dollar spent with United on tickets, inflight purchases (food, drinks, and WiFi), and ancillary services. 2 miles per dollar spent on transport (Uber, train tickets, tolls, or public transit, etc.) and gas stations. 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
United Explorer Card
– No annual fee for the first year, $95 per after from Year 2 onward – Current sign-up bonus: 60,000 MileagePlus miles on spending $3,000 in the first three months
For those who regularly fly United and would like to cut down their ancillary fees, the Explorer card is a great place to start. In addition to the 60,000-mile sign-up bonus (which can take you places), the free checked bag can help you save $30-80 in fees and enable you to book the lowest fare. The first year free is an attractive proposition, allowing you to try out all the perks and decide if it’s the right one for you.
Photo: United
Benefits Earning Rate One free checked bag on all United itineraries. 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases with United. $100 TSA PreCheck/NEXUS/Global Entry statement credit every four years. 2 miles per dollar spent on dining (including delivery services) and on hotels booked directly. Two United Club passes annually. 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Priority boarding on United (Group 2). 25% back on inflight purchases and no forex fees.
United Quest Card
– $250 annual fee – Current sign-up bonus: 60,000 MileagePlus miles + 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) when you spend $4,000 in the first three months
If you’re chasing a little more than free trips, the Quest card is your gateway to elite status with United Airlines. The card offers 500 PQPs (10% of the requirement for Silver) upon hitting the sign-on bonus and the chance to earn 6,000 PQPs at the rate of 500 per $12,000 spent.
Photo: United
To keep you around after the first year, you’ll also receive two 5,000-mile bonuses for making two MileagePlus award bookings yearly. Combined with the statement credit as seen below, this could make the card valuable in the long run.
Benefits Earning rate $125 statement credit against United purchases. 3 miles per dollar spent with United. Priority boarding on United (Group 2) and two free checked bags. 2 miles per dollar spent on airfare, transport, cruises, hotels, resorts car rentals, rideshare apps, and select streaming services. 25% back on inflight United purchases and no foreign exchange fees. 1 mile per dollar spent on other purchases. $100 back every four years for TSA PreCheck/NEXUS/Global Entry. 500 PQP for every $12,000 spent (up to 6,000 PQPs annually).
United Club Infinite Card
– $525 annual fee – Sign-up bonus: 80,000 MileagePlus miles for spending $5,000 in the first three months
They say life is better at the top, and with the United Club Infinite, it sure can feel that way. With United Club access for you and two guests, Premier access, and discounts on domestic awards, this card is meant for frequent flyers who don’t yet have status with the carrier.
Photo: United
Benefits Earning Rate Complimentary United Club membership ($695 annually). 4 miles per dollar spent with United. Premier Access at available airports (priority check-in, dedicated security queues, and boarding). 2 miles per dollar spent on airfare, transport, cruises, hotels, resorts car rentals, rideshare apps, and delivery services. Two free checked bags. 1 mile per dollar on all other spends. 10% off on United Saver Economy reward tickets for travel in the US and Canada. 500 PQPs per $12,000 spent (up to 8,000 PQPs annually). 25% rebate on inflight purchases, $100 PreCheck/NEXUS/Global Entry Credit every four years, and no foreign transaction fees.
What do you think about United’s co-brand credit cards? Do you have any of them, or would you apply? Let us know in the comments.